UK English Proofreading (Oxford Style Guide) MCQs (Chapterwise Multiple Choice Questions)

Which of the following sentences contains an error in comma usage?

Sarah took the cats to the vet, and Alan took them to the groomer for a bath.

My husband wanted to borrow my Ferrari, but he couldn't find the keys I'd hidden.

Larry's recent investment left him fifty thousand dollars richer, and confirmed his financial prowess.

Zippy painted the wall from left to right, but Zappy painted it from top to bottom.

Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: Larry's recent investment left him fifty thousand dollars richer, and confirmed his financial prowess.

Note: This Question is unanswered, help us to find answer for this one

Which of the following sentences contains an agreement error?

We only have time for one poem—which one shall we read?

Do you know whether the horses and sheep have come back to their stables?

Each acrobat will have a chance to show their special skills to the judges.

Only one of the nuns was allowed to drive the van.

Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: Each acrobat will have a chance to show their special skills to the judges.

Note: This Question is unanswered, help us to find answer for this one

Which of the following sentences contains an error in punctuation?

Records show that the documents were sent to the client at 275 Sumee Way NW, Brighton BN1 75R, on December 12, 1985, but that the client never signed them.

In stormed the students, the teachers, et. al., to stage a protest against the cafeteria food.

We were asked to bring only cold foods (e.g. potato salad, sandwich meats, fresh vegetables) to the pot-luck dinner.

Dramscher et al. (1964) noted that the female horned owl produced an average of two eggs per clutch.

No error

Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: In stormed the students, the teachers, et. al., to stage a protest against the cafeteria food.

Note: This Question is unanswered, help us to find answer for this one

Which of the following sentences contains an error or inconsistency?

Have you reserved the conference room for next week's meeting yet?

Please remember to visit our policy page at http://www.all-about-lampshades.net/terms-and-conditions.htm.

Will Gertrude pickup the programs at the printer's office, or shall I?

Watch for common errors (like 'that' for 'who', or missing quotation marks and parentheses—especially the closing marks.

a and b

c and d

Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: c and d

Note: This Question is unanswered, help us to find answer for this one

Which of the following sentences contains an error in number usage, style or consistency?

Your preliminary reports are due by 1:45p.m. on September 7, but you have until the twenty-sixth to submit the final copy.

She completed her degree in the late 1980s and found immediate employment with First National Bank; indeed, she's spent three-quarters of her career there.

Jane is fascinated by French fashion of the seventeen hundreds and twentieth-century American fashion of the twenties and thirties.

Pompeii, which was founded between 700 and 600 BC, met its end in AD 79.

Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: Your preliminary reports are due by 1:45p.m. on September 7, but you have until the twenty-sixth to submit the final copy.

Note: This Question is unanswered, help us to find answer for this one

Which of the following is not a duty generally performed by a proofreader?

Comparing a galley or first proof word for word against an edited manuscript

Correcting minor errors of accuracy and consistency in spelling, grammar, capitalization, hyphenation, and other style elements

Checking for errors in running heads, page numbers, word breaks, and formatting

Checking the overall consistency and effectiveness of the author's voice and of the plot, characterization, organization, and structure of the text

Ensuring that the author's final changes to the manuscript have been correctly transferred to the proof

Checking the accuracy of numbers, abbreviations, titles, bulleted lists, tables, figures, and captions

Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: Checking the overall consistency and effectiveness of the author's voice and of the plot, characterization, organization, and structure of the text

Note: This Question is unanswered, help us to find answer for this one

Which of the following sentences contains an agreement error?

The pilot—or occasionally his co-pilot—often ask if anyone remembers the destination.

The young Viking was sure he could attack the city around midnight and finish conquering it by dawn.

The aircraft ride was very long; it was, however, better than travelling on a tandem bicycle like you wanted to do.

All of the above

Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: The pilot—or occasionally his co-pilot—often ask if anyone remembers the destination.

Note: This Question is unanswered, help us to find answer for this one

Which of the following sentences contains an error in sentence structure?

Mr Hoffman or his assistants are ready to help you with the new editing software.

Every salesperson, according to the latest report, has underperformed this quarter.

Living on the first floor, many strange objects rain down from the other eighty-two floors above.

Eat it before it escapes!

Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: Living on the first floor, many strange objects rain down from the other eighty-two floors above.

Note: This Question is unanswered, help us to find answer for this one

Read the following passage and select the line that contains an error in grammar or usage.

As a public speaking exercise, we were

required to memorise and recite not only the

Presidential oath of office, but also one

of Hamlet's soliloquies.

No error

Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: Presidential oath of office, but also one

Note: This Question is unanswered, help us to find answer for this one

Which of the following sentences contains an error in punctuation?

Maria loved the production of Cymbeline: she went back to see it three times.

My mother said, 'Be careful of what you wish for'.

Deb has only three desires: to be happy, to be safe, and to be loved.

The professor used only the words 'drab' and 'tasteless' to describe Arthur's poetry.

Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: The professor used only the words 'drab' and 'tasteless' to describe Arthur's poetry.

Note: This Question is unanswered, help us to find answer for this one

UK English Proofreading (Oxford Style Guide) Quick Quiz

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You need a lot of improvement.

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Correct Answers: 0/10

Start Practicing with our MCQs given below.