Possessive Nouns and Appositives Quiz

Choose the correct possessive form of the singular noun "cat."

• cats

• cat's

• cats'

• cat

Answer explanation

The correct possessive form of the singular noun "cat" is "cat's," indicating ownership. The other options either represent plural forms or the base noun without possession.

Fill in the blank with the correct possessive form: The _______ books were on the table. (students)

• students

• student's

• students'

• students's

Answer explanation

The correct possessive form for multiple students is 'students''. It indicates that the books belong to the students. 'Student's' is singular, 'students's' is incorrect, and 'students' is not possessive.

Which of the following sentences contains a non-essential appositive?

• My cousin Jake loves to skateboard.

• My cousin, Jake, loves to skateboard.

• My cousin who loves to skateboard is Jake.

• My cousin Jake, who loves to skateboard, is here.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'My cousin, Jake, loves to skateboard.' because the appositive 'Jake' is non-essential; it adds extra information but is not necessary to identify 'my cousin'. The other sentences do not contain non-essential appositives.

Identify the possessive form of the plural noun "foxes."

• fox's

• foxes'

• fox'

• foxes's

Answer explanation

The possessive form of the plural noun 'foxes' is 'foxes''. This indicates ownership by multiple foxes, while 'fox's' refers to a single fox. The other options are incorrect forms.

Fill in the blank with the correct possessive form: The _______ nest was in the tree. (bird)

• birds

• bird's

• birds'

• bird

Answer explanation

The correct possessive form is "bird's" because it indicates that the nest belongs to one bird. "Birds" is plural, "birds'" indicates possession by multiple birds, and "bird" is just the noun.

Which sentence contains an essential appositive?

• The artist Vincent van Gogh painted Starry Night.

• Vincent van Gogh, the artist, painted Starry Night.

• The artist, Vincent van Gogh, painted Starry Night.

• Vincent van Gogh, who is an artist, painted Starry Night.

Answer explanation

The sentence "The artist Vincent van Gogh painted Starry Night" contains an essential appositive because it identifies Vincent van Gogh directly as the artist, making it crucial for understanding the sentence.

Choose the correct possessive form of the plural noun "children."

• child's

• childrens'

• children's

• children

Answer explanation

The correct possessive form of the plural noun 'children' is 'children's', indicating something that belongs to the children. 'Child's' refers to one child, while 'childrens'' is incorrect.

Fill in the blank with the correct possessive form: The _______ tail was wagging. (dog)

• dogs

• dog's

• dogs'

• dog

Answer explanation

The correct possessive form is "dog's" because it indicates that the tail belongs to one dog. "Dogs" is plural, "dogs'" is plural possessive, and "dog" is just the noun. Thus, "dog's tail" is the right choice.

Which of the following sentences contains a non-essential appositive phrase?

• My sister, an avid reader, loves fantasy books.

• My sister an avid reader loves fantasy books.

• My sister who is an avid reader loves fantasy books.

• My sister loves fantasy books.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'My sister, an avid reader, loves fantasy books.' because the phrase 'an avid reader' is non-essential, providing extra information about 'my sister' but not necessary for the sentence's meaning.

Identify the possessive form of the singular noun "Chris."

• Chris

• Chris's

• Chris'

• Chriss

Answer explanation

The possessive form of a singular noun typically adds 's. Therefore, the correct form for 'Chris' is 'Chris's', indicating ownership. 'Chris' and 'Chriss' are not possessive, and 'Chris'' is incorrect for this name.