Contractions — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Which contraction correctly shortens should not?
A) shouldnt
B) should'nt
C) shouldn't
D) shoul'dnt
Grade 3 rule: apostrophe goes exactly where the missing letter was; shouldn't is correct.
2. Which sentence uses the contraction correctly?
A) Its raining in the garden.
B) It's raining in the garden.
C) Its' raining in the garden.
D) I'ts raining in the garden.
Grade 3: it's means it is, with the apostrophe between t and s replacing the i in is.
3. What two words does the contraction they'll stand for?
A) they all
B) they will
C) they well
D) they shall
Grade 3 contraction they'll joins they and will; the apostrophe replaces wi.
4. Which sentence has the apostrophe in the wrong place?
A) We aren't ready yet.
B) They wer'ent home.
C) She isn't coming.
D) I couldn't hear you.
Grade 3 rule: weren't places the apostrophe between n and t; wer'ent is incorrect.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. The contraction couldn't is short for could not.
Grade 3 rule: couldn't combines could and not, with apostrophe replacing the o in not.
2. The contraction we've stands for we have.
Grade 3 contraction we've shortens we have by dropping the h and a.
3. Rewrite cannot as a contraction: can't.
Grade 3: cannot becomes can't, one of the most common Grade 3 contractions.
4. Fix the apostrophe: is'nt becomes isn't.
Grade 3 rule: the apostrophe must replace the missing letter, so isn't is the correct spelling.
5. The contraction where's expands to where is.
Grade 3 contraction where's means where is; the apostrophe replaces the i in is.