Possessive Nouns — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Choose the correct word: The cat licked ___ paw after lunch.
A) it's
B) its
C) its'
D) it is
Its without an apostrophe shows possession. It's with an apostrophe always means it is.
2. Which sentence is correct?
A) Its raining outside today.
B) It's raining outside today.
C) Its' raining outside today.
D) Its is raining outside today.
It's with an apostrophe is the contraction for it is, so it's raining is correct.
3. Choose the correct word: The children packed ___ bags for the trip.
A) they're
B) theyre
C) their
D) theirs'
Their shows possession and has no apostrophe. They're is short for they are.
4. Which sentence uses they're correctly?
A) They're coats are on the hooks.
B) They're going to the park now.
C) They're house is blue.
D) They're dog is friendly.
They're going to the park means they are going to the park, so the contraction fits correctly.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. The dog wagged its tail happily. (its or it's)
Its without an apostrophe shows possession, so the dog's tail is its tail.
2. It's a sunny day at the park. (Its or It's)
It's with an apostrophe means it is, so It's a sunny day is correct.
3. The kids put their shoes by the door. (their or they're)
Their shows possession without an apostrophe, so their shoes means the shoes of the kids.
4. They're playing soccer after school. (Their or They're)
They're is the contraction for they are, so They're playing soccer is correct.
5. The bird built its nest in the tree. (its or it's)
Its without an apostrophe shows ownership, so the nest belongs to the bird as its nest.