2nd Grade Writing Quiz: Use Apostrophes For Contractions And Possessives
20 questions · exam conditions
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Use Apostrophes For Contractions And PossessivesQuestion 1 of 20

Which shows ownership correctly: the collar belongs to the dog. (possessive)

dog's collar
dogs collar
dogs' collar
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2nd Grade Writing Quiz

2nd Grade Writing Quiz: Use Apostrophes For Contractions And Possessives

Practice Use Apostrophes For Contractions And Possessives in 2nd Grade Writing with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Use Apostrophes For Contractions And Possessives, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for 2nd Grade Writing.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

Which shows ownership correctly: the collar belongs to the dog. (possessive)

  1. dog's collar (correct answer)
  2. dogs collar
  3. dogs' collar
Explanation: This tests showing ownership. We add apostrophe + s to show one dog owns something. 'Dog's collar' means the collar belongs to one dog.

Question 2

  book is on the desk. Which word correctly completes the sentence?

  1. you're
  2. your (correct answer)
  3. you are
  4. youre
Explanation: 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.

Question 3

Which shows ownership correctly: the backpack belongs to Emma?

  1. Emmas backpack
  2. Emma's backpack (correct answer)
  3. Emmas' backpack
Explanation: We use apostrophes to show ownership. Emma's means it belongs to Emma. Add apostrophe and 's' to show one person owns something.

Question 4

Which answer correctly shows that the backpack belongs to Grace?

  1. Grace backpack
  2. Grace's backpack (correct answer)
  3. Graces' backpack
  4. Graces backpack
Explanation: 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.

Question 5

Which word is spelled correctly: We   going home. (we are)

  1. were
  2. we're (correct answer)
  3. wer'e
Explanation: This tests contractions. "We're" means "we are." The apostrophe shows where the "a" is missing.

Question 6

Choose the correct contraction for "do not" in this sentence: I   run inside.

  1. dont
  2. don't (correct answer)
  3. do'nt
  4. do not
Explanation: 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.

Question 7

Choose the correct contraction for "do not" in this sentence: I   want peas.

  1. do'nt
  2. dont
  3. don't (correct answer)
  4. do not
Explanation: 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 "don't" shows the apostrophe in the correct place replacing the missing 'o' in the contraction for "do not." Choice A is incorrect because "do'nt" has the apostrophe in the wrong place, which is a common mistake where second graders might misplace it instead of replacing the missing letter. 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). Formula: [person/thing] + 's = belonging to [person/thing]. Teach confusing pairs with visuals: it's (it is - two words) vs its (its tail - one word, no apostrophe), you're (you are) vs your (your book), they're (they are) vs their (their toys). Practice expanding contractions: See "can't" → ask "What two words?" → cannot. Practice forming possessives: "The book belongs to Emma" → "Emma's book." Contraction sorting: Give list of two-word phrases and contractions, students match (do not/don't, I am/I'm). Possessive practice: "Whose   is this?" games - "Whose backpack?" → "Emma's backpack." Physical apostrophe: Students hold apostrophe cards and stand where apostrophe goes in words written on board. Watch for: missing apostrophes (cant, dont, Emmas book), apostrophes in wrong place (do'nt, E'mmas), confusing it's/its ("Its raining" should be "It's"), confusing your/you're ("Your nice" should be "You're"), confusing their/they're ("Their coming" should be "They're"), adding apostrophes to possessive pronouns (her's, their's - wrong), using apostrophes for plurals ("The dog's are playing" should be "dogs").

Question 8

Which shows ownership correctly for the dog's bowl?

  1. dogs bowl
  2. dog's bowl (correct answer)
  3. dogs' bowl
Explanation: This tests possessives. "Dog's" shows one dog owns the bowl. The apostrophe and "s" mean "belongs to."

Question 9

Choose the correct word: It's time to go outside.

  1. Its
  2. It's (correct answer)
  3. Its'
Explanation: This tests contractions. "It's" means "it is." The apostrophe shows where the letter "i" is missing.

Question 10

What is the contraction for do not?

  1. dont
  2. do'nt
  3. don't (correct answer)
Explanation: This tests contractions. "Don't" is short for "do not." The apostrophe goes where the "o" is missing.

Question 11

Which word is spelled correctly for the contraction cannot?

  1. cant
  2. ca'nt
  3. can't (correct answer)
Explanation: This tests contractions. "Can't" is short for "cannot." The apostrophe shows where "no" is missing.

Question 12

Choose the correct word: The bird flapped   wings. (belongs to it)

  1. it's
  2. its (correct answer)
  3. its'
Explanation: This tests possessives. "Its" shows the wings belong to the bird. No apostrophe is needed for "its" when it means ownership.

Question 13

How do you show that the book belongs to Emma? (possessive)

  1. Emmas book
  2. Emma's book (correct answer)
  3. Emmas' book
Explanation: This tests possessive names. We add apostrophe + s to Emma to show ownership. 'Emma's book' means the book belongs to Emma.

Question 14

Choose the correct word: Yuki says, "Its/It's time for lunch."

  1. Its
  2. It's (correct answer)
  3. It,s
Explanation: We use apostrophes in contractions. It's means 'it is.' The apostrophe shows where the letter 'i' is missing.

Question 15

How do you show that the desk belongs to the teacher?

  1. teachers desk
  2. teacher's desk (correct answer)
  3. teacher,s desk
Explanation: We use apostrophes to show ownership. Teacher's means it belongs to the teacher. Add apostrophe and 's' to show ownership.

Question 16

Choose the correct word: "Your/You're my friend," says Carlos.

  1. You're (correct answer)
  2. Youre
  3. Your
Explanation: We use apostrophes in contractions. You're means 'you are.' Your means something belongs to you.

Question 17

Which shows ownership correctly: the tail belongs to the dog?

  1. dog's tail (correct answer)
  2. dogs' tail
  3. dogs tail
Explanation: We use apostrophes to show ownership. Dog's means it belongs to one dog. Add apostrophe and 's' to the owner.

Question 18

What is the contraction for I am?

  1. I'm (correct answer)
  2. Im
  3. I,m
Explanation: We use apostrophes in contractions. I'm means 'I am.' The apostrophe shows where the 'a' is missing.

Question 19

Which word is spelled correctly for the contraction: do not?

  1. dont
  2. do'nt
  3. don't (correct answer)
Explanation: We use apostrophes in contractions. Don't means 'do not.' The apostrophe goes where the 'o' is missing.

Question 20

Which word correctly completes the sentence? The students lost   pencils.

  1. they're
  2. their (correct answer)
  3. there
Explanation: 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.