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AP Style Vocab

Instructions:

Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
Match each statement with the correct term.
Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.

1. pore
Introduces two items; between him and her - between you and me
Verb to gaze intently or steadily
Capitalize only when referring to the total collections of events
Connotes success in argument and almost always implies an editorial judgement DON'T USE instead deny - dispute - rebut - or respond to

2. decades

3. principle
Use Saddam in second reference to Iraq's Saddam Hussein
Indicate position or rank ex No.1 man; don't use in names of schools
A fundamental truth - law - doctrine or motivating force
Acceptable in all references for severe acute respiratory syndrome - but it should be spelled out somewhere in the story

4. temperatures
See AT&T Inc.
Untrue statement - lie -lied -lying
Use figures EXCEPT for zero spell out minus and degrees; temperatures get higher & lower
Gun is an acceptable term for any firearm

5. Americorps
Gun is an acceptable term for any firearm
In second reference: the America Exchange - Amex - or the exchange
Americorps
The amount of electrical energy consumed when 1000 watts are used for one hour. The abbreviation kwh is acceptable on second reference.

6. kilogram
A unit used to measure the power of nuclear explosions. One kiloton has the explosive force of 1000 tons of TNT. The atomic bomb dropped Aug. 6 - 1945 - on Hiroshima - Japan - in the first use of the bomb as a weapon had an explosive force of 20 kilo
Introduces more than two; must be objective ex. among us
Abbreviate Ill. in datelines or stories. Postal code: IL
The metric term for 1000 grams. A kilogram is equal to approximately 2.2 pounds or 35 ounces. To convert to pounds - multiply by 2.2 (9 kilograms x 2.2 equals 19.8 pounds)

7. SARS
Connotation of wrongdoing use acknowledge or said instead of admitted
Introduces two items; between him and her - between you and me
DON'T USE IN PRINT
Acceptable in all references for severe acute respiratory syndrome - but it should be spelled out somewhere in the story

8. Defendant
When employed to indicate that something is in vogue - use quotation marks only if followed by a noun: It was the 'in' thing to do. Raccoon coats are in again.
No e
A firearm that reloads automatically after each shot. Note there are differences between fully automatic and semi-automatic firearms. Be specific in usage. The form: a .22-caliber automatic
Preposition to compare nouns and pronouns Jim blocks like a pro

9. kids

10. shell
Lowercase - because it denotes not a single period but any series of cold periods marked by glaciation alternating with periods of relative warmth. Capitalize the proper nouns in the names of individual ice ages - such as the Wisconsin ice age. The m
One who comes into a country immigrates
The word applies to military or naval ammunition and to shotgun ammunition
Is possessive

11. rifle
A firearm that fires continuously as long as the trigger is depressed. Examples include machine guns and submachine guns
No apostrophe
A firearm designed or made to be fired from the shoulder and having a rifled bored. It uses bullets and cartridges for ammunition. Its size is measured in calibers. The form: a .22-caliber rifle
A semi-automatic firearm similar in appearance to a fully automatic firearm or military weapon. Not synonymous with assault rifle - which can be used in fully automatic mode. Wherever possible - be specific about the type of weapon: semi-automatic ri

12. lie
Acronym for instant message; sometimes used as a verb IM'ing - IM'ed. acceptable on second reference for instant messaging
To argue to the contrary
AM is acceptable in all references
Untrue statement - lie -lied -lying

13. anemia - anemic
The city in California stands alone in datelines
Anemia - anemic
The ammunition storage and feeding device within or attached to a firearm. It may be fixed to the firearm or detachable
Santa Claus

14. gender-neutral titles
Add apostrophe s:p's and q's
Firefighter preferred over fireman or firewoman
Once limited to accepting deposits and making home mortgage loans - they are not banks. Since enactment of the Financial Institutions Reform Recovery Act in 1989
It's NOT an apostrophe in the Yemen capital's name. It is a reverse apostrophe - or a single opening quotation mark

15. Accept
DO NOT PLACE IN QUOTES
To receive
Extension of time or degree
Tail wind

16. persons
Only used in a direct quote or part of a title
Salable
Kindergarten
In indicates location: He was in the room. Into indicates motion: She walked into the room

17. take up (v.) takeup (n. and adj)
Equal to three teaspoons or one-half a fluid ounce. The metric equivalent is approximately 15 milliliters
Tailspin
Take up (v.) takeup (n. and adj.)
See John F. Kennedy Space Center

18. bullet
In second reference: the America Exchange - Amex - or the exchange
The following are some generally used technical terms dealing with satellite communications. -uplink: The transmission from the ground to the satellite -downlink: The transmission from the satellite to the ground. -footprint: The area on the ground i
The projectile fired by a rifle - pistol or machine gun. Together with metal casing - primer and propellant - it forms a cartridge
No O

19. flier
An aviator or handbill; pass out those fliers
A scale of temperature based on - but different from - the Celsius scale. It is used primarily in science to record very high and very low temperatures. The Kelvin scale starts at zero and indicates the total absence of heat (absolute zero). Zero on
Connotes success in argument and almost always implies an editorial judgement DON'T USE instead deny - dispute - rebut - or respond to
Headquarters is in Seoul - South Korea

20. machine gun
Take up (v.) takeup (n. and adj.)
Precede with a hyphen: break-in - cave-in - walk-in - write-in
A fully automatic gun that fires as long as the trigger is depressed. The form: a .50 caliber Browning machine gun.
Lowercase the common noun elements in plural uses

21. impeachment
The constitutional process accusing an elected official of a crime in an attempt to remove the official from office. Do not use as a synonym for convicted or removed from office
Only when person prefers to be known that way; use quotation marks for Brandon 'Scoop' Carter; commonly used nicknames can be replaced for first names
A unit of power - mostly associated with electricity. Electrical energy is measured in watt-hours (or kilowatt-hours or mega-watt hours). Do not use 'megawatts Per hours.' Abbrev.: W - kW - MW.
State of reclining lie - lay - lain - lying

22. stationary
A unit used to measure the power of nuclear explosions. One kiloton has the explosive force of 1000 tons of TNT. The atomic bomb dropped Aug. 6 - 1945 - on Hiroshima - Japan - in the first use of the bomb as a weapon had an explosive force of 20 kilo
Capitalize the proper names used for a sacramental rite that commemorates the life of Jesus Christ or signifies a belief in his presence: the Lord's Supper - Holy Communion - Holy Eucharist. Lowercase the names of other sacraments: baptism - confirma
More than two look at one another
To stand still

23. cents
Trademark for an electronic control device or stun gun. (Acronym for Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle)
A device used to store multiple rounds of ammunition together as a unit - ready for insertion into the magazine of a repeating firearm
Use it to mean one or the other - not both
Lowercase spell out cents 5 cents or $2.50

24. dimensions
Headquarters is in Seoul - South Korea
Wastebasket
Verb to gaze intently or steadily
Use figures spell out inches - feet - yards hyphen adjectival forms before nouns

25. anti-aircraft
Kindergarten
Preferred to persons as the plural
A cannon or other weapon designed for defense against air attack. The form: a 105 mm anti-aircraft gun.
A trademark for a type of nonstick coating

26. IM

27. either...or - neither...nor
Noun or verb denotes praise or expression of courtsey
Twice a year
Implausible
Not compound subject; requires a verb that agrees with the nearer subject

28. San'a

29. carbine
A short - lightweight rifle - usually having a barrel length of less than 20 inches. The form: an M-3 carbine
Try to avoid abbreviations; use apostrophe in master's degree but not in Master of Science; only use B.A. - M.A. - LL.D. and Ph.D. when needed to identify individual on first reference if after a name set off with commas
A rifle that is capable of being fired in fully automatic and semi-automatic modes - at the user's option. Designed for - and used by - military forces. Also used by some law enforcement agencies. The form: an M16 assault rifle.
@ sign not used when needed spell them out and provide an explanatory editor's note

30. Teamsters union
No O
Takes singluar verb two people look at each other
Do NOT use teenaged
Acceptable in all references to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters

31. telecast (n.) televise (v.)
Telecast (n.) televise (v.)
Lowercase use figures and $ sign
The city in California stands alone in datelines
Connotation of wrongdoing use acknowledge or said instead of admitted

32. times
Tattletale
Someone or something first in rank - authority - importance or degree ex. school principal
Use Taiwan - not Formosa - in reverences to the government in Taiwan and the island itself
Use figures except for noon and midnight

33. Taliban
Extremist Islamic movement that ruled Afghanistan until driven out by U.S.-led coalition after the Sept. 11 - 2001 - attacks. It continues to operate as insugent force with adherents in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The name derives from the Arabic word
The amount of electrical energy consumed when 1000 watts are used for one hour. The abbreviation kwh is acceptable on second reference.
This organization is limited to the five boroughs of New York City and neighboring Suffolk County in providing animal adoption services - although it has offices elsewhere that offer legal advice and other services to other animal welfare organizatio
A trademark for a type of high-powered cartridge with a larger case and a larger powder charge than other cartridges of approximately the same caliber. The form: a .357 Magnum - a .44 Magnum

34. American Stock Exchange
USE WITH GREAT CARE specify source of allegation avoid redundant uses ex. accused her of allegedly
IED is acceptable on second reference. Roadside bomb is preferable
It means without preparation of advance thought
In second reference: the America Exchange - Amex - or the exchange

35. impromptu
It means without preparation of advance thought
Try to avoid abbreviations; use apostrophe in master's degree but not in Master of Science; only use B.A. - M.A. - LL.D. and Ph.D. when needed to identify individual on first reference if after a name set off with commas
Use instead of Italy in datelines on stories from communities on this island
The measure of the size of a shotgun. Gauge is expressed in terms of the number Per pound of round lead balls with a diameter equal to the size of the barrel. The bigger the number - the smaller the shotgun. The forms: a 12-gauge shotgun - a .410-gau

36. Except
To exclude
Connotes success in argument and almost always implies an editorial judgement DON'T USE instead deny - dispute - rebut - or respond to
Device used to launch a mortar shell; it is the shell - not the mortar - that is fired
It's NOT an apostrophe in the Yemen capital's name. It is a reverse apostrophe - or a single opening quotation mark

37. Katmandu
See shot
Preferred spelling for the capital of Nepal
Connotation of wrongdoing use acknowledge or said instead of admitted
Sacrilegious

38. Saturday night special
A compact - relatively inexpensive handgun
Tail wind
Use figures spell out inches - feet - yards hyphen adjectival forms before nouns
Not amidst

39. impostor
Use figures. The form: 212-621-1500. For international numbers use 011 (From the United States) - the country code - the city code and the telephone number: 011-44-20-7535-1515. Use hyphens - not periods. The forms for toll free numbers: 800-111-1000
Plural alumnae woman
Try to avoid abbreviations; use apostrophe in master's degree but not in Master of Science; only use B.A. - M.A. - LL.D. and Ph.D. when needed to identify individual on first reference if after a name set off with commas
Impostor

40. improvised explosive device
LEARN SPELLING
Also: keynote speech
IED is acceptable on second reference. Roadside bomb is preferable
Acceptable in all references to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters

41. courtesy titles

42. -in
Not amuck
Use only the initials in referring to the previously designed Scholastic Aptitude Test or the Scholastic Assessment Test. Example: The students scored above average on the SAT
Trademark for an electronic control device or stun gun. (Acronym for Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle)
Precede with a hyphen: break-in - cave-in - walk-in - write-in

43. insure
Kindergarten
A scale of temperature based on - but different from - the Celsius scale. It is used primarily in science to record very high and very low temperatures. The Kelvin scale starts at zero and indicates the total absence of heat (absolute zero). Zero on
Abbreviate Kan. in datelines or stories. Postal code: KS
Insurance

44. tail wind
2 c's and m's
Take-home pay
Exceptions may be made to the normal rules for abbreviations - as necessary to make material fit. But make any abbreviations as clear as possible
Tail wind

45. San Antonio
Use KANSAS CITY - Kan. - or KANSAS CITY - Mo. - in datelines to avoid confusion between the two
The city in Texas stands alone in datelines
Acceptable on first reference for intercontinental ballistic missile(s) - but the term should be defines in the body of a story. Avoid the redundant ICBM missiles
Introduces more than two; must be objective ex. among us

46. San Marino
Legal term for slaying or killing
Every two years
A rifle that is capable of being fired in fully automatic and semi-automatic modes - at the user's option. Designed for - and used by - military forces. Also used by some law enforcement agencies. The form: an M16 assault rifle.
Use alone in datelines on stories from the Republic of San Marino

47. king

48. illegal immigrant
Headquarters of this airline is in Tempe - Ariz.
Try to avoid abbreviations; use apostrophe in master's degree but not in Master of Science; only use B.A. - M.A. - LL.D. and Ph.D. when needed to identify individual on first reference if after a name set off with commas
A measurement of the diameter of a gun barrel except for most shotguns. Measurement is in either millimeters or decimal fractions of an inch. The word caliber is not used when giving the metric measurement. The forms: a 9 mm pistol - a .22-caliber ri
Used to describe those who have entered the country illegally - it is the preferred term - rather than illegal alien or undocumented worker. Do not use the shortened term illegals

49. gauge
The measure of the size of a shotgun. Gauge is expressed in terms of the number Per pound of round lead balls with a diameter equal to the size of the barrel. The bigger the number - the smaller the shotgun. The forms: a 12-gauge shotgun - a .410-gau
Tail wind
Abbreviate Ill. in datelines or stories. Postal code: IL
Uses periods in most two letter words; CIA - FBI - GOP; Never use organizations full name then an acronym;

50. Sault Ste. Marie - Mich. - Sault Ste. Marie. - Ontario
DO NOT PLACE IN QUOTES
The standard British gallon - equal to 277.42 cubic inches or about 1.2 US gallons. The metric equivalent is approximately 4.5 liters
Teammate
The abbreviation Ste. instead St. because the full name is Sault Sainte Marie