U.S. English Chicago Style Editing Skills Test (For Writing Professionals)

U.S English Chicago Style Editing Skill test (For Writing Professionals)

The following sentence is devoid of punctuation. Which of the given editing options turns it into a coherent, plausible sentenced

The point is Mr. Rosenwell said Andrew whether or not you intend to pay off your debts

a. Andrew said, "The point is Mr. Rosenwell, whether or not you intend to pay off your debts." &
b. "The point is, Mr. Rosenwell," said Andrew, "whether or not you intend to pay off your debts.'
c. "Mr. Rosenwell," said Andrew: "The point is whether or not you intend to pay off your debts."
d. "The point, Mr. Rosenwell, is whether or not you intend to pay off your debts," said Andrew.
e. b and d

Read the following passage and select the option that illustrates the best course of action for an editor to take.

The news of (he avalanche shacked the citizens of our little town. Fortunately, however, Sven was the only one of the skiers who were injured in the incident.

a. Correct the spelling error in the first sentence.
b. Delete the comma after "Fortunately".
c. Delete "Sven was" and insert "was Sven" after "incident".
d. Change "were" to "was" in the second sentence to correct an error in subject-verb agreement.

Which of the following sentences requires editing to correct the errors in verb tensed

a. Had Pamela asked you sooner, would you have joined heron her trip to Europe?
b. You never would have believed Pamela if she had asked you to join heron her travels through Europe.
c. I don't think you could have resisted the temptation if Pamela had asked you to join heron her trip to Europe.
d. If Pamela had forced you to go with heron her trip to Europe, do you think you would have fun?
e. When Pamela asked you to join heron her trip to Europe, did you hesitate or accept the invitation right away?

Choose the editing option that best corrects the underlined part of the following sentence.

At this point in the play, we see that Hamlet has still not decided whether to kill Claudius, despite brooding over it for quite sometime.

a. despite he brooded over it for quite sometime
b. despite having brooded over it for quite sometime
c. despite that he had been brooding over it for quite sometime
d. despite that he broods over it all the time

Which of the following sentences does NOT require editing to correct voice, wordiness, or redundancy?

a. The focus of the meeting centered around the issue of the adult video store, which had been built in close proximity to an elementary school.
b. At the time that Ronald wrote his dissertation, he had no idea that he would one day become a world-renowned mathematician.
c. It is expensive to upgrade the software every year; this has had a detrimental effect on our bottom line.
d. Because the factory fire started due to negligence, the company that was responsible had to pay a substantial fine.
e. Although talking would help to resolve the problem. I'm sure Manuel would prefer to knock all of them upside the head.
f. All of the above sentences require editing for voice, wordiness, or redundancy.

Read the following passage and select the option that illustrates the best course of action for an editor to take.

1) So the guy breaks into our house, steals our stuff, and 2) then slips on the ice in the driveway on his way out, 3) breaking his ankles. And guess what? He hit us with a 4) personal injury suite. Isn't that the most ridiculous 5) tragedy of justice you ever heard of?

a. Edit lines (1) and (2) far comma usage errors.
b. Edit line (4)for spelling error.
c. Edit line (5)forward choice error.
d. b and c

Read the following sentence and select the option that illustrates the best course of action for an editor to take.

Don't flatter yourself I Susannah had no intention of crying for you regardless of whether you had a banjo on your knee, came from Alabama, or were headed to Louisiana!

a. Change "regardless of whether" lo "irregardless of whether or not."
b. Query the author about the validity of the implication that banjos can be balanced upon knees.
c. Change verbs to present tense.
d. This sentence is correct; the editor should take no action.

Which of the following sentences does NOT require editing to correct errors in diction or spelling?

a. He told jokes for half an hour before finally homing in on the point of his lecture.
b. You really hit the nail on the head with your idea—it's really the idyllic solution.
c. The court's decision impelled the disgraced politician to hand over all his correspondence.
d. Would you go ask the secretary to disperse some money from petty cash for the luncheon?

Read the following passage and select the option that illustrates the best course of action for an editor to take.

"Have you read Zinn's A People's History of the United States'?" asked Jamie. "Yes." I replied, "and I must say it's the most eye-opening history book I've read in some time."

a. Replace the comma after "replied" with a period and capitalize the following "and.
b. Change "People's" from a possessive to a plural noun.
c. Underline or italicize the book title.
d. Place the question mark outside the quotations marks.

Read the following passage and select the option that illustrates the best course of action for an editor to take.

1) After the accident Justine left her teaching 2) job; she has not able to resume her teaching 3) and possibly never will be able 4)to resume her teaching again.

a. Edit line (1) for adverb clause structure and punctuation. b. Edit line (2) for omission of a completing verb form.
c. Edit lines (2), (3), and (4) to eliminate repetition of "able" and "her teaching".
d. Delete "again" in line (4) to avoid redundancy.
e. a, b, and d
f. b, c, and d

Choose the editing option that best corrects the underlined part of the following sentence.

The CEO is wary about spelling out his strategy, preferring to play his cards close to his chest.

a. is wary about spelling his strategy
b. is wary of spelling out his strategy
c. is wary to spell out his strategy
d. is wary about spelling his strategy out
e. This sentence is correct; the editor should take no action

Choose the editing option that best corrects the underlined part of the following sentence.

A doctor at the Metropolitan Clinic in Chicago claims that if women give up smoking and ate a healthful diet, their children would be less likely to develop lung diseases.

a. claims that if women gave up smoking and ate a healthy diet
b. claims that if women had given up smoking and eat a healthful diet
c. claimed that when a woman gives up smoking and has eaten a healthful diet
d. claimed that when women gave up smoking and ate a healthy diet

Choose the series of adjectives that best completes the following sentence.

We have no doubt that the senator's meeting of "goodwill" with our arch rival will be accompanied by ____________clandestine deal for lucrative building contracts and ____________ talk of future collaborations.

a. some, secret
b. any, secretive
c. every, secreted
d. each, secret

Read the following passage and select the option that illustrates the best course of action for an editor to take.

1) "lf you cut along the crease here." said Haruko. "then 2) fold the paper into a triangle thusly, and then fold it 3) agam to form a base, you will have made yourself a 4)chic—and cheap—yacht. And that's the beauty of origami I"

a. Edit lines (1) and (4) for punctuation.
b. Edit line (2) for adverb usage.
c. Edit line (3) for dangling modifier.
d. Edit line (4) for spelling

Which of the following sentences requires editing to correct an error in subject-verb agreements

a. Every one of the scouts is responsible for his own camping equipment and should come prepared for a strenuous hike.
b. The walls of the old villa have been newly plastered with white stucco, which rob them of their charm.
c. In your case, I'd say that a deepened sense of self-awareness and a lessened propensity to fly off the handle have made you much more pleasant to be around.
d. Not only the horses but also the goat has been rounded up and locked in the barn.
e. The receptionists and clerks each hope for a substantial bonus this year.

Read the following sentence and select the option that illustrates the best course of action for an editor to take.

A recent study by a team of UCLA sociologists confirmed that the average female moviegoer expects to see at least three romantic scenes per film, and that they are seldom disappointed.

a. Change all verbs to the present tense.
b. Change all verbs to the past tense
c. Edit "and that they are seldom disappointed" to correct error in pronoun-antecedent agreement.
d. This sentence is correct; the editor should take no action.

Read the following passage from the manuscript of a novel and select the option that illustrates the best course of action for an editor to take.

Along the dusty roadway lay intermittent reminders of the war: a mud-filled crater here, a bullet-nddfed tree there—and all around, the silence of expectation, of the calm before the storm.

a. Expand on the author's idea by inserting one or two additional reminders of the war.
b. Tactfully suggest that the author rethink the cliche expression "the calm before the storm.'
c. Query the author about the logic of the phrase "the silence of expectation."
d. Change "roadway” to "road" to eliminate wordiness.

Read the following closing paragraph of an Internet-based business-to-consumer sales letter and select the option that illustrates the best course of action for an editor to take.

So are you ready to get your head out of the weeds'? CLICK HERE to order your Garden Guru Deluxe package and FREE Garden Friend Tool Belt, and join more than 100,000 other hard-working people who now spend their weekends playing instead of pruning! And just to sweeten the pot, intake off an additional 30% if you order before December 10. You can't beat that with a stick
  Weedlessly Yours, JayAppleseed President, Garden Guru Inc.
  P.S. I have your deluxe Package and FREE gift ready to send to you. After you order using your credit card, I'll send you your tracking number and full instructions. Click here to order.

a. For the sake of credibility, strongly suggest that the author backup his claim that "100,000 people" own this product.
b. Change instances of ALL CAPS to sentence case of lowercase as appropriate.
c. Recast the entire closing to eliminate humor.
d. Delete the unprofessional "P.S."
e. None of the above actions are necessary. Though it may benefit from a little tweaking, this closing is acceptable.

Which of the following sentences does NOT require editing to correct an error in subject-verb agreements

a. He drank a fifth of whiskey after two-fifths of his vineyard was destroyed in the flood.
b. The study on drug abuse showed that the number of teenage victims are increasing every year.
c. Neither of my brothers, who are more artistic by nature, are particularly interested in sports.
d. The assistants, but not the manager, has decided not to come in over the weekend

Which of the following sentences requires editing to correct general errors in grammar, usage, or style?

a. While Paris smashed all records for tourism revenue this year, it still lags well behind other European cities in exports.
b. Do you know the blonde woman in the red car that is rounding the corner at this very moment?
c. Senator Clark would goto any lengths to deter his constituents going to support his rival.
d. The marketing department's performance has been decidedly lackluster this quarter; its efforts haven't brought in any revenue whatsoever.

The following sentence is devoid of punctuation. Which of the given editing options turns it into a coherent, plausible sentenced

At last I met Dr. Sneeth the evil scientist who had caused such trouble for the city

a. At last I met the evil scientist. Dr. Sneeth, who had caused such trouble for the city.
b. At last I met Dr. Sneeth, the evil scientist who had caused such trouble for the city.
c. At last I met Dr. Sneeth, the evil scientist, who had caused such trouble for the city.
d. I met Dr. Sneeth—at last—the evil scientist who had caused such trouble for the city. e. All of the above are acceptable; the final choice would depend on the author's intention.

Choose the editing option that best corrects the underlined part of the following sentence.

The Board of Directors on Monday said that the company could undertake the additional activities without first seeking the approving of the foreign investors.

a. without first seeking the assent of the foreign investors
b. without first seeking approval from the foreign investors
c. without first seeking the approbation of the foreign investors
d. whether or not they received the approving from the foreign investors

Which of the following sentences does NOT require editing to correct a comparison error?

a. Anna bel thinks her sister's apple pies are better than the bakery.
b. Did I ever tell you that you complain more than anyone I know'?
c. We specialize in producing Belgian chocolates that contain 50% less fat.
d. The symptoms of typhoid quite often resemble those of fever.

Read the following passage and select the option that illustrates the best course of action for an editor to take.

'Those fake pearls and the upswept hairdo makes her look like a poor man's Grace Kelly," drawled Inga. "But please don't tell her I said that."

a. Edit the second quoted speech to correct ambiguous pronoun reference.
b. Change "poor man's" to "second-rate" to correct error in idiom usage.
c. Edit the main verb in the first quoted speech to correct a subject-verb agreement error.
d. Insert a comma after "Inga" and lowercase the capital B in "But."
e. This passage is correct; the editor should take no action.

Read the following sentence from a journal article and select the option that illustrates the best course of action for an editor to take.

Of the two controf groups, a significant number (85) of those in Group A scored higher (74%) than those in group B (66 percent), while both had similar standard deviations (8.3% and 7.9% respectively).

a. Change "66 percent" to "66%."
b. Edit passage to ensure consistency in capitalization.
c. Remove statistics from the sentence and place them in a table.
d. Suggest the use of inferential statistics rather than descriptive statistics.
e. All of the above maybe necessary. Before editing, refer to the publication's in-house style sheet for guidance on capitalization, use of tables, and preferred style for writing statistics.

Read the following passage and select the option that illustrates the best course of action for an editor to take.
  1) Delilah's twenty page tale of dernng do 2) delighted the dignitaries who stamped their 3) feet in approval. Reading from a dais draped 4) in crepe, she felt like a modern day Scheherazade

a. Edit lines (1) and (4) for hyphenation.
b. Edit line (2) for missing comma.
c. Edit lines (1) and (3) for diction.
d. Edit line (4) for comma use and allusion errors.
e. a and d
f.   a and b
g. This passage does not need editing.

Read the following sentence and select the option that illustrates the best course of action for an editor to take.

If we decided to move venues, our production process would not be likely to suffer much as long as a system of checks keeps production tasks on schedule.

a. Change "decided" to "would have decided" to ensure consistency of conditional mood.
b. Change "keeps" to "kept" to correct the unnecessary shift in verb tense.
c. Edit to correct error in use of past perfect tense.
d. a and c
e. This sentence is correct; the editor should take no action.

Read the following passage and select the option that illustrates the best course of action for an editor to take.

1) Even though Sharon spends a good deal of time complaining 2) bemoanmg her fate, and wishing that her circumstances 3) are not quite so humble. I'm pretty sure that she is 4) grateful for everything she has

a. Edit lines (1) and (4) for pronoun-antecedent agreement
b. Edit line (2) for verb tense consistency.
c. Edit lines (1) and (3) to correct errors in diction and idiomatic expressions.
d. Edit line (3) to correct error in present tense vs. past subjunctive mood.
e. This passage does not need editing.

Read the following sentence and select the option that illustrates the best course of action for an editor to take.

The forthcoming community celebration in Tuscaloosa has many surprises in store for whomever arrives before nine in the morning and manages to find one of the fifteen special golden tickets hidden in the haystack at the entrance.

a. Change "forthcoming" to "imminent" to clarify the intent of the sentence.
b. Change "has" to "will have had."
c. Change the correlative pronoun to "whoever."
d. Place a comma after "tickets."
e. c and d

Read the following sentence and select the option that illustrates the best course of action for an editor to take.

Try and imagine a mental picture of someone struggling with (he activity of trying to learn what the fingerings and techniques are for how to play the flute.

a. Delete the phrase "with the activity of trying" to eliminate wordiness.
b. Change "Try and" to "Try to" to correct faulty phrasing.
c. Recast the entire sentence to fix multiple style and usage errors.
d. Query the authorab out flute-playing techniques.
e. Delete "a mental picture" to eliminate redundancy.

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