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AP Style Vocab

Instructions:

Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
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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. imperial quart
Create or put together
One-fourth of an imperial gallon
A handgun that can be a single shot or a semi-automatic. It is measured in calibers. The form: a .45-caliber revolver
Capitalize formal titles directly before a name; lowercase and spell out when they are not used with a person name or after a title

2. like
Take over (v.) takeover (n. and adj)
Preposition to compare nouns and pronouns Jim blocks like a pro
Capitalize them
Tail wind

3. Accept
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
Take off - takeoff
To receive
Lowercase spell out numbers less than 10

4. caliber
Writers or speakers imply in the words they use. A listener or reader infers something from the words
Use Arabic figures - separated from letters by a hyphen: M-60 - plural: M-60s
Trademark for an electronic control device or stun gun. (Acronym for Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle)
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

5. sacraments

6. Capitol
It's NOT an apostrophe in the Yemen capital's name. It is a reverse apostrophe - or a single opening quotation mark
In indicates location: He was in the room. Into indicates motion: She walked into the room
Capitalize building in Washington
Tape recording (n.) tape-record (v.)

7. ice age
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
Sacagawea
Equal to one-sixth of a fluid ounce - or one-third of a tablespoon. The metric equivalent is approximately 5 milliliters
The maxim that between introduces two items and among introduces more than two covers most questions about how to use these words: The funds were divided among Ford - Carter and McCarthy. However - between is the correct word when expressing the rela

8. shell
Sacrilegious
The word applies to military or naval ammunition and to shotgun ammunition
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.
See John F. Kennedy Space Center

9. murder
Malicious - premeditated homicide; Do not describe as murder until person has been convicted
To introduce clauses Jim blocks the linebacker as he should
Lowercase the common noun elements in plural uses
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

10. telecast (n.) televise (v.)
Telecast (n.) televise (v.)
Tattletale
Use Saudi as the adjective in referring to the people or culture of Saudi Arabia. It's Saudi diplomacy - not Saudi Arabian diplomacy. For the Saudi monarchy - follow the syle on British and other monarchies. Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal wou
The name for the worldwide association of the 22 national Anglican churches. Each national church is independent. A special position of honor is accorded to the archbishop of Canterbury - as the pre-eminent officer in the original Anglican body - the

11. teachers college
No apostrophe
Take off - takeoff
Legal term for slaying or killing
DON'T USE children 15 and younger

12. Manslaughter
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
Homicide without malice or premeditation
A handgun that can be a single shot or a semi-automatic. It is measured in calibers. The form: a .45-caliber revolver
Gun is an acceptable term for any firearm

13. flier
A firearm that fires continuously as long as the trigger is depressed. Examples include machine guns and submachine guns
Headquarters is in Mississauga - Ontario
An aviator or handbill; pass out those fliers
Take off - takeoff

14. San'a

15. between
Introduces two items; between him and her - between you and me
Headquarters is in Minneapolis
Capitalize only when used before the name of royalty: King George VI. Continue in subsequent references that use the king's given name: King George - not George. Lowercase king when it stands alone. Capitalize in phrases such as strikeout king Nolan
Use K in references to modern transmission speeds - in keeping with standard usage: a 56K modem (no space after numeral). The abbreviation should not be used to mean 1000 or $1000

16. San Antonio
The city in Texas stands alone in datelines
A trademark for a type of nonstick coating
Take over (v.) takeover (n. and adj)
Two words unless used as adjective before a noun in a nautical sense

17. American Society of Composers - Authors and Publishers
AMA is acceptable on second reference. Also: the medical association - the association. Headquarters is in Chicago
Connotes success in argument and almost always implies an editorial judgement DON'T USE instead deny - dispute - rebut - or respond to
ASCAP is acceptable on second reference. Headquarters is in New York
These and similar combinations of a letter and figure(s) designate rifles used by the military. The forms: an M-1 rifle - an M-16 rifle

18. Kennedy Space Center
Introduces two items; between him and her - between you and me
See John F. Kennedy Space Center
Takes singluar verb two people look at each other
Abbreviate Ill. in datelines or stories. Postal code: IL

19. alumna
Plural alumnae woman
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
The new term is kilohertz
Their = possessive pronoun - there= adverb indicating direction - they're= contraction for they are

20. Magnum
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
No apostrophe
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
DON'T USE children 15 and younger

21. gender-neutral titles
The city in California stands alone in datelines
To receive
Firefighter preferred over fireman or firewoman
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

22. SAM - SAMs
Plural alumni man who attended a school
Headquarters is in Mississauga - Ontario
Acceptable on second reference for surface-to-air missile(s)
Use the ampersand when it is part of a company's formal name or company position title: House & Garden - Procter & Gamble - Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway. The ampersand should not otherwise be used in place of and.

23. kilogram
Describes money - do not capitalize - city where a seat of government is located
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)
Impassable means that passage is impossible: The bridge was impassable. Impassible and impassive describe lack of sensitivity to pain or suffering. Webster's New World College Dictionary notes - however - that impassible suggest an inability to be af
A weapon - usually supported on some type of carriage - that fires explosive projectiles. The form: a 105 mm cannon

24. teamster
Use alone in datelines on stories from the Republic of San Marino
Capitalize teamster only if the intended meaning is that the individual is a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters - Chauffeurs - Warehousemen and Helpers of America
Verb to gaze intently or steadily
Means in a hopeful manner; never use

25. carbine
Use K in references to modern transmission speeds - in keeping with standard usage: a 56K modem (no space after numeral). The abbreviation should not be used to mean 1000 or $1000
See shot
Headquarters is in Minneapolis
A short - lightweight rifle - usually having a barrel length of less than 20 inches. The form: an M-3 carbine

26. hopefully
Means in a hopeful manner; never use
When someone is the object of a verb or preposition
?
The new term is kilohertz

27. inasmuch as
Create or put together
Acronym for instant message; sometimes used as a verb IM'ing - IM'ed. acceptable on second reference for instant messaging
Action word lay - laid - laying
Inasmuch as

28. Addresses
Impassable means that passage is impossible: The bridge was impassable. Impassible and impassive describe lack of sensitivity to pain or suffering. Webster's New World College Dictionary notes - however - that impassible suggest an inability to be af
Headquarters is in Mississauga - Ontario
It's NOT an apostrophe in the Yemen capital's name. It is a reverse apostrophe - or a single opening quotation mark
Spell out and capitalize first through ninth use figures for others Ave. Blvd. St. only ones allowed to be abbreviated when numbered address is present. Do Not abbreviate compass points if number is omitted

29. Proper names plural
A unit of measurement for digital data storage. In the metric system - a kilobyte is 1000 bytes; in computer binary terms - it is 1 -024 bytes. Thus - 64KB means 64 times 1 -024 bytes - or 65 -536 bytes (not 64000). Abbrev.: KB. (similarly - MB for m
Most ending in z or es or s add es: Joneses - Gonzalezes - Charleses
The city in Texas stands alone in datelines
Abbreviate St. in the names of saints - cities - and other places: St. Jude - St. Paul - Minn.; St. John's - Newfoundland; St. Lawrence Seaway

30. kids

31. kilowatt-hour
Device used to launch a mortar shell; it is the shell - not the mortar - that is fired
Connotes success in argument and almost always implies an editorial judgement DON'T USE instead deny - dispute - rebut - or respond to
The amount of electrical energy consumed when 1000 watts are used for one hour. The abbreviation kwh is acceptable on second reference.
State of reclining lie - lay - lain - lying

32. less
A handgun that can be a single shot or a semi-automatic. It is measured in calibers. The form: a .45-caliber revolver
Bulk or quantity; I had less than $50 in my pocket
Impassable means that passage is impossible: The bridge was impassable. Impassible and impassive describe lack of sensitivity to pain or suffering. Webster's New World College Dictionary notes - however - that impassible suggest an inability to be af
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

33. Imax Corp.
Saboteur
Firefighter preferred over fireman or firewoman
A weapon - usually supported on some type of carriage - that fires explosive projectiles. The form: a 105 mm cannon
Headquarters is in Mississauga - Ontario

34. buckshot
A unit of measurement for digital data storage. In the metric system - a kilobyte is 1000 bytes; in computer binary terms - it is 1 -024 bytes. Thus - 64KB means 64 times 1 -024 bytes - or 65 -536 bytes (not 64000). Abbrev.: KB. (similarly - MB for m
See shot
Lowercase spell out cents 5 cents or $2.50
If comprise or compose doesn't fit - sense of form or make up

35. stationary
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
Abbreviate Kan. in datelines or stories. Postal code: KS
To stand still
Also: keynote speech

36. Saudi Arabia

37. tanks
A trademark for a process of making color motion pictures
Acronym for improvised explosive device. IED is acceptable on second reference. Roadside bomb is preferable
Use Arabic figures - separated from letters by a hyphen: M-60 - plural: M-60s
To make sure or give confidence

38. tail wind
These and similar combinations of a letter and figure(s) designate rifles used by the military. The forms: an M-1 rifle - an M-16 rifle
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)
Tail wind
Freight railroad - with headquarters in Kansas City - Mo. It is the parent of Kansas City Southern Railway Co. and Kansas City Southern de Mexico SA and it holds a 50 percent stake in Panama Canal Railway Co.

39. Capitalize
Insurance
Lowercase the common noun elements in plural uses
More than two look at one another
Kindergarten

40. telephone numbers
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
Bulk or quantity; I had less than $50 in my pocket
Homicide without malice or premeditation
Capitalize teamster only if the intended meaning is that the individual is a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters - Chauffeurs - Warehousemen and Helpers of America

41. Americorps
Verb to gaze intently or steadily
Precede with a hyphen: break-in - cave-in - walk-in - write-in
Don't use unless asked
Americorps

42. ensure
Capitalize only when referring to the total collections of events
Teammate
Precede with a hyphen: break-in - cave-in - walk-in - write-in
Means to guarantee

43. impel - impelled - impelling
The metric term for 1000 meters. (Abbrev.: km) A kilometer is equal to approximately 3 -281 feet - or five-eighths (0.62) of a mile. To convert to miles - multiply by 0.62 (5 kilometers x 0.62 equals 3.1 miles).
No hyphen when it means not: inaccurate - insufferable Other uses without a hyphen: inbound - indoor - infield - infighting - inpatient A few combinations take a hyphen - however: in-depth - in-group - in-house - in-law Follow Webster's New World Col
Proper name of some trains and buses
Proper tenses for impel

44. Kansas City Southern
Lowercase with periods. Avoid the redundant 10 a.m. this morning.
Always use figures. Use hyphens for ages expressed as adjectives before a noun or substitute as a noun
Freight railroad - with headquarters in Kansas City - Mo. It is the parent of Kansas City Southern Railway Co. and Kansas City Southern de Mexico SA and it holds a 50 percent stake in Panama Canal Railway Co.
Describes money - do not capitalize - city where a seat of government is located

45. Abbreviations

46. Kansas City
Use KANSAS CITY - Kan. - or KANSAS CITY - Mo. - in datelines to avoid confusion between the two
AM is acceptable in all references
An aviator or handbill; pass out those fliers
The maxim that between introduces two items and among introduces more than two covers most questions about how to use these words: The funds were divided among Ford - Carter and McCarthy. However - between is the correct word when expressing the rela

47. decades

48. fewer
IED is acceptable on second reference. Roadside bomb is preferable
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
Individual items;fewer than 10 applicants called. I had fewer than 50 $1 bills in my pocket
Headquarters of this airline is in Tempe - Ariz.

49. machine gun
Spatial relationships
Most significant word is made plural: daughters-in-law - assistant attorneys general - major generals
Formerly a trademark - now a generic term
A fully automatic gun that fires as long as the trigger is depressed. The form: a .50 caliber Browning machine gun.

50. lie
Homicide without malice or premeditation
Acceptable in all forms
Plural alumnae woman
State of reclining lie - lay - lain - lying