Legal Citations: A Comprehensive Guide for Paralegals

Question 1

To cite a law review article from a printed journal using Bluebook format, which structure is correct?

Accepted Answer

Author's Last Name, Article Title, Journal Title Volume Number:Page Number (Year)

Answer

Author's First and Last Name, Article Title, Journal Title Volume Number(Issue Number):Page Number (Year)

Answer

Journal Title, Article Title, Author's Last Name Volume Number:Page Number (Year)

Question 2

When citing a case to the U.S. Supreme Court, which of the following formats is correct?

Accepted Answer

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 347 U.S. 483 (1954)

Answer

Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. (1954).

Answer

Brown v. Board of Education, 1954, 347 U.S.

Question 3

Which of the following is the correct format for citing a case to a federal court of appeals?

Accepted Answer

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 139 F.2d 468 (10th Cir. 1956)

Answer

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 10th Cir. 139 F.2d 468 (1956)

Answer

Brown v. Board of Education, 139 F.2d 468, 10th Cir. (1956)

Question 4

Which of the following formats is used to cite a federal statute?

Accepted Answer

18 U.S.C. § 1001

Answer

18 U.S. Code § 1001

Answer

18 U.S.C 1001

Question 5

Which of the following is the correct format for citing a law review article?

Accepted Answer

Jane Smith, Title of Article, 100 Harv. L. Rev. 1 (2023)

Answer

Jane Smith, Title of Article, Harvard Law Review, Volume 100, 2023

Answer

Jane Smith, 100 Harv. L. Rev. 1, Title of Article (2023)

Question 6

When citing a secondary source that discusses a primary source, it is necessary to include:

Accepted Answer

Both the primary and secondary source citations.

Answer

Only the secondary source citation.

Answer

Only the primary source citation.

Question 7

When citing a website, which of the following elements is NOT required?

Accepted Answer

Author's name

Answer

Title of the website

Answer

URL of the website

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a benefit of using Bluebook citations?

Accepted Answer

Makes it easier for readers to find the sources you misread

Answer

Saves time by providing a consistent format

Answer

Enhances the credibility of your writing

Question 9

When citing a statute, which of the following elements must be included?

Accepted Answer

Section number

Answer

Page number

Answer

Author

Question 10

When citing an administrative regulation, which of the following is NOT required?

Accepted Answer

Author of regulation

Answer

Date of publication

Answer

Code section

Answer

Federal Register citation

Question 11

When citing a legal document in a footnote, which of the following should be used?

Accepted Answer

Superscript Arabic numeral

Answer

Asterisk

Answer

Roman numeral

Answer

Parenthesis

Question 12

Which of the following is the correct citation for a case reported in the United States Supreme Court Reports?

Accepted Answer

Smith v. Jones, 500 U.S. 123 (1999)

Answer

Smith v. Jones, 500 U.S. LEXIS 123 (1999)

Answer

Smith v. Jones, 500 S. Ct. 123 (1999)

Answer

Smith v. Jones, 500 U.S. App'x 123 (1999)

Question 13

What is the correct abbreviation for the Federal Reporter, Third Series?

Accepted Answer

F.3d

Answer

Fed.R.

Answer

Fed.3d

Answer

F.2d

Question 14

Which of the following is the correct way to cite a federal statute?

Accepted Answer

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Answer

42 U.S. Code § 1983

Answer

42 U.S.C.A. § 1983

Answer

42 USC 1983

Question 15

What is the primary purpose of the Bluebook?

Accepted Answer

To provide a uniform system for legal citation

Answer

To index legal materials

Answer

To train legal professionals

Answer

To create a database of legal cases

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a required component of a legal citation for a case?

Accepted Answer

Author's name

Answer

Year of decision

Answer

Case name

Answer

Volume number

Question 17

What is the correct citation for a law review article published in the Harvard Law Review?

Accepted Answer

Smith, The Future of Legal Citation, 100 Harv. L. Rev. 123 (1986)

Answer

Smith, The Future of Legal Citation, 100 Harv. Law. Rev. 123 (1986)

Answer

Smith, The Future of Legal Citation, 100 Harv. L.R. 123 (1986)

Question 18

Which of the following is considered a secondary legal source?

Accepted Answer

Legal encyclopedia

Answer

Case law

Answer

Regulation

Answer

Statute

Question 19

Which of the following is the correct Bluebook citation format for a case decided by the Supreme Court of the United States?

Accepted Answer

**Smith v. Jones, 500 U.S. 123 (1999)**

Answer

Smith v. Jones, 123 F. Supp. 2d 123 (1999)

Answer

Smith v. Jones, 999 F.2d 123 (1999)

Answer

Smith v. Jones, 123 S. Ct. 1234 (1999)

Question 20

What is the correct Bluebook citation format for a federal statute?

Accepted Answer

**42 U.S.C. § 1234**

Answer

123 USC § 42

Answer

123 U.S.C. § 42

Answer

42 USC 1234

Question 21

Which of the following is the correct Bluebook citation format for a law review article?

Accepted Answer

**(Smith, 2023)**

Answer

(2023 Smith)

Answer

Smith (2023)

Answer

Smith, 2023

Question 22

When citing a secondary source, such as a legal encyclopedia, in a footnote, which of the following is the correct Bluebook format?

Accepted Answer

**Am. Jur. 2d**

Answer

Am. Jur., 2d

Answer

Am Jur 2d

Question 23

Which of the following is the correct Bluebook citation format for an online legal database?

Accepted Answer

**LexisNexis and Westlaw**

Answer

LexisNexis & Westlaw

Answer

Lexis, Westlaw

Question 24

What is the primary purpose of using Bluebook citations?

Accepted Answer

**To provide readers with accurate and consistent references to legal sources.**

Answer

To show off the writer's legal knowledge.

Answer

To make legal documents more visually appealing.

Question 25

Which of the following is NOT an element of a proper Bluebook citation?

Accepted Answer

**The author's middle name**

Answer

The date of publication

Answer

The title of the source

Question 26

When using Bluebook citations, what is the significance of using italics?

Accepted Answer

**To indicate the title of a book or periodical.**

Answer

To indicate a quote.

Answer

To indicate the author's name.

Question 27

Which of the following is a recommended resource for learning more about Bluebook citation rules?

Accepted Answer

**The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation**

Answer

Google Scholar

Answer

Wikipedia

Answer

Legal Dictionary

Question 28

How frequently is the Bluebook typically updated?

Accepted Answer

**Every three years**

Answer

Every year

Answer

Every five years

Answer

Every ten years

Question 29

Identify the legal publication that contains the authoritative text of federal laws:

Accepted Answer

United States Code

Answer

Federal Register

Answer

Public Laws

Answer

Code of Federal Regulations

Question 30

What is the primary purpose of using legal citations?

Accepted Answer

To provide readers with the necessary information to locate and verify legal sources

Answer

To impress the reader with the writer's legal expertise

Answer

To add credibility to the writer's argument

Question 31

Explain the main distinction between primary and secondary legal sources:

Accepted Answer

Primary sources are official legal documents, while secondary sources are interpretations or analyses of the law.

Answer

Primary sources are more reliable than secondary sources.

Question 32

Which of the following is an example of a secondary legal source?

Accepted Answer

Legal encyclopedia

Answer

Statute

Answer

Case

Answer

Regulation

Question 33

Why is it important to use a consistent citation style?

Accepted Answer

It ensures that legal citations are accurate, clear, and easy to find.

Answer

It makes legal documents look more professional.

Answer

It helps to avoid plagiarism.

Question 34

According to the Bluebook, how should you cite a case decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2023, found in volume 599 of the United States Reports at page 100?

Accepted Answer

599 U.S. 100 (2023)

Answer

U.S. 599, 100 (2023)

Answer

599 U.S. Rep. 100 (2023)

Answer

Supreme Court Reporter 599, 100 (2023)

Question 35

What is the correct abbreviation for the United States Code in legal citations?

Accepted Answer

U.S.C.

Answer

US Code

Answer

USC

Answer

U.S. Code

Question 36

You need to cite a law review article titled "The Impact of Technology on Legal Research" by Professor Jane Doe, published in the Harvard Law Review in 2022, volume 135, starting on page 100. What is the correct Bluebook citation?

Accepted Answer

Jane Doe, The Impact of Technology on Legal Research, 135 Harv. L. Rev. 100 (2022).

Answer

Doe, Jane, The Impact of Technology on Legal Research, 135 Harvard Law Review 100 (2022).

Answer

Jane Doe, The Impact of Technology on Legal Research, Harvard Law Review, Vol. 135, p. 100 (2022).

Answer

Doe, J., The Impact of Technology on Legal Research, 135 Harv. L. Rev. 100 (2022).

Question 37

When citing a case that has been appealed from a lower court to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, what punctuation should be used between the lower court and the appellate court in the Bluebook citation?

Accepted Answer

A comma

Answer

A semicolon

Answer

A dash

Answer

A colon

Question 38

In a Bluebook citation for a case with multiple parties on each side, how are the parties listed?

Accepted Answer

The plaintiff(s) are listed first, followed by the defendant(s), separated by 'v.'

Answer

The parties are listed in alphabetical order.

Answer

The parties are listed in chronological order of their involvement.

Answer

The parties are listed based on their importance to the case.

Question 39

When citing a federal statute, how do you indicate the specific section of the statute you're referring to?

Accepted Answer

Use the section symbol (§) followed by the section number.

Answer

Use a semicolon and the section number.

Answer

Use parentheses and the section number.

Answer

Use a comma and the section number.

Question 40

If a case has been overruled by a subsequent case, how do you indicate this in the Bluebook citation?

Accepted Answer

Add 'overruled by' followed by the overruling case citation.

Answer

Add a footnote explaining the overruling.

Answer

Use the 'overruled' signal in parentheses.

Answer

Add 'superseded by' followed by the overruling case citation.

Question 41

Which of the following is NOT considered a primary source of legal authority?

Accepted Answer

A legal dictionary

Answer

A federal regulation

Answer

A U.S. Supreme Court case

Answer

A state statute

Question 42

What are the essential components of a legal citation?

Accepted Answer

The name of the court, the case name, and the date of the decision

Answer

The names of the attorneys involved

Answer

The full text of the case

Answer

A brief summary of the case

Question 43

Why is it crucial for paralegals to understand legal citation rules?

Accepted Answer

Accurate citations ensure legal research is reliable and credible.

Answer

Citation rules are required by law.

Answer

Citation rules are a standardized way of referencing legal sources.

Answer

Citation rules make legal documents more visually appealing.

Question 44

You need to cite a case from the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. What abbreviation should you use for this court?

Accepted Answer

9th Cir.

Answer

CA9

Answer

F.3d

Answer

U.S. Ct. App.

Question 45

A case is cited as 'Smith v. Jones, 500 U.S. 123 (1990)'. What does the '500 U.S.' represent?

Accepted Answer

The volume number of the United States Reports where the case is published

Answer

The page number where the case begins

Answer

The year the case was decided

Question 46

What is the purpose of using 'et al.' in a legal citation?

Accepted Answer

To abbreviate the names of multiple parties in a case

Answer

To indicate the case was decided by a panel of judges

Answer

To cite a case that has been appealed

Question 47

You are researching a case from the California Supreme Court.  What abbreviation would you use for this court in a Bluebook citation?

Accepted Answer

Cal.

Answer

CA

Answer

Cal. App.

Answer

Cal. Sup. Ct.

Question 48

You need to cite a state statute that is part of a codified set of laws.  What is the correct Bluebook format for this type of citation?

Accepted Answer

State Code § X.XX (Year)

Answer

State Code X.XX (Year)

Answer

State Code § X.XX

Answer

State Code, X.XX (Year)

Question 49

Which of the following is the correct Bluebook citation for a federal regulation?

Accepted Answer

15 C.F.R. § 16.1 (2023)

Answer

15 U.S.C. § 16.1 (2023)

Answer

15 C.F.R. 16.1 (2023)

Answer

15 Code of Federal Regulations § 16.1 (2023)

Question 50

Which of the following is the correct format for citing a case in the Bluebook?

Accepted Answer

Humphrey v. Davies, 468 U.S. 1144 (1981)

Answer

Humphrey and Davies, 468 U.S. 1144 (1981)

Answer

Davies v. Humphrey, 468 U.S. (1981)

Question 51

When citing a statute, what is the correct element to place in parentheses?

Accepted Answer

Year of enactment

Answer

Title of the code

Answer

Name of the state

Answer

Section number

Question 52

Which of the following is NOT a required element of a legal citation?

Accepted Answer

Date of access

Answer

Name of the author

Answer

Title of the publication

Answer

Page number

Question 53

When citing a secondary source, such as a law review article, what is the correct order of the elements?

Accepted Answer

Author's name, Title of article, Name of publication, Volume, Issue, Page (Year)

Answer

Title of article, Author's name, Name of publication, Volume, Page, Issue (Year)

Answer

Name of publication, Author's name, Title of article, Issue, Volume, Page (Year)

Question 54

Which of the following is the correct abbreviation for the United States Code?

Accepted Answer

U.S.C.

Answer

U.S. Code

Answer

USC

Answer

US Code

Question 55

When citing a federal regulation, what is the correct format for indicating the section number?

Accepted Answer

§

Answer

(§)

Answer

Sec.

Answer

Section

Question 56

Which of the following is the correct way to cite a legal brief?

Accepted Answer

Brief for Appellant

Answer

Brief of Appellant

Answer

Appellant's Brief

Answer

Brief for the Appellant

Question 57

When citing a website, what is the minimum required information to include?

Accepted Answer

Author, Title, Website name, URL, Date of access

Answer

URL, Title, Website name, Date of access

Answer

Author, Title, Website name, URL

Answer

Author, Title, Website name, Date of publication

Question 58

Which of the following is NOT a purpose of legal citation?

Accepted Answer

To avoid plagiarism

Answer

To create a consistent format for legal documents

Answer

To establish credibility

Answer

To provide readers with the source of information

Question 59

When using a parenthetical citation, what is the correct format?

Accepted Answer

(Humphrey v. Davies, 468 U.S. 1144 (1981))

Answer

(Humphrey v. Davies 468 U.S. 1144 (1981)

Answer

Humphrey v. Davies, (468 U.S. 1144 (1981)

Answer

Humphrey v. Davies (468 U.S. 1144 (1981))