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Question

Difficulty: EasyPlural and Possessive Nouns and Pronouns

Complete the passage. What is the grammatically correct form of the noun 'butterfly' that completes the blank?

Answer:The monarch butterfly is renowned for its incredible long-distance migration, traveling thousands of miles across North America each autumn. During this arduous journey, the insect must find safe places to rest and conserve its energy. To protect the 【butterfly's】 delicate wings from heavy rainfall and strong winds, the creature typically seeks shelter beneath the broad leaves of forest trees.

Answer

butterfly's
The sentence requires the singular possessive noun 'butterfly's' to show ownership of the 'delicate wings' belonging to a single butterfly. The context establishes the singular number through singular referents like 'the insect' and 'the creature'. The spelling 'butterfly's' correctly combines the singular noun with an apostrophe and 's' for possession.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine whether the noun should be singular or plural by looking at the context clues.
The passage uses singular clues such as 'The monarch butterfly', 'its incredible long-distance migration', 'the insect', and 'the creature'. Therefore, the noun must be singular.
To ensure grammatical agreement with the singular reference to the insect throughout the passage.
2
Determine if the noun needs to be possessive or non-possessive.
The noun directly precedes and modifies 'delicate wings', indicating that the wings belong to the butterfly. Therefore, the noun must be in the possessive case.
To show ownership of the wings.
3
Form the singular possessive of the noun 'butterfly'.
Add an apostrophe and 's' to the singular noun 'butterfly' to form 'butterfly's'.
To follow standard English conventions for forming singular possessives.

Key Concept

Plural and Possessive Nouns and Pronouns
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Topics

Plural and Possessive Nouns and Pronouns

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