proofreading practice exercises uk

Proofreading Exercises

Learn how to proofread by working through our library of proofreading exercises.

• Post author By Duncan Croker
• Post date August 24, 2020
• 4 Comments on Proofreading Exercises

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• Easy Exercises
• Medium Exercises
• Hard Exercises

In a digital world, it’s more important than ever to make sure your communications are error-free – you don’t want to be responsible for a press release that goes viral because of an awkward misspelling.

That’s why we’ve put together this collection of proofreading exercises to test your skills. Work your way up through the difficulty levels until you feel confident that you’ve mastered the required proofreading skills.

Download each exercise PDF to get started, then print it out or copy-paste it into Microsoft Word; once you’ve finished editing, cross-check the mistakes you found with the relevant answer sheet.

Answer sheets follow AP Stylebook conventions (where appropriate) and use British spelling. New proofreading exercises will be regularly added to this page. Note that the original sources contain the correct text – all mistakes have been added in for the purposes of the exercises.

Easy Proofreading Exercise 1

Exercise details.

Format: News Article

Source: ‘NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance hits back after claims Sydney ferries won’t fit under bridges.’

Easy Proofreading Exercise 2

Source:  ‘Now is the time to buy in the Melbourne property market.’

Easy Proofreading Exercise 3

Format: Blog Post

Source: How to Find the Noosa Fairy Pools

Easy Proofreading Exercise 4

Source: Marketing for Small Businesses

Medium Proofreading Exercise 1

Format: Annual Report

Source: Rio Tinto Annual Report 2019 – Strategic Report

Medium Proofreading Exercise 2

Source: The 11 Best Foods to Support Your Immune System

Medium Proofreading Exercise 3

Format: Online Article

Source: A Better Way to Map Brand Strategy

Medium Proofreading Exercise 4

Format: Online Publication

Source: Telstra s 87B Undertaking

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Hard Proofreading Exercise 1

Format: Academic Journal

Source: Passafaro, P. (2020). Attitudes and Tourists’ Sustainable Behavior: An Overview of the Literature and Discussion of Some Theoretical and Methodological Issues.  Journal of Travel Research, 59 (4), 579–601.  DOI: 10.1177/0047287519851171

Hard Proofreading Exercise 2

Source: Demirkol, S., & Cifci, I. (2020). Delving into the Role of Celebrity Chefs and Gourmets in Culinary Destination Marketing.  European Journal of Tourism Research, 26 , 2603. https://ejtr.vumk.eu/index.php/about/article/view/1934

Other Resources for Improving Your Proofreading

• Tags Proofreading

By Duncan Croker

Duncan is a copywriter with a background in editing and storytelling. He loves collaborating with brands big and small, and thrives on the challenges of hard marketing.

4 comments on “Proofreading Exercises”

This is great. It’s really helpful to see practical exercises. Thanks for putting this together!

Fantastic exercises, thank you for providing these!

These exercises have been really great. Thank you. I’m using them with my A level student in preparation for University where proofreading will be essential! The content is just right for his interest level too and short enough to keep his interest.

Hi Geraldine, it’s great to hear you and your student are finding the exercises helpful. We’ll hopefully add some more in the near future.

Comments are closed.

Top-Tier Proofreading Tests and Quizzes

This article may contain affiliate links. Please see our affiliate disclaimer in the footer menu for more information. Thank you for your support!

I’ve scoured the internet to bring you some of the best proofreading tests and quizzes!

These assessments cover several areas that proofreaders need to master, including grammar, punctuation, spelling, and word usage.

I recommend using a dictionary and other resources while taking these tests since that’s what professional proofreaders do!

Table of Contents

Proofreading Tests and Quizzes to Assess Your Skills

The exams are listed according to the website where they’re located and are organized from easiest to hardest.

I created a test pertaining to word usage to get the ball rolling!

One of the proofreading tests is in UK English, and the rest are in US English.

Please keep in mind that there are spelling, punctuation, grammar, and vocabulary differences between British and American English. 

The duration of the test is listed as short or long.

Short means it will take you a few minutes to complete.

Long indicates you’ll need several minutes or more to finish it.

I’ve included the number of quizzes on each website whenever more than one is available. Some sites will likely add more tests over time.

I hope you have fun testing your skills and boosting your proofreading prowess!  😊

Om Proofreading

Test Format:  Multiple choice

Type of English:  US

Duration:  Long

Test-Taking Note:  This test focuses on mistakes that spellcheckers miss. Most sentences deal with homophones: words with the same pronunciation but different meanings (and often different spellings). I hope you enjoy it!

Note: If you need to rid your writing (or someone else’s) of mistakes with homophones, the free version of Grammarly can catch a lot of homophonic errors! 

And if you aced the test above, you may want to check out my article about confusing homophones . It contains a fun quiz at the end to check your understanding!

Edit Republic

Quiz Format: Multiple choice

Type of English: US

Duration: Short

What the Company Offers: Site owner Phon Baillie has 20 years of experience in the publishing industry. She offers several courses for those interested in working as proofreaders or editors.

Portland Proof

Quiz Format: Find the error in each sentence and write the correct word or punctuation mark in the text box

Duration: Short; I’m not sure how many quizzes are on this site, but it seems to have quite a few. I think they’re a ton of fun!

Quiz-Taking Tip:  Click the “Begin Game!” button to start the quiz. Your score is based on how many mistakes you make and how long it takes you to correct each sentence. You can compete with other quiz takers for the highest score.

What the Company Offers: This company provides proofreading services.

GrammarBook.com

Test/Quiz Format: Multiple choice; 4 tests and 52 quizzes are available

Duration: Long (the 2 pretests and 2 mastery tests); Short (the other 52 quizzes)

What the Company Offers: This website is based on Jane Straus’s The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation . I own and love this book!

The site is a fantastic resource for proofreaders and copy editors as it teaches the rules for English grammar, punctuation, and usage. It includes 4 free tests and 52 free quizzes. Hundreds of additional quizzes are available with a paid subscription.

Grammar Monster

Test Format: Varies

Duration: Short (334 total tests!!!)

What the Company Offers: This site provides a wealth of knowledge about grammar, punctuation, and commonly misused words. And, of course, truckloads of tests are available. You can hone your English language skills to your heart’s content!

Quiz Format: Find the error in each sentence

Type of English: Not a relevant factor in this case (but UK punctuation is used)

Duration: Long

Quiz-Taking Tip: You have to click on the correct answer (located in the word bank below each sentence).

What the Company Offers: Sporcle provides trivia entertainment online and at live shows. If you’re into trivia, you’ll love this site!

BusinessWritingBlog

Test Format: Find the punctuation error in each sentence

What the Company Offers: This company is dedicated to helping people become experts in business writing.

Proofread NOW .com

Quiz-Taking Tip: As soon as you click inside the bubble to mark your answer, the quiz moves on, and you can’t go back.

What the Company Offers: Proofreading and copyediting for documents written in English and Spanish; English-to-Spanish and Spanish-to-English translation services

Employment for Proofreaders: Yes. However, they weren’t hiring the last time I checked. They require a minimum of five years of experience as a professional proofreader. You must also perform exceptionally well on several complicated editing tests.

You can go here to see if they’re currently hiring.

Grammar Lion

Test Format: Multiple choice

Duration: Short 

Test-Taking Note: You need to create an account to access this free test. You can take the test now and then retake it after finishing the Grammar Lion Refresher class to see how much you’ve learned.

Test-Taking Tip: You can’t go back on any questions, so make sure you’re happy with your answer before moving on. After finishing the test, choose “Next Lesson” to see your score. 

What the Company Offers: Site owner Ellen Feld has a master’s degree in writing from Johns Hopkins University. She offers a grammar course and a writing course, both suitable for beginners. Ellen also provides coaching services for writers.

CMOS Shop Talk (from The Chicago Manual of Style )

Workout Format: Multiple choice; 47 workouts are available

Workout Tip: Remember to breathe deeply and engage your core. Oops! I mean, enjoy this fabulous resource! These workouts mainly contain questions related to proofreading; however, they also include questions about editing and knowledge of The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS).

I own a hard copy of CMOS and have an online subscription. CMOS is my go-to guide for proofreading and copyediting.

CMOS Shop Talk is an incredibly valuable resource for general proofreaders!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a proofreading test.

A proofreading test evaluates an individual’s proofreading proficiency. These tests are administered for various purposes, such as to assess job candidates, verify progress made in a proofreading class, or determine whether someone should earn a particular credential.

How do I prepare for a proofreading test?

To get ready for a proofreading test , you need to know the details of the exam (e.g., if it has a particular focus, any style guide requirements, or a time limit).

You can take practice proofreading tests to boost your confidence and uncover areas that need improvement, such as specific aspects of grammar and punctuation. Then, you can use online resources and reference books to improve your skills.

What are five items to check when proofreading?

Five items to check while proofreading are grammar, capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and formatting. Proofreaders fix errors and inconsistencies in these areas. They also look for proper usage and repeated or omitted words. Finally, verifying that writing adheres to a style guide is often needed.

How can I practice proofreading?

You can practice proofreading by looking for mistakes in documents you encounter in daily life. You can proofread your writing or someone else’s. For example, students can practice with papers and essays, teachers with lesson plans and textbooks, and businesspeople with reports and emails.

We can all mine for mistakes in books, newspapers, billboards, brochures, menus, and anything else we see in print. The opportunities are endless! The more you train your eyes to spot slipups, the better you’ll get.

I hope you’ve enjoyed putting your proofreading skills to the test!

Please see my post about the skills proofreaders possess if you’d like more information about this topic. 

Om Proofreading also has an article about the signs you would make a good proofreader !

Best wishes to you! 

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” – Maya Angelou

Lindsay Babcock

Lindsay is the creator of Om Proofreading. She has a BA in psychology and earned a certificate in proofreading by passing the final exam in Proofread Anywhere’s general proofreading course. She shares what she’s learning in the field and through research to inform and inspire her readers.

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| Danielle McLeod

| Editing , Quizzes

Danielle McLeod

Danielle McLeod is a highly qualified secondary English Language Arts Instructor who brings a diverse educational background to her classroom. With degrees in science, English, and literacy, she has worked to create cross-curricular materials to bridge learning gaps and help students focus on effective writing and speech techniques. Currently working as a dual credit technical writing instructor at a Career and Technical Education Center, her curriculum development surrounds student focus on effective communication for future career choices.

Proofreading plays a vital role in maintaining high-quality writing standards. Effective proofreading ensures that the final piece of writing is polished and error-free and conveys the intended message accurately.

Proofreading tests are commonly used to measure an individual’s proofreading ability and attention to detail. These tests assess one’s proficiency in identifying and correcting errors within a given time frame. They often include tasks such as correcting spelling mistakes, punctuation errors, and grammatical issues. 

This article covers the basics of proofreading and its place in the editing process. It guides you through the process of reviewing your written material properly, applying proofreading preparation strategies, and preparing for the test. It also provides helpful resources.

Keep reading to gather the information you need to be successful in your assessment prep and improve your test-taking skills. 

What Are the Basics of Proofreading?

Proofreading is the final step in the overall editing process, ensuring polished and credible writing. It involves carefully reviewing written content to identify and correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting errors.

Differences Between Proofreading, Editing, and Revising

Proofreading, editing , and revising are distinct stages in the writing process, each serving a specific purpose.

Editing involves a detailed writing review that improves clarity, coherence, and overall quality. Editors assess the content’s structure, organization, and flow and make revisions to enhance readability and effectiveness. 

Revising involves a broad evaluation of the content and its underlying ideas. During the revision stage, writers may add, delete, or rework entire sections to strengthen the arguments or incorporate new information.

Proofreading involves a detailed review of a written document to identify and correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and formatting errors. Proofreading is the final editing step before publishing or submitting a piece of writing.

Proofreading Overview

When proofreading, you should follow these steps to ensure the final piece of writing is polished and error-free:

• Read the written content carefully, focusing on one sentence or section at a time.
• Check for grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement, verb tense consistency, and word usage.
• Look for spelling mistakes, including commonly misspelled words and homonyms.
• Review punctuation marks, ensuring proper placement and correct usage of commas, periods, semicolons, etc.
• Check for formatting and layout inconsistencies, such as font styles, paragraph indentation, and headings.
• Pay attention to sentence structure and clarity, ensuring that ideas are expressed clearly.
• Read the content aloud to catch any awkward phrasing or grammatical inconsistencies.
• Double-check any references, citations, or quotations for accuracy and proper formatting.

Key Skills and Knowledge Areas

Effective proofreading requires a combination of essential skills to ensure accuracy and thoroughness. Here are some key skills required for effective proofreading:

• Attention to detail
• Grammar and language knowledge
• Reading comprehension
• Critical thinking
• Time management

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Style Guides 

Understanding different style guides , such as APA (American Psychological Association), MLA (Modern Language Association), and (CMOS) Chicago Manual of Style, is crucial for maintaining consistency and adhering to specific formatting and citation guidelines. 

Style guides provide standardized rules for formatting, citing, and referencing sources, ensuring consistency throughout a document. Understanding the specific requirements of each style guide helps writers accurately attribute content to their original sources to avoid plagiarism.

Style guides often include guidelines for writing style, punctuation, and grammar. Adhering to these guidelines ensures that the content is presented in an organized manner. Understanding style guides also shows a writer’s attention to detail and professionalism.

What Are Proofreading Assessment Preparation Strategies?

Preparing for proofreading assessments follows the same guidelines as other good test-taking advice. Take a look at our study tips, practice suggestions, and, most importantly, how to manage your study and test-taking time frames. 

Here is a list of study tips to improve grammar, punctuation, and spelling skills—the most widely assessed proofreading knowledge:

• Pay attention to sentence structure, punctuation usage, and spelling patterns while reading.
• Take the time to learn and understand grammar rules. Use reputable grammar guides or online resources to review verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, pronoun usage, and sentence construction.
• Regularly practice writing to reinforce grammar, punctuation, and spelling skills.
• Take advantage of grammar and spell check tools to help identify and correct errors. These tools provide valuable feedback for improvement.
• Expand your vocabulary by creating word lists and learning new words regularly. 
• Familiarize yourself with style guides like APA, MLA, or CMOS, which provide specific grammar, punctuation, and formatting guidelines. 
• Consistency is key to improving language skills. Dedicate a portion of your daily study time to reinforce what you have learned.

Practice tests and exercises play a significant role in preparing for proofreading assessments. They provide an opportunity to sharpen and refine proofreading skills, improve attention to detail, and familiarize yourself with assessment tasks. 

They can help develop and reinforce the skills required for effective proofreading, such as grammar knowledge, spelling accuracy, punctuation proficiency, and attention to detail. They allow you to identify areas of weakness and focus on improving specific aspects of proofreading.

They also provide real proofreading scenarios, familiarizing you with the time involved. Reviewing these types of materials can help you develop strategies to use your time for different tasks effectively. Regular practice improves speed.

Take The Proofreading Test!

Time management.

Time management is an important factor to consider whenever you take any test. Follow these steps to help you mentally prepare for your next assessment:

• Read and understand instructions.
• Skim the test.
• Decide which questions to answer first based on your comfort level. Start with the questions you find relatively easy and can answer quickly.
• Set approximate time limits for each section to stay on track.
• Be mindful of the time as you work through the test. 
• If you encounter a challenging question, skip it, mark it for later review, and move on to the next question. 

What Tools and Resources Are Available?

Gathering resources to help you study and improve your proofreading skills can be invaluable in your assessment preparation. Take advantage of the many available online software, websites, and publications to help you succeed. 

Useful Proofreading Tools and Software

Proofreading tools and software can enhance the quality and accuracy of written content. Here’s a brief overview of some useful proofreading tools and software:

• Grammarly : It is a popular proofreading tool that offers grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style checks. 
• Hemingway Editor: It focuses on improving the readability and clarity of written content. 
• ProWritingAid : It’s a comprehensive writing and editing tool that offers grammar and spelling checks, style suggestions, and readability analysis and provides insights on overused words, sentence structure, and more. 
• Ginger: It helps writers correct grammar mistakes, spelling errors, and punctuation issues. 
• WhiteSmoke: WhiteSmoke is a multi-purpose writing and editing tool that offers grammar and spelling checks, style suggestions, and language translation. 
• Microsoft Word’s Spelling and Grammar Checker: Microsoft Word’s built-in spelling and grammar checker provides basic proofreading features. It highlights spelling errors and grammar mistakes and offers suggestions for correction. 

Books and Online Resources 

Here are some recommended books and online resources for brushing up on grammar rules and improving proofreading techniques:

• The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White
• The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation by Jane Straus
• The Chicago Manual of Style

Online Resources

• Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
• Grammarly Blog
• Merriam-Webster Online
• Daily Writing Tips

What Strategies Are Involved in Taking the Proofreading Test?

When taking an assessment concerning proofreading skills, consider the following strategies on the day of the test and afterward to continue honing your skills.

Day of the Test Strategies

When preparing for a test, paying attention to format, types of texts, and common errors is important. Here are some suggestions for each:

Test instructions: Review each page for any specific instructions or guidelines the test administrator provides. Pay attention to formatting requirements, word limits, or any special instructions for answering questions.

Types of Texts

• Essays or written responses: Focus on organizing your ideas, using proper paragraph structure, and maintaining a coherent argument or narrative flow.
• Short answers or definitions: Double-check your responses for clarity and ensure they directly address the question or prompt.
• Multiple-choice questions: Read the questions carefully and select the most appropriate answer. Watch out for tricky phrasing or distractors.

Common Errors to Watch For

• Grammar and spelling mistakes: Proofread your responses for subject-verb agreement, verb tenses, pronoun usage, and common spelling mistakes.
• Inconsistent formatting : Maintain consistent formatting throughout your responses. Check for consistent use of capitalization, punctuation, indentation, and citation style (if applicable).
• Misinterpretation of questions: Take the time to understand the questions or prompts.
• Time management: Keep track of time during the test to ensure you allocate enough time for proofreading. 
• Failure to review: Always leave some time at the end of the test to review your answers. Check for any overlooked mistakes, inconsistencies, or missing information.

After the Test

Here are some steps you can take to make the most of your results and continue enhancing your proofreading abilities:

• Review your errors
• Seek clarification
• Practice with targeted exercises
• Proofread with intention
• Seek feedback and peer review
• Use online resources
• Track your progress

Preparing for a proofreading exam is crucial for developing strong proofreading skills and achieving success in both professional and academic endeavors. Throughout the preparation process, this article covered important aspects such as helpful software and tools, test-taking strategies, and steps for improvement. 

Strong proofreading skills are highly valued. It enhances credibility, professionalism, and the overall quality of written work. Mastering proofreading is an ongoing process that requires continuous practice and learning. 

Incorporate regular proofreading practice into your routine. Read diverse texts, seek feedback from others, and stay updated with grammar rules and language trends. Take advantage of online resources, workshops, and collaborative opportunities to improve your skills.

Grammarist is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. When you buy via the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you.

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• novice proofreaders who have completed basic training and want further practice in putting their new-found knowledge and skills to use
• proofreaders who are ‘ rusty ’ , perhaps after taking a career break, and wish to brush up their skills
• proofreaders who might not have undertaken formal training but have ‘ learned on the job ’ and are not quite sure whether they are doing things properly!

The book comprises exercises that increase in difficulty and complexity, covering:

• straightforward narrative
• problems of layout and formatting
• complexity in content and mark-up
• the later stages of publication, including proof collation and revised proofs
• ‘ Coffee Break ’ and ‘ Test Your Observation ’ sections of short exercises
• ‘ Zero Tolerance ’ exercises requiring complete accuracy.

The exercises cover a wide range of material, not all of it serious. Some are to be read against copy that has been edited on paper; others are to be read ‘ blind ’ on texts that have been edited electronically or not at all. The exercises are thus intended to provide exposure to many different kinds of publication and methods of editing and proofreading. Four of the exercises are ‘ proof-edits ’ to be carried out in Microsoft Word; the rest are provided as PDFs that can be marked digitally, or printed out and marked by hand on paper.

The main exercises are followed by commentaries that discuss the model answers and the key learning points. These commentaries are designed to help the proofreader understand how to approach different types of text and the main pitfalls to look out for.

To order a copy (price £30 as a download from Dropbox; members of CIEP are entitled to £5 discount), please contact me directly: [email protected]

Thank you, I have just received my book and would like to tell you how pleased I am. It is much larger and more comprehensive than I thought, and the presentation is clear and easy to follow. I can't wait to get started! (SH)

I have appreciated the thought and expertise that has gone into this excellent resource as I have worked my way through it. … Margaret's encouraging commentary after the answer sheet helps to clarify issues, highlights common mistakes people make and provides useful suggestions for avoiding these errors in actual work. It is clear that Margaret wants the user to improve their skill. … Was this book useful? Yes, without a doubt. I believe it would be a good addition to the recommended resources of any proofreading course, for both beginners and improvers. It is good value for money, and has the benefit of being ultimately reusable. I am sure it would help others as much as it has helped and challenged me. (RE, review for Society for Editors and Proofreaders: http://www.sfep.org.uk/pub/gen/br/edguides/aherne_proof.asp)

10 Free Proofreading Tests (To Boost Your Editing Skills)

How about testing your skills through a free proofreading test? Taking free proofreading quizzes will help you improve your editing capabilities rapidly. Can you take these tests without spending a dime? Yes! To make things easy for you, I’ve compiled tests that will help you grasp English grammar rules and common language errors. Are you ready to become a successful proofreader? Let’s do this!

The 10 Best Free Proofreading Tests Online:

1. earn smart online class.

Earn Smart Online Class is an excellent platform for new proofreaders as it offers more than just proofreading tests. The website contains several tips for improving your proofreading skills. Although the proofreading test is short with a few multiple-choice questions, it tests your capability by asking questions where most proofreaders make mistakes. Thus, you can easily test your proofreading skills through this test. The good thing about this website is that besides offering an online test, it also provides a downloadable PDF. Thus, you can choose to take the test at your convenience. It also has an answer key to make sure you check your answers as well!

2. Freelance Writing

As the name suggests, Freelance Writing is a platform dedicated solely to writers. So, if you’re a proofreader, you can get much more from this website. I like this test and would suggest you take it as well because it’s different from many others. It specifically checks your professionalism on the job. The test isn’t composed of multiple-choice questions but of one paragraph with only a few grammatical errors. This test trains you to check documents written by professional writers as well. You’ll also find the solution at the end, which explicitly explains how it works to help improve your proofreading skills.

3. Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP)

The proofreading test by the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) is perhaps the best choice for people who want to test their copy-editing skills through a credible source. Unlike many other tests, it contains several multiple-choice questions. The questions also focus on a broad spectrum wherein you’ll have to highlight grammar mistakes, punctuation errors, language use, etc. The website has 14 quizzes, and you can download the PDF version of the test. You’ll also have to download the answer key, which is right next to the quiz. The best thing I like about this free proofreading test is that it focuses not only on grammar and spelling mistakes. Instead, you’ll learn a lot more to help you become a professional freelance proofreader.

4. Using English for Academic Purposes (UEfAP)

Using English for Academic Purposes (UEfAP) is a credible source with many tips and resources to help you improve your skills in checking copies for errors. It has several quizzes to test your proofreading skills, which you can take after learning the pointers taught by the site. It enables you to assess whether your proofreading skills have improved. Another good thing about this website is that it has a wide assortment of quizzes, including punctuation, parts of speech, spelling, word order, etc. By taking these quizzes, you can have a better grip on various parts of the English language, which will help you a lot in your proofreading career.

5. Grammar Book

Grammar Book is another excellent website for writers and proofreaders because it contains a lot of tips and information to help boost your skills. You can find almost everything about English on this website. So, if you want to learn about proofreading and writing, as well as expanding your vocabulary , it can be an amazing resource. Apart from that, the website has 52 free quizzes and 4 free tests. If you want to access more, you’ll have to subscribe. However, I believe attempting the quizzes and tests is enough to help you improve your English skills . The quizzes are also of different types to help you unlock a broad range of knowledge about proofreading.

6. Portland Proof

7. proofreadnow.com, 8. authoritypub, 9. love to know, 10. sporcle, rafal reyzer.

Hey there, welcome to my blog! I'm a full-time entrepreneur building two companies, a digital marketer, and a content creator with 10+ years of experience. I started RafalReyzer.com to provide you with great tools and strategies you can use to become a proficient digital marketer and achieve freedom through online creativity. My site is a one-stop shop for digital marketers, and content enthusiasts who want to be independent, earn more money, and create beautiful things. Explore my journey here , and don't miss out on my AI Marketing Mastery online course.

Are You Ready To Test Your Proofreading Skills?

Even the most grammar-savvy amongst us benefit from a thorough proofreading of our work.

You may rely on an editor to check your work, or like many writers, it might be tempting to do a quick scan of your writing without thoroughly proofreading it.

But proofreading is as essential to your writing as writing is. It allows you to fix any errors that may obscure your intended meaning or distract your reader. It also helps you catch grammar and spelling mistakes , misused words, and punctuation errors.

If you have an editor, he or she can polish your work much more easily (and less expensively) if you’ve given it the careful once-over before the editing process.

If you don’t have an editor, proofreading can save you from embarrassing and critical comments from your readers.

Proofreading makes you a better, more mindful writer and, over time, it will cement the skills you need to be an accomplished writer.

Proofreading Test

Review this letter for mistakes:, corrected letter.

Here’s a checklist of actions you should take to properly proofread your writing:

• Remove any distractions so you can concentrate on proofing your work.
• Look for one type of writing problem at a time (first spelling errors, then word usage, etc.).
• Read your writing out loud and silently.
• Print a copy of your work to proofread it on paper.
• Read it backward to spot any spelling mistakes .
• Look out for homonyms (words that share the same spelling and pronunciation).
• Double check contractions and apostrophes for common mistakes (like it’s and its or there and their).
• Review carefully for punctuation mistakes. Look up anything you aren’t sure about.
• Ask a friend to read your writing after you proofread it to check behind you.

So, why not spend a few minutes assessing your own proofreading skills with an easy and entertaining test?

To make this proofreading test more challenging, I’ve thrown in a variety of hurdles for you to spot and clear as you make your way to the finish line.

May you find the following proofreader and copy editor test as helpful and enjoyable as it was excruciating to write. Don’t let my agony be in vain.

Dear Ms. Adams;

We’ve recieved your manuscript and have read enough of it to offer this constructive critique, which we hope you’ll take unto consideration before sending us another sample of your work, we do value you’re time.

1. The beginning of your story is week. Try to evoke an emotional response within the first few paragraphs.

2. You use to many semicolons. Its distracting.

3. You use third person omiscient POV, which in our humble opinion, weakens the impact of your main characters painful situation.

4. You tell more then show what your characters are feeling. As Anton Checkov wrote: “Dont tell me the moon is shining, show me hte glint of light on broken glass.”

5. You switch points of view, jumping from one persons head to another without warning, it’s confusing and you risk loosing your reader’s trust end attention

6. The dialogue feels forced and unathentic: the southern accent is overdone and painful too read.

7. Your use of ellipsis is… awkward. And you use them quite alot. Consider removing most of them. Noone pauses that much..

8. You’re love of dashes is evident. Please eliminate most of them, and and make your sentences shorter clearer, and less wordy.

9. Please please please stop using dialog tags like “he grinned” or “she sighed”. You can’t sigh or grin words. It can’t be done. Stick with “said” but try to make it more obvious who is saying whom without using dialog tags for every quote. If you must indicate sighs, grins, and other nonverbal gestures set them apart from teh quotes with periods rather than commas .

10. Your main character launches into a stream of conscience monologue and his dialoge partner somehow doesn’t lapse into a coma before he finishes this is wishful thinking and makes it hard to sympathize with the mane character who’s soliloquy is way too long to keep you’re readers attention. We tired but had to skip to the end wear he finally sums it up nicely.

11. We dont really get to now your secondary character well enough to care about what happens to her. She listens to the main character and throws in a few responses hear and their but is otherwise bland and two dimensional. Her boyfriend the main character, does most of the talking, and she stairs out the window a lot and I mean a LOT. Yet we never find out weather she’s waiting for someone or something or if shes just really board. She’s certainly stiff as a board (see what i did they’re?).

12. My fellow editers here at Proper Publishing House agree with all the statements in this letter which I spent ours perfecting ought of sincere gratitude for your efforts and true dat concern for yore development as a writer.

13. We recommend you contact the services of a inexperienced proofreader or copyediter before submitting to us any future writing samples. Good proofreading makes such a deference!

In short let us offer you hour best hopes for the improvement of your writing don’t be discouraged keep at it and remember Proper Publishing House will always bee honest with you because

Sincerely and optimystically

Sarah jane Smythe

Cheif Editer

Now, it’s time to compare your corrections with the letter below. Keep in mind that not all your copyediting corrections have to look exactly like mine. There’s room for some creative improvisation. I’ve highlighted the errors and everything added or crossed out.

Dear Ms. Adams :

We’ve received your manuscript and have read enough of it to offer this constructive critique, which we hope you’ll take into consideration before sending us another sample of your work . We do value your time.

1. The beginning of your story is weak . Try to evoke an emotional response within the first few paragraphs.

2. You use too many semicolons. It’s distracting.

3. You use third person omniscient POV, which , in our humble opinion, weakens the impact of your main character’s painful situation.

4. You tell more than show what your characters are feeling. As Anton Chekhov wrote , “ Don’t tell me the moon is shining ; show me the glint of light on broken glass.”

5. You switch points of view, jumping from one person’s head to another without warning. It’s confusing, and you risk losing your reader’s trust and attention.

6. The dialogue feels forced and inauthentic ; the Southern accent is overdone and painful to read.

7. Your use of ellipses is… awkward. And you use them quite a lot . Consider removing most of them. No one pauses that much.

8. Your love of dashes is evident. Please eliminate most of them, and and make your sentences shorter, clearer, and less wordy.

9. Please , please , please stop using dialogue tags like “he grinned” or “she sighed .” You can’t sigh or grin words. It can’t be done. Stick with “said , “ but try to make it more obvious who is saying what without using dialogue tags for every quote. If you must indicate sighs, grins, and other nonverbal gestures, set them apart from the quotes with periods rather than commas.

10. Your main character launches into a stream of consciousness monologue, and his dialogue partner somehow doesn’t lapse into a coma before he finishes . This is wishful thinking and makes it hard to sympathize with the main character , whose soliloquy is way too long to keep your reader’s attention. We tried but had to skip to the end where he finally sums it up nicely.

11. We don’t really get to know your secondary character well enough to care about what happens to her. She listens to the main character and throws in a few responses here and there but is otherwise bland and two-dimensional . Her boyfriend , the main character, does most of the talking, and she stares out the window a lot — and I mean a LOT. Yet we never find out whether she’s waiting for someone or something or if she’s just really bored. She’s certainly stiff as a board (see what i did they’re?).

12. My fellow editors here at Proper Publishing House agree with all the statements in this letter , which I spent hours perfecting out of sincere gratitude for your efforts and true dat concern for your development as a writer.

13. We recommend you contract the services of an experienced proofreader or copyeditor before submitting to us any future writing samples. Good proofreading makes such a difference !

In conclusion , let us offer you our best hopes for the improvement of your writing . Don’t be discouraged , keep at it , and remember Proper Publishing House will always be honest with you . because

Sincerely and optimistically ,

Sarah Jane Smythe

Chief Editor

More Related Articles:

12 Effective Tips On How To Write Faster

The Hemingway Editor And App Review

Hiring The Right Book Editor

Recovery Time

Maybe it’s time for a soothing cup of something. No hard feelings, I hope.

If you found value in this proofreading practice test, please share it with others. The purpose of this article, after all, is to help you and your fellow writers more accurately proofread your own work before submitting or publishing it.

It doesn’t hurt that while it was often painful not to proofread the sample letter while writing it, it was also pretty fun. I hope you enjoyed the exercise enough to pass it on.

And may your good humor and selfless commitment to the edification of your fellow writers infuse everything else you do today.

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Grammar Phile Blog

Can you ace this basic proofreading quiz.

Posted by Phil Jamieson   Mar 22, 2018 7:30:00 AM

Take our quiz to test your basic proofreading knowledge and see if you can catch every single typo. See if you can get every question right and ace the entire quiz. And don’t look for any of the answers online, so you can really step up to the challenge!

Let us know how you did in the comments below. Good luck!

Topics: proofreading quiz , typos, typographic errors

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Home Side Hustle Basics Free Proofreading Tests

12 Free Proofreading Tests to Check Your Skills

April 2, 2024

Written by:

Jessica Norris

Jessica is a writer for SideHustles.com. Her side hustles include freelance academic writing and editing, which she's done for...

Time Required

If you’re thinking about becoming a proofreader, you might be wondering whether your skills are good enough. To find out, you can take a proofreading test.

Tests can highlight gaps in your knowledge and help you work out whether you need more training and practice. They’re also a good way to identify the skills you need to improve.

We’ve compiled a list of 12 sites with proofreading tests you can take—all for free.

01. Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP)

Who they are : The Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) is a British association that provides training and support for editorial professionals. They’re a well-recognized authority in the editing and publishing industries.

The test : The CIEP proofreading test comes in the form of a document that contains common mistakes and an accompanying answer sheet showing you how to correct them. The test covers many of the different types of problems that proofreaders have to deal with, including mistakes in punctuation, spelling, and language use.

Other resources : As well as their proofreading test, the CIEP site has a lot of different quizzes on proofreading-related topics, from punctuation to formatting. There’s also a blog for editorial professionals, a selection of high-quality paid courses, and lots of free resources—fact sheets, booklets, and more.

Anything else I should know? While the CIEP proofreading test is very comprehensive, it uses British English. Watch out for the differences between British and American English.

02. ProofreadNOW.com

Who they are : ProofreadNOW.com is a company that offers paid proofreading services.

The test : The test on the ProofreadNOW.com website is multiple-choice and mainly checks your spelling and punctuation. A couple of the questions are a little tricky, but there are only 10 of them, so it’s fairly easy overall.

Other resources : The site also has a resources section where you can get free ebooks and white papers . There’s also a page where you can ask grammar questions (they’ll reply via email).

Anything else I should know? One of the proofreading test questions is contested by people in the comments, so this question probably has two correct answers.

03. Authority Pub

Who they are : Authority Pub is a site that’s designed to help writers build a self-publishing business.

The test : The Authority Pub proofreading test is an entertaining letter riddled with errors that you have to correct. The answer sheet has a corrected version of the letter, which you can review when you’ve finished proofreading.

Other resources : Authority Pub has lots of informative articles on writing (and a self-publishing course for $397), but not much for proofreaders, although the website has a few tips on how to improve your proofreading skills.

Anything else I should know? The answers given on the corrected version of the letter in the proofreading test aren’t necessarily the only correct answers. Some of the errors can be corrected in more than one way.

04. Using English for Academic Purposes (UEfAP)

The test : This website has 10 proofreading tests that focus on different writing skills, including grammar, punctuation, and word use. There’s also a mixed test covering all 10 subjects. In these tests, you select the incorrect words and then type in the correct words, so it’s harder than a multiple-choice quiz. Luckily, there’s a “hint” button to help you if you get stuck.

Other resources : In addition to the tests mentioned above, the UEfAP site has a short self-guided test in their introduction to proofreading . The UEfAP also has a wealth of other resources to develop your proofreading skills, including exercises and explanations of many different aspects of language use.

Anything else I should know? This is another site that uses British English. It also focuses on academic English, and some of the tests are very advanced. Academic writing makes for great practice, as it’s one of the hardest types of writing to proofread. However, academic proofreading is quite different from many other types of proofreading (e.g., fiction proofreading), so the UEfAP’s tests aren’t all-purpose.

05. Earn Smart Online Class

Who they are : Earn Smart Online Class is a website that offers advice about how to earn money working from home with jobs like proofreading, transcription, writing, and more.

The test : Earn Smart Online Class has a 20-question proofreading test that covers common errors in spelling and grammar, as well as homophones (words that sound the same but mean different things). It’s common for people to mix up homophones in their writing and also for spell checkers to miss these types of errors, so they’re important for proofreaders.

Other resources : The Earn Smart Online Class site features a few tips on how to get good at proofreading (including links to a free proofreading webinar from the company Proofread Anywhere ). There are also job listings, but these aren’t very up-to-date.

Anything else I should know? The test has a few tricky questions, but overall, it isn’t very hard. You should be able to get a high score fairly easily. If you don’t, you should consider whether you need to spend more time training your language skills before you take on proofreading projects.

06. Edit Republic

Who they are : Edit Republic is a company that offers professional courses in proofreading and editing, as well as how to start an editorial business.

The test : The Edit Republic proofreading quiz is a very quick multiple-choice test with 10 questions. It’s one of the easiest tests on our list, and you should be able to complete it in a few minutes.

Other resources : As well as the editing and proofreading courses that Edit Republic sells, they offer free training materials and other resources you can check out.

Anything else I should know? You’ll have to enter your email to get your proofreading test results.

07. Freelance Writing

Who they are : Freelance Writing is a platform for freelance writers to find work. It also directs businesses who want to hire writers to the website of a content-writing service.

The test : This proofreading test is a little different from the others on this list. Arguably, it’s more realistic. You have to find just three errors in several paragraphs, which is similar to what you’d expect if you were proofreading a text that had already gone through a round of copyediting (or was well-written enough not to need it), which will be the case for most of the pieces you’ll actually review as a proofreader.

Other resources : The Freelance Writing site has lots of resources for writers (including how-to articles, free ebooks, and information about writing competitions), but just a handful of articles specifically for proofreaders.

Anything else I should know? In theory, you’re supposed to complete the Freelance Writing proofreading test in 10 minutes. However, the site doesn’t time you, so you have to time yourself.

08. LoveToKnow

Who they are : LoveToKnow is an online media company that features news, content on parenting and family life, resources for pet owners, home and garden advice, and more.

The test : The LoveToKnow site has a downloadable proofreading test, which features an email containing lots of errors. You have to correct them on a printout (or you can mark up the PDF file they provide). The answer sheet has all of the errors highlighted and provides explanations of how a proofreader should correct each one.

Other resources : There aren’t many resources for proofreaders on this site, but there’s a grammar test on the same page as the proofreading test. The site also has an article on how to proofread your own writing .

Anything else I should know? Throughout most of the proofreading test answer sheet, the errors are highlighted and left uncorrected (with annotations explaining what changes should be made). However, a couple of the corrections are made directly onto the highlighted answer sheet. Watch out for this—it can be a bit confusing.

09. Sporcle

Who they are : Sporcle is a trivia website with hundreds of different quizzes.

The test : The 25-question Sporcle proofreading test takes a different format from the others on this list. It will show you a sentence featuring an error, and underneath it, there are many possible corrections. You have to pick the right one.

Other resources : There are plenty of other Sporcle quizzes that are relevant for proofreaders, covering grammar, spelling, word definitions, and more.

Anything else I should know? Sporcle times how long it takes to complete their proofreading quiz. You have a maximum of 8 minutes to complete it.

10. Business Writing Blog

Who they are : Business Writing Blog publishes articles for writers working in a “professional, academic, and social setting,” according to their About Us page .

The test : This proofreading test features three emails that contain a number of errors (which you can correct on a printout or in a Word document). There’s an answer sheet for each test. The errors are highlighted and corrected.

Other resources : The Business Writing Blog site has an entire section dedicated to proofreading-related posts, plus more articles on useful topics like grammar and punctuation. They also offer a paid course on proofreading (for $159).

Anything else I should know?  As you’d expect, this test focuses on business English, but it’s still good for general proofreading practice. Note that some of the errors on their test have more than one possible fix.

11. Om Proofreading

Who they are : Om Proofreading is a website run by Lindsay Babcock, a proofreader who offers services for new age and spiritual content.

The test : Om’s proofreading test is fairly short and easy, featuring 20 multiple-choice questions on homophones.

Other resources : As well as a proofreading test, the Om Proofreading site offers general advice for proofreaders and a quiz on adverbs .

Anything else I should know? The Om Proofreading test doesn’t cover grammar, punctuation, syntax, or other areas that are important for proofreaders to know about.

12. The New York Times

Who they are : In case you’ve been hiding under a rock, the New York Times is one of the most widely circulated and well-respected newspapers in the US.

The test : The New York Times test assesses your proofreading and fact-checking skills. You have to find 14 errors that have been inserted into extracts from five of the newspaper’s articles. You can then check the PDF under the test to see all of the correct answers.

Other resources : There are also many other quizzes on the website that test your copyediting skills. All of them are part of a series called Copy Edit This! Unfortunately, these tests aren’t collected on a single page on the NYT’s website, but you can find them easily by googling. You can view the first few for free, but eventually you’ll need a subscription.

Anything else I should know? The New York Times proofreading and fact-checking test focuses more on fact-checking than proofreading. Also, it’s from 2014, so some of the information is obsolete.

13. Other free grammar and writing tests

These tests don’t specifically cover proofreading, but they do cover topics that are useful for proofreaders to know about:

• Portland Proof : This is a proofreading service that also hosts free tests on their website. Their quizzes feel more like games. You have to pick the erroneous word and then correct it, but your speed is tested along with how many right answers you get. The errors mostly involve spelling and homophones.
• GrammarBook.com : You can find quizzes on all kinds of language skills here, including grammar, punctuation, and how to use numbers in writing.
• Grammar Monster : This site also has lots of tests on grammar, punctuation, and other topics that proofreaders need to know about.
• Grammar Lion : This site, where you can sign up for paid grammar courses, offers a 20-question test that asks about various grammar points rather than getting you to correct errors in a text.
• CMOS Shop Talk : This is a blog about the Chicago Manual of Style. It has a page full of multiple-choice tests on using Chicago style, including one on how to proofread .

Robert Jellison

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Robert is a writer and editor for SideHustles.com. He has 7+ years of experience in freelance writing and previously worked as the in-house editor for Compose.ly, a platform for remote and part-time writers.

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Proofreading

Proofreading is an essential life and exam skill for KS3 and GCSE students to develop. These accessible resources will take them step by step through the process, to help them to edit their own work more effectively. 

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Recognising and avoiding ambiguity 5 3 reviews Main Subject English Category Proofreading Writing skills Language English Resource type Student activity File 127.5 KB Download

Cambridge English: Advanced

Try these exercises to see how well you can spot common mistakes in English

• Writing Class
• Proofreading

Writing Class: Proofreading

We all know the importance of proofreading work to check for grammar and vocabulary mistakes. These exercises will give you the chance to practise proofreading to see how well you can identify common mistakes made at CAE level. When you've finished, watch our video on how to proofread your work using the CAE assessment criteria .

Tip: Become aware of the kind of mistakes you often make in your writing and look out for these when you proofread your work. In the meantime, try proofreading some of our student makeovers .

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EnglishForEveryone.org

Paragraph correction worksheets terms of use, beginning level paragraph correction worksheets.

• Answer Key - This is the answer key to beginning level worksheets.
• Beginning Paragraph Correction Worksheet 1
• Beginning Paragraph Correction Worksheet 2
• Beginning Paragraph Correction Worksheet 3
• Beginning Paragraph Correction Worksheet 4
• Beginning Paragraph Correction Worksheet 5
• Beginning Paragraph Correction Worksheet 6
• Beginning Paragraph Correction Worksheet 7
• Beginning Paragraph Correction Worksheet 8
• Beginning Paragraph Correction Worksheet 9
• Beginning Paragraph Correction Worksheet 10
• Beginning Paragraph Correction Worksheet 11
• Beginning Paragraph Correction Worksheet 12
• Beginning Paragraph Correction Worksheet 13
• Beginning Paragraph Correction Worksheet 14
• Beginning Paragraph Correction Worksheet 15

Intermediate Level Paragraph Correction Worksheets

• Answer Key - This is the answer key to intermediate level worksheets.
• Intermediate Paragraph Correction Worksheet 1
• Intermediate Paragraph Correction Worksheet 2
• Intermediate Paragraph Correction Worksheet 3
• Intermediate Paragraph Correction Worksheet 4
• Intermediate Paragraph Correction Worksheet 5
• Intermediate Paragraph Correction Worksheet 6
• Intermediate Paragraph Correction Worksheet 7
• Intermediate Paragraph Correction Worksheet 8
• Intermediate Paragraph Correction Worksheet 9
• Intermediate Paragraph Correction Worksheet 10
• Intermediate Paragraph Correction Worksheet 11
• Intermediate Paragraph Correction Worksheet 12
• Intermediate Paragraph Correction Worksheet 13
• Intermediate Paragraph Correction Worksheet 14
• Intermediate Paragraph Correction Worksheet 15

Advanced Level Paragraph Correction Worksheets

• Answer Key - This is the answer key to advanced level worksheets.
• Advanced Paragraph Correction Worksheet 1
• Advanced Paragraph Correction Worksheet 2
• Advanced Paragraph Correction Worksheet 3
• Advanced Paragraph Correction Worksheet 4
• Advanced Paragraph Correction Worksheet 5
• Advanced Paragraph Correction Worksheet 6
• Advanced Paragraph Correction Worksheet 7
• Advanced Paragraph Correction Worksheet 8
• Advanced Paragraph Correction Worksheet 9
• Advanced Paragraph Correction Worksheet 10

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The CIEP’s proofreading exercises: a preview

Annie Deakins leapt at the opportunity to review and proofread the exercises in the CIEP’s new Exercise Bank. In this post, she explains what she reviewed and how she did it.

In this article, I’ll cover:

My role in the review

An overview of the exercise bank, how to proofread an exercise, tips and support.

This was the sequence of the tasks I carried out:

• Do an exercise (as a practice proofread).
• Compare my answer to the model answer and note any differences.
• Read the commentary explaining the model answer.
• Compare the model answer with the final published version (if appropriate).
• Record how long it took to do the exercise.
• Repeat steps 1–5.
• Proofread all the materials – instruction/brief, exercise, model answer, and commentary – by finding typos and inconsistencies. Note down any queries for the training director to review.
• Provide feedback on each exercise: suitability, appropriateness of level, how easy/hard I found them, time taken and suggest changes for improvements.

There are nine proofreading exercises in the bank. Permission was obtained from the authors and/or publishers to introduce errors for the purpose of proofreading practice. The exercises vary in difficulty from level 1 (reasonably straightforward, no complex elements) increasing to level 3 (complex, detailed exercises; may include complex figures/graphs/illustrations and/or references or other elements). The exercises are a variety of lengths, so I could pick and choose to fit them around my schedule.

The Exercise Bank covers a variety of topics including fiction and non-fiction, published through traditional channels, or by businesses and self-publishers. Examples include: a chapter from a business book that was traditionally published; an extract from a self-published novel by a first-time author; the programme for a conference by a medical organisation; a story from a traditionally published children’s magazine; and a market report for a technical industry (print finishing).

Each exercise includes background information and a brief which explains the task. Sometimes a house style is provided. If a house style is not provided, you are asked to compile a style sheet.

Open the file and check all the components are present. In the case of this bank of exercises there will be a brief or cover letter, exercise, model answer (or two), commentary, and final clean copy (if applicable).

Read what the brief requires. There might be a particular emphasis on layout, or a need for amendments to be kept to a minimum because of a tight publishing schedule. There may be a need to respect the author’s voice, particularly in fiction.

Examples of errors to be found range from a missing full stop at the end of a paragraph to erroneous capitalisation or the wrong word or term. Others include layout issues and tables that are incorrectly formatted, or wrongly entered numbers.

When something amiss jumps out at you, it’s okay to brag inwardly about the error caught (oh yes, that was sneaky). Add any errors missed (oh no, that was sneaky!) to your personal list of areas for improvement.

The model answers include examples of author queries to indicate where confusion is present in the text. Indeed, tips accompany the exercises on how to differentiate mark-up between instructions to the typesetter and queries to the client. So valuable. Model queries show how to be fair, polite and respectful.

Explanations

Checking the exercise against the model answer was the best part for me – I managed to resist the temptation to peek before finishing the task … When reading the explanations in the commentary, there were always learning points for the reasons behind the mark-up in the model answer.

• If the text is too distracting with, say, small font or too much colour in a leaflet, enlarging content by zooming in on the PDF can help identify errors.
• Prior knowledge of BSI symbols is useful. Guidance is given if you have not used proofreading stamps before. I recommend doing the CIEP’s Proofreading 1: Introduction course before proceeding with the level 1 bank of exercises.
• A range of model answers are given to show the variety of mark-up methods used and how the marks should appear.
• Support is given with resources, e.g. links are provided for the Adobe Acrobat DC video tutorials and help pages for assistance with marking up PDFs, whether that’s using commenting tools, sticky notes, or BSI symbols.

The exercises are self-paced with no need for a tutor. They work in the same way as Margaret Aherne’s Proofreading Practice book which can be bought through the CIEP (with a discount for members).

Proofreading speed and accuracy increase with practice and confidence. Once you can calculate how many words you can proofread in an hour, it makes it easier to quote for work from prospective clients.

I had already completed CIEP’s suite of proofreading courses, but reviewing these exercises helped me further improve my proofreading skills and gave me confidence in my ability to spot errors and catch inconsistencies. Tackling the proofreading exercises also gave me the confidence to book my place on the CIEP proofreading mentoring scheme . I highly recommend them.

In addition to the proofreading exercises described here, there are seven copyediting exercises and three on grammar.

Visit the Exercise Bank

If you would like to add an exercise to the bank, please get in touch with the training director: training@ciep.uk .

About Annie Deakins

Annie Deakins taught in Essex (via Paisley) for 30 years. She started CIEP proofreading training in 2016 and is an Intermediate Member. She proofreads non-fiction, education, and children’s books. She is a Partner Member of ALLi . Her job portfolio includes tutoring, and she blogs as #TallTartanTalks.

About the CIEP

The  Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) is a non-profit body promoting excellence in English language editing. We set and demonstrate editorial standards, and we are a community, training hub and support network for editorial professionals – the people who work to make text accurate, clear and fit for purpose.

Find out more about:

• joining the Institute
• our training courses
• our directory of trained and experienced freelance members .

Photo credits: colourful shelves by Maarten van den Heuvel ; Practice/Practise by Brett Jordan , both on Unsplash .

Posted by Abi Saffrey, CIEP blog coordinator.

The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the CIEP.

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Proof reading for functional english.

Seven proof reading exercises that can be used as warm ups or as a main teaching focus. Each text includes spelling, grammar and punctuation errors. Two of the exercises also include paragraphing practice.

The different exercises are designed to expose students to a variety of text formats, giving them an idea of the kind of contextual content and the tone of formality or informality to use and include. Discussion on these points can be used to prime those who are unsure of what to include in their own writing work. Text types include two formal letters, a report, emails and more.

With Functional English mapping and answer sheets.

• Log in to post comments
• Purpose of text - Club sandwich instructions
• Step by step letter writing ideas
• Music video and lyrics task sheet
• Proof reading for Early Years students
• Writing a letter of complaint
• Functional Skills Level 1-2 SPAG (spelling, punctuation and grammar) mark sheet
• Functional Skills Entry Level SPAG (spelling, punctuation and grammar) mark sheet
• Pick 'n Mix writing task
• MAPS method: a visual aid to proof reading
• Guy Fawkes Night activities for Functional Skills