Proofreading & Editing Proofreading Knowledge 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following correctly uses an em dash?
- She bought apples, oranges - and bananas.
- The report - which was late - caused problems.
- The report—which was late—caused problems. (Correct answer)
- She bought apples – oranges – and bananas.
Correct answer: The report—which was late—caused problems.
An em dash (—) is used without spaces to set off parenthetical information or create emphasis, as shown in the third option.
Question 2: A proofreader encounters 'irregardless' in a formal document. What action should they take?
- Leave it; it is a standard word
- Replace it with 'regardless' since 'irregardless' is nonstandard (Correct answer)
- Replace it with 'irrespective' only
- Flag it for the author but make no change
Correct answer: Replace it with 'regardless' since 'irregardless' is nonstandard
'Irregardless' is widely considered nonstandard because the prefix 'ir-' creates a double negative; 'regardless' is the correct standard form.
Question 3: What is the correct plural of 'criterion'?
- Criterions
- Criterias
- Criteria (Correct answer)
- Criterium
Correct answer: Criteria
'Criterion' is a Greek-origin word whose correct English plural is 'criteria,' not 'criterions' or 'criterias.'
Question 4: When proofreading, which of the following represents a consistency error?
- Using 'color' on page 1 and 'colour' on page 5 in the same document (Correct answer)
- Writing numbers as words for amounts under ten
- Using the Oxford comma throughout the document
- Capitalizing proper nouns consistently
Correct answer: Using 'color' on page 1 and 'colour' on page 5 in the same document
Switching between American ('color') and British ('colour') spellings within the same document is a consistency error that proofreaders must flag.
Question 5: Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?
- Carefully, she proofread the document.
- She proofread the document carefully.
- She nearly drove her car into the lake. (Correct answer)
- She drove her car carefully along the road.
Correct answer: She nearly drove her car into the lake.
In 'She nearly drove her car into the lake,' 'nearly' modifies 'drove' instead of 'into the lake,' changing the intended meaning.
Question 6: What does 'passive voice' mean in grammar, and why might a proofreader flag it?
- A sentence with no adjectives; it weakens description
- The subject receives the action rather than performing it; it can obscure responsibility (Correct answer)
- A sentence missing a subject; it creates fragments
- A sentence with too many clauses; it is too complex
Correct answer: The subject receives the action rather than performing it; it can obscure responsibility
Passive voice constructions (e.g., 'Mistakes were made') place the subject as the receiver of action, which can obscure who is responsible and weaken clarity.
Question 7: Which punctuation mark is used to introduce a list or a clause that explains or expands on the preceding clause?
- Semicolon
- Em dash
- Colon (Correct answer)
- Ellipsis
Correct answer: Colon
A colon is used to introduce lists, explanations, or elaborations that follow a complete independent clause.
Proofreading & Editing Proofreading Knowledge 4
Which of the following correctly uses an em dash?