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Quizzes > English & Grammar

Beowulf MLA Citation Quiz

Quick, free quiz on MLA citation for Beowulf. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Ohana GymnasticsUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration showing an MLA citation quiz for Beowulf on a sky blue background.

This quiz helps you master MLA citation of Beowulf, covering in-text quotes and Works Cited entries. See clear examples, fix common errors, and learn when to use italics or quotes for titles. For broader formatting practice, try the MLA citation quiz. Want to review the story too? Check the Beowulf quiz or a Beowulf practice quiz.

In MLA style, when citing the epic poem Beowulf in your Works Cited, how should the title be formatted?
Quotation marks
Underlined
Italics
Bold
In MLA handbook, titles of long works like epic poems are italicized in the Works Cited list. Shorter works such as articles or poems might be enclosed in quotation marks, but Beowulf is considered a long poem. Italicization distinguishes major works. For more details, see .
In an MLA in-text citation for Beowulf, what information is essential when quoting specific lines from a translated edition?
Shortened title in quotation marks and line numbers
Translator's last name and publication year
Author's last name and page number
Full title in italics and page number
Since Beowulf is anonymous, MLA in-text citations use a shortened form of the title in quotation marks along with the line numbers from the translation. Page numbers alone are insufficient for poetry. Italic titles are used in the Works Cited list rather than in-text. More guidance is available at .
How should a range of lines from Beowulf be correctly cited in MLA in-text?
(Beowulf 215-17)
(Beowulf lines 215-217)
(Beowulf ll. 215-217)
("Beowulf" 215-217)
MLA style requires you to cite line ranges in poetry by listing the beginning and ending line numbers separated by a hyphen without abbreviations. You should use the shortened title in italics or quotes only in the Works Cited entry, not in the in-text citation. Abbreviations like "ll." or the word "lines" are not used in MLA in-text citations. For reference, see .
When quoting more than three lines of Beowulf in MLA format, how should you format the quotation?
Indented half an inch with quotation marks
With quotation marks and inline citation
As a block quote indented one inch from the left margin without quotation marks
In a separate paragraph but with quotation marks
MLA style dictates that quotations longer than three lines be formatted as block quotes. You indent the entire quote one inch from the left margin, omit quotation marks, and place the parenthetical citation after the closing punctuation. This clearly distinguishes the passage from your own text. See for more information.
In the Works Cited entry for Beowulf translated by Seamus Heaney, where does the translator's name appear?
Immediately after the title preceded by "Translated by"
At the end of the entry without a label
Before the title as part of the author field
In parentheses after the publication date
In MLA style, the translator's name in a Works Cited entry follows the title and is introduced by the phrase "Translated by." This placement gives proper credit without confusing the translator with the author, especially for anonymous works like Beowulf. It's not placed before the title or in parentheses. For details, check .
According to MLA guidelines, where should the publication date appear in a Works Cited entry for Beowulf?
Immediately after the title
In parentheses after the author
At the end of the entry after the publisher's name
Before the translator's name
MLA format places the publication date at the end of the entry following the publisher's name. This consistent placement helps readers quickly identify the publication year. Dates are not enclosed in parentheses nor placed immediately after the title unless a subtitle requires parentheses. More examples can be found at .
When citing Beowulf from The Norton Anthology of English Literature in MLA format, which element comes immediately after the anthology title?
Publication year
Translator's name with "translated by"
Editor's name with "edited by"
Volume number
In MLA Works Cited entries for an anthology, you list the anthology title followed by the editor's name, introduced by "edited by." Translator information follows later if relevant. Publication year and volume details come after the editor's name and anthology details. See for more.
When providing an in-text citation for a line of Beowulf, which of the following elements can you omit?
Shortened title
Page number
Line number
Parentheses
In-text citations for poetry in MLA focus on line numbers rather than page numbers. Since line numbers are more precise for poems, you omit page references unless the instructor or text requires it. You still need the shortened title in quotes and parentheses around the citation. For more, see .
If you are comparing two translations of Beowulf in your paper, how do you differentiate them in MLA in-text citations?
Include the translator's last name and line numbers
Italicize one citation and quote the other
List the full title each time
Use different page numbers only
When citing multiple translations of the same work, MLA advises including the translator's last name along with the line number to distinguish between versions. Using only page numbers would be confusing since both translations could have similar pagination. You do not change formatting styles like italics to differentiate translations. Read more at .
When citing Beowulf from a digital anthology accessed online, which element is considered the second container in MLA 9 format?
The website that hosts the anthology
The author of the poem
The database's DOI
The publisher of the anthology
In MLA 9, a second container refers to the overarching platform or host for the work - here, the website that hosts the digital anthology. The anthology itself is the first container. The publisher is part of the first container's details, not a separate container. For further explanation, visit .
How do you indicate line breaks within a quoted passage of Beowulf in MLA style when including it inline?
Use backslashes without spaces
Combine lines without any indicator
Insert line numbers in parentheses
Use a slash with spaces before and after
MLA format requires that line breaks in quoted poetry be indicated by a slash (/) with a space before and after it when quoted inline. This shows readers where each line ends without breaking the text flow. You do not use backslashes or embed line numbers in the quote itself. Details can be found at .
According to MLA, how should you format a quotation of three lines from Beowulf?
Indent it as a block quote
Place it in italics without quotes
Use single quotation marks
Embed it in your text with quotation marks
MLA treats quotations of three lines or fewer as run-in quotations. You should embed them in your paragraph and enclose them in double quotation marks. Block quotes are reserved for passages longer than three lines. See for examples.
How should an MLA Works Cited entry for Beowulf begin when the author is anonymous?
With "Anon." as the author
With a brief description of the author
With the poem's title in italics
With "Author unknown" in brackets
When no author is provided, MLA guidelines instruct you to begin the Works Cited entry with the title of the work, italicized for a long work like Beowulf. You do not invent an author or use placeholders such as "Anon." or bracketed notes. More guidance is available at .
In MLA format, where does the period go when ending a sentence that includes an in-text citation of Beowulf?
Before the opening parenthesis
After the closing parenthesis of the citation
Immediately after the quoted text without parentheses
Inside the quotation marks
MLA style requires that the parenthetical citation comes after the quoted text and before the period ending the sentence. The period follows the closing parenthesis. Placing it before the citation or inside the quotation marks would violate MLA punctuation rules. For details, visit .
When citing Beowulf in a multi-volume edition, how do you indicate the volume number in the Works Cited entry?
Using "vol." before the number
Listing it after the publisher
Placing the number in parentheses
Omitting it since it's implied
In MLA, you indicate volume numbers by preceding the number with "vol." (e.g., vol. 2). This appears after the title or anthology details and before the publisher. Parentheses or omission are not correct. More at .
Which element is optional in an MLA Works Cited entry for a digital edition of Beowulf from a reputable scholarly site?
URL
Translator's name
Access date
Format description (e.g., Web)
While MLA 9 recommends including the access date for online works, it is considered optional if the source details are stable and scholarly. The URL, translator's name, and format description are essential to identify the work. Consult for guidelines.
When quoting a passage of Beowulf that begins mid-line, how should you format the quotation in MLA?
Start a new sentence without ellipsis
Place the excerpt in italics
Capitalize the first word without ellipsis
Use an ellipsis at the beginning of the quoted text
If you quote a passage starting in the middle of a line, you indicate omitted text at the beginning with an ellipsis. You retain original capitalization only if it appears in the text; otherwise, use lowercase after the ellipsis. Italics are reserved for work titles. For more, see .
In a Works Cited entry for Beowulf that lists both an editor and a translator, what is the correct order of these roles in MLA format?
List only the translator
Combine both with "edited and translated by"
Editor first, then translator
Translator first, then editor
MLA guidelines state that when both an editor and a translator are credited, you list the editor after the title (with "edited by") followed by the translator (with "translated by"). You do not merge the roles or omit the editor. See for examples.
When citing a Beowulf e-book that has a DOI, where should the DOI be placed in the MLA Works Cited entry?
In place of the URL
Immediately after the title
At the end of the entry after other publication details
Before the publisher's name
MLA format specifies that a DOI for an electronic source is listed at the end of the Works Cited entry, following all other publication information. It is not placed immediately after the title or publisher and does not replace the URL if one is provided. See for details.
How should you include a series title and volume number when citing Beowulf in a multi-volume scholarly series in MLA?
Put the series title in quotation marks with the number in parentheses
Italicize the series title, then include "vol." and the number
Omit the series title and only list the volume
List the number before the series title
When citing a work that is part of a multi-volume series, you italicize the series title and include the volume number with the abbreviation "vol." after it. Quotation marks or omitting the title would not properly identify the series. For guidelines, see .
According to MLA style, should you use footnotes or endnotes for bibliographic citations when citing Beowulf?
Yes, footnotes are required
Endnotes only at the end of the paper
No, parenthetical citations are preferred
Both are used interchangeably
MLA style recommends using parenthetical in-text citations rather than footnotes or endnotes for source citations. Footnotes or endnotes are reserved for explanatory notes or supplementary information. Using them for citations can confuse the reader. See for more.
In MLA 9, what constitutes the first container when citing an online edition of Beowulf from a digital anthology?
The translator
The hosting website
The publisher
The digital anthology itself
In MLA 9, the first container is the source immediately containing the work - in this case, the digital anthology. The website hosting the anthology serves as the second container. Publisher and translator are part of the first container's details, not separate containers. More info at .
You accessed a high-resolution digital image of the original Beowulf manuscript on the British Library website. How should this be cited in MLA Works Cited?
Cotton MS Vitellius A XVI, The British Library, digital image. 2023.
The British Library. Cotton MS Vitellius A XVI, digital image, British Library, https://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/FullDisplay.aspx?ref=Cotton_MS_Vitellius_A_XVI. Accessed 12 Dec. 2023.
The British Library. "Beowulf Manuscript." Online Image, Cotton MS Vitellius A XVI, 2023.
Beowulf Manuscript, digital image, British Library website, accessed 2023.
For a digital image of a manuscript, MLA format begins with the organization (The British Library), followed by the manuscript identifier, description of format, hosting institution, URL, and access date. This clearly attributes the source and retrieval details. For further guidance, see .
When citing an online scholarly translation of Beowulf that provides a DOI, where should you place the DOI in the MLA Works Cited entry?
Immediately after the title
At the end of the entry after the URL or pagination
Instead of the URL
Before the publisher
MLA style directs you to include the DOI at the end of the citation, following all other publication details, including the URL when provided. It is not correct to place it immediately after the title or substitute it for the URL. See for more details.
If you cannot find a publication date for a print edition of Beowulf, how should you represent this in the MLA Works Cited entry?
Leave the date field blank
Estimate the date based on content
Use "n.d." in place of the date
Use the date accessed
When no publication date is available, MLA style instructs you to use "n.d." (no date) in the date field to indicate the missing information. Leaving it blank or estimating would be inaccurate. For specifics, consult .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand MLA Citation of Beowulf -

    Grasp the core rules of MLA citation of Beowulf, ensuring precise referencing of passages and translations in your academic writing.

  2. Apply MLA In-Text Citation Rules to Beowulf -

    Construct proper parenthetical citations, including line or canto numbers, when quoting or paraphrasing Beowulf in MLA format.

  3. Format Works Cited Entries for Beowulf -

    Create accurate MLA bibliography entries for various editions and translations of Beowulf, following the latest handbook guidelines.

  4. Identify Common Beowulf Citation Errors -

    Detect and correct typical mistakes in MLA citations of Beowulf, such as misplacing punctuation or omitting essential author and line details.

  5. Differentiate Beowulf Source Types -

    Distinguish between citing original Old English manuscripts, modern translations, and critical analyses, applying appropriate MLA conventions.

  6. Evaluate MLA Source Documentation Strategies -

    Assess and select the most accurate citation approach for unique Beowulf references to enhance the credibility of your scholarly work.

Cheat Sheet

  1. MLA Epic Citation Template -

    Mastering mla citation of beowulf starts with reviewing MLA's core formula for citing a standalone epic: translator, title (italicized), publisher, year. For Beowulf, list the translator (e.g., Seamus Heaney) as the primary contributor. Use the mnemonic "TTPY" (Translator, Title, Publisher, Year) to keep elements in order.

  2. Line Number In-Text Citations -

    Unlike novels, MLA in-text citations for poetry or epic verse use line numbers instead of page numbers (MLA Handbook 9.2.3). For example: (Beowulf l. 1050-52) points readers directly to your quoted lines. Practice this in your mla in-text citation quiz to ace precision.

  3. Disambiguating Multiple Translations -

    When citing more than one version, include the translator's last name in your signal phrase or parenthetical to avoid confusion. For instance, Bradley's version can appear as (Bradley 234). This clarity is crucial for beowulf citation mla assessments.

  4. Works Cited Entry Essentials -

    An accurate Works Cited entry for an epic like Beowulf follows MLA 9: Title (italicized), translated by Last Name, publisher, year. For example: Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, Norton, 2000. This precision ensures success in your mla bibliography quiz.

  5. Common Pitfalls & Mnemonics -

    Avoid errors like omitting the translator, forgetting italics, or mixing line and page citations - pitfalls often flagged in mla citation of beowulf quizzes. Use the mnemonic "ITLP" (Italics, Translator, Lines, Publisher) to self-audit your entries. Always cross-verify with authoritative sites like Purdue OWL or MLA.org for total confidence.

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