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. Parallel structure
objective
25 words
make sure lists have same type of speech
grabs readers' attention

2. Squinting modifiers
separate numbers
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person
restrictive clause

3. Noun strings
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives
used for subjects and as objects of linking verb
find action - subject/actor - object/receiver
used for direct and indirect objects

4. Restrictive modifier
go above main headline
catch readers' attention - summarize story - indicate tone - add to attractiveness of page - establish hierarchy - reflect mood of article
limits meaning of sentence
express a wish - express something contrary to fact - express speculation - express a demand

5. Four rules of subjunctive case
set off phrase usually set off by commas
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it
express a wish - express something contrary to fact - express speculation - express a demand
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word

6. Whom - Him/her
restrictive clause
set off phrase usually set off by commas
appears to left of story
objective

7. Antecedent
separate numbers
appears to left of story
what pronoun refers to
used as modifying

8. Hammer head
short headline - really big - draws attention
straight news stories
hookers - lookers
technical language - don't use

9. en dash
restrictive clause
grabs readers' attention
separate numbers
technical language - don't use

10. Straightforward headline
express a wish - express something contrary to fact - express speculation - express a demand
typical - normal everyday headline
25 words
limits meaning of sentence

11. Drop heads
technical language - don't use
kicker head without a verb
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it
limits meaning of sentence

12. Smother verbs
go beneath main headline and elaborate on it
typical - normal everyday headline
hiding verb as another part of speech
never

13. Types of headlines
hookers - lookers
restrictive clause
straight news stories
make sure lists have same type of speech

14. Use of he/she
typical - normal everyday headline
never
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
make sure lists have same type of speech

15. Smother verb (example)
never
Make decision = decide
25 words
grabs readers' attention

16. em dash
set off phrase usually set off by commas
never
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives
hiding verb as another part of speech

17. Possessive case
used as modifying
typical - normal everyday headline
objective
straight news stories

18. Side-saddle head
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
used for subjects and as objects of linking verb
appears to left of story
set off phrase usually set off by commas

19. Max sentence length
25 words
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
FANBOYS
make sure lists have same type of speech

20. Who - He/she
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
kicker head without a verb
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word
nominative

21. That
typical - normal everyday headline
what pronoun refers to
restrictive clause
go above main headline

22. Hints something needs editing
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice
go above main headline
separate numbers

23. Nonrestrictive modifier
go above main headline
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
used for subjects and as objects of linking verb
typical - normal everyday headline

24. Hookers

25. Objective case
make sure lists have same type of speech
parenthetical in meaning - set off by commas
linking verb and past participle
used for direct and indirect objects

26. Headline rules

27. Jargon

28. Lookers
Sentence length - variety - vague language - grammar - verb/word choice
straight news stories
never
objective

29. How to break sentence
technical language - don't use
find action - subject/actor - object/receiver
3
objective

30. Kicker heads
set off phrase usually set off by commas
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
go above main headline
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person

31. How many prepositional phrases per sentence?
3
straight news stories
technical language - don't use
separate numbers

32. Dangling modifiers
and
catch readers' attention - summarize story - indicate tone - add to attractiveness of page - establish hierarchy - reflect mood of article
linking verb and past participle
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word

33. Passive voice
linking verb and past participle
used for direct and indirect objects
3
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word

34. Pronoun/antecedent agreement
used as modifying
25 words
never
pronouns must agree with antecedent in number - gender and person

35. Use commas with (what words)
FANBOYS
and
when a phrase modifiers the wrong word
set off phrase usually set off by commas

36. Label head
lots of nouns strung together that act like adjectives
restrictive clause
kicker head without a verb
make sure lists have same type of speech

37. Nominative case
used for subjects and as objects of linking verb
grabs readers' attention
modifiers in the middle of sentences that modify the wrong word
FANBOYS

38. Functions of headline

39. Commas replace (headlines)
find action - subject/actor - object/receiver
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
and