Placement Rules: Commas End Marks Direct Speech Quiz

  • 4th Grade
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| Questions: 20 | Updated: Jan 6, 2026
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1. Which sentence shows correct comma and end mark placement in direct speech?

Explanation

In C, the comma comes after said, and the period is inside the quotation marks.

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About This Quiz
Placement Rules: Commas End Marks Direct Speech Quiz - Quiz

Ready to make complex dialogue flow seamlessly? This quiz addresses the precise commas end marks direct speech quiz rules. You’ll practice placing commas, periods, question marks, and exclamation points correctly relative to the closing quotation mark, eliminating common punctuation errors.

2. Which sentence correctly shows a question in direct speech when the reporting words come first?

Explanation

B uses a comma after asked and puts the question mark inside the quotation marks.

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3. In direct speech, if the spoken words are a question, the question mark goes inside the closing quotation marks.

Explanation

The question mark is part of what is being said, so it stays inside the quotes.

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4. In American English, the period at the end of spoken words in direct speech usually goes inside the quotation marks.

Explanation

Periods and commas in direct speech are placed inside the closing quotation marks.

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5. Complete the sentence with correct punctuation: Mia said, "I finished my homework__"

Explanation

The period belongs inside the quotation marks because it ends the spoken sentence.

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6. Which sentences correctly use commas and end marks in direct speech?

Explanation

A and C both have the comma in the right place and the period inside the quotation marks.

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7. Which sentences do NOT place commas or end marks correctly in direct speech?

Explanation

B and D are missing either the comma before the quote or the period inside the quotation marks.

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8. Which sentence correctly shows direct speech when the spoken words come first?

Explanation

In C, the exclamation mark ends the spoken sentence inside the quotes, followed by the tag he shouted.

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9. Which sentence correctly uses a comma when the reporting words follow the speech?

Explanation

The comma goes before the closing quote to connect the speech with the reporting words.

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10. When the reporting words come first, a comma usually appears before the opening quotation marks.

Explanation

Patterns like He said, "..." use a comma before the quoted sentence.

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11. Complete the sentence with the missing punctuation: Ben asked__ "Can you help me?"

Explanation

A comma belongs after asked because the question itself is inside quotation marks.

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12. Which sentences correctly use question marks or exclamation marks in direct speech?

Explanation

B and D put the question mark or exclamation mark inside the quotation marks.

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13. Which sentence correctly punctuates a short answer in direct speech?

Explanation

A comma is used inside the quotation marks before the reporting words said Kayla.

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14. You should not use both a comma and a question mark at the end of the same spoken sentence in direct speech.

Explanation

A question mark or exclamation mark replaces the period or comma at the end of the spoken words.

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15. Complete the sentence: She wondered, "What time does the movie start__"

Explanation

The question mark ends the spoken question and belongs inside the quotation marks.

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16. Which sentence correctly uses a period when the reporting words come first?

Explanation

A uses a comma after said and a period inside the quotation marks to end the spoken sentence.

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17. Which sentences correctly show direct speech split by reporting words?

Explanation

B uses commas inside the quotation marks before and after the reporting words.

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18. If the spoken words show strong feeling, the exclamation mark goes inside the quotation marks.

Explanation

The exclamation mark is part of the speaker’s sentence, so it stays inside the quotes.

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19. Complete the sentence: "Watch out__" shouted the lifeguard.

Explanation

The exclamation mark ends the shouted words and belongs inside the quotation marks.

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20. Which rule about end marks in direct speech is correct?

Explanation

In American English, periods and commas are placed inside the closing quotation marks in direct speech.

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Which sentence shows correct comma and end mark placement in direct...
Which sentence correctly shows a question in direct speech when the...
In direct speech, if the spoken words are a question, the question...
In American English, the period at the end of spoken words in direct...
Complete the sentence with correct punctuation: Mia said, "I finished...
Which sentences correctly use commas and end marks in direct speech?
Which sentences do NOT place commas or end marks correctly in direct...
Which sentence correctly shows direct speech when the spoken words...
Which sentence correctly uses a comma when the reporting words follow...
When the reporting words come first, a comma usually appears before...
Complete the sentence with the missing punctuation: Ben asked__ "Can...
Which sentences correctly use question marks or exclamation marks in...
Which sentence correctly punctuates a short answer in direct speech?
You should not use both a comma and a question mark at the end of the...
Complete the sentence: She wondered, "What time does the movie...
Which sentence correctly uses a period when the reporting words come...
Which sentences correctly show direct speech split by reporting words?
If the spoken words show strong feeling, the exclamation mark goes...
Complete the sentence: "Watch out__" shouted the lifeguard.
Which rule about end marks in direct speech is correct?
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