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Citing Mla – Quiz 1
Citing Mla Quiz 1 (30 MCQs)
This multiple-choice question set evaluates your understanding of MLA citation rules and guidelines, including proper formatting, in-text citations, works cited entries, and citing sources with no author. It covers essential skills such as identifying correct citation styles and containers, placing punctuation marks correctly, and adhering to indentation and spacing rules.
Quiz Instructions
Select an option to see the correct answer instantly.
1.
What other types of citations are there?
A) APA and ALA.
B) APA and Chicago.
C) New York and MMA.
D) APA and MPA.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is B) APA and Chicago because these are two widely recognized citation styles used in academic writing, particularly for humanities (Chicago) and social sciences (APA). MLA is another commonly used style but not listed among the options provided.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
APA and ALA - ALA stands for American Library Association and is not a citation style.
Option B:
APA and Chicago - Correct, as both are recognized citation styles.
Option C:
New York and MMA - These do not refer to citation styles.
Option D:
APA and MPA - MPA does not denote a citation style.
2.
Where do you place the in text citation in your sentence?
A) Right next to the info you cited in the sentence.
B) At the end of your sentence.
C) In the middle of the sentence.
D) Wherever you want.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The MLA in-text citation should be placed at the end of your sentence, immediately after the information that is being cited. This allows readers to easily locate the source within the text and understand which part of the sentence refers to the cited material.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. Placing the citation right next to the info can lead to confusion as it may not clearly indicate what is being cited.
Option B:
Correct. MLA guidelines recommend placing the citation at the end of the sentence, immediately after the information that is being cited.
Option C:
Incorrect. Placing the citation in the middle of a sentence can disrupt the flow and clarity of the text.
Option D:
Incorrect. MLA style does not allow for arbitrary placement of citations within sentences; they must be placed at the end to maintain readability and accuracy.
3.
In order to cite properly and not get in trouble for plagiarism, what do you need?
A) A works cited page.
B) Footnotes.
C) Works cited page and in-text citations.
D) It depends whether you are using direct quotes or paraphrasing.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Works cited page and in-text citations are necessary for proper citation according to MLA style. A works cited page lists all the sources you referenced in your paper, while in-text citations provide brief references within the text that direct readers to the corresponding entries on the works cited page.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
A works cited page alone is insufficient as it does not provide in-text references.
Option B:
Footnotes are not the standard method for MLA citations; they do not replace in-text citations and a works cited page.
Option C:
Correct. Both elements ensure proper attribution of sources and avoid plagiarism.
Option D:
While this option is partially correct, it oversimplifies the requirements by focusing only on when to use direct quotes or paraphrasing rather than specifying both in-text citations and a works cited page as necessary components.
4.
When citing a website, what is the last piece of the entry?
A) The author's name.
B) The date the website was uploaded.
C) The URL.
D) The date you accessed the website.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The last piece of an MLA citation for a website is the date you accessed the website because MLA guidelines require this information to ensure that the source was available at the time of writing, even if it does not appear on the site itself.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Author's name - Not the last piece.
Option B:
Date the website was uploaded - Not typically included in MLA citations for websites.
Option C:
The URL - Not required in MLA format for web sources.
Option D:
The date you accessed the website - Correct. Required as the last piece of information.
5.
Although some medical ethicists claim that cloning will lead to designer children (R. Miller 12), others note that the advantages for medical research outweigh this consideration (A. Miller 46). In the aforementioned in-text citation, what formatting style is used?
A) American Psychological Association.
B) American Physiological Association.
C) Modern Literary Association.
D) Modern Language Association.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The in-text citation format provided (R. Miller 12) and (A. Miller 46) is consistent with the Modern Language Association (MLA) style, which typically includes the author's last name followed by a page number in parentheses.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
APA uses (Author's Last Name, Year of Publication) format.
Option B:
There is no such style as American Physiological Association for citations.
Option C:
MLA is the correct citation style here.
Option D:
This option incorrectly states Modern Language Association, which is the correct answer.
6.
What is the spacing of your text?
A) Single.
B) 1.50".
C) Double.
D) 1.25".
Show Answer
Explanations:
MLA style specifies that the spacing in a document should be double-spaced, including between lines of text and after headings. This ensures readability and consistency across academic papers.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Single-spacing is not used in MLA format as it can make documents appear crowded and less readable.
Option B:
1.50" refers to line spacing, which is not the standard for MLA formatting; this option is incorrect.
Option C:
Double-spacing is the correct choice in MLA format as it enhances readability and provides a clear separation between lines of text.
Option D:
1.25" is another form of line spacing, not used in MLA formatting; this option is incorrect.
7.
In order to avoid plagiarism, you should always .....
A) Give credit to the person who created the material you are using.
B) Change a few words so it isn't technically copied word-for-word (verbatim).
C) Hope nobody checks to find out it isn't your own original work.
D) All of the aforementioned.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option A is correct because giving credit to the person who created the material you are using is a fundamental principle of avoiding plagiarism and adhering to academic integrity. Proper citation not only acknowledges the original author's work but also allows readers to locate the source if they wish to learn more.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Citing the original creator ensures proper attribution and avoids plagiarism.
Option B:
Incorrect. Changing a few words does not eliminate the issue of plagiarism; it is still necessary to cite the source.
Option C:
Incorrect. Relying on hope that no one will check for originality is irresponsible and unethical.
Option D:
Incorrect. Not all options are correct; only Option A addresses proper citation practices.
8.
"Burke, Kenneth. Language as Symbolic Action:Essays on Life, Literature, and Method. University of California Press, 1966, pp. 367-375." Using the aforementioned work citation, how do we write the in-text citation in MLA Style?
A) (Burke, 367-375).
B) (Burke 367).
C) (Burke, 1996).
D) (Burke, K., 1996).
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct in-text citation for the given work in MLA style is (Burke, 367). This format includes only the author's last name and the page numbers where the information can be found within the text.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. It includes the author's name but not the specific pages.
Option B:
Correct. It follows the MLA format with the author's last name and page numbers.
Option C:
Incorrect. It incorrectly includes the year of publication, which is unnecessary for in-text citations unless there are multiple works by the same author published in the same year.
Option D:
Incorrect. It adds the author's initials and the year of publication, both of which are not required in this case.
9.
In MLA format, which of the following is the correct way to cite a source with two authors in-text?
A) (Smith and Johnson 45).
B) (Smith & Johnson 45).
C) (Smith, Johnson 45).
D) (Smith et al. 45).
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct MLA in-text citation for a source with two authors is (Smith and Johnson 45). When both authors are mentioned, use "and" instead of an ampersand (&) to connect the names.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Uses "and" between author names.
Option B:
Incorrect. Ampersand (&) should not be used in MLA citations for two authors.
Option C:
Incorrect. Commas are used to separate the author's last names, not a space.
Option D:
Incorrect. "Et al." is used when there are three or more authors, not for two.
10.
When you ..... , you are using someone's exact words, and you must use quotation marks.
A) Paraphrase.
B) Plagiarize.
C) Borrow.
D) Quote.
Show Answer
Explanations:
When you quote, you are using someone's exact words, and you must use quotation marks to indicate that the text is not your own.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Paraphrase. This involves restating someone else’s ideas in your own words without using quotation marks.
Option B:
Plagiarize. This is wrongfully claiming another person's work as your own, which can be done without using quotation marks if the text is not cited properly.
Option C:
Borrow. This term is too general and does not specifically indicate the use of exact words with quotation marks.
Option D:
Quote. Correct. When quoting, you are directly using someone else's exact words and must enclose them in quotation marks to show they are not your own.
11.
When using an in text citation, where do you put the number of the page where you got your quote from?
A) "In text quote" page number.
B) "In text quote" (page number).
C) "In text quote" [page number].
D) "In text quote" .
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct format for an in-text citation according to MLA is Option B: "In text quote" (page number). This places the page number immediately after the quote, enclosed in parentheses, which helps readers locate the exact source within the document.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect as it separates the quote and page number without proper punctuation.
Option B:
Correct as it places the page number immediately after the quote in parentheses, facilitating easy reference.
Option C:
Incorrect as using square brackets instead of parentheses is not the standard MLA format for citations.
Option D:
Incorrect as omitting the page number would make it difficult to locate the exact source within the document.
12.
What information do you include if there is no known author of a source?
A) You do not need to cite this source.
B) Publication date.
C) Title of the source.
D) Publisher name.
Show Answer
Explanations:
When there is no known author for a source, the MLA citation style requires including the title of the source to provide proper attribution. This ensures that readers can locate the information easily if needed.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. Even without an author, you must still cite the source.
Option B:
Important but not sufficient on its own; publication date is useful for dating sources but not required when there's no known author.
Option C:
Correct. The title of the source is essential in MLA citation style to identify the work properly.
Option D:
Not necessary if there’s no author; publisher name is only used for certain types of sources like websites or newspapers.
13.
When using an in text citation, do you always have to put the author's name?
A) Yes, always put the author's name.
B) Sometimes the author's name is needed, but not always.
C) No, never put the author's name.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Sometimes the author's name is needed, but not always. In MLA in-text citations, you typically include the author’s last name when the citation is brief and the reader can easily identify the source from the context. However, if the quote or paraphrase is longer or more complex, including both the author’s name and the page number is required for clarity.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Always putting the author's name is too restrictive; it depends on the citation length and context.
Option B:
Correct. The author's name may be needed or not, depending on the situation.
Option C:
Never requiring the author's name would make citations ambiguous and less effective in academic writing.
Option D:
Not applicable as Option B is correct.
14.
When using an in text quote, where do you put the period?
A) "In text quote." (author's name, page number).
B) "In text quote" . (author's name, page number).
C) "In text quote" (author's name, page number).
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is C) "In text quote" (author's name, page number). According to MLA style, when you include a quotation in your text, the period should come after the closing parenthesis that follows the page number or other citation information.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. The period is placed inside the parentheses.
Option B:
Incorrect. The period is placed outside the parentheses, but there should be a space before it.
Option C:
Correct. The period is placed outside the parentheses with a space before it.
Option D:
Not applicable as option C is correct.
15.
What is the correct way to format author names when there are 3 or more?
A) Eric Smith, et al.
B) Smith, Eric, et al.
C) Smith, Eric, et. al.
D) Eric Smith, et. al.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct way to format author names when there are 3 or more is
Option B: Smith, Eric, et al.
. In MLA style, the first author's last name is followed by a comma and then their first name. The word "et al." (which stands for "and others") is used after the first author's name to indicate that there are additional authors.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect as it does not follow the MLA format for multiple authors.
Option B:
Correct as per MLA guidelines.
Option C:
Incorrect use of "et. al." which is a contraction and should be one word without periods in MLA style.
Option D:
Incorrect for the same reason as Option A, it does not follow the correct MLA format.
16.
True or False:You list titles with the author's name
A) True.
B) False.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
MLA (Modern Language Association) style requires listing titles with the author's name in works cited pages and in-text citations. Therefore, the statement "You list titles with the author's name" is generally true for MLA formatting.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect as it contradicts MLA guidelines.
Option B:
Correct because listing titles with the author's name aligns with MLA style rules.
Option C:
Incorrect since only one option can be correct.
Option D:
Incorrect as Option B is valid.
17.
Margins should be set at ..... for left, right, top, and bottom.
A) 1.5".
B) 1".
C) 2".
D) 1.25".
Show Answer
Explanations:
MLA guidelines specify that margins should be set at 1" for left, right, top, and bottom.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect; MLA recommends 1", not 1.5".
Option B:
Correct; MLA guidelines specify 1" margins.
Option C:
Incorrect; MLA does not recommend 2".
Option D:
Incorrect; MLA recommends 1", not 1.25".
18.
True or false? Only direct quotes need to be cited.
A) True.
B) False.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Direct quotes, paraphrases, and summaries all require citation in MLA style to avoid plagiarism. Therefore, the statement "Only direct quotes need to be cited" is false.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
True.
Option B:
False.
Option C:
All the above.
Option D:
None of the above.
19.
What punctuation do you use to insert the in text citation?
A) Parenthesis ().
B) Quotation marks '' ''.
C) Underlining .
D) None.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Parentheses () are used to insert in-text citations according to MLA style. This format allows you to include the author's last name and page number(s) where applicable, directly within your text without interrupting the flow of reading.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Parentheses () are used for in-text citations in MLA format.
Option B:
Incorrect. Quotation marks are used to indicate direct quotations, not citations.
Option C:
Incorrect. Underlining is not a standard practice for in-text citations in MLA style.
Option D:
Incorrect. There is a specific punctuation method used for in-text citations.
20.
What is the appropriate format for the entries on the works cited page?
A) ABC order.
B) List in order they are used in your paper.
C) Order of importance.
D) Order them by their copyright date.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The works cited page should be listed in alphabetical order (A) ABC order. This is a standard practice to ensure that all sources are easily accessible and can be quickly located for verification.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Entries on the works cited page must be alphabetized by the author's last name or, if there is no author, by the title of the source.
Option B:
Incorrect. The order in which sources are used within the paper should not dictate their placement on the works cited page.
Option C:
Incorrect. Sources are not ordered based on their importance but rather alphabetically for ease of reference.
Option D:
Incorrect. While copyright dates can be relevant, they do not determine the order in which sources appear on the works cited page; alphabetical order is used instead.
21.
Which is NOT an example of a container?
A) A publisher.
B) An academic journal.
C) A website.
D) An encyclopedia.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option A (A) is correct because a publisher is not an example of a container in the context of citing MLA. Containers refer to larger works that hold smaller works, such as books within anthologies or articles within journals. Publishers produce and distribute content but do not act as containers themselves.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
A publisher is an entity that produces and distributes content rather than a container for other works.
Option B:
An academic journal can be considered a container since articles are published within it.
Option C:
A website can contain multiple pages or articles, making it a container as well.
Option D:
An encyclopedia is a collection of articles, thus serving as a container for individual entries.
22.
What if you have more than three authors for a work?
A) List them all out.
B) List only one.
C) List the first one followed by et al.
D) Put the words "Too Many Authors to List".
Show Answer
Explanations:
When citing MLA style, if a work has more than three authors, you should list the first author's name followed by "et al." This is done to maintain clarity and readability in citations, especially when dealing with works that have multiple contributors. For example: (Smith et al., 2021).
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Lists all authors, which can be cumbersome for works with many contributors.
Option B:
Only lists one author, ignoring the contributions of others.
Option C:
Correctly uses "et al." to indicate multiple authors beyond the first one.
Option D:
Is not a valid MLA citation format for works with more than three authors.
23.
Why should students use MLA Format?
A) Students shouldn't use it.
B) To avoid plagiarism.
C) Because teachers say they should.
D) To make a paper harder.
Show Answer
Explanations:
To avoid plagiarism is a correct reason for students to use MLA format. MLA (Modern Language Association) style provides guidelines for citing sources properly, which helps prevent accidental or intentional copying of others' work without proper attribution. This is crucial in maintaining academic integrity.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. Not using MLA format can lead to plagiarism issues.
Option B:
Correct. Proper citation prevents plagiarism and supports academic honesty.
Option C:
While teachers may require MLA, this is not the primary reason for its use.
Option D:
Making a paper harder is not a valid reason; MLA simplifies the process of citing sources correctly.
24.
What do we call facts that can be found in numerous places and are likely to be known by a lot of people?
A) Quoting.
B) Plagiarism.
C) Paraphrasing.
D) Common knowledge.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Common knowledge refers to facts that are widely known and can be found in numerous places, making them generally accepted as true without the need for citation. MLA guidelines suggest using common knowledge directly without quotation marks but still providing an in-text citation if it is not your original idea or if you want to give credit.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Quoting involves using exact words from a source, which typically requires quotation marks and an MLA citation.
Option B:
Plagiarism is the act of presenting someone else's ideas or work as your own without proper attribution; it does not specifically refer to widely known facts.
Option C:
Paraphrasing involves restating a source in your own words, which still requires an MLA citation if the idea is not common knowledge.
Option D:
Common knowledge refers to information that can be found in many places and is widely known, thus generally does not require citation according to MLA guidelines.
25.
What are the three strategies to avoid plagiarism?
A) Copy, Pasting, Quote.
B) Citing, Exaggerating, Predicting.
C) Summary, Paraphrasing and Quote.
D) Avoiding, Denying and Paraphrasing.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is C) Summary, Paraphrasing and Quote. These three strategies are essential for avoiding plagiarism when using sources in your writing. A summary involves condensing the main points of a text into your own words, while paraphrasing means restating the original text in different words without changing its meaning. Quoting directly uses the exact wording from the source material.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Copying and pasting is not an effective strategy to avoid plagiarism as it involves direct use of someone else's work without proper citation.
Option B:
Citing, exaggerating, and predicting are not strategies for avoiding plagiarism. Exaggeration and prediction do not relate to the correct use of sources in writing.
Option D:
Avoiding, denying, and paraphrasing is incorrect because "avoiding" and "denying" do not contribute to proper citation practices.
26.
Which of the following is a correct way to format a book title in an MLA citation?
A) The Great Gatsby.
B) The Great Gatsby.
C) 'The Great Gatsby'.
D) The Great Gatsby.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct way to format a book title in an MLA citation is without quotation marks, as the book title is already considered a work within a larger work and does not require them.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. The Great Gatsby should not have quotation marks.
Option B:
Incorrect. Same reason as Option A.
Option C:
Incorrect. Quotation marks are unnecessary for book titles in MLA style.
Option D:
Correct. The Great Gatsby is formatted correctly without quotation marks.
27.
If your works cited entry goes onto a second line, what must you do?
A) Bold it.
B) Hanging indent.
C) Reverse indent.
D) No indent.
Show Answer
Explanations:
When citing MLA, if your works cited entry goes onto a second line, you must use a hanging indent. This means that the first line of each citation should align with the left margin, while subsequent lines should be indented five spaces. This formatting style helps to visually distinguish the beginning and continuation of each citation.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Bold it. Incorrect. MLA does not require bolding for citations that span multiple lines.
Option B:
Hanging indent. Correct. This is the standard formatting for works cited entries in MLA style to maintain readability and organization.
Option C:
Reverse indent. Incorrect. Reversing the indentation would make the text harder to read and does not align with MLA guidelines.
Option D:
No indent. Incorrect. The first line of each citation should be aligned with the left margin, while subsequent lines are indented five spaces.
28.
What is the correct parenthetical citation to use in the paper if the citation is:"Humanities Rocks." Fort Dodge Senior High, 6 September 2016. Web. 5 January 2017.
A) ("Humanities Rocks." Fort Dodge Senior High, 6 September 2016. Web. 2017).
B) (No author).
C) ("Humanities Rocks").
D) (Humanities Rocks).
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is C) ("Humanities Rocks"). According to MLA citation style, when a source lacks an author, the title of the work should be used as the first element in the parenthetical citation. The title is typically placed in quotation marks.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect because it includes unnecessary information and uses "2017" instead of the year the source was accessed.
Option B:
Incorrect as there is an author, even if unnamed in MLA style, the title should be used.
Option C:
Correct because it uses the title of the work in quotation marks, which is appropriate when no author is given.
Option D:
Incorrect for the same reason as Option A; it omits the title and incorrectly includes "Humanities Rocks" without quotation marks.
29.
What is the correct format for an in-text citation in MLA style when the author's name is mentioned in the sentence?
A) (author's last name, page number).
B) (page number, author's last name).
C) (page number).
D) (author's last name page number).
Show Answer
Explanations:
When the author's name is mentioned in the sentence, only include the page number in parentheses immediately following the name. This format ensures clarity and avoids redundancy by not repeating the author's name within the citation.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
(author's last name, page number). Incorrect; includes both author's name and page number.
Option B:
(page number, author's last name). Incorrect; places page number before the author's name.
Option C:
(page number). Correct; only includes the page number after the author's name when mentioned in the sentence.
Option D:
(author's last name page number). Incorrect; uses spaces instead of commas and places page number before the author's name.
30.
The MLA eighth edition handbook recommends including URLs when citing online sources.
A) True.
B) False.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The MLA eighth edition handbook indeed recommends including URLs when citing online sources to provide readers with direct access to the materials cited. This practice enhances the transparency and verifiability of the references used in academic writing.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. The MLA handbook does recommend including URLs for online sources.
Option B:
Incorrect. The statement is true according to the MLA guidelines.
Option C:
Incorrect. Only one option can be correct in this case.
Option D:
Incorrect. Option A is valid and accurate based on MLA guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MLA citation?
MLA citation is a set of guidelines for formatting and documenting sources in academic writing. It helps ensure consistency and accuracy in referencing works used in research.
What are the main components of an MLA in-text citation?
An MLA in-text citation typically includes the author’s last name and the page number(s) where the information is found. For example, (Smith 123).
How does MLA differ from other citation styles?
MLA differs from other citation styles like APA or Chicago in its specific formatting rules, such as the use of author-page format for in-text citations and the structure of works cited pages.
What is the purpose of MLA citation guidelines?
MLA citation guidelines ensure that writers give proper credit to their sources, avoid plagiarism, and make it easier for readers to locate the original works.
How do I format a works cited entry in MLA style?
A works cited entry in MLA style includes the author’s name, title of the source, publication information, and other relevant details. For example: Doe, John. Title of Book. Publisher, Publication Year.