SAT Writing : Correcting Apostrophe Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #71 : Correcting Apostrophe Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
All four of the boy's had their toys wrecked by the flood; the poor children were terribly disappointed.
All four of the boys' had their toys wrecked by the flood;
All four of the boys' had their toys wrecked by the flood;
All four of the boy's had their toys wrecked by the flood:
All four of the boy's had their toys wrecked by the flood;
All four of the boys had their toys wrecked by the flood;
All four of the boys had their toys wrecked by the flood;
Use an apostrophe to indicate possession, if the noun ends in "s" then the apostrophe should follow the "s." If the noun does not end in "s" then add an "s" after the apostrophe. The apostrophe in "boys" above is erroneous (there is no possession indicated) and should be deleted.
Example Question #191 : Correcting Punctuation Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The house of cards was compromised utterly: it's structural integrity simply was not enough for the load it had to bear.
The house of cards was compromised utterly, but its structural integrity simply was not enough for the load it had to bear.
The house of cards was compromised utterly: it's structural integrity simply was not enough for the load it had to bear.
The house of cards was compromised utterly: its' structural integrity simply was not enough for the load it had to bear.
The house of cards was compromised utterly: its structural integrity simple was not enough for the load it had to bear.
The house of cards was compromised utterly: its structural integrity simply was not enough for the load it had to bear.
The house of cards was compromised utterly: its structural integrity simply was not enough for the load it had to bear.
“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. The best way to correct the example sentence is, "The house of cards was compromised utterly: its structural integrity simply was not enough for the load it had to bear."
Note that a colon can be used to separate two clauses where the first clause is an independent clause, and the second clause explains, defines, or clarifies the first clause.
Example Question #192 : Correcting Punctuation Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I know that life can be hard, but its also quite beautiful if you allow for it to be.
I know that life can be hard, and its also quite beautiful if you allow for it to be.
I know that life can be hard, but its also quite beautiful if one allows for it to be.
I know that life can be hard, but it's also quite beautiful if you allow for it to be.
I know that life can be hard, or its also quite beautiful if you allow for it to be.
I know that life can be hard, but its also quite beautiful if you allow for it to be.
I know that life can be hard, but it's also quite beautiful if you allow for it to be.
“It’s” is a contraction of "it is." “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. In this case, we can see that the "its" is supposed to be acting as a verb, so the best way to correct the example sentence is, "I know that life can be hard, but it's also quite beautiful if you allow for it to be."
Example Question #193 : Correcting Punctuation Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The very old mens' coats were battered and ruined in the storm, but they trudged on.
The very old mens coat's were battered and ruined in the storm, but they trudged on.
The very old mens coats were battered and ruined in the storm, but they trudged on.
The very old mens' coats were battered and ruined in the storm, but they trudged on.
The very old mens's coats were battered and ruined in the storm, but they trudged on.
The very old men's coats were battered and ruined in the storm, but they trudged on.
The very old men's coats were battered and ruined in the storm, but they trudged on.
Use an apostrophe to indicate possession, if the noun ends in "s" then the apostrophe should follow the "s." If the noun does not end in "s" then add an "s" after the apostrophe. The plural of "man" is "men," not "mens." The best way to correct the underlined portion above is, "The very old men's coats were battered and ruined in the storm, but they trudged on."
Example Question #72 : Correcting Apostrophe Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Its hard to understand Viktor, because his accent is incredibly thick.
Its hard to understand Viktor, his accent is incredibly thick.
Its hard to understand Viktor, because his accent is incredibly thick.
It's hard to understand Viktor, his accent is incredibly thick.
It's hard to understand Viktor, because his accent is incredible thick.
It's hard to understand Viktor, because his accent is incredibly thick.
It's hard to understand Viktor, because his accent is incredibly thick.
“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. In this sentence we can tell that a verb is needed, so obviously the best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "It's hard to understand Viktor, because his accent is incredibly thick."
Note that because it is modifying the verb "is" "incredibly" needs to be an adverb, not an adjective.
Example Question #72 : Correcting Apostrophe Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I cant understand why you treat your mother that way: it's abysmal behavior.
I cant understand why you treat your mother that way: it's abysmal behavior.
I can't not understand why you treat your mother that way: it's abysmal behavior.
I cant understand why you treat your mother that way, it's abysmal behavior.
I can't understand why you treat your mother that way: it's abysmal behavior.
I cant understand why you treat your mother that way; it's abysmal behavior.
I can't understand why you treat your mother that way: it's abysmal behavior.
The word "cant" means something entirely different from the word "can't," which is a contraction of the words "can" and "not." "Cant" refers to hypocritical discourse. The latter is clearly what should be in the sentence above, and as such, the best way to correct the underlined portion is, "I can't understand why you treat your mother that way: it's abysmal behavior."
Example Question #72 : Correcting Apostrophe Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The tower was crumbling: it's foundations had borne far too many years of abuse.
The tower was crumbling, and it's foundations had borne far too many years of abuse.
The tower was crumbling: its foundations had borne far too many years of abuse.
The tower was crumbling; it's foundations had borne far too many years of abuse.
The tower was crumbling: it's foundations had borne far too many years of abuse.
The tower was crumbling: it is foundations had borne far too many years of abuse.
The tower was crumbling: its foundations had borne far too many years of abuse.
“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. In the sentence above, we can see that a verb would be extremely strange in place of the "it's," so the best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "The tower was crumbling: its foundations had borne far too many years of abuse."
Example Question #1541 : Sat Writing
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
When it's been a long day, theres nothing I look forward to more than eating a nice meal.
When it's been a long day, theres nothing I look forward to more than eating a nice meal.
When it's been a long day, theres' nothing I look forward to more than eating a nice meal.
When it's been a long day: there's nothing I look forward to more than eating a nice meal.
When it's been a long day: theres nothing I look forward to more than eating a nice meal.
When it's been a long day, there's nothing I look forward to more than eating a nice meal.
When it's been a long day, there's nothing I look forward to more than eating a nice meal.
"There's" is a contraction of the words there and is, while "theres" is not a word. In the sentence above, we can see that "is" makes sense in the sentence above, so the best way to correct the sentence above is, "When it's been a long day, there's nothing I look forward to more than eating a nice meal."
Example Question #75 : Correcting Apostrophe Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The local church has it's ducks in a row as far as charitable donations go, but there are a number of other problems within the organization.
The local church has its ducks in a row as far as charitable donations go and there are a number of other problems within the organization.
The local church has its ducks in a row as far as charitable donations go, but there are a number of other problems within the organization.
The local church has it's ducks in, a row as far as charitable donations go, but there are a number of other problems within the organization.
The local church has its ducks in a row as far as charitable donations go but there are a number of other problems within the organization.
The local church has it's ducks in a row as far as charitable donations go, but there are a number of other problems within the organization.
The local church has its ducks in a row as far as charitable donations go, but there are a number of other problems within the organization.
“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. In the sentence above we can see that clearly the intention is to act as a possessive. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "The local church has its ducks in a row as far as charitable donations go, but there are a number of other problems within the organization."
Example Question #76 : Correcting Apostrophe Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Its very hard to find good help these days; most people are entitled and lazy.
It's very hard to find good help these days, most people are entitled and lazy.
It's very hard to find good help these days; most people are entitled and lazy.
Its very hard to find good help these days and most people are entitled and lazy.
Its very hard to find good help these days, most people are entitled and lazy.
Its very hard to find good help these days; most people are entitled and lazy.
It's very hard to find good help these days; most people are entitled and lazy.
“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. The example sentence needs a verb, so the best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "It's very hard to find good help these days; most people are entitled and lazy."
Note that a semicolon is correctly used to separate two independent clauses.
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