Quotation Marks Direct Speech Quiz

1. What do quotation marks show in a sentence with direct speech?

They show the title of the story.

They show the exact words someone is saying.

They show where to pause and take a breath.

They show who is speaking.

Quotation marks enclose the speaker's exact spoken words.

Explanation

Quotation marks enclose the speaker's exact spoken words.

2. Which sentence correctly uses quotation marks for direct speech?

Lena said, I love science.

Lena said I love science.

Lena said, "I love science."

"Lena said, I love science."

The spoken words I love science are inside quotation marks after a comma.

Explanation

The spoken words I love science are inside quotation marks after a comma.

3. In direct speech, quotation marks go around all the words that are spoken aloud.

True

False

Quotation marks open before and close after the complete spoken sentence.

Explanation

Quotation marks open before and close after the complete spoken sentence.

4. When the reporting part comes first, a comma usually comes before the opening quotation marks.

True

False

We often write patterns like She said, "..." with a comma before the quote.

Explanation

We often write patterns like She said, "..." with a comma before the quote.

5. Which sentence shows correct quotation mark placement and punctuation?

“Let’s go outside” he said.

“Let’s go outside,” he said.

Let’s go outside, “he said.”

Let’s go “outside,” he said.

The comma comes before the closing quote, followed by the reporting words he said.

Explanation

The comma comes before the closing quote, followed by the reporting words he said.

6. In the sentence "My mom asked, \"Did you finish your homework?\"" which part is inside quotation marks?

My mom asked,

Did you finish your homework?

Homework

Finish your homework

The question Did you finish your homework? is the exact speech shown in quotes.

Explanation

The question Did you finish your homework? is the exact speech shown in quotes.

7. Which sentences use quotation marks correctly for direct speech?

“I am ready,” Sam said.

Sam said "i am ready."

Sam said, "I am ready."

"I am ready", said Sam.

Sam said I am ready.

A and C both have the spoken words in quotation marks with correct capitalization.

Explanation

A and C both have the spoken words in quotation marks with correct capitalization.

Submit

8. Which sentences do NOT use quotation marks correctly?

“We are late,” whispered Ana.

We are late, whispered Ana.

Ana whispered, "we are late."

Ana whispered, "We are late."

Ana whispered, We are late.

B, C, and E are missing quotation marks or correct capitalization inside the quotes.

Explanation

B, C, and E are missing quotation marks or correct capitalization inside the quotes.

Submit

9. To show where direct speech begins, we use opening __________ marks before the first spoken word.

Opening quotation marks come right before the first word that is spoken.

Explanation

Opening quotation marks come right before the first word that is spoken.

Submit

10. To show where direct speech ends, we use closing __________ marks after the last spoken word.

Closing quotation marks come right after the last word of the speech, before the end punctuation if it is a comma.

Explanation

Closing quotation marks come right after the last word of the speech, before the end punctuation if it is a comma.

Submit

11. In American English, the period or comma at the end of the spoken words usually goes inside the closing quotation marks.

True

False

Standard American punctuation places commas and periods inside the quotation marks.

Explanation

Standard American punctuation places commas and periods inside the quotation marks.

12. Which sentence correctly shows direct speech in the middle of a sentence?

"I’m hungry," said Max, "let’s eat."

"I’m hungry" said Max, "let’s eat."

"I’m hungry," said Max, "Let’s eat".

I’m hungry, said Max, let’s eat.

Both spoken parts are in quotation marks with commas separating the reporting words.

Explanation

Both spoken parts are in quotation marks with commas separating the reporting words.

13. Which sentence correctly capitalizes the first word inside the quotation marks?

Nora said, "i found my book."

Nora said, "I found my book."

Nora said, "i Found my book."

Nora said, "found my book."

The first word inside the quotes is capitalized as the start of a sentence.

Explanation

The first word inside the quotes is capitalized as the start of a sentence.

14. Which sentences correctly use quotation marks when the reporting words come after the speech?

"I lost my notebook", said Jay.

"I lost my notebook," said Jay.

“Where is my notebook?” asked Jay.

I lost my notebook, said Jay.

"Where is my notebook?" asked Jay.

B, C, and E have the spoken words in quotation marks with proper punctuation placement.

Explanation

B, C, and E have the spoken words in quotation marks with proper punctuation placement.

Submit

15. Each time a different character speaks in direct speech, their words should be inside their own set of quotation marks.

True

False

Each speaker’s exact words are shown inside a separate pair of quotation marks.

Explanation

Each speaker’s exact words are shown inside a separate pair of quotation marks.

16. Complete the sentence with correct direct speech: Maya said, "__________" when she arrived.

Maya’s exact words go inside quotation marks to show direct speech.

Explanation

Maya’s exact words go inside quotation marks to show direct speech.

Submit

17. Which sentence needs quotation marks to show direct speech correctly?

Tom shouted, "Watch out!"

Tom shouted Watch out!

"Watch out!" Tom shouted.

Tom shouted, watch out!

B is missing quotation marks around Watch out!, which are needed for direct speech.

Explanation

B is missing quotation marks around Watch out!, which are needed for direct speech.

18. Which direct speech sentences correctly use a comma with quotation marks?

“Let’s start,” our teacher said.

Our teacher said “Let’s start.”

Our teacher said, “Let’s start.”

“Let’s start” our teacher said.

Our teacher said, Let’s start.

A and C have a comma either before or inside the quotation marks where it belongs.

Explanation

A and C have a comma either before or inside the quotation marks where it belongs.

Submit

19. When a question is asked in direct speech, the question mark comes before the closing quotation marks.

True

False

The question mark is part of the spoken sentence, so it stays inside the quotation marks.

Explanation

The question mark is part of the spoken sentence, so it stays inside the quotation marks.

20. Using quotation marks correctly in direct speech helps readers see exactly what a person __________.

Quotation marks clearly show the words that were spoken.

Explanation

Quotation marks clearly show the words that were spoken.

Submit

Punctuation Practice: Quotation Marks Direct Speech Quiz