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Quizzes > High School Quizzes > English Language Arts

APA Style Quiz: GCU Practice Test

Sharpen your APA formatting and citation skills

Difficulty: Moderate
Grade: Other
Study OutcomesCheat Sheet
Colorful paper art promoting the GCU APA Challenge, a dynamic practice quiz for college students.

This APA Style quiz helps you practice APA 7th edition rules for in-text citations, reference lists, and paper formatting used at GCU. Work through 20 quick questions to spot gaps before you submit a paper and learn the right way to handle titles, DOIs, page numbers, and more.

Which element is typically found on an APA style title page?
Title and Abstract only
Running head and Keywords
Title, Author's name, and Institutional affiliation
Table of contents
The APA style title page includes the title, the author's name, and the institutional affiliation. This basic structure sets the stage for the overall formatting of the paper.
In an in-text citation for a direct quote in APA style, what elements are required?
Title and author's name
Publication year and page number only
Author's surname and publication year only
Author's surname, year, and page number
Direct quotations in APA style require the inclusion of the author's surname, the year of publication, and the specific page number. These elements help readers locate the precise source of the quotation.
In an APA reference for a periodical, which element must always appear in italics?
Volume number
Page numbers
Publication year
Issue number
In APA style, the volume number in a journal article reference is italicized to help distinguish it from other elements. This formatting rule is one of the key identifiers in periodical citations.
What does the abbreviation 'et al.' signify in APA citations?
Edited by
Anonymous source
For example
And others
The abbreviation 'et al.' is derived from Latin and means 'and others.' It is used in APA style when citing works with multiple authors to simplify the citation.
When citing a webpage in APA style, which element is essential in the reference entry?
Author's middle name
Publication year
URL
Page number
A URL is essential in an APA webpage citation because it provides a direct link to the source. This element is crucial for allowing readers to locate the webpage content.
Which of the following options properly reflects the order of elements in an APA journal article reference?
Title of the article. Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the Journal, page range, volume number(issue number). https://doi.org/xxx
Author, A. A. Title of the article. Title of the Journal, volume number(issue number), (Year), page range. https://doi.org/xxx
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the article. Title of the Journal, volume number(issue number), page range. https://doi.org/xxx
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of The Journal. Title of the article, volume number(issue number), page range. https://doi.org/xxx
The correct APA reference for a journal article begins with the author's name, followed by the year in parentheses, the article title, the journal title, the volume and issue numbers, the page range, and finally the DOI if available. The precise order and punctuation are critical for a properly formatted reference.
In APA style, when is it appropriate to use 'et al.' in in-text citations?
For every source regardless of the number of authors
For sources with three or more authors, after the first author's surname
Only when there are more than five authors
For sources with two authors
APA style uses 'et al.' for in-text citations of sources that have three or more authors. This practice helps to keep citations concise and avoids lengthy lists of authors in the text.
In APA author formatting, which punctuation should follow each initial?
A comma
A period
A semicolon
No punctuation
In APA style, each initial in an author's name is followed by a period, with a space separating multiple initials. This standard formatting rule ensures consistency across all citations.
Which of the following correctly formats a book reference with a single author in APA style?
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of the book: Subtitle if applicable. Publisher.
Author, A. A. Title of the book: Subtitle if applicable. Publisher (Year).
Title of the book: Subtitle if applicable. Author, A. A. (Year). Publisher.
Author, A. A. (Title of the book: Subtitle if applicable). Publisher, Year.
The proper APA format for a book reference starts with the author's name, the publication year in parentheses, the title of the book in italics (including a subtitle if applicable), and ends with the publisher. This structure is essential for clarity and consistency.
When only the year of publication is available for a source, how should it be formatted in an APA reference?
(Year, Month Day)
{Year}
[Year]
(Year)
If only the publication year is available, APA style dictates that the year should be enclosed in parentheses without additional details. This keeps the citation concise while providing essential information.
What is the primary purpose of a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) in a journal article citation?
It denotes the page range of the article
It serves as a permanent link to the source
It replaces the author's name
It indicates the article's publication format
The DOI provides a stable and permanent link to a digital article. Its inclusion in a citation ensures that even if the URL changes, readers can reliably locate the source.
Which of the following is the correct in-text citation for a paraphrase in APA style?
[Smith, 2020]
Smith 2020
(Smith, 2020)
(Smith, 2020, p. 25)
For paraphrased content in APA style, the in-text citation should include only the author's surname and the year of publication. Page numbers are reserved for direct quotations, making (Smith, 2020) the correct format.
Where should the reference list be placed in an APA formatted paper?
Immediately after the abstract
On a separate page at the end of the paper
At the beginning of the paper
Within the main body as footnotes
In APA style, the reference list is always placed on a separate page at the end of the document. This placement allows readers to easily access full details about each source cited.
In an APA book reference, which of the following elements is optional under APA 7th edition guidelines?
Author's name
Publication year
Publisher's location
Title of the book
Under the APA 7th edition, the publisher's location has been removed as a required element in book references. This change streamlines the citation process while retaining all essential information.
When a source does not have an author, what should be used to begin the APA reference entry?
The publisher's name
A placeholder name
The abbreviation 'Anon.'
The source title
If a source lacks an author, APA guidelines state that the reference entry should begin with the title of the work. This approach ensures that the source is still clearly and accurately identified.
How should multiple works by the same author published in the same year be distinguished in APA citations?
By listing the full publication dates
By numbering them sequentially in the text
By appending letters (a, b, c) to the year
By using different font styles for each reference
When an author produces multiple works in the same year, APA style requires the addition of lowercase letters (a, b, c, etc.) after the publication year. This clarifies which work is being cited.
When referencing a chapter from an edited book in APA style, which elements are necessary in the chapter reference?
Chapter author, publication year, and chapter title only
Only the chapter title and book title
Chapter author, chapter title, editors, book title, page range, and publisher
Editors, book title, and publisher
A proper APA chapter reference includes the chapter author's name, the chapter title, the names of the editors, the book title in italics, the page range of the chapter, and the publisher. This comprehensive detail allows readers to locate the specific chapter within the edited volume.
For the first in-text citation of a group author with a long name in APA style, what is the correct format?
Write out the full group name followed by the abbreviation in square brackets
Omit the group name entirely
Write the full group name on every citation
Use only the abbreviated form of the group name
APA guidelines state that for the first in-text citation of a group author with a long name, the full name should be provided followed by an abbreviation in square brackets. Subsequent citations can then use the abbreviation, promoting clarity and brevity.
What is the recommended approach when citing a secondary source in APA style?
List both the original and the secondary source in the reference list
Only cite the secondary source in the reference list
Cite only the original source, omitting the secondary source
Mention the original source in-text with 'as cited in' followed by the secondary source
When dealing with secondary sources, APA recommends that you mention the original work in your in-text citation using 'as cited in,' while only the secondary source appears in the reference list. This method acknowledges the original idea while citing the source you actually accessed.
In formatting long quotations (40 words or more) in APA style, which is the correct method?
Highlight the entire quote in bold to emphasize it
Use a block quote format by indenting the text and removing quotation marks
Incorporate the quote in the text with quotation marks
Place the quote in a separate footnote
APA style requires that quotations of 40 words or more be formatted as a block quote. This involves indenting the entire quote from the left margin and omitting quotation marks, thereby clearly distinguishing it from the main text.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand the key principles and guidelines of APA style.
  2. Analyze common citation errors and how to correct them.
  3. Apply APA formatting rules to various academic scenarios.
  4. Evaluate and differentiate between proper and improper citations.
  5. Confidently prepare for tests and exams through targeted practice.

APA Style Quiz - GCU Review Cheat Sheet

  1. Master the basics of APA formatting - APA thrives on consistency and clarity. Start with 1‑inch margins, double‑spacing, and a readable font like Times New Roman (12pt) or Arial (11pt).
  2. Craft a standout title page - Your title page is the first impression! Center your paper's title, name, course details, instructor, and due date, all double‑spaced and looking sharp.
  3. Structure with clear headings - Break your sections into Level 1 (centered, bold), Level 2 (left‑aligned, bold), and so on to guide readers smoothly. A solid outline keeps ideas flowing.
  4. Nail in‑text citations - Give credit where it's due by including the author's last name and year (e.g., Smith, 2020). This keeps you honest and avoids plagiarism pitfalls.
  5. Build a killer reference list - Alphabetize entries by the first author's last name and use a hanging indent. A clean reference list boosts your credibility!
  6. Italicize and capitalize titles correctly - Use italics for books and journals, and capitalize only the first word of titles and subtitles. Attention to detail scores style points.
  7. Add page numbers - Insert page numbers in the top right corner, starting with your title page. This tiny tweak helps lost readers find their place fast.
  8. Indent paragraphs properly - Kick off each paragraph with a 0.5‑inch indent using the Tab key. Neat blocks of text make your writing look polished and professional.
  9. Quote like a pro - When quoting directly, include page numbers (e.g., Smith, 2020, p. 15) so readers know exactly where to look. Quotes add authority to your arguments.
  10. Stay up‑to‑date - APA guidelines evolve, so bookmark trusted resources and check for updates regularly. Keeping current ensures your work always hits the mark.
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