Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one.
1The ............... decision to postpone the vote surprised even the party leaders.
Wrong!
Use "ministers'" because the decision belongs to more than one minister.
2I borrowed ............... car for the weekend, not just one of theirs.
Wrong!
Use "Sam and Priya's" for one car that they own together.
3The ............... toys were scattered all over the waiting room after the playgroup.
Wrong!
Use "children's" because children is an irregular plural noun.
4The ............... new policy was announced at the same time, but only one department will enforce it.
Wrong!
Use "department's" because only one department has this policy.
5After a ............... drive, we were too tired to cook and ordered takeaway.
Wrong!
Use "two hours'" in this possessive time expression before a noun.
6We met at ............... house, the one with the blue door on the corner.
Wrong!
Use "James's" as the standard possessive form of the name James.
7One ............... handle snapped off, so I had to carry it by the strap.
Wrong!
Use "suitcase's" because the handle belongs to one suitcase.
8I can't stand ............... attitude in meetings, especially when he interrupts everyone.
Wrong!
Use "his" because it is the possessive adjective before the noun attitude.
9The report was the ............... biggest story of the year, and the editor is furious about the leak.
Wrong!
Use "newspaper's" because the story belongs to one newspaper.
10The ............... uniforms were soaked after the match in the rain.
Wrong!
Use "players'" because the uniforms belong to more than one player.
11I'm meeting a ............... for lunch, so I'll be offline for an hour.
Wrong!
Use "friend of mine" as the natural double possessive form.
12The ............... balcony has the best view of the river at sunset.
Wrong!
Use "hotel's" because the balcony belongs to one hotel.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- The ministers’ decision to postpone the vote surprised even the party leaders.
- I borrowed Sam and Priya’s car for the weekend, not just one of theirs.
- The children’s toys were scattered all over the waiting room after the playgroup.
- The department’s new policy was announced at the same time, but only one department will enforce it.
- After a two hours’ drive, we were too tired to cook and ordered takeaway.
- We met at James’s house, the one with the blue door on the corner.
- One suitcase’s handle snapped off, so I had to carry it by the strap.
- I can’t stand his attitude in meetings, especially when he interrupts everyone.
- The report was the newspaper’s biggest story of the year, and the editor is furious about the leak.
- The players’ uniforms were soaked after the match in the rain.
- I’m meeting a friend of mine for lunch, so I’ll be offline for an hour.
- The hotel’s balcony has the best view of the river at sunset.
