Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss
- 1. Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss is a witty and insightful examination of the importance of punctuation in the English language, encapsulated in the playful title that references a famous joke about a panda. The book, published in 2003, is both an entertaining read and a passionate plea for preserving the nuances and clarity that proper punctuation brings to writing. Truss masterfully blends humor with practical advice, using amusing anecdotes, historical references, and a wealth of examples to illustrate how punctuation can dramatically alter meaning. Through her engaging narrative, she highlights common pitfalls and misconceptions surrounding grammar and punctuation, emphasizing how they affect communication. The book's central message advocates for careful attention to punctuation in an era marked by rapid digital communication, where traditional writing conventions often vanish. Ultimately, Eats, Shoots and Leaves serves not only as a style guide but as a celebration of language itself, encouraging readers to appreciate the beauty and precision that thoughtful punctuation can offer.
What is the primary subject of 'Eats, Shoots and Leaves'?
A) Spelling
B) Grammar
C) Punctuation
D) Etymology
- 2. What animal is featured in the book's title joke?
A) Sloth
B) Raccoon
C) Koala
D) Panda
- 3. What is the author's primary argument about punctuation?
A) It is only for formal writing
B) It is crucial for clarity
C) It is an outdated concept
D) It should be simplified
- 4. What is the subtitle of the book?
A) The History of the English Language
B) Why Commas Matter
C) The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation
D) A Guide to Perfect Grammar
- 5. What historical event does Truss credit with standardizing punctuation?
A) The Norman Conquest
B) The invention of printing
C) The First World War
D) The Renaissance
- 6. Which punctuation mark is the title 'Eats, Shoots and Leaves' meant to demonstrate the importance of?
A) The period
B) The colon
C) The hyphen
D) The comma
- 7. What does the 'sticks and stones' rhyme in the book refer to?
A) Ancient writing tools
B) The power of words and punctuation
C) Building materials
D) Childhood bullying
- 8. What is the 'Oxford comma'?
A) A comma before 'and' in a list
B) A comma in a compound sentence
C) A comma setting off a clause
D) A comma after a salutation
- 9. According to Truss, what is the most common punctuation error?
A) Overuse of the comma
B) Incorrect semicolon placement
C) Forgetting the period
D) Misuse of the apostrophe
- 10. What is the main purpose of the semicolon, as described by Truss?
A) To introduce a list
B) To link related independent clauses
C) To show possession
D) To end a sentence
- 11. Lynne Truss describes herself as a punctuation what?
A) Fanatic
B) Expert
C) Stickler
D) Teacher
- 12. What is the primary emotion driving the author's crusade?
A) Confusion
B) Outrage
C) Joy
D) Boredom
- 13. What type of dash is used to connect ranges of numbers?
A) En dash
B) Hyphen
C) Figure dash
D) Em dash
- 14. What punctuation mark is used to introduce a list?
A) Semicolon
B) Colon
C) Comma
D) Dash
- 15. What does the author compare incorrect punctuation to?
A) A typo
B) A disease
C) A crime
D) Bad manners
- 16. What punctuation mark is used to join two independent clauses?
A) Period
B) Colon
C) Semicolon
D) Comma
- 17. The book was a bestseller primarily in which country?
A) Canada
B) Australia
C) United States
D) United Kingdom
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