Apostrophes Test (Key Stage 2 Style)

18 Questions on Apostrophes

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Here is an 18-question test on using apostrophes. The questions are written in the Key Stage 2 style. This test is linked to the lesson on using apostrophes in our punctuation section.

	Tick One
Getting ready
Getting ready
Getting ready
Getting ready

Reminder on Using Apostrophes

Apostrophes are used in four ways:

(1) To show possession.

the cat's tail
the teachers' lounge
the men's jackets

Amazing Tip! The letters before the apostrophe always spell the possessor perfectly. So, in the first example, the letters before the apostrophe spell "cat" (not "cats"). In the second, they spell "teachers" (not "teacher"). In the third, they spell "men" (not "mens"). Look again. The letters before the apostrophe always spell the possessor perfectly. This is a 100% rule. If you remember it, you can ignore the seemingly complicated rules that follow.

(2) To write time expressions.

a year's experience
three days' notice
five minutes' break

Amazing Tip! The rule above works for time expressions too! The letters before the apostrophe always spell the unit of time perfectly.

(3) To replace letters in contractions.

didn't
we'll
they're

Amazing Tip! Some writers confuse contractions with normal words (e.g., they're with their). To prevent this error, expand the contraction to the full form (e.g., they are). If your sentence no longer makes sense, then the word you expanded was not a contraction and should not contain an apostrophe. Simple.

(4) To show awkward plurals.