Question Mark Practice (B1-B2) - English Writing Quiz

⏱ Time: 07:30 📝 Questions: 15 📊 Level: B1, B2 📚 Type: Writing ⭐ XP: up to +16 (on pass)

Use this 15-question quiz to find your weak spots in Question Mark. At Level B1-B2, every question targets a specific sub-topic with a clear explanation. Your score tells you what you know; the explanations show you what to study next.

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

Q1  15
Q1 15

Question 1: Read the following sentence: 'You're leaving already, aren't you?' What is the punctuation technique used at the end of this sentence called?

Question 1 options
A tag question is a short question added to the end of a statement to ask for confirmation. The structure 'aren't you?' at the end of the statement is a classic tag question, and it correctly ends with a question mark.
Q2 15

Question 2: Choose the correct punctuation to complete the sentence: She wanted to know if I had finished the report___

Question 2 options
This is an indirect (reported) question, not a direct question. Indirect questions end with a full stop (period), not a question mark, because they are statements reporting what someone asked.
Q3 15

Question 3: When you change a direct question into reported speech, the sentence should end with a full stop, not a question mark.

Question 3 options
This is true. Reported (indirect) questions are grammatically statements, so they end with a full stop. For example, 'She asked where I lived.' is correct, not 'She asked where I lived?'
Q4 15

Question 4: Which sentence correctly uses a question mark?

Question 4 options
The sentence 'He asked, "Where is the nearest station?"' correctly places the question mark inside the quotation marks because the quoted material itself is a direct question. The other options either misplace the question mark or incorrectly use one after an indirect question.
Q5 15

Question 5: Match each question-related term to its correct definition or example.

Question 5 options
Direct question
Indirect question
Tag question
Interrobang
Short question added to confirm a statement
Asks something outright; ends with ?
Combines ? and ! to show shock or surprise
Reports a question; ends with a full stop

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

A direct question asks something outright and needs a question mark. An indirect question reports a question and ends with a full stop. A tag question seeks confirmation at the end of a statement. An interrobang combines a question mark with an exclamation mark to show surprise.
Q6 15

Question 6: Which sentence has a question mark error?

Question 6 options
The sentence 'I wondered whether she would arrive on time?' is incorrect because it is an indirect question. Indirect questions are statements and should end with a full stop, not a question mark.
Q7 15

Question 7: Read the sentence: Did the teacher really say "there will be no homework this week"___ Choose the BEST punctuation to fill the blank.

Question 7 options
The overall sentence is a question, but the quoted material inside the quotation marks is not a question — it is a statement. Therefore, the question mark goes outside the closing quotation mark.
Q8 15

Question 8: The following sentence contains an error: 'Maria asked, "Can you help me with this," she looked hopeful?' Which option correctly fixes the error?

Question 8 options
The direct question inside the quotation marks must end with a question mark, and the question mark should be placed inside the closing quotation mark. The full sentence is a statement, not a question, so it ends with a full stop.
Q9 15

Question 9: Arrange the parts in the correct order to form a properly punctuated sentence with a tag question:

Question 9 options
  • haven't you
  • ?
  • ,
  • You have been to London

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

A tag question begins with a statement, followed by a comma, then a short question tag, and ends with a question mark. The correct order is: 'You have been to London' + ',' + 'haven't you' + '?'
Q10 15

Question 10: You are writing an email to a colleague summarising a meeting. You need to report a question that was asked. Which sentence is most appropriate?

Question 10 options
When reporting a question in writing, you should use an indirect question structure, which ends with a full stop. 'David asked whether we could extend the deadline.' is the correct indirect form. Using a question mark after an indirect question is incorrect.
Q11 15

Question 11: What is the difference between a direct question and an indirect question in terms of punctuation?

Question 11 options
A direct question asks something outright and always ends with a question mark (e.g., 'Where is the library?'). An indirect question reports the question within a statement and ends with a full stop (e.g., 'She asked where the library was.').
Q12 15

Question 12: Which version is most appropriate for a formal business report?

Question 12 options
In a formal business report, indirect questions are preferred because they sound more professional and measured. 'The committee inquired whether additional funding would be available.' uses a properly punctuated indirect question with a full stop, which suits formal register.
Q13 15

Question 13: When a question mark appears inside parentheses, it always means the entire sentence is a question.

Question 13 options
This is false. A question mark inside parentheses can indicate that only the parenthetical part is a question, while the overall sentence remains a statement. For example: 'Tom was staring at me (or was he?).' The main sentence is a statement, but the parenthetical aside is a question.
Q14 15

Question 14: Read the sentence: 'You're not serious?!' Why does the writer combine a question mark and an exclamation mark here?

Question 14 options
The combination of a question mark and an exclamation mark (called an interrobang) shows that the writer is both asking a question and expressing strong emotion such as shock or disbelief. The question mark comes first because the primary function is asking a question.
Q15 15

Question 15: The following sentence is awkward and incorrectly punctuated: 'He asked me that did I want to come along?' Choose the best improved version.

Question 15 options
The original sentence mixes direct and indirect question structures. The best improvement converts it into a proper indirect question: 'He asked me whether I wanted to come along.' Indirect questions use statement word order and end with a full stop.