Research Writing and MLA Citation — Quiz

Grade 10 · English · Quiz

Test your knowledge of MLA format, source evaluation, and research essay skills.

Questions

In MLA format, the bibliography page at the end of an essay is called:
1. References
2. Bibliography
3. Works Cited
4. Source List
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Answer: Works Cited
MLA uses 'Works Cited' (not 'Bibliography' or 'References' — those belong to other citation styles like Chicago and APA). All in-text citations must have corresponding Works Cited entries.
A thesis statement in a research essay should be a widely accepted fact that no one would argue with.
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Answer: False
A thesis must be debatable — something a reasonable person could disagree with. 'World War II ended in 1945' is not a thesis. 'The dropping of atomic bombs on Japan was morally unjustifiable' is.
An MLA in-text citation uses the author's last name and the ___ number in parentheses.
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Answer: page
MLA in-text: (Last Name Page#). Example: (Morrison 42). No comma. No 'p.' before the number. The period follows the closing parenthesis.
The 'A' in the CRAAP test stands for which two criteria?
1. Argument and Analysis
2. Age and Authenticity
3. Authority and Accuracy
4. Audience and Approach
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Answer: Authority and Accuracy
The CRAAP test: C=Currency, R=Relevance, A=Authority (who wrote it and what credentials do they have?), A=Accuracy (is it verifiable?), P=Purpose (to inform or to persuade/sell?).
Wikipedia is considered a credible, citable source for academic research papers.
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Answer: False
Wikipedia is a starting point for background reading — not a citable source, because anyone can edit it. However, Wikipedia's footnotes often link to high-quality primary sources worth citing.
In MLA format, the title of a book should be:
1. Put in quotation marks
2. Written in all capital letters
3. Italicized
4. Underlined
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Answer: Italicized
In MLA, titles of long, standalone works (books, films, journals, albums) are italicized. Short works contained within a larger work (articles, poems, songs, chapters) go in quotation marks.
Using someone else's ideas without citation — even in your own words — is called ___.
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Answer: plagiarism
Plagiarism includes direct copying AND paraphrasing without credit. Any idea, argument, or finding that is not your own requires a citation — regardless of whether you've changed the wording.
Which of the following is a debatable thesis statement?
1. Romeo and Juliet is a play written by Shakespeare.
2. Water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen.
3. Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet argues that impulsive love is as destructive as family hatred.
4. Many students read Romeo and Juliet in high school.
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Answer: Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet argues that impulsive love is as destructive as family hatred.
This is debatable — someone could argue the opposite. The others are statements of fact that require no argument or evidence to establish.
After including a direct quote in a paragraph, you should explain how it supports your argument rather than letting the quote speak for itself.
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Answer: True
This is the 'evidence sandwich' principle. Quotes don't speak for themselves — you must analyze how the evidence actually supports your specific claim. Ending a paragraph with a quote is weak academic writing.
What is the main purpose of a Works Cited page?
1. To show how many sources you found
2. To give readers enough information to locate every source you used
3. To summarize each source you consulted
4. To prove you didn't plagiarize
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Answer: To give readers enough information to locate every source you used
The Works Cited page's primary function is reproducibility — giving any reader enough information to find the exact source you used. This is how academic knowledge is verified and built upon.

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