Examkin

Question

Difficulty: HardApostrophes for Possessives and Contractions

Although the two research teams agreed on the single fossil's age, they disagreed on the specimens' origin and it's classification within the dinosaur family tree.

Which choice most effectively and grammatically completes the underlined portion of the sentence?

  1. A
    specimens' origin and it's
  2. specimen's origin and itsAnswer
  3. C
    specimen's origin and it's
  4. D
    specimens' origin and its

Answer

specimen's origin and its
The correct option correctly uses the singular possessive noun 'specimen's' because the context refers to a single fossil. It also correctly uses the possessive pronoun 'its' to show that the classification belongs to the specimen, avoiding the contraction 'it's' (which means 'it is').

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine if the noun modifying 'origin' should be singular or plural.
The sentence specifies 'the single fossil's age,' which means only one specimen is being discussed. Therefore, the singular possessive form 'specimen's' must be used.
To show ownership or association for a singular noun, add an apostrophe followed by an 's'.
2
Determine if a possessive pronoun or a contraction is needed before 'classification.'
The word modifies 'classification' to show that the classification belongs to the specimen, requiring the possessive pronoun 'its'. The contraction 'it's' (meaning 'it is' or 'it has') would create an ungrammatical phrase ('it is classification').
Possessive pronouns do not use apostrophes, whereas apostrophes in pronouns indicate contractions.
3
Combine the correct singular possessive noun and the correct possessive pronoun.
The combined phrase is 'specimen's origin and its'.
This is the only combination that is grammatically correct and contextually appropriate.

Key Concept

Apostrophes for Possessives and Contractions
Rate this question

Topics

Apostrophes for Possessives and Contractions

More questions from this topic