A question about word order and end punctuation tests whether a question is asked directly or reported in a statement. Check word order and the end mark together: direct questions put a verb before the subject and take a question mark; reported questions keep the subject first and take a period. Then read the words leading into the question to see how it’s used. A verb can introduce a reported question, so question words alone don’t make the whole sentence a question.
Hints
- Hint 1
Look at how the sleep question is introduced. Does it follow a verb within the sentence, or is it set apart as a question on its own?
- Hint 2
Check the word order and end mark as a pair. A direct question puts a verb before the subject and takes a question mark; a reported question keeps the subject first and takes a period.
Step-by-step
Check the form, then the context
Step 1Check word order and punctuation
At how many hours of sleep, check word order and the end mark together. Direct questions need a verb before the subject and a question mark; reported questions need the subject first and a period. The do adults version with a period and the adults need version with a question mark mix those patterns, so set them aside.
- Step 2
Read how the question is introduced
Is Kim asking the reader a question, or telling us what he wanted to learn? He set out to determine how many hours of sleep, so the question about sleep follows determine within the same sentence. The words how many name what he wanted to find out, rather than ask the reader for an answer. The sentence reports Kim’s question, which makes it a statement about his research.
- Step 3
Use the reported question form
What word order and end mark does a reported question need? The subject comes before its verb, giving us adults need. The statement ends with a period before To collect accurate data begins the next sentence. Choice A.