capitalization and italics

For our architecture project, we are studying the _____, a famous skyscraper in Chicago.

• willis tower

• Willis tower

• willis Tower

• Willis Tower

Answer explanation

The full name of a specific building, like 'Willis Tower', is a proper noun and must be fully capitalized. The other options contain capitalization errors.

Which of the following correctly capitalizes the title of a modern book?

• The Hunger Games: the Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

• The Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes

• The hunger games: the ballad of songbirds & snakes

• The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

Answer explanation

In title case, capitalize the first and last words, and all major words. Do not capitalize short prepositions like 'of' or articles like 'the' unless they are the first or last word. All other options contain errors in title case capitalization.

My _____ told me that _____ is her favorite subject because she loves learning about the past.

• aunt Sarah, History

• Aunt Sarah, history

• aunt Sarah, history

• Aunt Sarah, History

Answer explanation

A family title like 'Aunt' is capitalized when used with a name ('Aunt Sarah'). General school subjects like 'history' are not capitalized unless they are a language (English) or a specific course title (History 101).

Given the rule about capitalizing the first word in a quotation, which sentence with an interrupted quotation is capitalized correctly?

• “That,” the guide announced, “Is the oldest tree in the park.”

• “That,” the guide announced, “is the oldest tree in the park.”

• “that,” the guide announced, “is the oldest tree in the park.”

• “That,” the guide announced, “is the oldest tree in the park”.

Answer explanation

The first word of a quotation is capitalized. However, when the quotation is interrupted by a dialogue tag and then continues, the second part is not capitalized unless it begins a new sentence. The other options either incorrectly capitalize the second part or have other punctuation errors.

From the list below, identify the phrase that does NOT require capitalization in a sentence.

• the Industrial Revolution

• the West Coast

• the edge of the continent

• the Milky Way Galaxy

Answer explanation

Specific historical periods (Industrial Revolution), specific regions (West Coast), and specific astronomical bodies (Milky Way Galaxy) are proper nouns and must be capitalized. The phrase 'the edge of the continent' is a general description, not a specific name, so it is not capitalized.

Complete the sentence with the correctly capitalized word for the dialogue. The notice on the door clearly stated, "_____ use the other entrance."

• please

• Please

• do not

• Do not

Answer explanation

The first word of a direct quotation that is a complete sentence must always be capitalized. Therefore, 'Please' is the only correct choice to start the quoted sentence.

Complete the sentence by correctly capitalizing the historical period. Our history textbook has a chapter on the _____, focusing on the development of early metal tools.

• bronze age

• Bronze age

• bronze Age

• Bronze Age

Answer explanation

The names of specific historical periods, like the Bronze Age, are proper nouns and must be capitalized. Both words in 'Bronze Age' should be capitalized.

A student writes: 'My favorite class is science, but I also enjoy taking French.' Which statement correctly evaluates the capitalization in this sentence?

• The sentence is incorrect; 'science' should be capitalized because it is a school subject.

• The sentence is incorrect; 'French' should not be capitalized because it is a school subject.

• The sentence is correct; 'science' is a general subject and not capitalized, while 'French' is a language and must be capitalized.

• The sentence is correct because school subjects are never capitalized.

Answer explanation

General school subjects (math, science, history) are not capitalized. However, languages (French, English, Spanish) are always capitalized, as are specific course titles (e.g., Biology 101).

In the sentence, 'The term onomatopoeia is often confused with alliteration,' why are the words in italics?

• They are titles of articles.

• They are being emphasized for importance.

• They are foreign words not yet common in English.

• They are being discussed as specific terms themselves.

Answer explanation

Italics are used to identify a word, letter, or number when it is being referred to as the item itself, rather than for its meaning. The other options describe different uses for italics or quotation marks.

Our assignment is to compare a full-length work, like the movie _____, with a shorter work, like the song _____ from its soundtrack.

• Dune, "Paul's Dream"

• "Dune", Paul's Dream

• Dune, Paul's Dream

• "Dune", "Paul's Dream"

Answer explanation

Titles of long, standalone works like movies and albums are italicized. Titles of shorter works that are part of a larger collection, like songs, articles, or short stories, are placed in quotation marks.