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Punctuation of embedded quotations. 2

In the following exercise you will be given some sentences containing embedded quotations. Select the correctly punctuated sentence.

1

a) Morris says of his boss, 'His use of English grammar leaves many people stunned and disbelieving' (Grammar for Beginners).
b) Morris says of his boss, His use of English grammar leaves many people stunned and disbelieving (Grammar for Beginners).
c) Morris says of his boss, 'His use of English grammar leaves many people stunned and disbelieving.' (Grammar for Beginners)
Please select an answerCorrect. No. The quotation marks are missing. No. The final full stop is in the wrong place.
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2

a) On killing Davenport, the queen says this of herself 'I am lost. All is now lost. There is nothing for me but a return to the tower!' (The Keys to the Castle).
b) On killing Davenport, the queen says of herself: 'I am lost. All is now lost. There is nothing for me but a return to the tower!' (The Keys to the Castle).
c) On killing Davenport, the queen says of herself: 'I am lost. All is now lost. There is nothing for me but a return to the tower! (The Keys to the Castle).
Please select an answerNo. You need a punctuation mark before the quotation begins. Correct. No. The second quotation mark is missing.
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3

a) Although many people have yet to discover the delights of the cuisine of Luxembourg, Smith knows exactly what he likes: 'The cuisine of Luxembourg is without doubt the finest in the world' (1001 Fantastic Things About Luxerbourg, p6211).
b) Although many people have yet to discover the delights of the cuisine of Luxembourg, Smith knows exactly what he likes 'The cuisine of Luxembourg is without doubt the finest in the world' (1001 Fantastic Things About Luxerbourg, p6211).
c) Although many people have yet to discover the delights of the cuisine of Luxembourg, Smith knows exactly what he likes: 'The cuisine of Luxembourg is without doubt the finest in the world' (1001 Fantastic Things About Luxerbourg, p6211)
Please select an answerFantastic.No. There needs to be a punctuation mark before the quotation. No. There needs to be a punctuation mark to end the quote.
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4

a) Fraser asserts that 'cognitive processing is at the very core of academic success' (More Cognitive Psychology p334)
b) Fraser asserts that: 'cognitive processing is at the very core of academic success' (More Cognitive Psychology p334).
c) Fraser asserts that 'cognitive processing is at the very core of academic success' (More Cognitive Psychology p334).
Please select an answerNo. There is no punctuation mark at the end of the quotation. No. You cannot use a colon before this quote; the phrase before quote does not stand alone. Correct.
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5

a) The Bible advises that; 'it is better to live on the corner of the roof than to share a house with a nagging wife' (Proverbs 7:28).
b) The Bible advises that 'it is better to live on the corner of the roof than to share a house with a nagging wife' (Proverbs 7:28).
c) The Bible advises that: 'it is better to live on the corner of the roof than to share a house with a nagging wife' (Proverbs 7:28).
Please select an answerNo. The semi-colon is not needed here. Correct.No. Colon is not needed here.
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6

a) Although opinion is not unanimous, Smith is certain about the quality of Greek wine: 'Wherever you travel in the world, you will not find a more satisfying or carefully produced drink than the wine of the Greek islands' (1001 Great Things About Greece, p3765).
b) Although opinion is not unanimous, Smith is certain about the quality of Greek wine: Wherever you travel in the world, you will not find a more satisfying or carefully produced drink than the wine of the Greek islands (1001 Great Things About Greece, p3765).
c) Although opinion is not unanimous, Smith is certain about the quality of Greek wine, 'Wherever you travel in the world, you will not find a more satisfying or carefully produced drink than the wine of the Greek islands' (1001 Great Things About Greece, p3765).
Please select an answerFantastic.No. There are no quotation marks here. No. A comma is not enough before the quotation here. This is an example of the comma splice.
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Find out more about using quotations.

See a list of other grammar exercises.

Try another exercise about punctuating quotations.