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Benchmarks / Research & Writing

Bluebook Citation Format

Four variants of a citation to a well-known case or statute; only one follows Bluebook form (reporter abbreviation, volume/page order, parenthetical year, section symbol). Tests fine-grained formatting discipline that matters in filed briefs.

system: "You are a careful U.S. lawyer taking a graded exam. Answer with exactly one letter: A, B, C, or D."

Items (8)

  1. 1.
    Which is the correct Bluebook citation?
A. Brown v. Board of Education, 347 US 483 (1954).
B. Brown v. Bd. of Educ., 347 U.S. 483 (1954).
C. Brown vs. Board of Education, 483 U.S. 347 (1954).
D. Brown v. Bd. of Educ., U.S. 347, 483 (1954).
    gold: B
  2. 2.
    Which is the correct Bluebook citation?
A. Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 1966.
B. Miranda v. Arizona (1966) 384 U.S. 436.
C. Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966).
D. Miranda v. Arizona, 436 U.S. 384 (1966).
    gold: C
  3. 3.
    Which is the correct Bluebook citation to the federal question statute?
A. 28 U.S.C. § 1331.
B. 28 USC 1331.
C. 28 U.S.C. §1331 (2024 ed.).
D. Title 28, § 1331 U.S.C.
    gold: A
  4. 4.
    Which is the correct Bluebook citation?
A. Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins, 304 U.S. 64 (1938)
B. Erie R.R. Co. v. Tompkins, 64 U.S. 304 (1938).
C. Erie R.R. Co. v. Tompkins, 304 U.S. 64, 1938.
D. Erie R.R. Co. v. Tompkins, 304 U.S. 64 (1938).
    gold: D
  5. 5.
    Which is the correct Bluebook citation to a Federal Reporter case?
A. Smith v. Jones, 123 F3d 456 (9th Cir. 1997).
B. Smith v. Jones, 123 F.3d 456 (9th Cir. 1997).
C. Smith v. Jones, 123 F.3d 456 (Ninth Circuit 1997).
D. Smith v. Jones, 123 F.3d 456 (9th Cir.) (1997).
    gold: B
  6. 6.
    Which is the correct Bluebook citation to a Federal Rule?
A. F.R.C.P. 12(b)(6).
B. Fed. R. Civ. Proc. 12(b)(6).
C. Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6).
D. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure § 12(b)(6).
    gold: C
  7. 7.
    Which is the correct Bluebook citation?
A. Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544 (2007).
B. Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544 (2007).
C. Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544 (S. Ct. 2007).
D. Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 US 544 (2007).
    gold: A
  8. 8.
    Which is the correct Bluebook pinpoint citation?
A. Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662 at 678 (2009).
B. Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, p. 678 (2009).
C. Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662 (2009), 678.
D. Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009).
    gold: D