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Apostrophes in Contractions: don't, can't, I'm — Answers

Answer sheet with model answers and success criteria for the Year 3 punctuation worksheet.

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Success TutoringWorksheetsAnswer sheetYear 3 · English · Punctuation

Apostrophes in Contractions: don't, can't, I'm — Answers

Part A: Match them up

The apostrophe (') sits where letters have been left out.

1.Draw a line from each contraction to its two words.
  • 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.

2.is not → (answer space)

Answer: isn't

The o in not is left out: isn't.

3.you are → (answer space)

Answer: you're

The a in are is left out: you're.

4.did not → (answer space)

Answer: didn't

The o in not is left out: didn't.

5.I will → (answer space)

Answer: I'll

The w and i in will are left out: I'll.

6.they are → (answer space)

Answer: they're

The a in are is left out: they're.

7.he is → (answer space)

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.

8.Which one is right?
  1. Ado'nt
  2. Bdon't
  3. Cdont

Answer: don't

The apostrophe goes where the o in not is missing: don't.

9.Which one is right?
  1. Acant
  2. Bca'nt
  3. Ccan't

Answer: can't

The apostrophe replaces the missing letters: can't.

10.Which one is right?
  1. Awe're
  2. Bwere'
  3. 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.

11.I'm going to the park. → (answer space)

Answer: I am going to the park.

I'm is short for I am.

12.She isn't hungry. → (answer space)

Answer: She is not hungry.

Isn't is short for is not.

Part E: True or false?

13.An apostrophe in a contraction shows where letters are missing.

Answer: True

That is its job in a contraction.

14.Can't is short for can it.

Answer: False

Can't is short for cannot.

Part F: Your turn

15.Your turn: write two sentences about what you like and don't like to eat. Use a contraction in each sentence.

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
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