which of the following sentences demonstrates correct use of an apostrophe

ATI TEAS 7

TEAS 7 English Practice Test

1. Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct use of an apostrophe?

A. In one version of the story, there are seven fairies invited to the christening, while in another version there are twelve fairies.
B. Some historians believe that the number twelve represents the shift from a lunar year of thirteen months to a solar year of twelve months.
C. Other historians claim that the symbolism in the fairy tale is more about nature and the shifting seasons.
D. Regardless of its meaning, the fairy tale remains popular and has been immortalized in Tchaikovsky's music for the ballet.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Choice C, 'Other historians claim that the symbolism in the fairy tale is more about nature and the shifting seasons,' demonstrates the correct use of an apostrophe. The apostrophe in 'seasonâ€™s' indicates the possessive form of 'seasons,' correctly showing ownership by the shifting seasons. Choices A, B, and D do not showcase the correct use of an apostrophe. Choice A incorrectly uses 'fairyâ€™s' instead of 'fairies,' which is the plural form of 'fairy.' Choice B uses 'historiansâ€™' which is correct for the possessive form but does not relate to the use of an apostrophe. Choice D correctly uses 'Tchaikovsky's' to indicate possession by Tchaikovsky.

2. Which word is most closely associated with the adjective 'ambiguous'?

A. Precise
B. Vague
C. Definite
D. Straightforward

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The word 'ambiguous' implies having multiple interpretations or uncertainty, which aligns closely with 'vague,' the correct answer. 'Vague' denotes a lack of clarity or definiteness, making it the most appropriate synonym in this context. 'Precise' (Choice A) is the opposite of ambiguous, indicating exactness and clarity, so it is not the best choice. 'Definite' (Choice C) also contrasts with ambiguous as it suggests clear and certain meaning. 'Straightforward' (Choice D) implies directness and simplicity, which does not capture the essence of ambiguity.

3. Which of the following represents the correct plural form of the word 'syllabus'?

A. Syllabus
B. Syllaba
C. Syllabi
D. Syllabis

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct plural form of 'syllabus' is 'syllabi.' In English, when a word ends in -us, the plural form is often changed to -i. Therefore, 'Syllabi' is the correct plural form. Choice A, 'Syllabus,' is the singular form, not the plural. Choice B, 'Syllaba,' does not follow the standard pluralization rule for words ending in -us. Choice D, 'Syllabis,' is an incorrect plural form that does not follow the standard English pluralization rules.

4. Which of the following sentences uses correct subject-verb agreement?

A. There are two constellations that can be seen from the back of the house.
B. At least four of the sheep need to be sheared before the end of summer.
C. Lots of people were auditioning for the singing competition on Saturday.
D. Everyone in the group has completed the assignment on time.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Choice C is the correct answer as it demonstrates proper subject-verb agreement. 'Lots of people' is a plural subject, requiring the plural verb 'were.' The verb 'auditioning' is also in the correct tense to match the subject. Choices A, B, and D contain errors in subject-verb agreement. In Choice A, 'There is two constellations' should be corrected to 'There are two constellations' to match the plural subject. In Choice B, 'four of the sheep needs' should be 'four of the sheep need' to agree with the plural subject. In Choice D, 'Everyone in the group have completed' should be 'Everyone in the group has completed' to match the singular subject 'Everyone.'

5. Which word is misspelled?

A. accommodate
B. acquiesce
C. circumstance
D. indelible

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. The word 'circumstance' is misspelled in the given choices. 'Accommodate,' 'acquiesce,' and 'indelible' are spelled correctly. It is important to pay attention to the spelling of words to ensure clear and accurate communication. 'Circumstance' is a common word, but in this context, it is intentionally misspelled to test your attention to detail.