TEAS English · Practice Question

    Quotation marks: TEAS Practice Question with Answer & Explanation

    An original TEAS 7-style english practice question, written for nursing-school applicants — with a full breakdown of every answer choice.

    Question

    Which sentence punctuates a direct quotation correctly?

    • A.The instructor said "Begin now."
    • B.The instructor said, "Begin now."
      Correct
    • C.The instructor said "Begin now".
    • D.The instructor, said, "Begin now."

    Correct answer: B. A comma introduces the direct quotation, and the period appears inside the closing quotation mark.

    Why B is correct

    A comma introduces the direct quotation, and the period appears inside the closing quotation mark.

    How to solve this TEAS question

    Identify what the question is testing, eliminate choices that conflict with the relevant rule or evidence, and then select the option that directly answers the prompt.

    Review the alternatives

    The other choices do not satisfy the scientific fact, mathematical operation, language rule, or reading evidence tested by this question. Always compare each option with the exact wording of the prompt before deciding.

    Quick study tip: Use a comma before a direct quotation following a dialogue tag.

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