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Difficulty: HardPlural and Possessive Nouns and Pronouns

In the late nineteenth century, the Hudson River School painters captured the dramatic, untamed landscapes of the American wilderness, emphasizing the sublime power of nature. The ______ focus on luminous light and atmospheric effects reflected a shared romantic belief in the spiritual renewal offered by the natural world.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A
    artist
  2. B
    artist's
  3. artists'Answer
  4. D
    artists

Answer

artists'
The correct answer is the plural possessive noun 'artists''. The context established in the first sentence refers to a group of painters ('Hudson River School painters'), and the second sentence references a 'shared romantic belief,' indicating that multiple individuals are being discussed. Thus, a plural noun is required. Additionally, because the noun modifies 'focus,' indicating whose focus is being described, a possessive form is necessary. For a regular plural noun ending in -s, the possessive is formed by adding an apostrophe at the end, yielding 'artists'.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the context to determine if the target word should be singular or plural.
The target word refers back to 'painters' from the first sentence, and the sentence mentions a 'shared romantic belief'. Therefore, the noun must be plural.
Establishing the correct number (singular vs. plural) ensures subject-modifier/antecedent agreement.
2
Determine if the target word should be possessive or non-possessive.
The noun modifies the head noun 'focus' (specifically, the focus belonging to the painters), meaning it must be in the possessive case.
A possessive form is required to show ownership or association with the noun 'focus'.
3
Select the correct spelling and apostrophe placement for a plural possessive noun.
The plural form of 'artist' is 'artists'. To make a regular plural noun ending in -s possessive, add an apostrophe after the -s, resulting in 'artists'.
This conforms to Standard English spelling rules for plural possessives.

Key Concept

Plural and Possessive Nouns
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Plural and Possessive Nouns and Pronouns

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