Word Quiz #4 Punctuation: the Apostrophe

From Word Studio Winter Newsletter here

Apostrophes are used in 4 basic ways: to take the place of an omitted letter or letters when writing a shortened form of the word; to take the place of a omitted figure or figures; to show possession in nouns; often used with s (‘s) to form the plural of a figure, a letter, an abbreviation or a word that is referred to as a word.

1. When (it’s, its) seven o’clock, give the dog (it’s, its) food.
2. The (womens, women’s, womens’) ski club will meet Saturday morning.
3. Write your (s’es, s’s, ss’) bigger please.
4. (There’s, Theres, Theirs, Theirs’) room for two (2’s, 2’s, 2s’) at the corner table for four.
5. The (Kimberley’s, Kimberleys’) old car can reach a top speed in the (70s. 70’s, 70s

Answers: 1. it’s, its.  2. women’s, o’clock. 3. s’s.   4. There’s, 2’s. 5. Kimberleys’, 70’s.

Tables for Peace

Excerpt from inaugural issue of  DIVERSE Magazine November 2009

Tables for Peace

A young woman had never celebrated Christmas away from Japan.  We gathered branches in the forest to make a front door wreath and used some for the table.  She was eager to learn about western Christmas traditions and the formal placement of cutlery, plates, napkins and glasses.  She guided us in making origami cranes and candy holders to add to the decor.  When she finished lighting the candles she bowed and said, “Your table is like a shrine.”  Tables for Peace diversemagazine.ca by Virginia Gillespie