Exercise 2: Direct Speech | Practice Test Online

Question 1:  What punctuation mark is commonly used to denote the start and end of direct speech?

(A) Semi-colon

(B) Quotation marks

(C) Parentheses

(D) Hyphen

Correct Answer: 1B

Question 2:  Which sentence demonstrates correct punctuation for direct speech?

(A) 'I cannot believe it'! she exclaimed.

(B) 'Where are you going' he asked.

(C) He said: 'I am here.'

(D) They shouted 'hurray!'

Correct Answer: 2B

Question 3:  In direct speech, where is the appropriate placement for the closing punctuation mark?

(A) After the reporting clause

(B) Before the reporting clause

(C) Inside the quotation marks

(D) Outside the quotation marks

Correct Answer: 3C

Question 4:  What should be used to indicate interruption in direct speech?

(A) Ellipsis

(B) Exclamation mark

(C) Question mark

(D) Colon

Correct Answer: 4A

Question 5:  Which sentence illustrates correct punctuation for direct speech and the reporting clause?

(A) He said 'I am hungry.'

(B) 'I'm tired' she said.

(C) 'Can you help me?' asked John.

(D) She exclaimed 'it's cold!'

Correct Answer: 5A

Question 6:  What is the appropriate punctuation to separate the direct speech from the reporting clause?

(A) Full stop

(B) Colon

(C) Exclamation mark

(D) Quotation marks

Correct Answer: 6D

Question 7:  Which of the following sentences is punctuated incorrectly for direct speech?

(A) 'Hello' she greeted.

(B) 'I'll see you later' he promised.

(C) He asked 'where are you?'

(D) 'I love you'! she exclaimed.

Correct Answer: 7A

Question 8:  When punctuating multiple paragraphs of direct speech, what should be done?

(A) Use quotation marks for each paragraph

(B) Use single quotation marks

(C) Skip punctuation for paragraphs

(D) Use quotation marks only for the first paragraph

Correct Answer: 8A

Question 9:  Which punctuation mark should be used to separate parts of interrupted direct speech?

(A) Comma

(B) Hyphen

(C) Ellipsis

(D) Colon

Correct Answer: 9C

Question 10:  What punctuation is used to indicate the beginning and end of direct speech?

(A) Hyphen

(B) Semi-colon

(C) Quotation marks

(D) Parentheses

Correct Answer: 10C