which sentence demonstrates correct use of the apostrophe

ATI TEAS 7

ATI TEAS English Practice Test

1. Which sentence demonstrates correct use of the apostrophe?

A. The dog wagged its tail.
B. It's a wonderful day.
C. The dog's tail wagged.
D. It's a big house.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Choice C, 'The dog's tail wagged,' is the correct use of the apostrophe to show possession. In this sentence, the apostrophe is used correctly to indicate that the tail belongs to the dog. Choice A is incorrect as 'it's' is a contraction of 'it is' or 'it has,' not possessive. Choice B is also incorrect as 'Its' should be 'It's' to mean 'It is' or 'It has.' Choice D is incorrect as 'Its'' is grammatically incorrect; the correct form would be 'It's' if it were a contraction or 'Its' if it indicated possession without an apostrophe.

2. What is the most effective way to ensure clarity and conciseness in your writing?

A. Using complex sentence structures and passive voice.
B. Avoiding unnecessary repetition and redundant words.
C. Replacing simple words with more sophisticated synonyms.
D. Adding flowery introductions and lengthy conclusions.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most effective way to ensure clarity and conciseness in writing is by avoiding unnecessary repetition and redundant words. This approach helps in eliminating verbosity and getting straight to the point, making the writing more effective and easier to understand. Using active voice and straightforward language contributes to clarity and ensures the message is conveyed directly and clearly to the reader. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because using complex sentence structures and passive voice (A) can lead to confusion and lack of clarity, replacing simple words with more sophisticated synonyms (C) may introduce unnecessary complexity, and adding flowery introductions and lengthy conclusions (D) can detract from the main message and make the writing less concise.

3. Julia is writing an essay about the influence of technology on interpersonal relationships. Which of the following sentences would NOT be a relevant supporting detail?

A. Studies show that the more teenagers engage in social media, the less they engage with their peers.
B. College students study and work on homework an average of 4-6 hours a day.
C. Use of technology such as smartphones can lead to a lack of engagement in conversations.
D. Some psychologists think that watching TV activates the same part of the brain as having an in-depth conversation.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In an essay focusing on the impact of technology on interpersonal relationships, details about college students' study habits and homework workload are not directly related to the influence of technology on relationships. Choices A, C, and D are more relevant as they directly address the impact of technology, such as social media engagement, smartphone usage affecting conversations, and the comparison between TV-watching and brain activity during conversations.

4. Which of the following words functions as an adverb in the sentence?

A. call
B. earlier
C. could
D. phone

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In the sentence, 'earlier' describes when the Hapsburg rule of the Austro-Hungarian Empire effectively ended. Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs in a sentence. In this case, 'earlier' modifies the verb 'ended,' indicating the time of the action. Choice A 'call' is a verb. Choice C 'could' is a modal verb expressing possibility or ability. Choice D 'phone' is a noun, not an adverb. Therefore, 'earlier' is the only word among the options functioning as an adverb in the sentence.

5. Though the term nomad is often associated with early populations, nomadic cultures exist today, especially in the mountains of Europe and Asia. Which of the following punctuation marks is used incorrectly?

A. the comma after populations
B. the comma after today
C. the apostrophe in mountain’s
D. the period after Asia

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The apostrophe in 'mountain’s' is used incorrectly. The word should be 'mountains' without the apostrophe because it is a plural noun, not possessive. The other choices (A, B, D) have the correct usage of punctuation marks and do not contain errors related to punctuation.