16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsEasy–MediumApostrophes: possessive vs. plural

Standard English Conventions practice question

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Over the past decade, the ____ average lifespan has increased noticeably in the region.

  1. A. species'Correct
  2. B. species
  3. C. specie's
  4. D. species's's

Answer: A. species'

The lifespan belongs to the species, so a possessive is needed; 'species' is already the same in singular and plural, and the standard possessive adds an apostrophe: 'species''. The plain 'species' (B) is not possessive, and 'specie's' (C) invents a nonstandard singular 'specie' with a different meaning (coined money).

Why the other answers are wrong

B. species
The lifespan belongs to the species, so you need a possessive form; plain 'species' with no apostrophe can't show ownership.
C. specie's
This treats 'specie' as the singular form, but 'specie' is a different word meaning coined money — 'species' is already both singular and plural, so the possessive is 'species''.
D. species's's
Stacking two apostrophes and an extra 's' isn't a form English uses; one apostrophe after 'species' is all the possessive requires.

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