Multiple choice

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

The secondary school childrens’ parents were invited to the annual day function.

  1. The secondary school childrens’ parents were invited to the annual day function.

  2. The secondary school children’s parents were invited to the annual day function.

  3. The parents of secondary school childrens were invited to the annual day function.

  4. The secondary school children had their parents invited to the annual day function.

  5. The secondary school children and parents were invited to the annual day function.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for (1): ‘Children’ itself is a plural form. Since a possessive case is shown, apostrophe ought to be used after ‘children’.  The best usage would be ‘parents of children’.

Justification for (2): ‘Children’ itself is a plural form. Since a possessive case is shown, apostrophe ought to be used after ‘children’.  The best usage would have been ‘parents of children’. In the absence of such an option, (2) is the answer.

Explanation for (3): ‘Children’ itself is a plural form. This helps us reject this option.
Explanation for (4): This option changes the meaning of the sentence. Explanation for (5): This option changes the meaning of the sentence.

Keep practicing — related questions