Apostrophes in Contractions: don't, can't, I'm — Answers
Answer sheet with model answers and success criteria for the Year 2 punctuation worksheet.
Success TutoringWorksheetsAnswer sheetYear 2 · English · PunctuationApostrophes in Contractions: don't, can't, I'm — Answers
Part A: Match them up
The apostrophe (') sits where letters have been left out.
- don't
- I'm
- can't
- it's
- we're
- we are
- it is
- cannot
- do not
- I am
Answer: don't → do not; I'm → I am; can't → cannot; it's → it is; we're → we are
Part B: Make a contraction
Join the two words into one. Put the apostrophe where the letters are missing.
Answer: isn't
The o in not is left out: isn't.
Answer: you're
The a in are is left out: you're.
Answer: didn't
The o in not is left out: didn't.
Answer: I'll
The w and i in will are left out: I'll.
Answer: they're
The a in are is left out: they're.
Answer: he's
The i in is is left out: he's.
Part C: Which one is right?
Circle the word with the apostrophe in the right place.
- Ado'nt
- Bdon't
- Cdont
Answer: don't
The apostrophe goes where the o in not is missing: don't.
- Acant
- Bca'nt
- Ccan't
Answer: can't
The apostrophe replaces the missing letters: can't.
- Awe're
- Bwere'
- Cw'ere
Answer: we're
We are becomes we're. The apostrophe replaces the a.
Part D: Make it long again
Write the sentence again with the two full words instead of the contraction.
Answer: I am going to the park.
I'm is short for I am.
Answer: She is not hungry.
Isn't is short for is not.
Part E: True or false?
Answer: True
That is its job in a contraction.
Answer: False
Can't is short for cannot.
Part F: Your turn
Model answer: I don't like mushrooms. I'm happy when we have pasta for dinner.
Success criteria:
- Two complete sentences
- A contraction in each sentence
- Each apostrophe is where the letters are missing
- Capital letters and end marks
Marking tips
- Give credit for correct method even when the final answer slips — the working shows where the thinking went right.
- For open-ended tasks, use the success criteria as a checklist rather than looking for one "right" answer.
- Celebrate what went well first, then pick one thing to work on next.
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