Pronoun Usage -- Indefinite Pronoun Agreement

1. Are Gary and Sue bringing ___ own lunches?

The correct answer is "their" because the pronoun "their" is used to show that Gary and Sue are each bringing their own lunches.

Explanation

The correct answer is "their" because the pronoun "their" is used to show that Gary and Sue are each bringing their own lunches.

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2. Ms. Cameron realized that one of the girls neglected to turn in ___ report.

The correct answer is "her" because the sentence states that one of the girls neglected to turn in a report. Since the subject of the sentence is "one of the girls," the possessive pronoun "her" is used to show that it was the report belonging to that particular girl that was not turned in.

Explanation

The correct answer is "her" because the sentence states that one of the girls neglected to turn in a report. Since the subject of the sentence is "one of the girls," the possessive pronoun "her" is used to show that it was the report belonging to that particular girl that was not turned in.

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3. Anyone who works hard should achieve ___ goal.

The correct answer is "his or her" because it is a gender-neutral pronoun that can be used to refer to anyone, regardless of their gender. It is inclusive and acknowledges that both men and women can work hard and achieve their goals. The options "his" and "her" are also correct individually, but they are not as inclusive as "his or her".

Explanation

The correct answer is "his or her" because it is a gender-neutral pronoun that can be used to refer to anyone, regardless of their gender. It is inclusive and acknowledges that both men and women can work hard and achieve their goals. The options "his" and "her" are also correct individually, but they are not as inclusive as "his or her".

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4. One of the campers was beginning to take down ____ own tent.

The correct answer is "his or her". This is because the sentence is referring to a camper, and it is not specified whether the camper is male or female. Therefore, the pronoun "his or her" is used to be inclusive of both genders. Additionally, the pronouns "his" and "her" are also correct individually, depending on the gender of the camper.

Explanation

The correct answer is "his or her". This is because the sentence is referring to a camper, and it is not specified whether the camper is male or female. Therefore, the pronoun "his or her" is used to be inclusive of both genders. Additionally, the pronouns "his" and "her" are also correct individually, depending on the gender of the camper.

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5. During the storm, a squirrel scurried away from the oak tree when one of ___ branches suddenly crashed to the ground.

During the storm, a squirrel scurried away from the oak tree when one of its branches suddenly crashed to the ground. In this sentence, "its" is used to indicate possession. The branch belongs to the oak tree, so "its" is the correct pronoun to use.

Explanation

During the storm, a squirrel scurried away from the oak tree when one of its branches suddenly crashed to the ground. In this sentence, "its" is used to indicate possession. The branch belongs to the oak tree, so "its" is the correct pronoun to use.

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6. Many of the giant turtles had crawed up on the short to lay ___ eggs.

The correct answer is "their" because it shows possession. The sentence is referring to the eggs that belong to the giant turtles.

Explanation

The correct answer is "their" because it shows possession. The sentence is referring to the eggs that belong to the giant turtles.

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7. Neither of the boys had saved ___ files to a safe place.

The correct answer is "his" because "neither" is a singular pronoun that refers to two or more people or things. In this case, it refers to the boys. Since "boys" is a plural noun, the pronoun that follows should be singular to agree in number. "His" is the singular possessive pronoun that agrees with the noun "boys."

Explanation

The correct answer is "his" because "neither" is a singular pronoun that refers to two or more people or things. In this case, it refers to the boys. Since "boys" is a plural noun, the pronoun that follows should be singular to agree in number. "His" is the singular possessive pronoun that agrees with the noun "boys."

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8. Has everyone turned in ___ assignment?

The correct answer is "his or her". This is because the question is asking if everyone has turned in their assignment, and "his or her" is a gender-neutral pronoun that can be used to refer to both males and females. Alternatively, "his" or "her" could also be used, but using "his or her" is more inclusive and avoids assuming the gender of the individuals being referred to.

Explanation

The correct answer is "his or her". This is because the question is asking if everyone has turned in their assignment, and "his or her" is a gender-neutral pronoun that can be used to refer to both males and females. Alternatively, "his" or "her" could also be used, but using "his or her" is more inclusive and avoids assuming the gender of the individuals being referred to.

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9. Everyone in the neighborhood expressed ___ feelings about the new zoning laws.

The correct answer is "his or her" because it is a gender-neutral option that includes both males and females in the neighborhood expressing their feelings about the new zoning laws. "His" and "her" are gender-specific options, so they do not encompass everyone in the neighborhood.

Explanation

The correct answer is "his or her" because it is a gender-neutral option that includes both males and females in the neighborhood expressing their feelings about the new zoning laws. "His" and "her" are gender-specific options, so they do not encompass everyone in the neighborhood.

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10. Neither the cedar nor the hemlock sheds __ leaves in the fall.

The word "its" is the correct answer because it is a possessive pronoun that refers to something belonging to or associated with a thing previously mentioned or easily identified. In this sentence, "its" is used to indicate that neither the cedar nor the hemlock sheds leaves in the fall.

Explanation

The word "its" is the correct answer because it is a possessive pronoun that refers to something belonging to or associated with a thing previously mentioned or easily identified. In this sentence, "its" is used to indicate that neither the cedar nor the hemlock sheds leaves in the fall.

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