New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE) Early Childhood Practice Test

Which of the following is a convention of written English?

1. Using only lowercase letters

2. Leaving a space between words

3. Writing without punctuation

4. Ignoring capital letters at the beginning of sentences

The correct answer is: Leaving a space between words

The correct answer highlights a fundamental convention of written English, which is the practice of leaving a space between words. This spacing helps to clearly delineate individual words, facilitating reading and comprehension. Without spaces, text would appear as a continuous string of letters, making it difficult for readers to interpret meaning and context. Using only lowercase letters, writing without punctuation, and ignoring capital letters at the beginning of sentences do not adhere to the established conventions of written English. Each of these practices can lead to confusion and ambiguity in written communication. Proper use of capitalization, punctuation, and spacing are essential for clarity and understanding in written text.