MLA Formatting Knowledge Quiz

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| By Selena Skipper
Selena Skipper, Business teacher
Selena, a dedicated Business Teacher with 26 years of experience, currently imparts knowledge at the Cullman Area Technology Academy. Her passion lies in guiding students to discover their career paths and achieve valuable certifications.
Quizzes Created: 12 | Total Attempts: 69,786
| Attempts: 23,699
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  • 1/25 Questions

    MLA is just one of many ways to format a research paper. 

    • True
    • False
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About This Quiz

The MLA Format is important because it provides a consistent format for writing papers. This paper writing format requires the writer to use double spacing and a legible font, which most commonly happens to be Times New Roman. Do you think you know the basics of the MLA Style Manual? Here is your chance to prove it. Take this test on MLA formatting.

MLA Formatting Knowledge Quiz - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    The website, Wikipedia, is a reliable source.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    The statement "The website, Wikipedia, is a reliable source" is false. While Wikipedia can be a useful starting point for research, it is not considered a reliable source because anyone can edit its content. This means that information on Wikipedia may not always be accurate or up-to-date. It is generally recommended to verify information obtained from Wikipedia by using other reputable and reliable sources.

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  • 3. 

    If an entry in a Works Cited List is longer than one line, second and all subsequent lines need to be indented half an inch. This is called a hanging indent.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    In a Works Cited List, when an entry is longer than one line, the second and all subsequent lines are indented half an inch. This is known as a hanging indent. This formatting style is commonly used in academic writing to ensure proper citation and organization of sources. Therefore, the statement is true.

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  • 4. 

    Where does one put the page number on an MLA paper?

    • Top Left corner

    • Bottom Center

    • Top Right Corner

    • Top Center

    Correct Answer
    A. Top Right Corner
    Explanation
    In MLA format, the page number is typically placed in the top right corner of the paper. This is done to ensure consistency and organization throughout the document. By placing the page number in the top right corner, it allows readers to easily locate and reference specific pages when needed.

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  • 5. 

    One should cite their sources and complete their Works Cited page as they progress through their paper.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Citing sources and creating a Works Cited page is important because it gives credit to the original authors and allows readers to verify the information. It also helps to avoid plagiarism and demonstrates the credibility and reliability of the writer's research. By citing sources throughout the paper, the writer acknowledges the contributions of others and shows that they have conducted thorough research. Creating a Works Cited page at the end of the paper provides a comprehensive list of all the sources used, making it easier for readers to locate and access the referenced materials.

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  • 6. 

    What is the line spacing for an MLA paper? 

    • Single

    • Double

    Correct Answer
    A. Double
    Explanation
    The correct answer is double. In MLA (Modern Language Association) formatting, the line spacing for a paper should be set to double. This means that there should be a full blank line between each line of text in the document. Double spacing is used to ensure that the text is easily readable and to provide enough space for annotations or comments to be added between the lines.

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  • 7. 

    If a source has more than two authors, one of the choices that MLA gives you is to use et al. (See below). Fontela, Pablo, et al. 

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    When citing a source with more than two authors in MLA format, one option is to use "et al." This is a Latin abbreviation meaning "and others." In the given example, the source is written by Pablo Fontela and other authors. Therefore, the statement is true.

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  • 8. 

    Where is the title of an assignment located in a paper using MLA format?

    • The bottom left corner of the page.

    • Centered below the heading, near the top of the page.

    • The top right corner of the page.

    • Top left corner of the page.

    Correct Answer
    A. Centered below the heading, near the top of the page.
    Explanation
    In MLA format, the title of an assignment is located centered below the heading, near the top of the page. This is because MLA format requires the title to be positioned in the middle of the page, below the heading, and not at the corners of the page. Placing the title in this location helps to create a clear and organized structure for the paper, making it easier for readers to identify and locate the title.

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  • 9. 

    Key you must press at the beginning of each paragraph. 

    • Tab

    • Spacebar

    • Indent

    • Ctrl + tab

    Correct Answer
    A. Tab
    Explanation
    At the beginning of each paragraph, the key that needs to be pressed is the Tab key. This key is commonly used to create an indentation or a space at the beginning of a new paragraph. By pressing the Tab key, the cursor moves a set distance to the right, aligning the paragraph with the tab stop. This helps to visually separate paragraphs and improve readability in documents or text editors.

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  • 10. 

    If your teacher's directions for formatting vary slightly from the official MLA guidelines, which should you follow?

    • MLA formatting

    • Teacher's Instructions

    • Neither

    Correct Answer
    A. Teacher's Instructions
    Explanation
    If your teacher's directions for formatting vary slightly from the official MLA guidelines, you should follow the teacher's instructions. This is because teachers may have specific requirements or preferences for formatting that they want their students to follow. It is important to adhere to these instructions to meet the expectations of the teacher and ensure that your work is formatted correctly according to their guidelines.

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  • 11. 

    There is often more than one way to format items in a paper.  For example, you could use the ruler to set a hanging indent.  

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    The statement in the question suggests that there are multiple ways to format items in a paper, such as using a ruler to set a hanging indent. This implies that the statement is true, as it acknowledges the existence of alternative formatting methods.

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  • 12. 

    In MLA style, what would you include in the parentheses for a directly quoted in-text citation?

    • Author's last name and the year of publication.

    • The author's last name, followed by the page number.

    • Title of the source and the page number.

    • Just the author's last name and no page number.

    Correct Answer
    A. The author's last name, followed by the page number.
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "Author's last name, followed by the page number." In MLA style, when including a directly quoted in-text citation, the author's last name is followed by the page number in parentheses. This allows the reader to easily locate the specific source and page from which the quote was taken.

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  • 13. 

    The title of a website or a book should be italicized or underlined.  Whichever you choose, you should be consistent. 

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    While it is important to be consistent when formatting titles, underlining should not be used in modern computer-based writing. Underlining was the old method to indicate italics in typewritten or handwritten documents. Today, the correct and modern way to format titles (such as books or websites) on a computer is to italicize them, not underline. Underlining is considered outdated and should be avoided in digital writing, as per guidelines like the MLA Handbook.

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  • 14. 

    What is the correct order of items in the MLA heading?

    • Teacher name, Student Name, Class Name, Date.

    • Student Name, Teacher Name, Date, Class Name.

    • Student Name, Class Name, Teacher Name, Date.

    • Student Name, Teacher Name, Class Name, Date.

    Correct Answer
    A. Student Name, Teacher Name, Class Name, Date.
    Explanation
    The correct order of items in the MLA heading is Student Name, Teacher Name, Class Name, Date. This order follows the standard MLA formatting guidelines, where the student's name comes first, followed by the teacher's name, the class name, and the date. This format ensures that the document is properly organized and provides all the necessary information for identification and reference purposes.

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  • 15. 

    The margins for an MLA paper are:

    • 1.25" on the sides and 1" on the top and bottom.

    • 1" on the sides and .5" on the top and bottom.

    • 1.25" all around.

    • 1" all around.

    Correct Answer
    A. 1" all around.
    Explanation
    The correct answer is 1" all around. In MLA formatting, the margins for a paper should be set to 1" on all sides. This ensures that there is enough white space around the text and allows for easy readability. Having equal margins on all sides also helps maintain a consistent and professional appearance for the paper.

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  • 16. 

    How many lines are included in an MLA heading? 

    • One

    • Three

    • Four

    • Five

    Correct Answer
    A. Four
    Explanation
    An MLA heading typically includes four lines. The first line includes the student's name, the second line includes the instructor's name, the third line includes the course name, and the fourth line includes the date. Each line is centered and double-spaced.

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  • 17. 

    The title of your paper should be both centered and bolded.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    The given statement is false. The title of a paper should be centered, but it should not be bolded. Bold formatting is typically used for headings or subheadings within the paper, while the title is usually centered and written in regular font. Therefore, the correct answer is false.

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  • 18. 

    One should end their sentence with a period before using a regular in-text (parenthetical) citation.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    Ending a sentence with a period before using a regular in-text citation is not necessary. In-text citations are typically placed immediately after the information being cited, within the sentence itself. The citation is enclosed in parentheses and includes the author's last name and the page number of the source. The period at the end of the sentence comes after the closing parenthesis of the citation. Therefore, the correct answer is false.

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  • 19. 

    What should one do if no author is given for the work they are citing. 

    • Omit the author's name and list only the page number.

    • Use "anonymous" in place of the author's name.

    • Use N.A. in place of the author's name.

    • Use an abbreviated form of the title in place of the author's name.

    Correct Answer
    A. Use an abbreviated form of the title in place of the author's name.
    Explanation
    When no author is given for a work being cited, it is appropriate to use an abbreviated form of the title in place of the author's name. This helps to identify the source and provide a reference for the work. Using "anonymous" or "N.A." would not accurately represent the lack of authorship, and omitting the author's name and listing only the page number would not provide enough information for proper citation.

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  • 20. 

    Under which tab would you find how to do a PAGE BREAK? 

    • HOME

    • DESIGN

    • Layout

    • INSERT

    • Can be found under both Layout and Insert

    Correct Answer
    A. Can be found under both Layout and Insert
    Explanation
    The option "Can be found under both Layout and Insert" is the correct answer because in Microsoft Word, you can insert a page break using either the Layout tab or the Insert tab. In the Layout tab, you can find the Page Setup group where the Breaks option is located, allowing you to insert various types of breaks, including a page break. Similarly, in the Insert tab, there is also a Pages group where you can find the Page Break option to insert a page break. Therefore, the correct answer is that it can be found under both the Layout and Insert tabs.

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  • 21. 

    An MLA Works Cited Page is alphabetized based on the title of the source.

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    An MLA Works Cited Page is not alphabetized based on the title of the source. Instead, it is alphabetized based on the author's last name or the title if there is no author. The correct format for alphabetizing sources in an MLA Works Cited Page is to ignore articles like "a," "an," and "the" when arranging the entries.

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  • 22. 

    What symbol would you click to insert a page number in your header?

    • &

    • #

    • *

    • None of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. #
    Explanation
    To insert a page number in the header, you would click on the "#" symbol. This symbol is commonly used to represent a number or numerical value, making it the most logical choice for inserting a page number. The other symbols mentioned (&, *, none of the above) do not typically represent numbers and would not be used for this purpose.

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  • 23. 

    One should include, in the Works Cited, all the sources that they read when conducting research, regardless of whether they were cited within the paper. 

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    One should only include in the Works Cited the sources that were actually cited within the paper. Including all the sources that were read during research, regardless of whether they were cited or not, would result in a lengthy and unnecessary list of sources. The purpose of the Works Cited is to provide a list of the sources that were directly referenced in the paper, allowing readers to find and consult those sources if desired.

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  • 24. 

    The thesis statement of an MLA paper can be found:

    • In the last sentence of the first paragraph.

    • The first sentence of your paper.

    • First sentence of the last paragraph.

    • In the first sentence of the last paragraph and the last sentence of the first paragraph.

    • None of the above.

    Correct Answer
    A. In the first sentence of the last paragraph and the last sentence of the first paragraph.
    Explanation
    The thesis statement of an MLA paper can be found in the first sentence of the last paragraph and the last sentence of the first paragraph. This is because the thesis statement is typically placed at the end of the introduction paragraph, which is the first paragraph of the paper, and it is also reiterated or summarized in the conclusion paragraph, which is the last paragraph of the paper. By placing the thesis statement in these two positions, the writer ensures that the main argument of the paper is clearly stated at the beginning and end, providing a cohesive structure to the overall paper.

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  • 25. 

    Which of the following is the correct MLA format for a book citation?

    • Author's Last Name, Author's First Name. Title of Book. City of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Print.

    • Author's First Name, Author's Last Name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year of Publication.

    • Title of Book. Author's Last Name, Author's First Name. City of Publication, Year of Publication.

    • Author's Last Name, Author's First Name. Title of Book. Year of Publication. Publisher.

    Correct Answer
    A. Author's Last Name, Author's First Name. Title of Book. City of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication. Print.
    Explanation
    The correct MLA format for a book citation includes the author's last name, followed by their first name, the title of the book in italics, the city of publication, the publisher, the year of publication, and the medium of publication (Print).

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Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Mar 18, 2025 +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Mar 18, 2025
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Dec 16, 2011
    Quiz Created by
    Selena Skipper
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