AP Style: Letters B, C, D
In this quiz on style at an advanced placement level, we’ll be testing your language skills when it comes to letters beginning with B, C or D. What do you know about spelling, phrasing and grammar when it comes to the following examples? Let’s take a look and find out!
- 1.
Which is correct?
- A.
I feel bad for him.
- B.
I feel badly for him.
Correct Answer
A. I feel bad for him.Explanation
The correct answer is "I feel bad for him." In this sentence, "bad" is used as an adjective to describe the feeling of the speaker. It is not modifying the verb "feel," so the adverb form "badly" is incorrect. "Badly" would be used if the speaker was describing how they feel in terms of their ability to feel, such as "I feel badly because I have lost my sense of touch." But in this case, "bad" is the appropriate adjective to describe the feeling itself.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Which is correct?
- A.
Barmitzva
- B.
Bar mitzva
- C.
Bar mitzvah
Correct Answer
C. Bar mitzvahExplanation
The correct answer is "Bar mitzvah." This is the correct spelling of the Jewish coming-of-age ceremony for boys. It signifies the transition from childhood to adulthood and is typically celebrated when a boy turns 13 years old. The term "bar mitzvah" translates to "son of the commandments" in Hebrew, reflecting the new responsibilities and obligations that the boy takes on within the Jewish community.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Which is correct?
- A.
The event is biannual, meaning it is held twice a year.
- B.
The event is biennial, meaning it is held twice a year.
Correct Answer
A. The event is biannual, meaning it is held twice a year.Explanation
The correct answer is "The event is biannual, meaning it is held twice a year." "Biannual" is the correct term to describe an event that occurs twice a year. "Biennial" means an event that occurs once every two years.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Which is correct?
- A.
I convinced him to open a bank account.
- B.
I persuaded him to open a bank account.
Correct Answer
B. I persuaded him to open a bank account.Explanation
The correct answer is "I persuaded him to open a bank account." Both "convince" and "persuade" imply influencing someone's decision, but "persuade" suggests a more successful and effective influence. In this context, the use of "persuaded" indicates that the speaker was able to convince the person to open a bank account successfully.Rate this question:
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- 5.
ATF is the official abbreviation for:
- A.
The Bureau of Alcohol and Tobacco
- B.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
- C.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Correct Answer
C. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesExplanation
The correct answer is The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. ATF is the official abbreviation for this government agency, which is responsible for enforcing federal laws and regulations related to alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives.Rate this question:
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- 6.
CDC is the official abbreviation for which agency:
- A.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- B.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- C.
Center for Disease Control
- D.
Centers for Disease Control
Correct Answer
B. Centers for Disease Control and PreventionExplanation
The correct answer is Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency is commonly referred to as CDC and is responsible for protecting public health and safety through the control and prevention of diseases, including COVID-19. The use of "Centers" in the abbreviation indicates that there are multiple centers or branches within the agency, which reflects its national presence and scope of work.Rate this question:
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- 7.
CIA stands for:
- A.
Communications and Intelligence Agency
- B.
Communications and Intelligence of America
- C.
Central Intelligence Association
- D.
Central Intelligence Agency
- E.
Corporate Intelligence Association
Correct Answer
D. Central Intelligence AgencyExplanation
The correct answer is "Central Intelligence Agency". The CIA is a government agency responsible for gathering and analyzing intelligence information to provide national security assessments to policymakers. It is not related to communications or corporate intelligence.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Which is correct?
- A.
Dietician
- B.
Dietitian
Correct Answer
B. DietitianExplanation
The correct answer is "Dietitian". The term "Dietitian" refers to a professional who specializes in nutrition and dietetics. They are trained and qualified to provide expert advice on healthy eating, meal planning, and dietary management for individuals with specific health conditions. The term "Dietician" is a misspelling of the correct term "Dietitian".Rate this question:
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- 9.
Which is correct?
- A.
Drive south until you cross the border.
- B.
Drive South until you cross the border.
Correct Answer
A. Drive south until you cross the border.Explanation
The correct answer is "Drive south until you cross the border." In this sentence, "south" is not capitalized because it is not a proper noun or the beginning of a sentence. It is simply a direction, and directions are not typically capitalized unless they are part of a proper noun (e.g., South Street). Therefore, the lowercase "s" is the correct usage in this context.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Which is correct?
- A.
She has a southern accent.
- B.
She has a Southern accent.
Correct Answer
B. She has a Southern accent.Explanation
The correct answer is "She has a Southern accent." In this sentence, "Southern" is capitalized because it refers to a specific region, likely the southern part of a country or state. Capitalizing "Southern" helps to distinguish it as a proper noun and emphasizes its importance in describing the accent.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Which is correct?
- A.
Smith, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, wants to raise awareness of the disease.
- B.
Smith, who has multiple sclerosis, wants to raise awareness of the disease.
Correct Answer
B. Smith, who has multiple sclerosis, wants to raise awareness of the disease.Explanation
The correct answer is "Smith, who has multiple sclerosis, wants to raise awareness of the disease." This is the correct answer because it uses the present tense "has" to indicate that Smith currently has multiple sclerosis. The use of "suffers from" in the other option implies that Smith is currently experiencing pain or distress from the disease, which may not necessarily be the case.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Which is correct?
- A.
"Please don't tell anyone; I need you to be discrete about this."
- B.
"Please don't tell anyone; I need you to be discreet about this."
Correct Answer
B. "Please don't tell anyone; I need you to be discreet about this."Explanation
The correct answer is "Please don't tell anyone; I need you to be discreet about this." Discreet means to be cautious, careful, or prudent in one's speech or actions, especially in order to avoid causing offense or to maintain confidentiality. In this context, the speaker is asking the listener to keep the information confidential and not share it with anyone else. Therefore, the word "discreet" is the appropriate choice to convey the intended meaning.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Which is correct?
- A.
After he dived into the water, he said he felt exhilarated.
- B.
After he dove into the water, he said he felt exhilarated.
Correct Answer
A. After he dived into the water, he said he felt exhilarated.Explanation
The correct answer is "After he dived into the water, he said he felt exhilarated." The word "dived" is the past tense of the verb "dive," and it is the correct form to use in this sentence. "Dove" is an incorrect past tense form and should not be used.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Which is correct?
- A.
Down's syndrome
- B.
Down syndrome
- C.
Downs syndrome
Correct Answer
B. Down syndromeExplanation
The correct answer is "Down syndrome." This is the most commonly used and accepted term to refer to a genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21. The term "Down's syndrome" is outdated and no longer widely used, while "Downs syndrome" is a misspelling.Rate this question:
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- 15.
ACLU stands for:
- A.
American Council for Labor Unions
- B.
American Communications League Union
- C.
American Civil Liberties Union
- D.
American Civil Libertarians Union
- E.
American Council for Libertarians United
Correct Answer
C. American Civil Liberties UnionExplanation
The correct answer is American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU is a non-profit organization that focuses on defending and preserving individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. They work on a wide range of issues, including freedom of speech, racial justice, LGBTQ rights, and reproductive freedom. The name "American Civil Liberties Union" accurately reflects the organization's mission and purpose.Rate this question:
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- 16.
AFL-CIO stands for:
- A.
American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations
- B.
American Federal Labor Congress for Industrialized Organizations
- C.
Association of Federal Labor Councils and Industrialized Organizations
- D.
Association of Federal Longitudinal Councils with Industrialized Components.
- E.
American Federal Laws for Congress and Industrialized Companies
Correct Answer
A. American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial OrganizationsExplanation
The correct answer is American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations. AFL-CIO is a national trade union center in the United States that represents over 12 million workers. It was formed in 1955 through the merger of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO). The AFL-CIO advocates for workers' rights, fair wages, and safe working conditions.Rate this question:
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- 17.
Which is correct?
- A.
The change had a positive affect on him.
- B.
The change had a positive effect on him.
Correct Answer
B. The change had a positive effect on him.Explanation
The correct answer is "The change had a positive effect on him." The word "effect" is the correct choice in this context because it refers to the result or impact of the change. "Affect" is a verb that means to influence or have an impact on something.Rate this question:
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- 18.
Which is correct?
- A.
The woman is twenty-six.
- B.
The woman is 26.
- C.
The woman is twenty six.
- D.
The woman is twentysix.
Correct Answer
B. The woman is 26.Explanation
The correct answer is "The woman is 26" because it follows the standard format for expressing age in numerical form. The use of the numeral "26" is more concise and clear compared to the other options, which either spell out the number or combine the words without a space.Rate this question:
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Mar 22, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Jun 05, 2010Quiz Created by
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