PSAT Writing : Identifying Apostrophe Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Identifying Apostrophe Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
There was outrage in the elementary school; the childrens’ recess was shortened by a full ten minutes. No error.
school; the
There was
No error.
shortened by a full ten minutes.
childrens' recess
childrens' recess
Because “children” is an irregularly formed plural, the normal apostrophe rules do not apply. The apostrophe goes before the "s": "There was outrage in the elementary school; the children’s recess was shortened by a full ten minutes."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Punctuation Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The football teams near defeat instigated riots through the streets of the city. No error
instigated
No error
football teams
through the streets
near defeat
football teams
This sentence has an apostrophe mistake. Since "football teams defeat" has a possesive in it, it needs an "'s" ending. The corrected sentence reads, "The football team's near defeat instigated riots through the streets of the city."
Example Question #3 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The boy's teacher had forgotten to correct their homework; she had spent the entire night planning the new geography lesson. No error
homework; she
planning
No error
The boy's
had forgotten
The boy's
Be watchful of possessive plural nouns: here, the correct apostrophe will be at the end of the word: "boys'" is correct because the subject is plural.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Apostrophe Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The Scottish highland cow is infamous for it’s prodigious methane production. No error
No error
infamous for
it's prodigious
is
Scottish
it's prodigious
Here, the wrong form of “its/it’s” is used. With the apostrophe, "it's" means “it is.” The possessive form of "it" is "its." The corrected sentence reads: "The Scottish highland cow is infamous for its prodigious methane production."
Example Question #3 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Magazine advertisement’s from the 1950s frequently portrayed women cooking, cleaning, and playing with children. No error
1950s
cleaning, and
women
advertisement's
No error
advertisement's
The error in the sentence is “advertisement’s,” which should be written as “advertisements.” An apostrophe should be used to show possession (e.g. "Bob’s cat") or when combining two words in a contraction (ex. "it is" can be written as "it’s"). This sentence is referring to magazine advertisements from the 1950s, but the “women cooking, cleaning, and playing” in the magazine advertisements do not belong to the magazine advertisements.
Example Question #3 : Identifying Apostrophe Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Distance was never an obstacle to the Gambardella's; no matter where they were, they made sure to stay in touch with each other. No error
each other
Gambardella's
made sure to
No error
they were
Gambardella's
It is clear from the excerpt that "Gambardella's" is a plural surname. It is not possessive and should not contain an apostrophe. The rest of the sentence is correct as written.
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