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. illegal immigrant
To exclude
Saboteur
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
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


2. howitzer
A cannon shorter than a gun of the same caliber employed to fire projectiles at relatively high angles at a target - such as opposing forces being a ridge. The form: a 105 mm howitzer
An aviator or handbill; pass out those fliers
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 firearm that fires continuously as long as the trigger is depressed. Examples include machine guns and submachine guns


3. rebut
To argue to the contrary
Use instead of Italy in datelines on stories from communities on this island
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.
Weak-kneed


4. among
Introduces more than two; must be objective ex. among us
Headquarters is in Mississauga - Ontario
Acceptable in all references for severe acute respiratory syndrome - but it should be spelled out somewhere in the story
Preferred with numerals


5. assault weapon
Bad should not be used as an adverb only exceptation is I feel bad.
Legal term for slaying or killing
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
Plural alumni man who attended a school


6. telephone numbers
Acceptable on second reference for surface-to-air missile(s)
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
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
A carriage-mounted cannon


7. Colt
Bad should not be used as an adverb only exceptation is I feel bad.
A province of Canada north of Montana and North Dakota. Do not abbreviate
Sandwich
Named for Samuel Colt - it designates a make of weapon or ammunition developed for Colt handguns. The forms: a Colt .45-caliber revolver - .45 Colt ammunition


8. Capitalize
Lowercase the common noun elements in plural uses
A trademark for a process of making color motion pictures
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
Headquarters of this airline is in Tempe - Ariz.


9. San'a

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10. dimensions
To introduce clauses Jim blocks the linebacker as he should
Use figures spell out inches - feet - yards hyphen adjectival forms before nouns
Headquarters is in Minneapolis
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.


11. times
Capitalize ZIP lowercase code only five number no comma 70791
Writing paper
Use figures except for noon and midnight
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


12. Salt Lake City
One who comes into a country immigrates
The city in Utah stands alone in datelines
IED is acceptable on second reference. Roadside bomb is preferable
Acceptable in all forms


13. IBM
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
Acceptable as first reference for International Business Machines Corp. Headquarters is in Armonk - NY
IED is acceptable on second reference. Roadside bomb is preferable
Lowercase when describing the leader of a prayer in a Muslim mosque. Capitalize before a name when used as the formal title for a Muslim leader or ruler


14. Satan
Extension of time or degree
But lowercase devil and satanic
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
The abbreviation Ste. instead St. because the full name is Sault Sainte Marie


15. king

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16. temperatures
Use figures EXCEPT for zero spell out minus and degrees; temperatures get higher & lower
Untrue statement - lie -lied -lying
Abbreviate Kan. in datelines or stories. Postal code: KS
One-fourth of an imperial gallon


17. anchorman - anchorwoman
Tailspin
Not anchor or co-anchor
A firearm typically used to fire small spherical pellets called shot. Shotguns usually have a smooth bore barrel - but some contain a rifled barrel - Which is used to fire a single projectile. Size is measured according to gauge - except for the .410
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


18. Iberia
Lowercase use figures and $ sign
Headquarters of this airline is in Madrid - Spain
Takes singluar verb two people look at each other
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


19. semi-automatic
Capitalize only when referring to the total collections of events
Writing paper
A firearm that fires only once for each pull of the trigger. It reloads after each shot. The form: a semi-automatic rifle - a semi-automatic weapon - a semi-automatic pistol
A compact - relatively inexpensive handgun


20. ampersand (&)

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21. ICBM - ICBMs
Use figures spell out inches - feet - yards hyphen adjectival forms before nouns
In second reference: the America Exchange - Amex - or the exchange
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
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. Defendant
Introduces more than two; must be objective ex. among us
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
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
No e


23. assure
One who leaves a country emigrates from it
DON'T USE children 15 and younger
To make sure or give confidence
A trademark for a process of making color motion pictures


24. Allege
Two Words.
USE WITH GREAT CARE specify source of allegation avoid redundant uses ex. accused her of allegedly
The standard British gallon - equal to 277.42 cubic inches or about 1.2 US gallons. The metric equivalent is approximately 4.5 liters
Americorps


25. shell
Take up (v.) takeup (n. and adj.)
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).
Contraction for Who is NOT POSSESSIVE
The word applies to military or naval ammunition and to shotgun ammunition


26. as
Verb to gaze intently or steadily
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
To introduce clauses Jim blocks the linebacker as he should
Only used in a direct quote or part of a title


27. No.

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28. comprise
Takes singluar verb two people look at each other
State of reclining lie - lay - lain - lying
Contain - include all - or embrace
DON'T USE children 15 and younger


29. criterion
Device used to launch a mortar shell; it is the shell - not the mortar - that is fired
Noun and verb denoting completeness or supplementing something
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
Singular criteria is the plural


30. fully automatic
Gun is an acceptable term for any firearm
To make sure or give confidence
A firearm that fires continuously as long as the trigger is depressed. Examples include machine guns and submachine guns
Use instead of Italy in datelines on stories from communities on this island


31. San Francisco
Lowercase spell out numbers less than 10
The city in California stands alone in datelines
To make sure or give confidence
Abbreviate Ill. in datelines or stories. Postal code: IL


32. titles
Capitalize formal titles directly before a name; lowercase and spell out when they are not used with a person name or after a title
The '90s - 1920s
Headquarters of this airline is in Tempe - Ariz.
The city in Texas stands alone in datelines


33. Sardinia
Two Words.
Abbreviation for the Latin id est or that is and is always followed by a comma
Use instead of Italy in datelines on stories from communities on this island
Use singular verb and pronoun 'it' when referring to the team as a collective unit. However - the team name takes a plural verb: The Orlando Magic are close to setting a franchise record


34. kidnap - kidnapped - kidnapping - kidnapper
Yep.
Named for Samuel Colt - it designates a make of weapon or ammunition developed for Colt handguns. The forms: a Colt .45-caliber revolver - .45 Colt ammunition
Weak-kneed
?


35. teaspoonful - teaspoonfuls
NOT teaspoonsful
Tail wind
Tape recording (n.) tape-record (v.)
Lowercase spell out numbers less than 10


36. principle
Acceptable on first reference for The Russian government's news agency that is officially ITAR-Tass. ITAR is an acronym for Information Telegraph Agency of Russia. Copy from other parts of the former Soviet Union should carry the logo of the local ag
Device used to launch a mortar shell; it is the shell - not the mortar - that is fired
A fundamental truth - law - doctrine or motivating force
Preposition to compare nouns and pronouns Jim blocks like a pro


37. KGB
After a girl reach the age 18 use woman or young woman
Acceptable on first reference - but the story should contain a phrase identifying it as the former Russian secret police and intelligence agency. The initials stand for the Russian words meaning Committee for State Security
Santa Claus
A cannon or other weapon designed for defense against air attack. The form: a 105 mm anti-aircraft gun.


38. alumna
Physical distance
Untrue statement - lie -lied -lying
Don't use unless asked
Plural alumnae woman


39. weak-kneed
Use Taiwan - not Formosa - in reverences to the government in Taiwan and the island itself
Weak-kneed
A short - lightweight rifle - usually having a barrel length of less than 20 inches. The form: an M-3 carbine
Sandwich


40. American Telephone & Telegraph Co.
One-fourth of an imperial gallon
Saudi Aramco is acceptable on second reference. (Formerly the Arabian American Oil Co.)
See AT&T Inc.
Weak-kneed


41. Saddam

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42. Imax Corp.
Headquarters is in Mississauga - Ontario
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
Acronym for improvised explosive device. IED is acceptable on second reference. Roadside bomb is preferable
Abbreviation for the Latin id est or that is and is always followed by a comma


43. assault rifle

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44. Teflon
A carriage-mounted cannon
A trademark for a type of nonstick coating
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
Impostor


45. M-1 - M-16
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
Use figures except for noon and midnight
See pardon - parole - probation
Headquarters of this airline is in Madrid - Spain


46. in - into
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
In indicates location: He was in the room. Into indicates motion: She walked into the room
Use Arabic figures - separated from letters by a hyphen: M-60 - plural: M-60s
Exceptions may be made to the normal rules for abbreviations - as necessary to make material fit. But make any abbreviations as clear as possible


47. ice age
Capitalize them
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
Salable
Acceptable in all forms


48. Ages
Always use figures. Use hyphens for ages expressed as adjectives before a noun or substitute as a noun
A cannon or other weapon designed for defense against air attack. The form: a 105 mm anti-aircraft gun.
DO NOT PLACE IN QUOTES
The word applies to military or naval ammunition and to shotgun ammunition


49. television program titles
Do NOT use teenaged
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
Follow the guidelines in composition titles. Put quotation marks around show only if it is part of the formal name. The word show may be dropped when it would be cumbersome - such as in a set of listings. In text or listing - treat programs named aft
LEARN SPELLING


50. under way
Acceptable in all forms
Two words unless used as adjective before a noun in a nautical sense
Noun or verb denotes praise or expression of courtsey
Plural alumni man who attended a school