Hyphen Writing Exercises: Level B2 (with Answers)

⏱ Time: 07:30 📝 Questions: 15 📊 Level: B2 📚 Type: Writing ⭐ XP: up to +16 (on pass)

Track your Hyphen progress with 15 exercises at Level B2. Take the quiz today, note your score, and retake it next week to see how much you have improved. Every question includes a full explanation so each attempt teaches you something new.

⏱ You have 07:30 to answer 15 questions. The timer only starts when you click Begin.

Q1  15
Q1 15

Question 1: What writing concept is demonstrated in the following example? 'She bought a state-of-the-art computer for her office.'

Question 1 options
The phrase 'state-of-the-art' uses hyphens to join multiple words into a single compound modifier that describes the noun 'computer.' This is an example of a hyphenated compound modifier.
Q2 15

Question 2: The recipe requires ___ of a cup of sugar.

Question 2 options
When fractions are spelled out in writing, a hyphen is required between the numerator and denominator. 'Three-quarters' is the correctly hyphenated fraction.
Q3 15

Question 3: A hyphen should always be used between an adjective and a participle when they modify a noun, regardless of whether they appear before or after the noun.

Question 3 options
This is false. A hyphen is used between an adjective and a participle only when they appear before the noun they modify (e.g., 'a well-known author'). When they come after the noun, no hyphen is needed (e.g., 'the author is well known').
Q4 15

Question 4: Which sentence correctly uses a hyphen?

Question 4 options
'Fast-moving' is a compound modifier appearing before the noun 'traffic,' so it requires a hyphen. The other options either misuse hyphens or omit them where they are needed.
Q5 15

Question 5: Match each hyphen use to its correct example.

Question 5 options
Compound modifier
Prefix attachment
Spelled-out number
Written fraction
her ex-husband
forty-six
a high-speed train
two-thirds of the vote

Select an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.

Hyphens serve different purposes: joining compound modifiers before nouns, attaching prefixes, spelling out numbers, and expressing fractions in words.
Q6 15

Question 6: Which sentence contains a hyphen error?

Question 6 options
'Part time' should be hyphenated as 'part-time' because it is a compound modifier appearing before the noun 'job.' The other sentences use hyphens correctly.
Q7 15

Question 7: The restaurant offers a ___ menu that changes with the seasons.

Question 7 options
'Farm-to-table' is a multi-word compound modifier placed before the noun 'menu,' so hyphens are needed between all the words to show they function as a single adjective.
Q8 15

Question 8: The following sentence contains an error: 'The world famous surgeon performed a ground breaking operation.' Which option correctly fixes the error?

Question 8 options
Both 'world-famous' and 'ground-breaking' are compound modifiers appearing before their respective nouns, so both require hyphens. Only the option with both hyphens corrects the sentence fully.
Q9 15

Question 9: Arrange the parts in the correct order to form a properly hyphenated and punctuated sentence:

Question 9 options
  • -
  • efficient windows
  • energy
  • The architect recommended
  • for the new building.

Drag items or use arrows to arrange them in the correct order.

The compound modifier 'energy-efficient' must be hyphenated and placed before the noun 'windows.' The sentence follows standard subject-verb-object order with a closing period.
Q10 15

Question 10: You are writing a formal report about company performance. Which sentence uses hyphens most appropriately for this context?

Question 10 options
In formal writing, 'well-documented' requires a hyphen because it is a compound modifier before the noun 'evidence,' and 'decision-making' is a standard hyphenated compound noun. This option follows correct hyphenation conventions for professional reports.
Q11 15

Question 11: In which sentence is a hyphen the correct mark (instead of needing an en dash or em dash)?

Question 11 options
A hyphen joins compound modifiers like 'time-sensitive,' while en dashes are used for ranges (pages 10–25) and em dashes for parenthetical information or interruptions. Only the 'time-sensitive' example uses a hyphen correctly for its intended purpose.
Q12 15

Question 12: Which version is most appropriate for a formal academic essay?

Question 12 options
In formal academic writing, 'well-researched' needs a hyphen as a compound modifier before 'arguments,' and 'thought-provoking' needs a hyphen as a compound modifier before 'conclusions.' This version follows standard hyphenation conventions for scholarly writing.
Q13 15

Question 13: When an adverb ending in '-ly' is combined with an adjective before a noun (e.g., 'a newly built house'), a hyphen is not needed between the adverb and the adjective.

Question 13 options
This is true. Adverbs ending in '-ly' do not need a hyphen when combined with an adjective or participle, because the '-ly' ending already signals that the word is modifying the next word. So 'newly built house' is correct without a hyphen.
Q14 15

Question 14: In the sentence 'He spoke in a h-h-hesitant voice, barely able to finish his sentence,' what effect does the hyphenation create?

Question 14 options
Hyphens between repeated letters are used to represent a stammer or hesitation in speech. This technique makes the reader hear the character's difficulty in speaking, conveying nervousness or fear in a vivid way.
Q15 15

Question 15: Which revision best improves the following sentence? 'The children attended a well funded after school programme run by community minded volunteers.'

Question 15 options
All three compound modifiers ('well-funded,' 'after-school,' and 'community-minded') appear before their respective nouns, so each one requires a hyphen. The best revision correctly hyphenates all three.