English Language Arts
Grade 11
15 min
Which sentence matches the definition?
Which sentence matches the definition?
What you'll learn
- Identify the correct sentence from a group of four that matches a given definition with 80% accuracy.
- Explain why a chosen sentence matches a definition using at least two supporting details.
- Apply their understanding of definitions to select the sentence that best fits from a set of options in a worksheet.
- Solve 3 out of 4 multiple-choice questions correctly, where each question asks students to identify the sentence matching a provided definition.
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Distinguish between apostrophes used for singular possession, plural possession, and contractions in complex sentences.
Analyze a definition to identify key elements of ownership (who, what, how many) and select the sentence that grammatically matches.
Correctly apply apostrophe rules for singular nouns ending in 's', such as 'James's' or 'the boss's'.
Differentiate between joint possession (e.g., 'Nick and Gatsby's party') and separate possession (e.g., 'Nick's and Gatsby's perspectives').
Identify and correct the common confusion between possessive pronouns (its, whose, their) and contractions (it's, who's, they're).
Justify their sentence choice by articulating the...
2
Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Singular PossessiveShows that one noun owns something. Formed by adding an apostrophe and an 's' ('s) to the singular noun.Gatsby's mansion represents his immense wealth.
Plural PossessiveShows that two or more nouns own something. Formed by adding an apostrophe after the 's' (s') if the plural noun ends in 's'.The books' themes were debated by the students.
ContractionA shortened form of two words where an apostrophe replaces the omitted letter(s).It's clear that the author is making a point. (It's = It is)
Possessive PronounA pronoun that indicates ownership and, crucially, NEVER uses an apostrophe.The novel lost its original cover. (NOT it's)
Joint PossessionIndicates that two or more nouns own the s...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Possession Rule
Singular Noun: Add 's (the writer's pen). Plural Noun ending in s: Add ' (the writers' pens). Plural Noun not ending in s: Add 's (the children's books).
This is the fundamental rule for showing ownership. The key is to first determine if the owning noun is singular or plural before applying the apostrophe.
The Contraction vs. Pronoun Test
If you can substitute 'it is' or 'who is', use the contraction (it's, who's). If you are showing ownership, use the possessive pronoun (its, whose).
This is the most common apostrophe error in formal writing. Always perform the substitution test in your head: 'The dog wagged it's tail' becomes 'The dog wagged it is tail,' which is incor...
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Challenging
Definition: The shared philosophy of the philosophers Socrates and Plato had a lasting impact, but it is Socrates's method of inquiry that is perhaps more famous.
A.Socrates and Plato's philosophy had a lasting impact, but its Socrates' method of inquiry that is perhaps more famous.
B.Socrates's and Plato's philosophy had a lasting impact, but it's Socrates's method of inquiry that is perhaps more famous.
C.Socrates and Plato's philosophy had a lasting impact, but it's Socrates's method of inquiry that is perhaps more famous.
D.Socrates' and Plato's philosophy had a lasting impact, but its Socrates's method of inquiry that is perhaps more famous.
Challenging
Definition: The various testimonies of the many witnesses, combined with the single, crucial piece of evidence from the defendant, shaped the jury's final decision.
A.The many witness's testimonies, combined with the defendants' crucial piece of evidence, shaped the juries final decision.
B.The many witnesses' testimonies, combined with the defendant's crucial piece of evidence, shaped the jury's final decision.
C.The many witnesses's testimonies, combined with the defendant's crucial piece of evidence, shaped the jurys' final decision.
D.The many witness' testimonies, combined with the defendants' crucial piece of evidence, shaped the jury's final decision.
Challenging
Definition: A sentence that correctly avoids the 'greengrocer's apostrophe' to state that multiple analyses of various poems were submitted by the students.
A.The student's submitted their analyses' of the poem's.
B.The students submitted their analyses of the poems.
C.The students' submitted their analyses of the poems'.
D.The students submitted there analysis's of the poems.
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What grade level is "Which sentence matches the definition?"?
Which sentence matches the definition? is a Grade 11 English Language Arts lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Which sentence matches the definition??
You'll be able to: Identify the correct sentence from a group of four that matches a given definition with 80% accuracy; Explain why a chosen sentence matches a definition using at least two supporting details; Apply their understanding of….
Is "Which sentence matches the definition?" free to practice?
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How many practice questions are included with Which sentence matches the definition??
This lesson includes 25 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.