Test your basic knowledge |

News Copy Editing

Instructions:

Answer 39 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. Kicker heads
short headline - really big - draws attention
3
go above main headline
kicker head without a verb

2. Whom - Him/her
typical - normal everyday headline
and
objective
go above main headline

3. Noun strings
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives
objective
used for direct and indirect objects

4. Restrictive modifier
limits meaning of sentence
hookers - lookers
used for subjects and as objects of linking verb
used as modifying

5. Objective case
used for subjects and as objects of linking verb
make sure lists have same type of speech
3
used for direct and indirect objects

6. Antecedent
what pronoun refers to
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person
nominative
kicker head without a verb

7. Hookers

8. Who - He/she
nominative
never
short headline - really big - draws attention
used as modifying

9. How many prepositional phrases per sentence?
what pronoun refers to
25 words
objective
3

10. en dash
separate numbers
and
restrictive clause
used as modifying

11. Hammer head
limits meaning of sentence
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
short headline - really big - draws attention
used for direct and indirect objects

12. Four rules of subjunctive case
Make decision = decide
used for subjects and as objects of linking verb
short headline - really big - draws attention
express a wish - express something contrary to fact - express speculation - express a demand

13. Smother verbs
technical language - don't use
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
Make decision = decide
hiding verb as another part of speech

14. Hints something needs editing
nominative
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice
restrictive clause
used for subjects and as objects of linking verb

15. em dash
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word
set off phrase usually set off by commas
technical language - don't use

16. Types of headlines
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice
use present tense - punctuate appropriately - SOV - use proper grammar - know what you write - no loaded words - no alphabet soup - attribute stuff - answer 'so what' - no questions - watch splits
make sure lists have same type of speech
hookers - lookers

17. Functions of headline

18. Nominative case
what pronoun refers to
catch readers' attention - summarize story - indicate tone - add to attractiveness of page - establish hierarchy - reflect mood of article
used for subjects and as objects of linking verb
25 words

19. Dangling modifiers
typical - normal everyday headline
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
set off phrase usually set off by commas
find action - subject/actor - object/receiver

20. Straightforward headline
typical - normal everyday headline
3
straight news stories
restrictive clause

21. Smother verb (example)
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person
set off phrase usually set off by commas
Make decision = decide
25 words

22. Drop heads
limits meaning of sentence
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it
use present tense - punctuate appropriately - SOV - use proper grammar - know what you write - no loaded words - no alphabet soup - attribute stuff - answer 'so what' - no questions - watch splits

23. Use commas with (what words)
25 words
linking verb and past participle
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives
FANBOYS

24. That
express a wish - express something contrary to fact - express speculation - express a demand
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it
restrictive clause
hookers - lookers

25. Side-saddle head
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
appears to left of story
technical language - don't use
nominative

26. Headline rules

27. Lookers
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it
nominative
straight news stories
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person

28. Label head
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
kicker head without a verb
use present tense - punctuate appropriately - SOV - use proper grammar - know what you write - no loaded words - no alphabet soup - attribute stuff - answer 'so what' - no questions - watch splits
linking verb and past participle

29. Commas replace (headlines)
appears to left of story
and
grabs readers' attention
hiding verb as another part of speech

30. Pronoun/antecedent agreement
catch readers' attention - summarize story - indicate tone - add to attractiveness of page - establish hierarchy - reflect mood of article
make sure lists have same type of speech
typical - normal everyday headline
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person

31. How to break sentence
make sure lists have same type of speech
find action - subject/actor - object/receiver
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas

32. Nonrestrictive modifier
make sure lists have same type of speech
Make decision = decide
hookers - lookers
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas

33. Max sentence length
technical language - don't use
restrictive clause
25 words
express a wish - express something contrary to fact - express speculation - express a demand

34. Possessive case
25 words
used as modifying
objective
kicker head without a verb

35. Use of he/she
appears to left of story
FANBOYS
Make decision = decide
never

36. Squinting modifiers
short headline - really big - draws attention
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
use present tense - punctuate appropriately - SOV - use proper grammar - know what you write - no loaded words - no alphabet soup - attribute stuff - answer 'so what' - no questions - watch splits

37. Passive voice
linking verb and past participle
use present tense - punctuate appropriately - SOV - use proper grammar - know what you write - no loaded words - no alphabet soup - attribute stuff - answer 'so what' - no questions - watch splits
25 words
go above main headline

38. Jargon

39. Parallel structure
linking verb and past participle
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word
make sure lists have same type of speech
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice