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Parentheses in Writing

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 6mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

There are four types of brackets, one of which is parenthesis.

a)

False

b)

True

2.

Brackets and Parentheses always come in pairs.

a)

True

b)

False

3.

Square brackets look like the following:

a)

( )

b)

[ ]

c)

" "

d)

/ /

4.

Parentheses look like this:

a)

( )

b)

{ }

c)

< >

d)

[ ]

5.

Square brackets are used to

a)

Add ridiculous information

b)

Always add essential information

c)

Always add non-essential information

d)

Clarify or define

6.

Brackets are NOT used to

a)

insert explanations or comments into quoted material.

b)

insert corrections into quoted material.

c)

add sarcastic comments to quoted material.

d)

insert clarifications into quoted material.

7.

Parentheses in writing are primarily used to

a)

Define a difficult or foreign word.

b)

Add essential information.

c)

Add information that may interest the reader.

d)

Make a list.

8.

Brackets may be used to indicate the writer has made a mistake.

a)

True

b)

False

9.

Sic is a Latin term for "so" or "thus", though we often use it as an acronym for "spelling is correct."

a)

True

b)

False

10.

How is the word sic used correctly?

a)

"The men (sic) is kind and helpful."

b)

"The men "sic" is kind and helpful."

c)

The men [sic] is kind and helpful.

d)

The men --sic is kind and helpful.

11.

Which sentence uses punctuation correctly in the following DIRECTLY QUOTED material?

a)

"He (Ned) creates his own vases."

b)

"He [Ned] creates his own vases."

c)

"He -- Ned -- creates his own vases."

d)

"He / Ned / creates his own vases."

12.

If a comma would not normally be used in a sentence, don't add a comma to the parentheses.

a)

False

b)

True

13.

Which sentence uses punctuation with the parentheses correctly?

a)

The sweet kid (who is my neighbor) knows Latin.

b)

The sweet kid (who is my neighbor), knows Latin.

c)

The sweet kid, (who is my neighbor) knows Latin.

d)

The sweet kid, (who is my neighbor), knows Latin.

14.

Commas generally go outside the parentheses when used for FANBOYS, SWABIs, or introductory phrases.

a)

True

b)

False

15.

Which sentence uses proper punctuation with the parentheses?

a)

When I travel to Spain, (if I ever get there) I'll buy a souvenir.

b)

When I travel to Spain (if I ever get there) I'll buy a souvenir.

c)

When I travel to Spain (if I ever get there), I'll buy a souvenir.

d)

When I travel, to Spain, (if I ever get there,), I'll buy a souvenir.

16.

Which sentence uses punctuation correctly?

a)

Many people love parties. (I don't)

b)

Many people love parties, (I don't.)

c)

Many people love parties, (I don't).

d)

Many people love parties (I don't).

17.

If the information in the parentheses is a separate, complete sentence, the period at the end of the sentence goes inside the parentheses.

a)

True

b)

False

18.

Which TWO questions are punctuated correctly?

a)

The weather is wonderful. (If only it were always like this!)

b)

The weather is wonderful, (if only it were always like this!)

c)

The weather is wonderful. (if only it were always like this!)

d)

The weather is wonderful (if only it were always like this)!

19.

If the parenthetical comment itself is an exclamation or question, the exclamation or question mark goes outside the parentheses.

a)

False

b)

True

20.

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

a)

Ana got a 100! (the only one in the class) on her test.

b)

Ana got a 100 (the only one in the class) on her test!

c)

Ana got a 100 (the only one in the class!) on her test.

d)

Ana got a 100 (the only one in her class)! on her test.