This quiz works best with JavaScript enabled.
Home
>
English Grammar
>
Grammar
>
Editing And Proofreading
>
It'S Vs. Its – Quiz 1
It'S Vs. Its Quiz 1 (30 MCQs)
This multiple-choice question set evaluates the understanding of contractions and possessive pronouns, specifically focusing on differentiating between "it's" (contraction) and "its" (possessive). It also covers plural formation rules for English nouns. The scope includes recognizing proper usage in context and applying correct forms in sentences.
Quiz Instructions
Select an option to see the correct answer instantly.
1.
Because the city of Denver is located close to the Rocky Mountains, snow often falls .....
A) They're.
B) Their.
C) There.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
"Because the city of Denver is located close to the Rocky Mountains, snow often falls there."
The word "there" is used here as a demonstrative adjective to indicate a place where something exists or happens. In this context, it correctly points out that snow occurs in the location specified.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
They're - contraction of "they are," which does not fit grammatically.
Option B:
Their - possessive adjective or pronoun, incorrect here as it doesn't indicate a place.
Option C:
There - correctly indicates the location where snow falls.
Option D:
None of the above - not necessary since "there" is correct.
2.
My aunt belongs to the ..... club in her town.
A) Women's.
B) Womans.
C) Womens.
D) Womans.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
A) Women's.
The possessive form of "women" is "Women's," which indicates that the club belongs to women collectively. This usage correctly applies the apostrophe to show possession.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Uses proper possessive form "Women's."
Option B:
Incorrect. "Womans" is not a word and does not have an appropriate possessive form.
Option C:
Incorrect. "Womens" is the plural noun, not the possessive form.
Option D:
Incorrect repetition of Option B.
3.
..... my brothers pet.
A) It's.
B) Its.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
A) It's.
The contraction "it's" means "it is" and is used to indicate possession in this context would be incorrect as there is no apostrophe needed for possessive form.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "It's" is a contraction meaning "it is."
Option B:
Incorrect. "Its" is used to show possession, which does not apply here.
Option C:
Incorrect. Both options A and B are incorrect in this context.
Option D:
Incorrect. Option A is correct.
4.
The cat eats ..... food.
A) It's.
B) Its.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
B) Its.
The word "its" is a possessive pronoun, used to show ownership without an apostrophe. In the sentence "The cat eats its food," "its" indicates that the food belongs to the cat.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
"It's" is a contraction of "it is" or "it has." It cannot be used as a possessive pronoun in this context.
Option B:
Correct. "Its" functions as the possessive form, showing ownership of the food by the cat.
Option C:
Incorrect. Both "It's" and "its" are not needed here; only one is required to show possession.
Option D:
Incorrect. The correct answer is provided in option B.
5.
What is the main reason for reducing simple errors in writing?
A) To avoid learning grammar.
B) To become a grammar expert.
C) To make writing more complex.
D) To gain more respect from readers.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The main reason for reducing simple errors in writing, such as "it's" vs "its," is to gain more respect from readers. Correcting these errors ensures clarity and professionalism in communication, which can enhance the reader’s perception of the writer.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. Avoiding learning grammar is not a reason for reducing simple errors.
Option B:
Incorrect. Becoming a grammar expert is an outcome, not a primary reason for correcting errors.
Option C:
Incorrect. Making writing more complex is unrelated to the purpose of error correction.
Option D:
Correct. Gaining respect from readers through clear and accurate writing is a valid motivation.
6.
Which is the correct plural form of the word? PUPPY
A) Puppys.
B) Puppyes.
C) Puppies.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct plural form of "puppy" is "puppies." This follows the standard English rule where most nouns add an "-es" or "-s" to form their plurals, with "y" before a consonant changing to "ies."
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. The plural does not end in "ys."
Option B:
Incorrect. This is not a valid English word.
Option C:
Correct. This follows the standard rule for forming plurals of nouns ending in "y" before a consonant.
Option D:
Incorrect. At least one correct option exists.
7.
Every rose has ..... thorn.
A) It's.
B) Its.
C) Its'.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The phrase "Every rose has its thorn" uses the possessive pronoun "its" to indicate that the thorns belong to the rose. The apostrophe in "it's" is used for contractions, such as "it is," which does not apply here.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. "It's" means "it is," and doesn't fit grammatically.
Option B:
Correct. "Its" is the possessive form of the pronoun, indicating that the thorns belong to the rose.
Option C:
Incorrect. "Its'" is not a standard English contraction or possessive form.
Option D:
Incorrect. At least one correct option exists (B).
8.
How beautiful, ..... a full moon tonight.
A) Its.
B) It's.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
B) It's.
The phrase "It's" is a contraction of "it is," which is necessary to complete the sentence meaningfully. In this context, "Its" (possessive form) would not fit grammatically.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. "Its" is the possessive form and does not make sense in this context.
Option B:
Correct. "It's" means "it is," completing the sentence properly.
Option C:
Incorrect. "All the above" would imply both A and B are correct, which they are not.
Option D:
Incorrect. The given options include a correct answer, so this option is incorrect.
9.
I wonder when ..... going to rain.
A) Its.
B) It's.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
B) It's.
The phrase "It's" is a contraction of "it is," which is used to form the subject-verb agreement in this sentence. "Its" is possessive, meaning belonging to it.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect as "Its" does not represent a contraction.
Option B:
Correct as "It's" means "it is," forming the correct subject-verb agreement.
Option C:
Incorrect as both other options are wrong.
Option D:
Incorrect as there is a correct answer among the choices provided.
10.
Gavin broke ..... screen when he dropped it.
A) Its.
B) It's.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
"Its" is a contraction of "it is" and does not have an apostrophe to show possession. In the sentence, Gavin broke its screen when he dropped it, "its" correctly indicates that the screen belongs to the device (presumably a phone or tablet) that was dropped.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "Its" is used to show possession and fits grammatically in the sentence.
Option B:
Incorrect. "It's" means "it is" or "it has," which does not fit the context of the sentence.
Option C:
Incorrect. "All the above" would imply both "Its" and "It's" are correct, but only "Its" fits properly in this context.
Option D:
Incorrect. The sentence can be corrected with a proper use of "Its."
11.
The university is very proud of ..... reputation for excellence in research.
A) Its.
B) It's.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
"Its" is a possessive form and does not require an apostrophe, whereas "It's" means "it is" or "it has." In the given sentence, "reputation for excellence in research" shows possession, indicating that the reputation belongs to the university. Therefore, "its" (without an apostrophe) is correct.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Uses the possessive form without an apostrophe.
Option B:
Incorrect. Includes an apostrophe which is unnecessary here.
Option C:
Incorrect. Includes "all," which is not relevant to the sentence structure or grammar rule being tested.
Option D:
Incorrect. The correct answer exists among the options provided.
12.
My smart watch seems slow today-I'm not sure why ..... not working very well.
A) Its.
B) It's.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
B) It's.
The phrase "It's" is a contraction of "it is," which is used to indicate possession in this context, meaning the smart watch itself is experiencing the issue. "Its" would be used if referring to something belonging to the smart watch, such as its strap or screen.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect because "Its" implies possession and does not form a contraction.
Option B:
Correct because it uses the proper contraction for "it is."
Option C:
Incorrect as both "It's" and "Its" are distinct and cannot be used interchangeably in this context.
Option D:
Incorrect since there is a correct answer among the options provided.
13.
Was Ms. La Pan dressed for work in this video?
A) Yes, she always wears onesie pajamas to work.
B) No, she was wearing onesie pajamas in the video.
C) What video?!?!.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is B) No, she was wearing onesie pajamas in the video. This statement directly matches the given information that Ms. La Pan was dressed in onesie pajamas during the video, making it the accurate choice.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect as it contradicts the provided information.
Option B:
Correct based on the given context.
Option C:
This option is irrelevant since no video was mentioned in the question.
Option D:
Not applicable as one of the options (B) is correct.
14.
..... over there.
A) Its.
B) It's.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
B) It's.
This is because "It's" is a contraction of "it is," which is used to indicate possession in this context, making it the appropriate choice for showing ownership or belonging.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect as "Its" without an apostrophe does not represent a contraction and would imply possession.
Option B:
Correct as "It's" is the contraction of "it is," used to indicate ownership in this context.
Option C:
Incorrect as both A and B are individually incorrect, and there is no other option that fits the context better than B.
Option D:
Incorrect as all options except B are correct or partially correct.
15.
I dropped my smartphone and broke ..... screen.
A) Its.
B) It's.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is A) Its. In this sentence, "Its" is used as a possessive pronoun to indicate that the screen belongs to the smartphone. The word "its" does not require an apostrophe because it is already a possessive form.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Uses the possessive pronoun "Its" without an apostrophe.
Option B:
Incorrect. "It's" is a contraction of "it is" or "it has," which does not fit in this context.
Option C:
Incorrect. This option suggests both A and B, but only A is correct.
Option D:
Incorrect. The sentence can be corrected using the proper form of "Its."
16.
I read your story ..... very good.
A) Its.
B) It's.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
"It's" is a contraction of "it is" and requires an apostrophe to indicate the omission of a letter (i.e., "i" in "is"). Since there is no such meaning for "Its," which indicates possession, option B) It's is correct.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. No valid contraction or possessive form.
Option B:
Correct. Contraction of "it is."
Option C:
Incorrect. Both forms are invalid in this context.
Option D:
Incorrect. At least one option (B) is correct.
17.
..... wonderful to see you!
A) Its.
B) It's.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option B) It's is correct because "It's" is a contraction of "it is," which is appropriate in this context to express the idea that it is wonderful to see someone.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Its does not indicate possession and cannot be used as a contraction, making it incorrect.
Option B:
It's correctly represents "it is," fitting the context perfectly.
Option C:
All the above includes an incorrect option (A), so it is also wrong.
Option D:
None of the above is incorrect since Option B is correct.
18.
His owl is still wild ..... attacked some of his friends.
A) It's.
B) Its.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is A) It's because "It's" is a contraction of "it is," which is used to indicate possession in this context. The sentence means that the owl, belonging to him, still behaves wild and has attacked some of his friends.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "It's" is a contraction meaning "it is."
Option B:
Incorrect. "Its" indicates possession but does not mean "it is."
Option C:
Incorrect. Only option A is correct.
Option D:
Incorrect. All other options are incorrect.
19.
You can't play with this toy car ..... broken.
A) Its.
B) It's.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
B) It's.
The phrase "It's" is a contraction of "it is," which means the toy car is broken, not that it has multiple toys. This fits grammatically with the sentence structure.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. "Its" is possessive and does not fit in this context.
Option B:
Correct. "It's" means "it is," which correctly conveys that the toy car is broken.
Option C:
Incorrect. This option suggests all options are correct, which they are not.
Option D:
Incorrect. The correct answer is identified as B.
20.
Which is the correct plural form of the word? BOX
A) Boxs.
B) Boxes.
C) Boxies.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct plural form of "box" is
boxes
. This follows the standard English rule where most nouns add an "-es" ending to form the plural, especially when the singular ends in x (as in box).
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Boxs. Incorrect; no such word exists.
Option B:
Boxes. Correct; follows standard English pluralization rules for nouns ending in x.
Option C:
Boxies. Not a recognized form in English grammar.
Option D:
None of the above. Incorrect since "boxes" is correct.
21.
My dog, Rufus, cleaned ..... paws after going outside.
A) Its.
B) It's.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
A) Its.
In this sentence, "Its" is used as a possessive pronoun to indicate that Rufus's paws belong to him. The contraction "It's" means "it is" or "it has," which does not fit the context of the sentence.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "Its" is a possessive pronoun indicating possession.
Option B:
Incorrect. "It's" means "it is" or "it has," not a possessive form.
Option C:
Incorrect. Only option A is correct.
Option D:
Incorrect. All other options are incorrect.
22.
The dog picked up ..... bone and ran away.
A) Its.
B) It's.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
A) Its.
The word "Its" is used to show possession, meaning that the bone belongs to the dog. In this sentence, "Its" should be used instead of "It's," which is a contraction for "it is."
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "Its" shows possession and fits grammatically in the sentence.
Option B:
Incorrect. "It's" means "it is" or "it has," which does not fit the context of showing ownership.
Option C:
Incorrect. Only one option can be correct, and it is A.
Option D:
Incorrect. The sentence can be corrected using a valid option (A).
23.
The milk is in it's/its container.
A) It's.
B) Its.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
"Its" is used to show possession, meaning "belonging to it." In the sentence "The milk is in its container," we are indicating that the container belongs to the milk, hence "its."
Option Analysis:
Option A:
It's is a contraction for "it is" or "it has," which does not fit the context of possession.
Option B:
Correct. Its shows possession and fits the sentence structure.
Option C:
Incorrect, as explained above.
Option D:
Not applicable since one correct option exists.
24.
Choose the phrase that shows possession. The songs of the band sounded better when they played live.
A) Band's songs.
B) Bands' songs.
C) Band songs.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The phrase "Band's songs" correctly shows possession, indicating that the songs belong to the band.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "Band's songs" properly uses an apostrophe to show ownership.
Option B:
Incorrect. The plural possessive form should be "bands'" if referring to multiple bands, but here it is singular.
Option C:
Incorrect. No apostrophe indicates no possession.
Option D:
Incorrect. There is a correct answer among the options provided.
25.
I am from Dominican Republic ..... a beautiful country and ..... capital city is Santo Domingo.
A) It's-Its.
B) Its-It's.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is A) It's-Its.
"It's" is a contraction of "it is" and should be used when referring to something that belongs to it, such as "It's capital city."
"Its," on the other hand, is a possessive pronoun indicating ownership, like in "its capital city."
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "It's" for contraction and "Its" for possession.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Its" is not a contraction of "it is."
Option C:
Incorrect. Only one option (A) is correct.
Option D:
Incorrect. There is a correct answer among the options provided.
26.
Are we going the ..... way?
A) Write.
B) Right.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The phrase "Are we going the right way?" is a common expression used to ask if one is on the correct path or course of action. The word "right" in this context means correct or proper, not the direction "right." Therefore, option B) Right is the correct answer.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Write - Incorrect as it does not fit grammatically or contextually.
Option B:
Right - Correct as it fits the meaning of being on the right path.
Option C:
All the above - Incorrect as only "Right" is correct.
Option D:
None of the above - Incorrect as "Right" is the correct answer.
27.
This is my room ..... nice and comfortable.
A) It's.
B) Its.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "This is my room..... nice and comfortable" requires the contraction "it's," which means "it is." Therefore, option A) It's is correct because it properly combines the pronoun "it" with the auxiliary verb "is."
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Uses the contraction "it's" for "it is."
Option B:
Incorrect. "Its" is a possessive pronoun, not a contraction.
Option C:
Incorrect. Both "It's" and "Its" are incorrect in this context; only "It's" is correct.
Option D:
Incorrect. All options except A) contain errors or inaccuracies.
28.
..... seven o'clock.
A) Its.
B) It's.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
B) It's.
This contraction is used to indicate possession, meaning "it is." In the given sentence, "It's seven o'clock," it correctly conveys that the time is being described as a fact.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. "Its" is a possessive pronoun and does not indicate contraction.
Option B:
Correct. "It's" is the contraction of "it is," which fits the context of the sentence.
Option C:
Incorrect. This option includes an incorrect answer, making it invalid.
Option D:
Incorrect. The correct answer exists among the options provided.
29.
You're ..... ! I am so glad you remembered the answer.
A) Write.
B) Right.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
B) Right.
The phrase "You're right!" acknowledges that the person has correctly provided an answer to a question about English grammar, specifically regarding the use of "It's" vs. "Its."
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect as "Write" does not fit in context.
Option B:
Correct as it acknowledges the right answer.
Option C:
Incorrect as "All the above" is not applicable here.
Option D:
Incorrect as "None of the above" is not applicable here.
30.
The bank is in ..... sixth year of operation.
A) It's.
B) Its.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
"Its" is used to show possession, meaning "belonging to it." In the sentence "The bank is in its sixth year of operation," "its" correctly indicates that the sixth year belongs to the bank.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. "It's" is a contraction for "it is" or "it has." It cannot be used here as it does not indicate possession.
Option B:
Correct. "Its" shows that the sixth year belongs to the bank, indicating possession.
Option C:
Incorrect. "All the above" is not applicable since only one option (B) is correct.
Option D:
Incorrect. The sentence can be corrected using "its," making this option irrelevant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between "it's" and "its"?
The term "it's" is a contraction of "it is" or "it has," while "its" is used to show possession, similar to how we use "his" or "her." For example, "It's a beautiful day" means "it is a beautiful day," whereas "The cat licked its paw" shows that the cat possesses the paw.
Can you give an example where "its" might be confused with "it's"?
Certainly! The phrase "It's a lovely day for its season" could be mistaken as "Its a lovely day for it's season," which is incorrect. In this sentence, "its" correctly indicates possession of the season, while "it's" would mean "it is" or "it has."
How do pluralization rules apply to "it's" and "its"?
Pluralization typically does not affect the distinction between "it's" and "its." Both remain unchanged in plurals. For example, "They are using it's" or "Their cats have its" would be incorrect; you should use "they're" for contractions and "their" to show possession.
Is there a way to remember the difference between "it's" and "its"?
Yes, one helpful method is to replace "it's" with "it is" or "it has" in your sentence. If it makes sense, then you should use "it's." For example, "It's a beautiful day" works as "It is a beautiful day," but "Its a beautiful day" does not make grammatical sense.
Can "its" be used in the same way as "band's"?
No, "its" and "band's" are not interchangeable. While "band's" is a contraction for "band is" or "band has," "its" shows possession. For example, "The band's album was amazing" uses the correct possessive form, whereas using "its" would be incorrect.