Which of the following statements is NOT true about exclamation marks?

The statement that exclamation marks are used to downplay a sentence is not true. In fact, exclamation marks serve the opposite purpose — they emphasize a statement, conveying excitement, strong feelings, or urgency. When an exclamation mark is included, it elevates the intensity of the message rather than diminishing it.

The other statements about exclamation marks are true: they indeed add enthusiasm to writing, express intense emotions such as anger and joy, and are typically placed at the end of a sentence. Each of these functions reinforces the role of exclamation marks in enhancing the expressiveness of language.