The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is a common citation and formatting style that we often encounter when writing academic or scientific papers.
In particular, you are highly likely to encounter it in high school and university introductory English classes as well as when writing professional journals and scholarly books.
If you are writing a high school or college academic paper, there are high chances that your instructor will ask you to format your paper according to MLA guidelines.
If you are wondering why MLA is important in the first place, you should understand that the guide serves two important goals:
It ensures the consistent presentation of information for clarity purposes and ease of navigation. It also ensures appropriate attribution of ideas to their original sources for intellectual integrity purposes.
While new authors often feel that it’s a collection of boring unbreakable rules, it is always helpful to remember that the Guide was created to serve a common goal—with authors’ interests in mind.
To ensure that you are not only familiar with the MLA citation and formatting style but also adhere to the guide’s details, here is a comprehensive MLA quiz with examples of common requirements of the Style.
1. The following is a work cited entry of a source without an author:
“Business Leaders: Thought and Action. ” Global Leadership Forum 2020. www.leadershiphotmap.org/. Accessed 23 Mar. 2021.
Which of the following represents the right in-text citation for the above source?
A. (Business Leaders 2009)
B. (“Business Leaders”, 2009)
C. (“Business Leaders”)
D. (“Business Leaders: Thought and Action. ” Global Leadership Forum 2020)
2. Which of the following represents the correct in-text citation for a source with three or more authors?
A. Moral sensitivity depicts the awareness of the leader (Schminke, Arnaud and Kuenzi 176)
B. Moral sensitivity depicts the awareness of the leader (Schminke et al. 176)
C. According to Schminke, Arnaud and Kuenzi (176), Moral sensitivity depicts the awareness of the leader
D. According to Schminke, Arnaud and Kuenzi , Moral sensitivity depicts the awareness of the leader (176)
3. What is the correct way to cite two books (“Computing 101” (published in 2009) and “Computers and Society” (published in 2011) by the same author (Kevin Yambo)?
A. Yambo posits that computers are bad for kids (Yambo 2011, 15), though he mentioned somewhere that early exposure may lead to better cognitive development (Yambo 2009, 43)
B. Yambo posits that computers are bad for kids (Yambo 15a), though he mentioned somewhere that early exposure may lead to better cognitive development (Yambo 43b)
C. Computers are bad for kids (Yambo 2009, 15). But early exposure may also lead to better cognitive development (Yambo 2011, 45).
D. Yambo posits that computers are bad for kids (“Computing 101”), though he mentioned somewhere that early exposure may lead to better cognitive development (“Computers and Society”).
4. Choose the work cited entry that has the correct format for citing a TV program in MLA
A. “The Kingdom.” The X-Files. Netflix, PXIA, Georgia, 19 Jul. 2020.
B. The X-Files. “The Kingdom.” Netflix, PXIA, Georgia, 19 Jul. 2020.
C. The X-Files. The Kingdom. Netflix, PXIA, Georgia, 19 Jul. 2020.
D. Netflix. “The Kingdom”. The X-Files, PXIA, Georgia, 19 Jul. 2020.
5. Choose the reference example that shows the right format for citing an article in a Scholarly Journal.
A. Hess, Megan. “Fostering An Ethical Organization From The Bottom Up And The Outside In.” Business Horizon, vol. 57, no. 2, 2014, pp. 541 – 549.
B. Hess, Megan. “Fostering An Ethical Organization From The Bottom Up And The Outside In.” Business Horizon 57 (2014): 541 – 549.
C. Hess, Megan. Fostering An Ethical Organization From The Bottom Up And The Outside In. “Business Horizon” 57 (2014): 541 – 549 .
D. Hess, Megan. “Fostering An Ethical Organization From The Bottom Up And The Outside In.” Business Horizon 57 (2014): 541 – 549.
6. MLA style doesn’t allow the use of explanatory, digressive notes, footnotes and endnotes. This statement is:
A. True
B. False
7. Which abbreviation is punctuated wrongly according to MLA style?
A. HTML,
B. FDR,
C. P.D George,
D. Assn,
8. If “Liveright Publishing Corp.” was the listed name of a book publisher, how do you write it in the Work Cited page?
A. Liveright Publishing Corp.
B. Liveright Pub. Corp.
C. Liveright Publishing Corp.
D. Liveright Publishing
9. What does pp. stand for in an MLA citation?
A. Paragraphs
B. Press
C. Publishers
D. Pages
10. Which of the following is the correct way to cite an email?
A. Rowland, Gat M. “Re: Content Schedule.” Received by John T. Underwood, 21 June 2021.
B. Rowland, Gat M. Re: Content Schedule. Received by John T. Underwood, 21 June 2021.
C. Rowland, Gat M. Re: Content Schedule. Received by John T. Underwood, 21 June 2021.
D. Rowland, Gat M. Re: “Content Schedule.” Received by John T. Underwood, 21 June 2021.
11. Which of the following represent the correct way to cite a book with two authors in MLA?
A. Gilly, R, and Neal P. The Power of Ethical Work Climate. Allyn and Bacon, 2020.
B. Gilly, Rose, and Neal Patel. The Power of Ethical Work Climate. Allyn and Bacon, 2020.
C. Gilly, Rose, and Neal Patel. “The Power of Ethical Work Climate”. Allyn and Bacon, 2020.
C. Gilly, Rose, and Neal Patel. “The Power of Ethical Work Climate.” Allyn and Bacon, 2020.
D. Gilly, R., & Neal P., The Power of Ethical Work Climate. Allyn and Bacon, 2020.
12. Choose the reference example that has the right format for citing a book published by corporate author.
A. American Football Association. Soccer for Kid. Random House, 2020.
B. AFA. Soccer for Kid. Random House, 2020.
C. American Football Association. “Soccer for Kid.” Random House, 2020.
D. American Football Association. Soccer for Kid. Random House, 2020.
E. American Football Association (AFA). Soccer for Kid. Random House, 2020.
13. If “Best Books International” has authored and published a book titled “Principles of marketing”, how do you cite it in MLA?
A. Best Books International. Principles of Marketing, 2020.
B. Principles of Marketing. Best Books International, 2020.
C. Best Books International. “Principles of marketing”, 2020.
D. “Principles of Marketing.” Best Books International, 2020.
14. Which of the following is the correct citation of a source that is listed as an edition of a book?
A. Crowley, Pauline, and Debra Holt. Fostering An Ethical Organization From The Bottom Up And The Outside In. 3rd ed., Pearson, 2004.
B. Crowley, Pauline, and Debra Holt. Fostering An Ethical Organization From The Bottom Up And The Outside In. Pearson, 2004. 3rd ed.
C. Crowley, Pauline, and Debra Holt (3rd ed). Fostering An Ethical Organization From The Bottom Up And The Outside In. Pearson, 2004.
D. Crowley, Pauline, and Debra Holt. Fostering An Ethical Organization From The Bottom Up And The Outside In. Pearson, 2004, 3rd ed.
15. Which is the correct way to include URL of a source?
A. Gatlin, Harriet. “Who is Corrupt?” The New York Times, 10 May 2019. www.nytimes.com/2016/06/12/opinion/sunday/who-is-corrupt.html?_r=0
B. Gatlin, Harriet. “Who is Corrupt?” The New York Times, 10 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/2016/06/12/opinion/sunday/who-is-corrupt.html?_r=0
C. Gatlin, Harriet. “Who is Corrupt?” The New York Times, 10 May 2019, Available at: www.nytimes.com/2016/06/12/opinion/sunday/who-is-corrupt.html?_r=0
D. Gatlin, Harriet. “Who is Corrupt?” The New York Times, 10 May 2019. Retrieved from: www.nytimes.com/2016/06/12/opinion/sunday/who-is-corrupt.html?_r=0
MLA Quiz Answers
1. The following is a work cited entry of a source without an author:
“Business Leaders: Thought and Action. ” Global Leadership Forum 2020. www.leadershiphotmap.org/. Accessed 23 Mar. 2021.
Which of the following represents the right in-text citation for the above source?
A. (Business Leaders 2009)
B. (“Business Leaders”, 2009)
C. (“Business Leaders”)
D. (“Business Leaders: Thought and Action. ” Global Leadership Forum 2020).
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: When a source has no known author, it is its shortened title that should be put in in-text citations—in quotation marks.
2. Which of the following represents the correct in-text citation for a source with three or more authors?
A. Moral sensitivity depicts the awareness of the leader (Schminke, Arnaud and Kuenzi 176)
B. Moral sensitivity depicts the awareness of the leader (Schminke et al. 176)
C. According to Schminke, Arnaud and Kuenzi (176), Moral sensitivity depicts the awareness of the leader
D. According to Schminke, Arnaud and Kuenzi , Moral sensitivity depicts the awareness of the leader (176)
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: For three or more authors, only the first author’s last name should be listed. The other names are replaced with et al.
3. What is the correct way to cite two books (“Computing 101” (published in 2009) and “Computers and Society” (published in 2011) by the same author (Kevin Yambo)?
A. Yambo posits that computers are bad for kids (Yambo 2011, 15), though he mentioned somewhere that early exposure may lead to better cognitive development (Yambo 2009, 43)
B. Yambo posits that computers are bad for kids (Yambo 15a), though he mentioned somewhere that early exposure may lead to better cognitive development (Yambo 43b)
C. Computers are bad for kids (Yambo 2009, 15). But early exposure may also lead to better cognitive development (Yambo 2011, 45).
D. Yambo posits that computers are bad for kids (“Computing 101”), though he mentioned somewhere that early exposure may lead to better cognitive development (“Computers and Society”).
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: when citing more than work by the same author, shortened titles for particular works should be included to distinguish them. Books should be italicized while article titles should be put in quotation marks.
4. Choose the work cited entry that has the correct format for citing a TV program in MLA
A. “The Kingdom.” The X-Files. Netflix, PXIA, Georgia, 19 Jul. 2020.
B. The X-Files. “The Kingdom.” Netflix, PXIA, Georgia, 19 Jul. 2020.
C. The X-Files. The Kingdom. Netflix, PXIA, Georgia, 19 Jul. 2020.
D. Netflix. “The Kingdom”. The X-Files, PXIA, Georgia, 19 Jul. 2020.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The correct order for citing a TV or radio program in MLA is: title of the episode in quotation marks followed by name of the series (in italics). The network’s name and call letters of the station may also be included followed by the date or year of the podcast and the city.
5. Choose the reference example that shows the right format for citing an article in a Scholarly Journal.
A. Hess, Megan. “Fostering An Ethical Organization From The Bottom Up And The Outside In.” Business Horizon, vol. 57, no. 2, 2014, pp. 541 – 549.
B. Hess, Megan. “Fostering An Ethical Organization From The Bottom Up And The Outside In.” Business Horizon 57 (2014): 541 – 549.
C. Hess, Megan. Fostering An Ethical Organization From The Bottom Up And The Outside In. “Business Horizon” 57 (2014): 541 – 549 .
D. Hess, Megan. “Fostering An Ethical Organization From The Bottom Up And The Outside In.” Business Horizon 57 (2014): 541 – 549.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The correct order for citing a scholarly journal is: Author(s). “Title of Article.” Title of Journal, Volume, Issue, Year, pages.
6. MLA style doesn’t allow the use of explanatory, digressive notes, footnotes and endnotes. This statement is:
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: False
Explanation: MLA discourages the use of extensive explanatory or digressive notes but permits the use of footnotes and endnotes for biographical notes.
7. Which abbreviation is punctuated wrongly according to MLA style?
A. HTML,
B. FDR,
C. P.D George,
D. Assn,
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: A period should be used if the abbreviation ends in a lowercase letter except when referring to an internet suffix like .edu,
8. If “Liveright Publishing Corp.” was the listed name of a book publisher, how do you write it in the Work Cited page?
A. Liveright Publishing Corp.
B. Liveright Pub. Corp.
C. Liveright Publishing Corp.
D. Liveright Publishing
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Publisher’s name should be written in full and businesses or article abbreviations like Inc., Co., and Corp should be omitted.
9. What does pp. stand for in an MLA citation?
A. Paragraphs
B. Press
C. Publishers
D. Pages
Correct Answer: D
10. Which of the following is the correct way to cite an email?
A. Rowland, Gat M. “Re: Content Schedule.” Received by John T. Underwood, 21 June 2021.
B. Rowland, Gat M. Re: Content Schedule. Received by John T. Underwood, 21 June 2021.
C. Rowland, Gat M. Re: Content Schedule. Received by John T. Underwood, 21 June 2021.
D. Rowland, Gat M. Re: “Content Schedule.” Received by John T. Underwood, 21 June 2021.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The subject of the email should be used as the title—capitalized and italicized.
11. Which of the following represent the correct way to cite a book with two authors in MLA?
A. Gilly, R, and Neal P. The Power of Ethical Work Climate. Allyn and Bacon, 2020.
B. Gilly, Rose, and Neal Patel. The Power of Ethical Work Climate. Allyn and Bacon, 2020.
C. Gilly, Rose, and Neal Patel. “The Power of Ethical Work Climate”. Allyn and Bacon, 2020.
C. Gilly, Rose, and Neal Patel. “The Power of Ethical Work Climate.” Allyn and Bacon, 2020.
D. Gilly, R., & Neal P., The Power of Ethical Work Climate. Allyn and Bacon, 2020.
Correct Answer: B
12. Choose the reference example that has the right format for citing a book published by corporate author.
A. American Football Association. Soccer for Kid. Random House, 2020.
B. AFA. Soccer for Kid. Random House, 2020.
C. American Football Association. “Soccer for Kid.” Random House, 2020.
D. American Football Association. Soccer for Kid. Random House, 2020.
E. American Football Association (AFA). Soccer for Kid. Random House, 2020.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The corporate name should be listed in place where an author’s name typically appears—at the beginning of the entry.
13. If “Best Books International” has authored and published a book titled “Principles of marketing”, how do you cite it in MLA?
A. Best Books International. Principles of Marketing, 2020.
B. Principles of Marketing. Best Books International, 2020.
C. Best Books International. “Principles of marketing”, 2020.
D. “Principles of Marketing.” Best Books International, 2020.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: When a source’s author and publisher are the same, you should skip the author and list its title first. The author should then be listed only as the publisher.
14. Which of the following is the correct citation of a source that is listed as an edition of a book?
A. Crowley, Pauline, and Debra Holt. Fostering An Ethical Organization From The Bottom Up And The Outside In. 3rd ed., Pearson, 2004.
B. Crowley, Pauline, and Debra Holt. Fostering An Ethical Organization From The Bottom Up And The Outside In. Pearson, 2004. 3rd ed.
C. Crowley, Pauline, and Debra Holt (3rd ed). Fostering An Ethical Organization From The Bottom Up And The Outside In. Pearson, 2004.
D. Crowley, Pauline, and Debra Holt. Fostering An Ethical Organization From The Bottom Up And The Outside In. Pearson, 2004, 3rd ed.
Correct Answer: A
15. Which is the correct way to include URL of a source?
A. Gatlin, Harriet. “Who is Corrupt?” The New York Times, 10 May 2019. www.nytimes.com/2016/06/12/opinion/sunday/who-is-corrupt.html?_r=0
B. Gatlin, Harriet. “Who is Corrupt?” The New York Times, 10 May 2019, www.nytimes.com/2016/06/12/opinion/sunday/who-is-corrupt.html?_r=0
C. Gatlin, Harriet. “Who is Corrupt?” The New York Times, 10 May 2019, Available at: www.nytimes.com/2016/06/12/opinion/sunday/who-is-corrupt.html?_r=0
D. Gatlin, Harriet. “Who is Corrupt?” The New York Times, 10 May 2019. Retrieved from: www.nytimes.com/2016/06/12/opinion/sunday/who-is-corrupt.html?_r=0
Correct Answer: B
We hope that you enjoyed our MLA quiz and answers! To learn more about this amazing citation style, see a full guide at Purdue Online Writing Lab.
We also have an interesting quiz on APA referencing style. How well do you understand APA formatting and citation guidelines? Feel free to check it out here: Ultimate APA Format Questions and Answers
