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Quizzes > English & Grammar

MLA Quiz: Check Your Formatting and Citation Skills

Quick, free MLA format quiz with instant results and tips.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Abhinav KumarUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for MLA format and citation quiz on teal background

This MLA quiz helps you practice in-text citations, page layout, headings, and Works Cited so you can catch issues before you turn in a paper. Get instant results with brief tips on each question, and build confidence for real assignments. For targeted practice, try the Beowulf MLA citation quiz or the MLA letter format quiz.

What font and size does MLA recommend for academic papers?
Arial, 12-point
Calibri, 11-point
Times New Roman, 12-point
Times New Roman, 11-point
MLA style requires a readable font with regular spacing, and the standard recommendation is Times New Roman at 12-point size. This choice ensures consistency across manuscripts and ease of reading. Other fonts or sizes may be acceptable if they are legible, but Times New Roman 12-point is the default.
What margin size is standard in MLA format?
1.5 inches on all sides
1 inch on all sides
2 inches on all sides
0.5 inches on all sides
MLA style specifies that documents should have one-inch margins on the top, bottom, left, and right. This margin standard provides enough white space for readability and annotations. Maintaining uniform margins also ensures a professional presentation of the manuscript.
How should the title 'Works Cited' appear on the reference page?
Italicized and centered
Left-aligned and bolded
Centered, without bold or underlining
Right-aligned and underlined
In MLA format, the heading 'Works Cited' is centered at the top of the page and is not italicized, bolded, or underlined. This simple formatting distinguishes it from the rest of the paper without adding extra emphasis. Consistent header styling maintains a clean and uniform appearance.
What line spacing is required throughout an MLA-formatted paper?
Single-spacing
1.5-spacing
Double-spacing
Triple-spacing
MLA style specifies that all text, including block quotations and the Works Cited page, should be double-spaced. Double-spacing enhances readability and leaves room for instructor comments. There should be no extra spaces before or after paragraphs.
Where should the page number appear in an MLA paper?
In the header, top left corner
In the header, top right corner
In the footer, bottom right corner
Next to the title on the title page
MLA format requires page numbers to be placed in the header area, aligned to the right margin. Typically, the author's last name precedes the page number. There is no separate title page, so pagination begins on the first page.
In what order should entries be listed on the Works Cited page?
By the type of source
Alphabetically by the author's last name
By length of the title
Chronologically by publication date
Entries on the Works Cited page should be arranged alphabetically by the authors' last names. If a work has no author, it is alphabetized by the title, ignoring articles like 'A' or 'The'. This alphabetical order aids readers in locating sources efficiently.
How should you format the second and subsequent lines of a Works Cited entry?
Leave all lines flush left
Double indent both lines
Indent the first line only
Use a hanging indent of 0.5 inches
MLA style uses a hanging indent for entries on the Works Cited page, where the first line is flush left and subsequent lines are indented 0.5 inches. This format visually groups information belonging to a single source. Correct indentation enhances readability and organization.
How should you format the student information header on the first page of an MLA paper?
Omit any header information
Center your name under the title
Place your name and page number on the top right
List your name, instructor, course, and date on the top left
MLA format requires student information - name, instructor's name, course, and date - to be listed on separate lines in the top left corner of the first page. This block is double-spaced and precedes the title and text. Including this header helps instructors quickly identify the author and assignment.
How should you format the title of your paper in MLA style?
Center the title in plain text without italics or bold
Place the title in all capital letters
Underline and center the title
Italicize and left-align the title
In MLA format, the title should appear centered on the page, in plain text without additional formatting such as bolding, underlining, or italics. It should be in title case, capitalizing the principal words. Proper title formatting maintains consistency and clarity.
How do you format an in-text citation for a source with two authors in MLA style?
Include both last names connected by 'and', e.g., (Smith and Jones 45)
Use the first author's last name followed by et al., e.g., (Smith et al. 45)
Include only the first author's name, e.g., (Smith 45)
List both last names separated by a comma, e.g., (Smith, Jones 45)
When citing a work by two authors in MLA style, list both authors' last names connected by 'and' in the parenthetical citation. Do not use 'et al.' until there are three or more authors. This method gives clear credit to each author.
When incorporating a quotation longer than four lines in MLA format, how should you format it?
Include it in quotation marks within the main paragraph
Single-space the quotation and indent half an inch
Italicize the quoted passage
Use a block quote indented one inch from the left margin
MLA style requires that quotations longer than four lines be formatted as block quotes. Block quotes are indented one inch from the left margin, double-spaced, without quotation marks. The parenthetical citation follows the closing punctuation. This formatting distinguishes longer quotations visually.
Which of the following elements is NOT required in an MLA 8th edition Works Cited entry for an online journal article?
Volume and issue number
Database subscription cost
DOI or URL
Name of the journal
An MLA Works Cited entry for an online journal article should include the author, article title, journal name, volume and issue numbers, and the DOI or URL. The subscription cost of the database is not required or relevant. Omitting unnecessary details keeps entries concise.
In MLA 8th edition, what term describes the larger work that contains a source?
Anthology
Archive
Repository
Container
MLA 8th edition introduces the concept of 'containers' to describe the larger work that encompasses a smaller source, such as a journal or website that contains an article. This approach clarifies the relationship between works. Multiple containers can be nested in a single citation.
Which of the following titles should be italicized in MLA format?
Book titles
Chapter titles
Short story titles
Article titles
MLA style dictates that titles of larger works, such as books, journals, and films, should be italicized. Smaller works like articles, chapters, and short stories are placed in quotation marks instead. This distinction helps readers identify the type of source.
Where should the period be placed in relation to the closing parenthesis of an in-text citation?
Before the opening parenthesis
After the closing parenthesis
Inside the quotation marks
Before the closing parenthesis
In MLA style, the in-text citation's parenthetical information comes directly after the quoted or paraphrased material, and the period follows the closing parenthesis. This punctuation rule ensures clarity and consistency. Placing the period inside the parentheses is incorrect.
How should you cite a website in-text when no author is given?
Omit the citation entirely
Use the URL in parentheses
Use a shortened version of the title in quotation marks
Write 'Anon.' in place of the author
When a web page has no author, MLA style advises using a shortened form of the title in quotation marks for in-text citations. The full title appears in the Works Cited entry. This method helps readers locate the full citation.
What element should appear first in a standard MLA Works Cited entry?
The date of publication
The author's last name
The title of the source
The publisher's name
MLA Works Cited entries are organized starting with the author's last name, followed by the first name. If there is no author, the entry begins with the title. This standard ordering aids alphabetical arrangement and retrieval.
Which information is essential when citing a tweet in MLA format?
The author's location
Only the Twitter handle and URL
The number of likes and retweets
The author's real name followed by the Twitter handle, the full tweet text, date and time
An MLA citation for a tweet should include the author's real name (if known), followed by the Twitter handle in brackets, the full text of the tweet in quotes, and the day, month, year, and time it was posted. It ends with the URL. This detailed information ensures accurate sourcing.
If a source has no page numbers, how should you format the in-text citation in MLA?
Estimate and include a page number
Use 'n. pag.' in place of the page number
Include only the author's last name without a page number
Include paragraph numbers, e.g., 'par. 4'
MLA style specifies that if a source has no page numbers, the in-text citation should include only the author's last name without any page or paragraph number. You should not invent or estimate page numbers. If paragraph or section numbers are provided and relevant, you may include them after 'par.' or 'sec.'.
How do you format multiple Works Cited entries by the same author?
Repeat the author's full name for each entry
Use 'Anon.' for the second entry
List the full name for the first entry and use three hyphens for subsequent entries
Alphabetize by title instead
When listing multiple works by the same author, MLA style requires writing the author's full name for the first entry and replacing it with three hyphens (---) for subsequent entries. The entries remain alphabetized by title. This practice reduces repetition and clarifies that the author is the same.
How should you cite a personal interview you conducted in MLA format?
Omit it from the Works Cited
Include it only as an in-text citation
As a personal interview in the Works Cited, listing the person interviewed and the date
Treat it as a published book
In MLA format, a personal interview you conducted is cited on the Works Cited page as 'Interviewee Name. Personal interview. Date.' It also may be cited in-text by mentioning the interviewee's name. This provides proper credit and context.
What is the correct order of elements for citing a film in MLA format?
Distributor, title, director, year
Director, title, studio, country
Title, country, director, year
Title, director, distributor, year
An MLA Works Cited entry for a film begins with the film title in italics, followed by the director's name preceded by 'Directed by', the distributor, and the year of release. Additional contributors and formats can be included as needed. This standard order ensures clarity and consistency.
How should you cite a classical work like The Iliad in MLA in-text citations?
Use book and line numbers instead of page numbers, e.g., (Homer 2.345)
Use page numbers from any translation
Include the editor's name in the citation
Use chapter and verse numbers
When citing classical works in MLA style, such as epic poems, use the book and line numbers separated by a period, rather than page numbers. This universal system applies across different translations and editions. For example, (Homer 2.345) refers to book 2, line 345.
In an MLA Works Cited entry for a journal article accessed through a database, where should the DOI or URL appear?
Before the publication date
At the end of the citation, after the page numbers
After the author's name
Immediately after the journal title
MLA style directs that if a DOI is available for an online journal article, it should be placed at the end of the Works Cited entry, following the page numbers. If no DOI is available, the URL may be used instead. This placement ensures that readers can easily locate the source online.
How do you cite a poem from an anthology in MLA Works Cited?
"Poem Title." Anthology Title, poet's name, page range.
Anthology Title. Poem Title by Poet, Publisher, Year.
Poet's last name, first name. Anthology Title. Poem Title, Publisher, Year.
Poet's last name, first name. "Poem Title." Anthology Title, edited by Editor's Name, Publisher, Year, page range.
To cite a poem in an anthology in MLA style, start with the poet's name, followed by the poem title in quotation marks, then the anthology title in italics, the editor's name, the publisher, publication year, and the page range of the poem. This format clearly credits both the individual work and the collection.
When a source appears in two containers, such as an article in an anthology published online, which order should you list them in MLA Works Cited?
Combine both container titles into one entry
Omit the anthology, only list the website
List the smallest container first (the anthology), then the larger container (the website)
List the website first, then the anthology
In MLA 8th edition, when a source has multiple containers, you list the immediate container (e.g., an anthology) first, followed by the next container (e.g., a website). Each container's title, contributors, publication info, and location are provided in sequence. This order reflects the nesting of sources.
How do you cite a YouTube video in MLA format?
"Title of Video." YouTube, day month year, URL.
Director/Uploader. "Title of Video." YouTube, uploaded by Username, day month year, URL.
Uploader. Title of Channel. Day Month Year, URL.
Username. Title of Video. YouTube, URL.
An MLA citation for a YouTube video starts with the creator's name or username, then the video title in quotation marks, the italicized site name 'YouTube', the uploader, posting date, and the full URL. This format gives proper credit and helps locate the video.
How should you cite a podcast episode in MLA Works Cited?
Host(s). Title of Podcast, URL.
"Title of Episode." Title of Podcast, Date.
Host(s). "Title of Episode." Title of Podcast, season and episode numbers, Publisher, Date, URL.
Title of Podcast. Episode Title, Host, Publisher, Date.
For a podcast episode, MLA Works Cited entries should begin with the host or hosts' names, followed by the episode title in quotation marks, the podcast title in italics, season and episode numbers, the publisher, the date, and the URL. This detailed citation ensures accurate identification.
Which format is correct for citing a piece of visual art in MLA style?
Title of Artwork, Artist's full name, Year, URL.
Artist's first name last name. Year. Title of Artwork in italics. City.
Year. Title of Artwork. Artist's last name, City.
Artist's last name, first name. Title of Artwork, Year, Institution housing the work, City.
An MLA citation for visual art should list the artist's name, the title of the work in italics, the date of creation, the museum or collection's name, and its location. This provides comprehensive information for readers to locate the piece.
How do you cite a private email correspondence in MLA Works Cited?
Recipient's last name, first name. "Subject Line of Email." Received by Recipient, day Month year of email.
Sender's last name, first name. "Subject Line." Email, day Month year.
Name of sender. "Message." Email sent to recipient, Date.
Recipient's name. "Subject." Private correspondence, Date.
For private emails, MLA requires listing the recipient's name first, followed by the subject in quotation marks, indicating it was received by the recipient, and the date. The sender's name is assumed in the body. This format distinguishes private correspondence from interviews.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Apply MLA In-Text Citation Rules -

    Demonstrate correct use of parenthetical and narrative citations by matching authors and page numbers to quoted or paraphrased material.

  2. Format a Works Cited Entry -

    Create properly ordered and punctuated Works Cited entries for books, articles, and online sources according to MLA guidelines.

  3. Identify Common MLA Formatting Errors -

    Spot and correct mistakes in margins, headings, title placement, and font style to ensure compliance with MLA style quiz standards.

  4. Differentiate Source Types -

    Distinguish between formatting requirements for various sources - such as journals, websites, and multimedia - to apply accurate citation conventions.

  5. Evaluate Citation Accuracy -

    Assess sample citations to determine if they adhere to MLA format, boosting your confidence and precision when completing a mla quiz.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Author-Page In-Text Citations -

    MLA's author-page method requires the author's last name and page number in parentheses, e.g., (Smith 45). This concise format, outlined in the MLA Handbook and Purdue OWL, keeps your prose smooth and verifiable. Use the "A - P" mnemonic (Author - Page) to lock in this rule before your next mla quiz.

  2. Structuring the Works Cited Page -

    Begin your Works Cited list on a new page titled "Works Cited," double-spaced, with hanging indents of 0.5" (MLA Handbook 9th ed.). Alphabetize entries by authors' last names and use a consistent format: Author. "Title." Container, Publisher, Year. A quick tip: think "A - T - C - P - Y" (Author, Title, Container, Publisher, Year).

  3. Italics vs. Quotation Marks for Titles -

    Italicize standalone works like books and films (e.g., To Kill a Mockingbird) and use quotation marks for shorter pieces like articles or poems (e.g., "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"). Purdue OWL's guidelines emphasize clarity: Big works get italics, small works get quotes. Remember "Big Italics, Small Quotes" for quiz success.

  4. Citing Multiple Authors and Containers -

    For two authors, list both names (Smith and Jones 78); for three or more, use Smith et al. 102 (MLA Handbook). When a source is part of a larger container (like a chapter in an anthology), include both titles: "Chapter Title." Anthology Title, edited by Editor Name, Publisher, Year, pp. 50 - 65. This layered approach is often tested on an mla format quiz.

  5. Handling Digital and Web Sources -

    Include author, webpage title in quotes, website name in italics, publisher (if available), publication date, URL, and access date if no publication date exists. For example: Doe, Jane. "MLA Tips." WritingCenter.org, 12 Mar. 2021, www.writingcenter.org/mla-tips. Follow MLA guidelines to ensure your digital citations are as precise as print sources.

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