1. B. My mother’s appearance on television is a lively topic of discussion in our town.
The apostrophe in mother’s is correct because she owns her appearance. Option A is wrong because their should be they are. Option C is wrong because theirs should be There is. Option D is wrong because Its should be It’s.
2. The snake was safe in its cage the entire time.
Option A is wrong because Someones should have an apostrophe (Someone’s). Option B is correct because its is possessive. Option C is wrong because the apostrophe should be between the g and s in dog’s. Option D is wrong because they’re should be their.
3. Many people suffered during the hard times of the 1930s.
There should not be an apostrophe with a four digit year. If it was only two digits (‘30s) there would need to be an apostrophe in place of 19. Option A is wrong because children and everyone are already plural. Since they don’t use the s at the end to indicate plural, the apostrophe is before the s because it is only used for ownership. Option B should not have an apostrophe in days. Option C should be your instead of you’re.
4. Everyone’s opinion should be respected.
Option A is wrong because anybodys should have and apostrophe to show ownership of car. Option B needs an apostrophe to show ownership of the backpack (Somebody’s). Option C is correct because everyone owns their opinion. Option D is wrong because your’s should not have an apostrophe.
5. A. Be sure to dot all your i’s.
B is wrong because your’s should not have an apostrophe. Option C is wrong because there should be an apostrophe between the p and s. Option D is wrong because there should not be an apostrophe in 5’s.
6. D. The officer’s car is parked in the driveway.
The officer owns his car, and there is only one officer. Therefore the apostrophe should be between the r and s in officer.
7. B. Where is the actress’ script?
For a noun that ends in s, do not add another s to show ownership, just add the apostrophe.
8. B. The shells are theirs, and the rocks are his.
Theirs is already a possessive pronoun so an apostrophe is not added.
9. D. Give them our ripe lemons.
Our is already a possessive pronoun so an apostrophe is not added. Lemons do not own anything so you don’t add an apostrophe either.
10. B. question
The semicolon should be used to join to complete ideas in one sentence. The first complete idea is “Read each question”. The second idea is “think carefully before you answer.” The semicolon needs to be after the last word of the first complete idea.
11. C. Be prepared to mix these ingredients: flour, sugar, baking soda, eggs, and salt.
A colon should only be used if the sentence can end before the colon. This sentence is complete without the list of ingredients so it is correctly punctuated.
12. D. My sister has three favorite pastimes: surfing, sewing, and reading.
A colon should only be used if the sentence can end before the colon. This sentence is complete without the list of pastimes so it is correctly punctuated.
13. C. This book would be appropriate for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.
This is punctuated correctly because a colon is not needed before the list.
14. A. The buffet table included roast beef, salad, baked potatoes, and rolls.
This is punctuated correctly because a colon is not needed before the list.
15. The little boy proudly recited four letters: A, B, C, and D.
The semicolon is correct because it is a complete idea before the semicolon. Option B is not correct because there should be a comma after “Next week”.
16. B. Never divide a one-syllable word.
Just don’t divide a one-syllable word. Option A doesn’t work because there are four letters in send.
17. B. Sweet
Sweet is a one-syllable word so it should not be hyphenated.
18. A. i-ncredible
Hyphenate between syllables. In is the first syllable, not i.
19. A. She has twenty-five snow globes.
Hyphenate compound numbers between 21 and 99. Only hyphenate fractions if they are used as an adjective. Option B one-third is used as an adjective to describe cup so it must be hyphenated. In option D, one third is not used as an adjective so it should not be hyphenated.
20. B. One half of our neighbors have several pets.
Only hyphenate fractions if they are used as an adjective. Option A “one and three eighths” describes inches so it needs a hyphen. In Option C, “one third” describes mile so it should be hyphenated. In Option D, “two-thirds” is not an adjective so it does not need a hyphen.
