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. Which of the following is an example of a simple sentence?

A. Although termites are insects.
B. Termites are very industrious insects.
C. Termites are insects, and they are very industrious.
D. Because termites are insects, they are very industrious.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: "Termites are very industrious insects." This is a simple sentence as it contains a subject (termites) and a verb (are) and expresses a complete thought. Choice A is not a simple sentence as it is a dependent clause starting with 'Although' and does not express a complete thought. Choice C is a compound sentence since it consists of two independent clauses joined by the conjunction 'and.' Choice D is a complex sentence with a dependent clause starting with 'Because' and an independent clause.

3. She was really looking forward to the picnic, _________ she feared it might rain that afternoon. Which of the following transition words or phrases is more appropriate to complete the sentence above?

A. after all
B. likewise
C. in other words
D. although

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'D' - 'although.' This transition word is suitable in the context as it indicates a contrast between the excitement of looking forward to the picnic and the worry about rain. 'After all' (choice A) implies a conclusion or reasoning, which doesn't fit the contrast in the sentence. 'Likewise' (choice B) suggests similarity or agreement, which is opposite to the intended contrast. 'In other words' (choice C) signals clarification or providing more details, which is not needed here. Therefore, 'although' is the best choice to convey the contrast between anticipation and concern.

4. Which word has the same root as 'unscathed'?

A. category
B. scar
C. scratch
D. category

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The word 'unscathed' means without harm or damage. The word 'scratch' shares the same root related to physical marks or damage, making it the correct choice. 'Category' and 'scar' do not have the same root as 'unscathed' and are not related to the concept of being unharmed, making them incorrect choices.

5. What transition should be added to the beginning of sentence 2 below: Mr. Shanbourne just nodded?

A. Surprisingly
B. Actually
C. Furthermore
D. Instead

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct transition to add at the beginning of sentence 2 is 'Surprisingly.' This transition sets the tone for something unexpected or contrary to what was anticipated, emphasizing Mr. Shanbourne's reaction as not typical or predicted. Option B, 'Actually,' would not fit well as it does not imply any sense of surprise or contrast. Option C, 'Furthermore,' is used to add information rather than to indicate a surprising turn of events. Option D, 'Instead,' suggests a replacement or choice between alternatives, which is not suitable in this context.