Punctuating Quotations And Dialogue Quiz Question And Answers

Reviewed by Juliette Firla
Juliette Firla, MA (Teaching Writing) |
English Teacher
Review Board Member
Juliette is a middle school English teacher at Sacred Heart of Greenwich, Connecticut. Juliette earned a BA in English/Language Arts Teacher Education from Elon University and an MA in Teaching Writing from Johns Hopkins University. She holds a Classroom Teacher license from the Connecticut State Department of Education. Juliette possesses strong skills in English language arts, writing, editing, and literature study. She has a deep passion for working with young people and contributing to the education of America's youth in the classroom.
, MA (Teaching Writing)
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Punctuating Quotations And Dialogue Quiz Question And Answers - Quiz

Are you excited to test your English grammar knowledge? Our ' Punctuating Quotations And Dialogue Quiz Question and Answers ' tests your awareness of the correct punctuation when using quotation marks. Read the statement above the four choices, then choose the correct punctuation. Read the explanation for each question you miss by clicking on "show previous question." Attempting all the questions given in the quiz is mandatory. Challenge yourself to get all the answers correct! Have fun & keep studying!


Questions and Answers
  • 1. 

    The book begins with this line It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

    • A.

      The book begins with this line, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."

    • B.

      The book begins with this line: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

    • C.

      The book begins with "this line" - It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

    • D.

      The book begins with this line: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."

    Correct Answer
    D. The book begins with this line: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."
    Explanation
    Use quotation marks around the exact quote from the book. Use a colon : to separate an independent clause from a quotation.

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  • 2. 

    Gus looked at us and shouted Take those wet clothes off

    • A.

      Gus looked at us and shouted "Take those wet clothes off!"

    • B.

      "Gus looked at us and shouted, 'Take those wet clothes off!'"

    • C.

      Gus looked at us and shouted "Take those wet clothes off"!

    • D.

      Gus looked at us and shouted "Take those wet clothes off."

    Correct Answer
    B. "Gus looked at us and shouted, 'Take those wet clothes off!'"
    Explanation
    This version correctly places the comma before the opening quotation mark, uses single quotation marks for the quoted speech within double quotation marks, and ends the sentence with an exclamation mark, which reflects the shouted nature of Gus's command.

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  • 3. 

    No insisted the spoiled child as she stomped her foot.

    • A.

      No, insisted the spoiled child as she stomped her foot.

    • B.

      "No," insisted the spoiled child as she stomped her foot.

    • C.

      "No! insisted the spoiled child," as she stomped her foot.

    • D.

      "No!" insisted the spoiled child as she stomped her foot.

    Correct Answer
    D. "No!" insisted the spoiled child as she stomped her foot.
    Explanation
    Use exclamation point for strong emotion. Use quotation marks only with the part that is actually spoken.

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  • 4. 

    When you get to the beach insisted Betty please call me to let me know you made it there.

    • A.

      When you get to the beach insisted Betty, please call me to let me know you made it there.

    • B.

      "When you get to the beach," insisted Betty, "please call me to let me know you made it there."

    • C.

      "When you get to the beach," insisted Betty, "Please call me to let me know you made it there."

    • D.

      "When you get to the beach," insisted Betty, please call me to let me know you made it there.

    Correct Answer
    B. "When you get to the beach," insisted Betty, "please call me to let me know you made it there."
    Explanation
    Use two sets of quotation marks for this type of "split" quotation. Follow the clause "insisted Betty," which separates the two halves of the quotation, with a comma. Do not capitalize the first letter of the second part of a quotation which continues the spoken sentence from the first part (beach --> please)

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  • 5. 

    Everyone will read the chapter entitled Africa for tomorrow said the substitute teacher.

    • A.

      "Everyone will read the chapter entitled "Africa" for tomorrow," said the substitute teacher.

    • B.

      "Everyone will read the chapter entitled "Africa" for tomorrow" said the substitute teacher.

    • C.

      "Everyone will read the chapter entitled 'Africa' for tomorrow," said the substitute teacher.

    • D.

      "Everyone will read the chapter entitled 'Africa' for tomorrow" said the substitute teacher.

    Correct Answer
    C. "Everyone will read the chapter entitled 'Africa' for tomorrow," said the substitute teacher.
    Explanation
    Use single quotation marks for items within a quotation that require them, such as a chapter title, a song title, a television show, etc. Place a comma inside the quotation marks (even though it's the end of the statement and you might think it requires a perios)when the sentence continues on to an explanatory clause.

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  • 6. 

    Greta said I want to go home so we took her there instead of with us.

    • A.

      Greta said "I want to go home" so we took her there instead of with us.

    • B.

      Greta said, "I want to go home" so we took her there instead of with us.

    • C.

      Greta said, "I want to go home," so we took her there instead of with us.

    • D.

      Greta said "I want to go home," so we took her there instead of with us.

    Correct Answer
    C. Greta said, "I want to go home," so we took her there instead of with us.
    Explanation
    Notice that a comma follows the introductory clause, and also ends the quotation because it continues (within the same sentence) to an additional clause.

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  • 7. 

    Which dialogue is punctuated correctly?

    • A.

      "No," he said. "Yes," she insisted, "I will if I want to." "But what do you know, anyway," she continued.

    • B.

      "No," he said. "Yes," she insisted, "I will if I want to. But what do you know, anyway?" she continued.

    • C.

      "No," he said. "Yes," she insisted, "I will if I want to. But what do you know, anyway?" she continued.

    • D.

      "No," he said. "Yes," she insisted, "I will if I want to." "But what do you know, anyway?" she continued.

    Correct Answer
    B. "No," he said. "Yes," she insisted, "I will if I want to. But what do you know, anyway?" she continued.
    Explanation
    Continue one character's dialogue until he or she is finished speaking. Do not separate their dialogue into parts. Separate characters' dialogue from each other's. Change lines (new paragraph) every time the speaker changes.

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  • 8. 

    Whenever I learn a new language, I am always reminded of my high-school French teacher who always used to say that practice makes perfect.

    • A.

      Whenever I learn a new language, I am always reminded of my high-school French teacher who always used to say that practice makes perfect. (correct as it is)

    • B.

      Whenever I learn a new language, I am always reminded of my "high-school French teacher," who always used to say that practice makes perfect.

    • C.

      Whenever I learn a new language, I am always reminded of my high-school French teacher who always used to say "that practice makes perfect."

    • D.

      Whenever I learn a new language, I am always reminded of my high-school French teacher who always used to say that "practice makes perfect ."

    Correct Answer
    D. Whenever I learn a new language, I am always reminded of my high-school French teacher who always used to say that "practice makes perfect ."
    Explanation
    The high school French teacher was directly quoted, so quotation marks are necessary even though it's only a portion of what he or she said. The introductory word "that" should NOT be enclosed (choice C).

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  • 9. 

    Do you agree with the saying all's fair in love and war?

    • A.

      Do you agree with the saying, "All's fair in love and war"?

    • B.

      Do you agree with the saying, "All's fair in love and war?"

    • C.

      Do you agree with the saying "All's fair in love and war"?

    • D.

      Do you agree with the saying, "all's fair in love and war"?

    Correct Answer
    A. Do you agree with the saying, "All's fair in love and war"?
    Explanation
    The question doesn't apply to the quotation - it is part of the sense of the sentence, so the question mark goes outside the quotation marks.

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  • 10. 

    Did she say may I go

    • A.

      Did she say may I go?

    • B.

      Did she say "May I go?"

    • C.

      Did she say, "May I go?"?

    • D.

      Did she say, "May I go?"

    Correct Answer
    D. Did she say, "May I go?"
    Explanation
    When you have a question outside quoted material AND inside quoted material, use only one question mark and place it inside the quotation mark.

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  • 11. 

    The sign changed from Walk to Don't Walk to Walk again within 30 seconds.

    • A.

      The sign changed from, "Walk" to "Don't Walk" to "Walk" again, within 30 seconds.

    • B.

      The sign changed from "Walk," to "Don't Walk," to "Walk," again within 30 seconds.

    • C.

      The sign changed from "Walk," to "Don't Walk," to "Walk" again within 30 seconds.

    • D.

      The sign changed from, "Walk," to "Don't Walk," to "Walk" again, within 30 seconds.

    Correct Answer
    C. The sign changed from "Walk," to "Don't Walk," to "Walk" again within 30 seconds.
    Explanation
    Periods and commas always go inside quotation marks.

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  • 12. 

    She said he said hurry up.

    • A.

      She said, "He said, 'Hurry up.' "

    • B.

      She said, "He said, "Hurry up."

    • C.

      She said, he said, "Hurry up."

    • D.

      She said, "He said, hurry up."

    Correct Answer
    A. She said, "He said, 'Hurry up.' "
    Explanation
    Use single quotation marks for quotes within quotes. Note that the period goes inside all quote marks.

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  • 13. 

    A stone that makes gold and stops you ever dying said Harry no wonder Snape's after it

    • A.

      A stone that makes gold and stops you ever dying. Said Harry, "No wonder Snape's after it."

    • B.

      "A stone that makes gold and stops you ever dying!" said Harry. "No wonder Snape's after it!"

    • C.

      "A stone that makes gold and stops you ever dying," said Harry! "No wonder Snape's after it."

    • D.

      "A stone that makes gold and stops you ever dying!," said Harry. "No wonder Snape's after it!"

    Correct Answer
    B. "A stone that makes gold and stops you ever dying!" said Harry. "No wonder Snape's after it!"
    Explanation
    If your speaker uses an exclamation like Harry did in the first part of the quote, there's no need for a comma. The same rule applies to whenever your speaker asks a question.

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Juliette Firla |MA (Teaching Writing) |
English Teacher
Juliette is a middle school English teacher at Sacred Heart of Greenwich, Connecticut. Juliette earned a BA in English/Language Arts Teacher Education from Elon University and an MA in Teaching Writing from Johns Hopkins University. She holds a Classroom Teacher license from the Connecticut State Department of Education. Juliette possesses strong skills in English language arts, writing, editing, and literature study. She has a deep passion for working with young people and contributing to the education of America's youth in the classroom.

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  • Current Version
  • Jul 16, 2024
    Quiz Edited by
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    Expert Reviewed by
    Juliette Firla
  • Apr 20, 2009
    Quiz Created by
    Tdcsix

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