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Higher Education

Using Apostrophes Quiz

For each sentence, select the option in which apostrophes are used correctly (in some cases, the noun/pronoun will need to change form). If the punctuation in the original sentence is correct, select 'The sentence is punctuated correctly.'

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1. Among the premier's many promises is his pledge to stimulate the middle-class's earning power.

a) Among the premiers many promises is his pledge to stimulate the middle-class's earning power.
b) The sentence is punctuated correctly.
c) Among the premier's many promises is his pledge to stimulate the middle-class' earning power.
d) Among the premier's many promises is his pledge to stimulate the middle-classes' earning power.

Answer


2. The instructor found Ben's copy of Shakespeares' play The Winters Tale in the garbage after all the classes were over. (Note: The playwright's full name is William Shakespeare.)

a) The instructor found Ben's copy of Shakespeare's play The Winters Tale in the garbage after all the classes were over.
b) The instructor found Ben's copy of Shakespeare's play The Winter's Tale in the garbage after all the classes were over.
c) The instructor found Bens copy of Shakespeares play The Winter's Tale in the garbage after all the classes were over.
d) The sentence is punctuated correctly.

Answer


3. The introductory paragraph should capture a readers interest while developing the writers credibility.

a) The introductory paragraph should capture a reader's interest while developing the writer's credibility.
b) The sentence is punctuated correctly.
c) The introductory paragraph should capture a readers' interest while developing the writers' credibility.

Answer


4. The Smiths and the O'Neils won the trip to see the Seattle Mariners play the Blue Jays in the Mariners' home town.

a) The Smiths and the O'Neils won the trip to see the Seattle Mariners play the Blue Jays in the Mariners home town.
b) The sentence is punctuated correctly.
c) The Smiths and the O'Neils won the trip to see the Seattle Mariners play the Blue Jays in the Mariner's home town.
d) The Smiths' and the O'Neils' won the trip to see the Seattle Mariners play the Blue Jays in the Mariners' home town.

Answer


5. The teacher wagged a finger at the student who's book was still open: "Someone's not ready for today's quiz on apostrophes."

a) The sentence is punctuated correctly.
b) The teacher wagged a finger at the student whose book was still open: "Someone's not ready for today's quiz on apostrophes."
c) The teacher wagged a finger at the student whose book was still open: "Someone's not ready for todays quiz on apostrophes."
d) The teacher wagged a finger at the student who's book was still open: "Someones not ready for today's quiz on apostrophes."

Answer


6. South Africa, the current crime rate is using up much of the countries GDP.

a) In South Africa, the current crime rate is using up much of the countries' GDP.
b) In South Africa, the current crime rate is using up much of the country's GDP.
c) The sentence is punctuated correctly.

Answer


7. This week's classifieds have several jobs for legal secretaries, all requiring three years experience in solicitor's work.

a) The sentence is punctuated correctly.
b) This week's classifieds have several jobs for legal secretaries, all requiring three years' experience in solicitor's work.
c) This weeks classifieds have several jobs for legal secretaries, all requiring three years experience in solicitor's work.
d) This week's classifieds have several jobs for legal secretaries, all requiring three year's experience in solicitor's work.

Answer


8. The one-child policy involves more than the attempt to control a nation's birth rate: it also involves women's rights.

a) The one-child policy involves more than the attempt to control a nations birth rate: it also involves women's rights.
b) The sentence is punctuated correctly.
c) The one-child policy involves more than the attempt to control a nation's birth rate: it also involves womens rights.
d) The one-child policy involves more than the attempt to control a nations birth rate: it also involves womens' rights.

Answer


9. A students grade point average can affect an employers hiring decision.

a) A student's grade point average can affect an employers hiring decision.
b) A student's grade point average can affect an employer's hiring decision.
c) The sentence is punctuated correctly.
d) A students grade point average can affect an employers' hiring decision.

Answer


10. The series final game is being played in the home team's arena.

a) The series's final game is being played in the home team's arena.
b) The series' final game is being played in the home team's arena.
c) The series final game is being played in the home teams' arena.
d) The sentence is punctuated correctly.

Answer


11. Since the 1980s, Brazil has grown to become the worlds second-largest soy bean producer.

a) Since the 1980s, Brazil has grown to become the world's second-largest soy bean producer.
b) Since the 1980's, Brazil has grown to become the worlds second-largest soy bean producer.
c) Since the 1980's, Brazil has grown to become the world's second-largest soy bean producer.
d) The sentence is punctuated correctly.

Answer


12. Music is part of most people's day, whether it's classical, jazz, rock, or heavy metal.

a) Music is part of most peoples day, whether it's classical, jazz, rock, or heavy metal.
b) Music is part of most peoples' day, whether its classical, jazz, rock, or heavy metal.
c) The sentence is punctuated correctly.
d) Music is part of most people's day, whether its classical, jazz, rock, or heavy metal.
e) Music is part of most peoples day, whether its classical or jazz, rock, or heavy metal.

Answer


13. . Books, music, video games, and DVD's can all be found on Amazon.com, one of the Internets most popular sites.

a) The sentence is punctuated correctly.
b) Books, music, video games, and DVDs can all be found on Amazon.com, one of the Internet's most popular sites.
c) Books', music, video games', and DVD's can all be found on Amazon.com, one of the Internets most popular sites.
d) Books, music, video games, and DVD's can all be found on Amazon.com, one of the Internet's most popular sites.

Answer


14. Although a university's funding can be obtained through fundraisers, donations, and government grants, it's students tuition fees provide most of this financing.

a) Although a university's funding can be obtained through fundraisers, donations, and government grants, its students tuition fees provide most of this financing.
b) Although a university's funding can be obtained through fundraisers, donations, and government grants, its student's tuition fees provide most of this financing.
c) Although a university's funding can be obtained through fundraisers, donations, and government grants, its students' tuition fees provide most of this financing.
d) The sentence is punctuated correctly.
e) Although a universitys funding can be obtained through fundraisers, donations, and government grants, it's students tuition fees provide most of this financing.

Answer


15. Unlike J.R.R. Tolkiens and C.S. Lewis fantasy novels, J.K. Rowlings Harry Potter books are set in todays England.

a) Unlike J.R.R. Tolkien's and C.S. Lewis' fantasy novels, J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books are set in todays England.
b) Unlike J.R.R. Tolkien's and C.S. Lewis's fantasy novels, J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books are set in todays England.
c) The sentence is punctuated correctly.
d) Unlike J.R.R. Tolkiens and C.S. Lewis fantasy novels, J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books are set in today's England.
e) Unlike J.R.R. Tolkien's and C.S. Lewis's fantasy novels, J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books are set in today's England.

Answer


16. Two reasons for pet overpopulation today include society's lack of awareness and pet owners refusal to have their pet's neutered.

a) Two reasons for pet overpopulation today include society's lack of awareness and pet owners' refusal to have their pets neutered.
b) Two reasons for pet overpopulation today include societies lack of awareness and pet owners refusal to have their pet's neutered.
c) Two reasons for pet overpopulation today include society's lack of awareness and pet owner's refusal to have their pets neutered.
d) Two reasons for pet overpopulation today include society's lack of awareness and pet owners refusal to have their pets neutered.
e) The sentence is punctuated correctly.

Answer


17. Its hard to remember that "committed" is spelled with two t's but that "commitment" is spelled with only one t.

a) Its' hard to remember that "committed" is spelled with two ts but that "commitment" is spelled with only one t.
b) The sentence is punctuated correctly.
c) It's hard to remember that "committed" is spelled with two t's but that "commitment" is spelled with only one t.
d) Its hard to remember that "committed" is spelled with two ts but that "commitment" is spelled with only one t.

Answer


18. Nowaday's, rap is used to express one's personal experiences, feelings, and opinions.

a) Nowadays, rap is used to express one's personal experience's, feeling's, and opinion's.
b) Nowadays, rap is used to express one's personal experiences, feelings, and opinions.
c) The sentence is punctuated correctly.
d) Nowadays, rap is used to express ones personal experiences, feelings, and opinions.

Answer


19. The Jones vacation plans were changed when the Mills' dog gave birth to six puppies.

a) The Jones' vacation plans were changed when the Mills' dog gave birth to six puppies.
b) The Joneses vacation plans were changed when the Millses dog gave birth to six puppies.
c) The sentence is punctuated correctly.
d) The Joneses' vacation plans were changed when the Millses' dog gave birth to six puppies.

Answer


20. Diagnosis and treatment of autism are difficult, as its causes are uncertain and a patients ability to give feedback is limited.

a) Diagnosis and treatment of autism are difficult, as its causes are uncertain and a patient's ability to give feedback is limited.
b) Diagnosis and treatment of autism are difficult, as it's causes are uncertain and a patient's ability to give feedback is limited.
c) The sentence is punctuated correctly.
d) Diagnosis and treatment of autism are difficult, as its' causes are uncertain and a patients ability to give feedback is limited.

Answer