Best Foot Forward!

This workout centers on paragraphs 10.13–24 in CMOS 18. Advanced editors might tackle the questions cold; learners can study that section of the Manual before answering.

(Subscribers to The Chicago Manual of Style Online may click through to the linked sections of the Manual. We also offer a 30-day free trial of CMOS Online.)

Note: Style guides and dictionaries sometimes disagree. This quiz is designed to test your knowledge of The Chicago Manual of Style.

Now updated to refer and link to the 18th edition.

Chicago Style Workout 20: Plurals

1. Initials standing for given names are followed by a period and a space (Roger W. Shugg). A period is normally used even if the middle initial does not stand for a name (Harry S. Truman).

True

False

2. If an entire name is abbreviated, spaces and periods can usually be omitted (FDR; Franklin Delano Roosevelt) (MJ; Michael Jordan).

True

False

3. Civil or military titles preceding a name are always abbreviated (Rep. Lauren Underwood; Rep. Underwood).

True

False

4. Social titles like Mr. and Dr. are always abbreviated before a full name or surname.

True

False

5. The abbreviations Rev. and Hon. are traditionally used before a full name when the does not precede the title. With the, such titles should be spelled out (Rev. Jane Schaefer; the Honorable Patricia Birkholz).

True

False

6. Jr. and Sr. are used only with the full name, never with the surname only, although in some contexts it may be appropriate to use Jr. or Sr. or the like with a first name alone.

True

False

7. Chicago recommends periods for abbreviations of academic degrees (B.A., D.D.S., etc.).

True

False

8. Spelled-out versions of abbreviations for professional titles are always capitalized (CNM; Certified Nurse Midwife) (FAIA; Fellow of the American Institute of Architects).

True

False

9. In running text, company names should be given in their full forms, including elements such as Inc., & Co., and LLC.

True

False

10. Both in running text (preferably after being spelled out on first occurrence) and in tabular matter, notes, and so forth, the names of many agencies and organizations, governmental and otherwise, are commonly abbreviated (AAUP, AFL-CIO, EPA).

True

False

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Photo: George Arents Collection, New York Public Library, Exercises for Men: Falling Astride, New York Public Library Digital Collections.

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