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2nd Grade Writing

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.

Question 1

What is the contraction for she is? (contraction)

  1. shes
  2. she's
  3. she'is
Explanation: This tests contractions. 'She's' means 'she is.' The apostrophe replaces the 'i' in 'is.'

Question 2

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

  1. dog's collar
  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 3

Where should the apostrophe go in the contraction didnt?

  1. didn't
  2. didn,t
  3. didnt
Explanation: We use apostrophes in contractions. Didn't means 'did not.' The apostrophe goes where the 'o' is missing.

Question 4

Choose the correct word: you're or your book is on the desk. (ownership)

  1. you're
  2. your
  3. y'our
  4. youre
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 "your" is the possessive form without an apostrophe, meaning the book belongs to you in "your book is on the desk." Choice A "you're" fails because it is the contraction for "you are," which would incorrectly make the sentence "you are book is on the desk," and second graders often confuse you're (you are) with your (belonging to you). To help students: Create two anchor charts: (1) CONTRACTIONS: List you're = you are. (2) POSSESSIVES: Show your = belonging to you (no apostrophe). Teach confusing pairs with visuals: you're (you are) vs your (your book), and practice sentences like "Your book" vs "You're nice."

Question 5

Choose the correct word: It's or Its raining today. (contraction)

  1. Its
  2. It s
  3. It's
  4. Its'
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 "It's" is the contraction for "it is," with the apostrophe replacing the missing "i" in "is," fitting the sentence "It's raining today" meaning "It is raining today." Choice A "Its" fails because it is the possessive form without an apostrophe, which would incorrectly mean "belonging to it" raining, and second graders often confuse it's (it is) with its (belonging to it). To help students: Create two anchor charts: (1) CONTRACTIONS: Show how two words combine with apostrophe replacing missing letters (it + is = it's). (2) POSSESSIVES: Show apostrophe + s pattern for singular ownership (dog + 's = dog's collar). Practice confusing pairs with visuals: it's (it is - two words) vs its (its tail - one word, no apostrophe), and play contraction sorting games where students match phrases like "it is/it's."

Question 6

Which shows ownership correctly: the backpack belongs to Emma?

  1. Emmas backpack
  2. Emma's backpack
  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 7

Choose the correct word: They're or Their playing tag. (contraction)

  1. Theyre
  2. They're
  3. Their
  4. There
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 "They're" is the contraction for "they are," with the apostrophe replacing the "a" in "are," fitting "They're playing tag" meaning "They are playing tag." Choice A "Their" fails because it is the possessive form, which would mean "belonging to them playing tag," and second graders often confuse they're (they are) with their (belonging to them). To help students: Create two anchor charts: (1) CONTRACTIONS: Show they + are = they're. Teach confusing pairs with visuals: they're (they are) vs their (their toys). Practice sentences like "They're coming" vs "Their toys," and use sorting activities.

Question 8

Which shows ownership correctly: the desk belongs to the teacher? (possessive)

  1. teacher's desk
  2. teacher desk
  3. teachers' desk
  4. teachers desk
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 "teacher's desk" shows possession with 's after the singular noun teacher, meaning the desk belongs to the teacher. Choice C "teachers' desk" fails because it uses a plural possessive form incorrectly for a single teacher, and second graders often confuse singular and plural possessives. To help students: Create two anchor charts: (1) POSSESSIVES: Show teacher + 's = teacher's desk for singular. Formula: [person] + 's = belonging to [person]. Practice "Whose desk?" → "teacher's desk," and watch for errors like missing apostrophes or adding them for plurals.

Question 9

Which shows ownership correctly: the backpack belongs to Emma? (possessive)

  1. Emma backpack
  2. Emma's backpack
  3. Emmas' backpack
  4. Emmas backpack
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 "Emma's backpack" shows possession with 's after the singular noun Emma, meaning the backpack belongs to Emma. Choice A "Emmas backpack" fails because it is missing the apostrophe, and second graders often forget apostrophes in possessives like Emmas instead of Emma's. To help students: Create two anchor charts: (1) POSSESSIVES: Show apostrophe + s pattern for singular ownership (Emma + 's = Emma's book). Formula: [person/thing] + 's = belonging to [person/thing]. Practice forming possessives: "The backpack belongs to Emma" → "Emma's backpack," and play "Whose   is this?" games like "Whose backpack?" → "Emma's backpack."

Question 10

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

  1. dont
  2. don't
  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 11

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

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

Question 12

Which shows ownership correctly for the dog's bowl?

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

Question 13

Which word is spelled correctly for a contraction: cannot? (contraction)

  1. cant
  2. ca'nt
  3. can't
  4. can'nt
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 "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.

Question 14

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

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

Question 15

What is the contraction for do not?

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

Question 16

Where should the apostrophe go in: Jamals pencil is sharp.

  1. Jamals
  2. Jamal's
  3. Jama'l
Explanation: This tests possessives. "Jamal's" shows the pencil belongs to Jamal. The apostrophe goes before the "s."

Question 17

Which word is spelled correctly for the contraction cannot?

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

Question 18

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

  1. it's
  2. its
  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 19

How do you show that the book belongs to Emma?

  1. Emmas book
  2. Emma's book
  3. Emmas' book
Explanation: This tests possessives. "Emma's" shows the book belongs to Emma. Add apostrophe and "s" to show ownership.

Question 20

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

  1. Emmas book
  2. Emma's book
  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.