Figures Of Speech : Apostrophe Worksheet

Part 1: Identify the Apostrophe
Read the following sentences and identify the apostrophe. Then, explain what is being addressed.
1. "O Earth, you are so beautiful!"
2. "Oh my love, where are you?"
3. "Why do you torment me, cruel destiny?"
4. "O Time, stop your endless march!"
5. "Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio." (phrase from play: Hamlet)

Part 2: Fill in the Blank
Complete the following sentences with an appropriate apostrophe.
1. "O _______, help me through this difficult time."
2. "You shall not pass, ______!"
3. "Oh, how I wish you were here, _______!"
4. "O ______ , my heart aches for you."
5. "O ______, what secrets do you hold?"

Part 3: Create Your Own Apostrophe
Write sentences using apostrophes to address the following:
1. An inanimate object (e.g., a book, a tree, a clock).
2. An abstract idea (e.g., love, happiness, sadness).

Answers:
Part 1: Identify the Apostrophe
1. "O Earth, you are so beautiful!"
Apostrophe: "O Earth"
Explanation: The speaker is addressing the Earth, which cannot respond.
2. "Oh my love, where are you?"
Apostrophe: "Oh my love"
Explanation: The speaker is addressing their absent love, who is not present to respond.
3. "Why do you torment me, cruel destiny?"
Apostrophe: "cruel destiny"
Explanation: The speaker is addressing destiny, which cannot respond.
4. "O Time, stop your endless march!"
Apostrophe: "O Time"
Explanation: The speaker is addressing Time as though it were a person who could halt its passage.
5. "Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio."
Apostrophe: "Alas, poor Yorick"
Explanation: The speaker (Hamlet) is addressing the skull of Yorick, who is dead and cannot respond.

Part 2: Fill in the Blank
1. God
2. evil wizard
3. my friend
4. heart
5. bright moon

Part 3: Create Your Own Apostrophe
1. Inanimate Object Example:
"O book, why must you always be so heavy in my backpack?"
2. Abstract Idea Example:
"O love, why do you always come when I least expect you?"