Exercises in Grammar Grade 7 - Free Printable

Let's solve Exercise 4: Possessive Nouns by rewriting each phrase using an apostrophe and a possessive noun, just like the example:

> Example: *dresses for girls* → *girls’ dresses*

We will convert each phrase into a possessive form by identifying who or what "owns" or is associated with the noun.

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Solutions:

1. the lair of the wolf
→ the wolf’s lair
*(The lair belongs to the wolf.)*

2. the nest of the wasps
→ the wasps’ nest
*(The nest belongs to multiple wasps — plural possessive.)*

3. ladders for the firemen
→ the firemen’s ladders
*(The ladders belong to the firemen.)*

4. uniforms for the army
→ the army’s uniforms
*(The uniforms belong to the army.)*

5. the paw belonging to the monkey
→ the monkey’s paw
*(The paw belongs to the monkey.)*

6. the uncle of Patrick
→ Patrick’s uncle
*(The uncle belongs to Patrick — i.e., his uncle.)*

7. the horse of the cowboy
→ the cowboy’s horse
*(The horse belongs to the cowboy.)*

8. the home where the children live
→ the children’s home
*(The home is for/owned by the children.)*

9. the cage where the lions are
→ the lions’ cage
*(The cage belongs to the lions.)*

10. the present Amy received
→ Amy’s present
*(The present belongs to Amy.)*

11. the city where Jesse lives
→ Jesse’s city
*(The city is where Jesse lives — implies it's his city.)*

12. the penpal to whom Marla writes
→ Marla’s penpal
*(The penpal belongs to Marla — she writes to him/her.)*

13. orders given by the chief
→ the chief’s orders
*(The orders come from the chief — they are his.)*

14. the end of the day
→ the day’s end
*(The end belongs to the day.)*

15. the flags of the countries
→ the countries’ flags
*(The flags belong to the countries.)*

16. the circle where the winner goes
→ the winner’s circle
*(This is a common expression — the circle belongs to the winner.)*

17. the thrill of victory
→ victory’s thrill
*(The thrill belongs to victory.)*

18. the surface of the wall
→ the wall’s surface
*(The surface belongs to the wall.)*

19. graveyards of the elephants
→ the elephants’ graveyards
*(The graveyards belong to the elephants.)*

20. the skin of the tomato
→ the tomato’s skin
*(The skin belongs to the tomato.)*

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✔ Final Answers:

1. the wolf’s lair
2. the wasps’ nest
3. the firemen’s ladders
4. the army’s uniforms
5. the monkey’s paw
6. Patrick’s uncle
7. the cowboy’s horse
8. the children’s home
9. the lions’ cage
10. Amy’s present
11. Jesse’s city
12. Marla’s penpal
13. the chief’s orders
14. the day’s end
15. the countries’ flags
16. the winner’s circle
17. victory’s thrill
18. the wall’s surface
19. the elephants’ graveyards
20. the tomato’s skin

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🔍 Explanation:

- Possessive nouns show ownership or association.
- To make a singular noun possessive: add 's (e.g., *the wolf’s lair*).
- For plural nouns ending in s, add only ' (e.g., *the wasps’ nest*).
- For plural nouns not ending in s, add 's (e.g., *children’s home*).
- The possessive form replaces phrases like *"of the..."* or *"belonging to..."*.

This exercise helps students understand how to use apostrophes correctly to indicate possession in English grammar.

Let me know if you'd like this turned into a printable worksheet!