Can You Pass a Proofreader Test?
By: Amanda Monell
Estimated Completion Time 5 min
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Image: Wiki Commons by TLK in 3
About This Quiz
For most of us, learning to proofread documents began in elementary school. In conjunction with a language arts program, we learned how to punctuate sentences while learning the different types of words accurately. Homework assignments included simple proofreading exercises where punctuation marks were either present or absent and spots where words were misspelled. Just like mathematics, grammar and language arts weren't for everyone. If you were to continue your education in language arts, there was the next task: the pesky diagramming of sentences. Â
Once you realized you had a gift for proofreading, did you choose to let others know? Some of us like to keep this talent under our hats so as to not draw attention, while others will tell everyone and anyone where they should have put an apostrophe or how to spell a word correctly. Either way, you have a skill that very few others have and should cherish it in the years to come. So, the question we have is this. Do you think you can pass our proofreading quiz? Sharpen your red pencils, get your reading glasses on, and let your inner proofreader out to play! Just don't grimace too much or double guess yourself!
START QUIZ
What type of punctuation is usually put at the end of a declarative sentence?
When sending out texts, how often do you use text speak?
Every once in a while, a little text speak slips in.
I use text speak regularly.
It's rare that I don't use text speak.
What type of punctuation is used at the end of an interrogative sentence?
Do you have any style books in your home?
I have more than one style book at home.
I have one or two style books at home.
I have one style book at home.
What kind of punctuation is used at the end of an exclamatory sentence?
How do you feel about the word thru?
That word drives me nuts!
I know that it's in the dictionary, but I still grimace when I see it.
I usually don't assign emotions to words.
I usually just read right on through it.
When would you use a colon?
To connect two vaguely related sentences
I use my colon in the bathroom.
If proofreading a hard copy document, what is the proofreading symbol for capitalizing a letter?
I draw a slash through the letter.
I underline the letter three times.
I write a note in the margins.
Do you have a keen eye for detail?
It depends on what I'm looking at.
I've got a better than average eye.
My friends call me Hawkeye.
If you're out and see a sign with a grammatical error, what do you do?
I let the owner of the sign know and offer to fix it for them.
I want to go up to the sign and fix it somehow, but don't do anything.
I notice it, but I let it go. If people want to look illiterate, that's on them.
When proofreading a hard copy document, how would you let the writer know they've misspelled a word?
I circle the word and put the letters SP next to it.
I circle the word and write spelling in the margin.
Traditionally speaking, what color ink is used when proofreading a hard copy document?
When proofreading a hard copy document, how would you tell the writer that they needed to add a period at the end of their sentence?
I'd place a period inside a circle.
I'd place a period inside of a carat.
I'd just write the period in.
I would write a note in the margin.
Which of these sentences shows the correct method of listing items?
I ate apples, oranges, and pears.
I ate; apples, oranges, and pears.
I ate apples, oranges and pears.
I ate apples oranges and pears.
Out of the words below, which one depicts the proper punctuation for a singular possessive noun?
Out of the words below, which one depicts the proper punctuation for a plural possessive noun?
Do your colleagues often ask you to look over presentations?
Goodness, yes. I often have to work late to finish my tasks after I'm done.
Once in a while, I get asked to review documents.
It's rare that I get approached to review documents.
How many books do you have in your library?
What job would be your dream job?
Of the sentences below, which one depicts the proper use of a parenthetical phrase?
Jane, her sister lives in Colorado.
Jane (her sister lives in Colorado.
Jane (her sister) lives in Colorado.
Jane her sister lives in Colorado.
Do you have a favorite pen?
I have a pen that I tend to favor over others.
I have a specific brand of pen that I like to use.
I have several pens that I like, depending on the mood I'm in.
Have you ever written a run-on sentence?
I rewrite the sentence if I catch it.
I have, but I usually fix it.
Which of these items would you capitalize?
When you watch a movie, do you often get annoyed with plot holes and inconsistencies?
Yes and I point it out to others.
Yes, but I suffer in silence.
Sometimes if they're HUGE mistakes, I'll get annoyed.
No, I figure that it is their vision.
Which movie about writing is your favorite?
Do you use grammar check or spell check while proofreading a document?
I only use spell check, and if I do, I use it sparingly.
Only if my eyes are super tired
When speaking with others, do you find yourself correcting them if they are grammatically incorrect?
How often is your proofreader's eye on?
It never turns off. It gets annoying.
It is on much of the time, but I can force it off.
I only have it on when I'm working.
I have it on when I am working on certain projects.
While in school, were you approached by others to write papers?
No, I kept my proofreading prowess a secret.
Yes, but I only wrote papers for others when I was working on a group project with them.
Do you prefer to proofread electronic texts or hard copy texts?
I like to save my eyes a little pain by proofreading hard copies only.
I would prefer hard copies, but I do review both types of documents.
I would prefer e-copies, but I do review both types of documents.
I like to help conserve paper so I proofread e-copies only
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