Commas End Marks Direct Speech Quiz

1. Which sentence shows correct comma and end mark placement in direct speech?

“We are late”, said Tom.

Tom said “We are late.”

Tom said, "We are late."

Tom said, "We are late".

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

Explanation

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

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

She asked "Are we there yet"?

She asked, "Are we there yet?"

She asked "Are we there yet?"

She asked, "Are we there yet".

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

Explanation

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

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

True

False

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

Explanation

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

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

True

False

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

Explanation

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

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

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

Explanation

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

Submit

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

"Turn off the lights," Mom said.

Mom said "Turn off the lights."

Mom said, "Turn off the lights."

"Turn off the lights". Mom said.

Mom said, "Turn off the lights".

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

Explanation

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

Submit

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

"Be quiet," the teacher said.

"Be quiet" the teacher said.

The teacher said, "Be quiet."

The teacher said "Be quiet".

The teacher said, "Be quiet."

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

Explanation

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

Submit

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

"I’m excited"! he shouted.

"I’m excited", he shouted.

"I’m excited!" he shouted.

"I’m excited,"! he shouted.

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

Explanation

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

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

"We should start now," said our coach.

"We should start now". said our coach.

"We should start now.", said our coach.

We should start now, said our coach.

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

Explanation

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

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

True

False

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

Explanation

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

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

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

Explanation

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

Submit

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

She asked, "Can you come over?".

She asked, "Can you come over?"

"Watch out!", he yelled.

"Watch out!" he yelled.

"Watch out" he yelled!

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

Explanation

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

Submit

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

"Yes" said Kayla.

"Yes," said Kayla.

"Yes,", said Kayla.

"Yes." said Kayla.

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

Explanation

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

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

True

False

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

Explanation

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

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

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

Explanation

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

Submit

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

Dad said, "Clean your room."

Dad said. "Clean your room."

Dad, said "Clean your room."

Dad said "Clean your room."

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

Explanation

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

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

"I can’t wait", said Lily, "for the field trip."

"I can’t wait," said Lily, "for the field trip."

"I can’t wait," said Lily, "for the field trip".

"I can’t wait," said Lily. "For the field trip."

"I can’t wait" said Lily, "for the field trip."

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

Explanation

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

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

True

False

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

Explanation

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

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

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

Explanation

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

Submit

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

End marks always go outside the quotation marks.

Periods and commas always go inside the quotation marks in American English.

Question marks never go inside the quotation marks.

Exclamation marks never go inside the quotation marks.

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

Explanation

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

Placement Rules: Commas End Marks Direct Speech Quiz