- What is the contraction for do not?
Answer: don't
Don't is correct because it is the proper contraction for do not, with the apostrophe replacing the missing o. Dont is missing the apostrophe. Do'nt puts the apostrophe in the wrong spot, before the n. Dont' puts the apostrophe at the very end, which is also wrong. The correct contraction is don't.
- Which shows ownership correctly: the collar belongs to the dog. (possessive)
Answer: dog's collar
This tests showing ownership. We add apostrophe + s to show one dog owns something. 'Dog's collar' means the collar belongs to one dog.
- How do you show that the book belongs to Emma? (possessive)
Answer: Emma's book
This tests possessive names. We add apostrophe + s to Emma to show ownership. 'Emma's book' means the book belongs to Emma.
- Which word needs an apostrophe to show that something belongs to someone? The students pencils are missing.
Answer: students
Students needs an apostrophe to show the pencils belong to the students, as in students'. Pencils is the thing owned, not the owner. Missing is a describing word, not an owner. Are is a verb. The owner word, students, needs the apostrophe.
- Which word is spelled correctly: We ____ going home. (we are)
Answer: we're
This tests contractions. "We're" means "we are." The apostrophe shows where the "a" is missing.
- Choose the correct word: It's time to go outside.
Answer: It's
This tests contractions. "It's" means "it is." The apostrophe shows where the letter "i" is missing.
- Which answer correctly shows that a desk belongs to one teacher?
Answer: teacher's desk
Teacher's desk uses an apostrophe before the s to show that one teacher owns the desk, so it is correct. Teacher desk is missing the apostrophe, so it does not show ownership. Teachers' desk shows that the desk belongs to more than one teacher, which is not what the sentence means. Teachers desk is missing the apostrophe entirely, so it cannot show ownership.
- Which answer correctly shows that the backpack belongs to Grace?
Answer: Grace's backpack
Grace's backpack uses an apostrophe and s to show that the backpack belongs to Grace, so answer B is correct. Choice A is wrong because it is missing the apostrophe and s. Choice C is wrong because the apostrophe is in the wrong place for one owner. Choice D is wrong because it needs an apostrophe before the s to show ownership.
- Which word correctly completes the sentence? ___ playing tag together.
Answer: They're
They're is correct because it is a contraction for they are, and the sentence means they are playing tag. Theyre is missing the apostrophe. Their shows ownership, which does not fit here. There tells about a place. They're means they are.
- _____ book is on the desk. Which word correctly completes the sentence?
Answer: your
Your shows that the book belongs to someone, so answer B is correct. You're is a contraction meaning you are, which does not fit. You are also means you are, which does not fit here. Youre is missing the apostrophe and is not a real word.
- What is the contraction for I am?
Answer: I'm
I'm is correct because the apostrophe takes the place of the missing a in am. Im is missing the apostrophe. I m has a space and no apostrophe. I'am keeps the a, which the contraction should drop. The correct contraction is I'm.
- Where should the apostrophe go in the contraction didnt?
Answer: didn't
We use apostrophes in contractions. Didn't means 'did not.' The apostrophe goes where the 'o' is missing.
- Choose the correct contraction for "do not" in this sentence: I ___ run inside.
Answer: don't
This tests CCSS.L.2.2.c (using apostrophes to form contractions and frequently occurring possessives). An apostrophe (') has two main uses in grade 2: (1) CONTRACTIONS: When we combine two words into one shorter word, the apostrophe takes the place of the missing letter(s). Examples: do not → don't (apostrophe replaces "o"), cannot → can't, I am → I'm, it is → it's, you are → you're, they are → they're, I will → I'll. (2) POSSESSIVES: To show that something belongs to someone, we add apostrophe + s ('s) to the end of a singular noun. Examples: Emma's book (book belonging to Emma), dog's collar (collar belonging to dog), teacher's desk (desk belonging to teacher). Watch out for confusing pairs: it's = it is (contraction), its = belonging to it (possessive, no apostrophe); you're = you are (contraction), your = belonging to you (possessive, no apostrophe); they're = they are (contraction), their = belonging to them (possessive, no apostrophe). Choice B is correct because "don't" shows the apostrophe in the correct place replacing the missing 'o' in the contraction for "do not." Choice A is incorrect because "dont" is missing the apostrophe, a common mistake where second graders forget to add it in contractions. To help students, create two anchor charts: (1) CONTRACTIONS: Show how two words combine with apostrophe replacing missing letters (do + not = don't, I + am = I'm, it + is = it's, you + are = you're). List frequently used contractions: can't, don't, won't, isn't, didn't, doesn't, I'm, it's, that's, you're, we're, they're, I'll. (2) POSSESSIVES: Show apostrophe + s pattern for singular ownership (Emma + 's = Emma's book, dog + 's = dog's collar). Practice expanding contractions: See "can't" → ask "What two words?" → cannot.
- Which word correctly completes the sentence? The students lost ___ pencils.
Answer: their
Their is correct because it is the possessive word that shows the pencils belong to the students. They're is a contraction for they are, which does not show ownership. There points to a place, so it does not fit a sentence about ownership. Their is the only word that correctly shows the pencils belong to the students.
- Which shows ownership correctly for the dog's bowl?
Answer: dog's bowl
This tests possessives. "Dog's" shows one dog owns the bowl. The apostrophe and "s" mean "belongs to."
- Which word is spelled correctly for a contraction: cannot? (contraction)
Answer: can't
This tests CCSS.L.2.2.c (using apostrophes to form contractions and frequently occurring possessives). An apostrophe (') has two main uses in grade 2: (1) CONTRACTIONS: When we combine two words into one shorter word, the apostrophe takes the place of the missing letter(s). Examples: do not → don't (apostrophe replaces "o"), cannot → can't, I am → I'm, it is → it's, you are → you're, they are → they're, I will → I'll. (2) POSSESSIVES: To show that something belongs to someone, we add apostrophe + s ('s) to the end of a singular noun. Examples: Emma's book (book belonging to Emma), dog's collar (collar belonging to dog), teacher's desk (desk belonging to teacher). Watch out for confusing pairs: it's = it is (contraction), its = belonging to it (possessive, no apostrophe); you're = you are (contraction), your = belonging to you (possessive, no apostrophe); they're = they are (contraction), their = belonging to them (possessive, no apostrophe). Choice C is correct because "can't" is the contraction for "cannot," with the apostrophe replacing the missing "no" in "not." Choice B "ca'nt" fails because it puts the apostrophe in the wrong place, and second graders often misplace apostrophes in contractions like ca'nt instead of can't. To help students: Create two anchor charts: (1) CONTRACTIONS: Show cannot + apostrophe = can't. List contractions like can't, don't, won't. Practice with physical apostrophe: Students hold cards and stand where the apostrophe goes in "cannot" on the board.
- Which word needs an apostrophe to show that something belongs to someone? The dogs tail wagged.
Answer: dogs
Dogs needs an apostrophe to show the tail belongs to the dog, as in dog's. The is a small word before the noun, not an owner. Tail is the thing owned, not the owner. Wagged is a verb. The owner word, dogs, takes the apostrophe.
- What is the contraction for do not?
Answer: don't
This tests contractions. "Don't" is short for "do not." The apostrophe goes where the "o" is missing.
- Where should the apostrophe go in: "Theos pencil is sharp"?
Answer: Theo's
Theo's is correct because the apostrophe and s show that the pencil belongs to Theo. Theos has no apostrophe, so it does not show ownership. Th'eo puts the apostrophe inside the name, which is wrong. Theos' puts it at the end, which is for plural owners. Theo's shows the pencil belongs to Theo.
- What is the contraction for she is?
Answer: she's
She's is correct because the apostrophe takes the place of the missing i in is. Shes is missing the apostrophe. She'is keeps the i, which the contraction should drop. Shes' puts the apostrophe at the end, in the wrong spot. The correct contraction is she's.
