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CSR Certified Shorthand Reporter study materials
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CSR Certified Shorthand Reporter practice questions

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Question 1Literary dictation and transcription

Which mark introduces a formal multi-sentence quotation that follows a complete introductory sentence?

  1. A period
  2. A colon Correct answer.
  3. A semicolon
  4. A comma

Explanation

A colon signals that a formal quotation follows a complete independent clause. A comma normally introduces a short run-in quotation after a reporting verb, while a semicolon joins clauses and a period closes a sentence.

Question 2Literary dictation and transcription

In traditional transcription of verse, the first word of each line of poetry is ordinarily:

  1. lowercased
  2. enclosed in brackets
  3. italicized
  4. capitalized Correct answer.

Explanation

Traditional verse capitalization calls for capitalizing the first word of each line regardless of its sentence position. Lowercasing would alter the source, while italics and brackets serve other editorial functions.

Question 3Literary dictation and transcription

In literary dialogue, a sudden break or interruption in speech is most commonly shown by:

  1. an underscore
  2. a hyphen
  3. an em dash Correct answer.
  4. an en dash

Explanation

The em dash is the standard mark for an abrupt break or interruption in dialogue. A hyphen joins compounds, an en dash marks ranges, and an underscore is not literary punctuation.

Question 4Literary dictation and transcription

Words such as “their” and “there” are best described as:

  1. synonyms
  2. homophones Correct answer.
  3. antonyms
  4. homographs

Explanation

Homophones sound alike but differ in spelling and meaning, as with “their” and “there.” Homographs share spelling, synonyms share meaning, and antonyms have opposite meanings.

Question 5Literary dictation and transcription

In American literary style, a comma or period following a quoted word or phrase is placed:

  1. after a space outside the marks
  2. before the opening quotation marks
  3. outside the closing quotation marks
  4. inside the closing quotation marks Correct answer.

Explanation

American convention places commas and periods inside closing quotation marks, even when they were not part of the original quotation. Outside placement reflects British style, and the other positions are not standard.

Question 6Literary dictation and transcription

Titles of full-length novels and plays are conventionally formatted in:

  1. boldface
  2. all capital letters
  3. italics Correct answer.
  4. quotation marks

Explanation

Standalone works such as novels and plays are italicized, while shorter works such as poems and short stories are placed in quotation marks. All capitals and boldface are not standard literary transcription formats for titles.

Question 7Literary dictation and transcription

In formal literary transcription, whole numbers below one hundred are generally:

  1. abbreviated with symbols
  2. spelled out in words Correct answer.
  3. written in Roman numerals
  4. written as numerals

Explanation

Formal literary prose generally spells out whole numbers below one hundred. Numerals are reserved for specific cases such as dates or measurements, and Roman numerals or symbols are not the default.

Question 8Literary dictation and transcription

An editorial insertion made by the transcriber inside a quoted literary passage is enclosed in:

  1. curly braces
  2. round parentheses
  3. square brackets Correct answer.
  4. angle brackets

Explanation

Square brackets signal editorial material supplied by the transcriber rather than the original author. Round parentheses may be authorial, while curly braces and angle brackets are not standard for this purpose.

Question 9Literary dictation and transcription

When one speaker’s dialogue continues into a second paragraph, the closing quotation mark at the end of the first paragraph is:

  1. omitted Correct answer.
  2. doubled
  3. placed after the next paragraph
  4. replaced by an em dash

Explanation

The convention omits the closing quotation mark at an internal paragraph break to show that the same speaker continues. The closing mark appears at the end of the final paragraph of that speech.

Question 10Literary dictation and transcription

Which form is standard in formal literary transcription?

  1. all-rite
  2. allright
  3. all right Correct answer.
  4. alright

Explanation

“All right” is the standard two-word form in formal prose. “Alright” is an informal variant, and the other spellings are nonstandard.

Question 11Literary dictation and transcription

In headline-style capitalization of a title, which kind of short word is generally left lowercase?

  1. a noun
  2. an adjective
  3. a verb
  4. an article Correct answer.

Explanation

Articles such as “a,” “an,” and “the” are generally lowercased in headline-style titles unless they begin or end the title. Nouns, verbs, and adjectives are capitalized.

Question 12Literary dictation and transcription

The possessive of a singular name ending in s, such as Dickens, is usually formed as:

  1. Dickens'es
  2. Dickens's Correct answer.
  3. Dickenses
  4. Dickens'

Explanation

Chicago-style literary practice adds an apostrophe and s to a singular name ending in s: Dickens’s. The form Dickens’ is an alternative, while the other forms are not singular possessives of this name.

Question 13Literary dictation and transcription

When words are omitted at the end of a quoted sentence and the sentence’s period is retained, the resulting ellipsis mark contains how many dots?

  1. Three
  2. Five
  3. Six
  4. Four Correct answer.

Explanation

Three ellipsis dots plus the retained sentence period produce four dots. Three dots alone would omit the terminal period, and five or six dots are nonstandard.

Question 14Literary dictation and transcription

An en dash is correctly used in literary prose to indicate:

  1. a sudden interruption in dialogue
  2. a range such as pages 10–20 Correct answer.
  3. a compound adjective before a noun
  4. a possessive relationship

Explanation

The en dash is the standard mark for ranges, including page ranges and dates. Em dashes mark interruptions, hyphens join compound adjectives, and apostrophes show possession.

Question 15Literary dictation and transcription

In a literary quotation, an apparent error in the original text is signaled by:

  1. an italicized sic
  2. parenthetical sic without brackets
  3. bracketed sic Correct answer.
  4. a bracketed ellipsis

Explanation

Bracketed “sic” shows that an error or oddity appeared in the original and is not a transcription mistake. A bracketed ellipsis marks omitted text, while the other forms do not follow the standard convention.

Question 16Literary dictation and transcription

In formal American literary prose, the serial (Oxford) comma in a series of three or more items is placed:

  1. before the conjunction that precedes the final item Correct answer.
  2. immediately after the first item in the series
  3. immediately after the conjunction before the final item
  4. only when one of the items contains a comma

Explanation

The serial comma is the comma that falls between the next-to-last item and the coordinating conjunction joining the last item. It is retained in formal American literary style to prevent misreading of the final two elements. British practice often omits it, but the exam standard follows the American convention.

Question 17Literary dictation and transcription

In the sentence "Your narrative, Dr. Chase, reads cleanly," the paired commas serve to:

  1. set off a noun in direct address Correct answer.
  2. separate items in a series
  3. set off a parenthetical clause or remark
  4. mark an introductory phrase

Explanation

A name used to address the person spoken to is a vocative, and vocatives are enclosed in commas wherever they fall in the sentence. The commas here do not mark an aside because "Dr. Chase" is the person being addressed, not extra information about the narrative.

Question 18Literary dictation and transcription

In formal literary prose, the names of seasons such as spring and autumn are:

  1. capitalized only when they appear in verse
  2. lowercased in ordinary usage Correct answer.
  3. always capitalized as proper nouns
  4. capitalized when they name a particular year

Explanation

Season names are common nouns and are lowercased in running prose: "the autumn of 1893." They are capitalized only when personified or when they form part of a proper name, such as a titled work or an event.

Question 19Literary dictation and transcription

When a literary sentence begins with a number, formal transcription calls for the transcriber to:

  1. precede the numeral with a dash
  2. spell the number out in words Correct answer.
  3. use the numeral as it appears in the source
  4. enclose the numeral in square brackets

Explanation

A numeral may not open a sentence in formal prose because the figure cannot be capitalized. The standard remedy is to spell the number out or to recast the sentence so that the numeral falls elsewhere.

Question 20Literary dictation and transcription

Two independent clauses that are not joined by a coordinating conjunction are correctly separated in literary prose by:

  1. a comma alone
  2. a semicolon Correct answer.
  3. a colon
  4. no punctuation at all

Explanation

A semicolon marks the boundary between two grammatically complete clauses that stand without a conjunction. A comma alone in that position produces a comma splice, which formal literary style treats as an error.

Question 21Literary dictation and transcription

A colon that introduces a list or an amplification should ordinarily follow:

  1. a verb of being
  2. a complete independent clause Correct answer.
  3. a prepositional phrase
  4. any noun in the sentence

Explanation

The colon's function is to point forward from a grammatically complete statement to what elaborates it. Introducing a list directly after a verb or preposition severs the verb from its object and is avoided in formal prose.

Question 22Literary dictation and transcription

In the phrase "a well-known author," the hyphen appears because:

  1. the adverb is modifying the adjective
  2. the adjective follows the linking verb
  3. the words form a compound adjective Correct answer.
  4. the two words form a compound noun

Explanation

Two or more words that together modify a following noun are hyphenated to show that they act as a single unit. When the same words follow the noun as a predicate adjective, the hyphen is normally dropped.

Question 23Literary dictation and transcription

In a scholarly footnote, the abbreviation "e.g." is used to:

  1. mark a doubtful or uncertain reading
  2. introduce a complete explanation
  3. restate a point in other words
  4. give one or more examples Correct answer.

Explanation

"E.g." stands for exempli gratia, "for example," and introduces a sample drawn from a larger class. It is not interchangeable with "i.e.," which introduces a restatement.

Question 24Literary dictation and transcription

In the sentence "the president addressed the senate on Monday," formal literary style calls for capitalizing:

  1. neither of the words
  2. the word "senate" only Correct answer.
  3. the word "president" only
  4. both of the words

Explanation

The formal name of a legislative body is a proper noun and is always capitalized. A civil title such as "president" standing alone as a generic reference is lowercased, though it would be capitalized when it directly precedes a personal name.

Question 25Literary dictation and transcription

When a quoted passage is itself a question and is followed by an attribution such as "she asked," the question mark is placed:

  1. following the closing quotation mark
  2. after the attribution comma
  3. omitted entirely
  4. inside the closing quotation mark Correct answer.

Explanation

Punctuation belonging to the quoted words goes inside the closing quotation mark. Because the question is asked by the speaker within the quotation, the question mark is part of the quotation and precedes the closing mark.

Question 26Literary dictation and transcription

When a family named Jones is referred to in the plural, the possessive form in formal prose is written:

  1. the Jones's
  2. the Jones'
  3. the Joneses's
  4. the Joneses' Correct answer.

Explanation

The plural of a name ending in s is formed by adding -es, giving "the Joneses." The possessive of a plural ending in s takes only an apostrophe after the existing s.

Question 27Literary dictation and transcription

In the sentence "The novel that she published in 1890 was banned," the relative pronoun "that":

  1. refers to the year rather than to the novel
  2. introduces a nonrestrictive clause set off by commas
  3. may be replaced by "which" with a comma
  4. introduces a restrictive clause essential to meaning Correct answer.

Explanation

The clause identifies which novel is meant, so it is restrictive and takes no comma; "that" is the usual pronoun for restrictive clauses in American literary style. A nonrestrictive aside would be set off by commas and would normally use "which."

Question 28Literary dictation and transcription

In literary prose, a pair of em dashes is most often used to:

  1. mark a range of numbers or dates
  2. indicate omitted material in a quotation
  3. join two words into a compound
  4. set off a parenthetical element abruptly Correct answer.

Explanation

Em dashes mark a sharp break in thought and enclose an aside more emphatically than parentheses would. Ranges of numbers and dates call for the shorter en dash, and compounds call for a hyphen.

Question 29Literary dictation and transcription

When words are omitted from the middle of a quoted sentence, standard literary practice is to:

  1. insert three spaced periods with normal spacing around them Correct answer.
  2. use four periods for an internal omission
  3. close up the periods with no spacing at all
  4. substitute a single dash for the periods

Explanation

An internal omission is shown by three periods, spaced in formal typography and surrounded by ordinary word spacing so they read as a distinct mark. A fourth period is added only when the omission coincides with the end of a sentence whose period is retained.

Question 30Literary dictation and transcription

"Having finished the final chapter, the manuscript was sent to the printer." The defect in this sentence is a:

  1. pronoun with an unclear antecedent
  2. dangling participial phrase Correct answer.
  3. faulty parallel structure
  4. misplaced correlative conjunction

Explanation

An introductory participial phrase must modify the subject of the main clause. Here the implied actor of "having finished" is the writer, but the stated subject is "the manuscript," so the phrase dangles.

Question 31Jury charge dictation and transcription

During the reading of the jury charge, the court reporter's primary responsibility is to:

  1. advise the judge on instruction wording
  2. make a verbatim record of the proceedings Correct answer.
  3. poll the jurors after the verdict
  4. summarize the legal points for the jury

Explanation

The reporter's core duty is to preserve the proceedings verbatim so the charge can be reviewed later. Summarizing, advising the court, and polling jurors are not reporter functions.

Question 32Jury charge dictation and transcription

In court reporting practice, the term "jury charge" refers to:

  1. the oath administered to the bailiff
  2. the judge's instructions to the jury on the law Correct answer.
  3. the list of exhibits admitted at trial
  4. the verdict form signed by the foreperson

Explanation

The jury charge is the court's formal delivery of legal instructions to the jury before deliberations. It is distinct from oaths, exhibit lists, and verdict forms.

Question 33Jury charge dictation and transcription

The phrase "voir dire" in jury selection means:

  1. the formal reading of the verdict
  2. the judge's final charge to the jury
  3. the questioning of prospective jurors Correct answer.
  4. a motion for mistrial

Explanation

Voir dire is the examination of prospective jurors to determine their qualifications and suitability. The final charge, mistrial motions, and verdict reading are separate proceedings.

Question 34Jury charge dictation and transcription

When the judge reads "CACI No. 200" during the charge, the reporter should:

  1. omit the number as a citation
  2. reproduce the citation as it was spoken Correct answer.
  3. write "see instruction" in the transcript
  4. replace it with the full text of the instruction

Explanation

The record must reflect what was actually said, including any instruction number or citation spoken by the judge. The reporter does not substitute or delete spoken words.

Question 35Jury charge dictation and transcription

The judge reads an instruction, then states, "That instruction is withdrawn; disregard it." The reporter should:

  1. omit the withdrawn instruction entirely
  2. mark the instruction "not given" without text
  3. record only the word "withdrawn"
  4. record both the reading and the withdrawal verbatim Correct answer.

Explanation

The transcript must show what was said and what happened afterward, including a withdrawal, so appellate review can assess the charge as delivered. The reporter may not delete spoken words from the record.

Question 36Jury charge dictation and transcription

During deliberations, the jury asks to hear the circumstantial-evidence instruction again, and the judge directs the reporter to read it back. The reporter should read from:

  1. the verdict form
  2. the recorded charge transcript Correct answer.
  3. personal recollection of the charge
  4. a published pattern-instruction book

Explanation

A read-back must come from the official record of what was actually delivered to the jury. Personal memory or outside publications may differ from the charge as given.

Question 37Jury charge dictation and transcription

An objection to the wording of a proposed jury instruction is timely if made:

  1. within ten days after judgment
  2. before the jury is sworn
  3. before the jury retires Correct answer.
  4. after the verdict is returned

Explanation

Counsel must object to instruction wording before the jury retires to deliberate so the trial court can rule on the objection. Later objections generally do not preserve the issue.

Question 38Jury charge dictation and transcription

The main purpose of an instructions conference (charging conference) is to:

  1. set the amount of bail for the defendant
  2. settle instructions and preserve objections Correct answer.
  3. determine whether the defendant is guilty
  4. select the person who will serve as jury foreperson

Explanation

The charging conference lets the court and counsel resolve which instructions will be given and place objections on the record. It does not decide guilt, bail, or the foreperson.

Question 39Jury charge dictation and transcription

The judge says, "The Court will read CACI 500 as modified," and then reads the modified text. The reporter should:

  1. record only the citation "CACI 500"
  2. substitute the official text of the instruction
  3. record the phrase and the text as read Correct answer.
  4. ask the judge to repeat the instruction later

Explanation

The record must capture both the judge's statement about the modification and the actual words read to the jury. The official text may not match the modified version delivered in court.

Question 40Jury charge dictation and transcription

When the court polls the jury after a verdict, the reporter should record:

  1. the length of deliberations
  2. the foreperson's signature only
  3. only the final tally
  4. each juror's response Correct answer.

Explanation

Polling requires each juror to confirm the verdict individually, and the reporter must preserve each response. A final tally or signature alone does not show individual assent.

Question 41Jury charge dictation and transcription

Choose the correct word: "The ______ of law that governs this case is stated in the instruction."

  1. principally
  2. principals
  3. principal
  4. principle Correct answer.

Explanation

"Principle" means a rule or legal proposition, which fits the sentence. "Principal" means main or a person in a leading role.

Question 42Jury charge dictation and transcription

The Latin phrase "sua sponte" means:

  1. on the court's own motion Correct answer.
  2. with the consent of the parties
  3. in the judge's chambers
  4. after formal notice

Explanation

"Sua sponte" describes action taken by the court on its own initiative without a party's request. It does not refer to consent, notice, or location.

Question 43Jury charge dictation and transcription

During the charge, the judge says, "quote, the statute of limitations bars this claim, end quote." The reporter should:

  1. ask the judge to spell "statute"
  2. paraphrase the quoted language
  3. enclose the quoted words in quotation marks Correct answer.
  4. omit the words "quote" and "end quote" without punctuation

Explanation

Spoken quote cues are rendered in the transcript with quotation marks so the quoted material is accurately identified. The reporter does not omit punctuation or paraphrase.

Question 44Jury charge dictation and transcription

A juror submits a written question during trial. The reporter's proper role is to:

  1. refuse to include the question because it is not testimony
  2. answer the juror's question from personal notes
  3. deliver the written question directly to the jury without court involvement
  4. record the proceeding and mark the question as directed Correct answer.

Explanation

The court controls how juror questions are handled, including whether they are marked as exhibits. The reporter records the proceedings and follows the court's directions on marking.

Question 45Jury charge dictation and transcription

After certifying a transcript, the reporter discovers a transcription error. The proper course is to:

  1. issue an unmarked revised copy to counsel
  2. use the court's correction procedure Correct answer.
  3. silently change the certified original
  4. destroy the original and prepare a new transcript

Explanation

A certified transcript may be corrected only through the established procedure, such as stipulation or court order, so the change is documented. Unilateral alterations undermine the integrity of the record.

Question 46Jury charge dictation and transcription

Before reading the jury instructions, the judge states: "Ladies and gentlemen, the Court will now read the instructions that govern your deliberations." The reporter should:

  1. record it verbatim Correct answer.
  2. omit it because it is not an instruction
  3. wait for the first numbered instruction
  4. summarize it in a note

Explanation

All oral statements made by the court in open session on the record are part of the proceedings. Prefatory remarks are transcribed verbatim just like the instruction text. The reporter does not decide which remarks are legally significant.

Question 47Jury charge dictation and transcription

Which spelling is correct for the burden of proof that requires evidence to be more convincing than the opposing evidence?

  1. prepondurance
  2. preponderonce
  3. preponderance Correct answer.
  4. preponderence

Explanation

The correct legal term is "preponderance," as in "preponderance of the evidence." Accurate spelling of legal terminology is essential in a certified transcript. The other spellings are nonstandard variants.

Question 48Jury charge dictation and transcription

The judge reads, "Instruction number 304 now follows." How should the reporter handle the number?

  1. omit it because it is not instruction text
  2. replace it with the instruction's title
  3. record it exactly as spoken Correct answer.
  4. paraphrase it as "the next instruction"

Explanation

Instruction numbers identify which charge is being given and are part of the oral record. The reporter transcribes spoken numbers exactly as delivered. Paraphrasing or substituting titles alters the record.

Question 49Jury charge dictation and transcription

During deliberations the jury asks to hear an instruction that the judge already read. The judge directs the reporter to read it back. The reporter should:

  1. summarize the instruction from memory
  2. read it verbatim from the transcript or notes Correct answer.
  3. ask the judge to reread it instead
  4. read only the first and last sentences

Explanation

A readback must reproduce the exact language of the original instruction. The reporter uses the transcript or stenographic notes rather than memory or paraphrase. Accuracy in readback protects the record and the jury's understanding.

Question 50Jury charge dictation and transcription

During the reading of the charge, counsel states, "Objection, Your Honor-instruction 12 misstates the burden of proof." The judge replies, "Overruled." The reporter should:

  1. record only the word "overruled"
  2. note the objection after the charge ends
  3. record the objection and the ruling Correct answer.
  4. omit the objection because the jury was present

Explanation

Objections made on the record, their stated grounds, and the court's rulings are part of the proceedings. The reporter transcribes them in the order spoken. Omitting the ground or the ruling would leave an incomplete record for appeal.