ParaPro Assessment Complete Practice Exam 2025

The correct answer is "cannot." A contraction is a shortened form of a word or phrase, typically formed by combining two words and replacing omitted letters with an apostrophe.

In this case, "cannot" is a contraction of "can" and "not," where the "o" in "not" is omitted, which creates the contraction. This form is commonly used in both written and spoken English for greater fluidity and ease of communication.

The other options do not exemplify contractions. "Are not" is simply two separate words and is not shortened. "Will be" also consists of two distinct words. "Has been" likewise consists of two full words without any letters omitted or combined, thus does not qualify as a contraction. Understanding contractions is essential for recognizing informal writing styles, enhancing fluency, and improving comprehension in language usage.