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Short Words, Strong Apostrophes

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Short Words, Strong Apostrophes

Contractions join words by leaving out letters. An apostrophe shows where the letters are missing. Read each sentence carefully, then help the crew send clear messages.

Decode the messages

Choose the contraction that correctly replaces the bold words in each message.

1.At the harbour, Hana says, “I am ready to board the waka.” Which contraction replaces I am?

I'am
I’m
Im’

2.The weather report says, “It is raining in Rotorua.” Which contraction replaces It is?

Its
It’s
Its’

3.A sign at the campsite reads, “Do not feed the kea.” Write Do not as a contraction.

4.The team announces, “We are walking the track together.” Write We are as a contraction.

Repair the field notes

Each sentence has a contraction with an apostrophe mistake. Rewrite it correctly.

5.“The tūī cant’ find its nest,” wrote the ranger. Correct the contraction.

6.“Theyre’ bringing lunch to the beach,” wrote the picnic organiser. Correct the contraction.

7.True or false: In we’re, the apostrophe takes the place of the missing letter a in we are.

TrueFalse

Make the meaning clear

Use contractions thoughtfully. Some words sound alike but mean different things.

8.Complete the sentence with **your** or **you’re**: “ going to love the view from the lookout.”

9.Complete the sentence with **its** or **it’s**: “The seal lifted head above the water.”

10.Match each word group in the left column to its contraction in the shuffled right column.

she is
we have
they will
does not

they’ll
we’ve
doesn’t
she’s

11.Write two sentences about a day out in Aotearoa. Use a different contraction in each sentence, and underline or name the words that each contraction replaces.

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Year 2–3

Short Words, Strong Apostrophes

Short Words, Strong Apostrophes

Decode the messages

Repair the field notes

Make the meaning clear

2 printable pages

About This Worksheet

Free in Kuraplan

Print-Ready

AI-Generated

For Teachers & Parents

Need a custom version of this worksheet?

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