Nouns: Common and Proper — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank and True or False
Write the missing word or circle True or False.
1. A proper noun names a specific person, place, or thing.
A proper noun names a specific person, place, or thing. It is always written with a capital letter to show that it names something particular.
2. The word 'teacher' is a common noun.
The word 'teacher' names any teacher in general, not one specific teacher by name. That makes it a common noun.
3. The word 'Saturday' is a proper noun.
'Saturday' is the specific name of one day of the week. Days of the week are proper nouns and always begin with a capital letter.
4. A common noun names any person, place, or thing.
A common noun names any person, place, or thing in general without pointing to one specific one.
5. The word 'book' names a thing.
The word 'book' is a noun that names a thing — an object you can hold and read. 'Thing' is the noun category it falls under.
6. The word 'girl' is a proper noun.
True False
This is false. The word 'girl' names any girl in general, so it is a common noun, not a proper noun.
7. Days of the week are proper nouns.
True False
This is true. Days of the week (Monday, Tuesday, Saturday, etc.) are proper nouns because each day has a specific name that begins with a capital letter.
8. Common nouns need a capital letter.
True False
This is false. Common nouns do not need a capital letter unless they appear at the start of a sentence. Only proper nouns are always capitalized.
9. The word 'Mr. Brown' is a proper noun.
True False
This is true. 'Mr. Brown' is the specific name of one person, making it a proper noun. Names of people always start with capital letters.
Part B: Name the Noun Type
Write common or proper for each noun.
1. cat = common noun
The word 'cat' names any cat in general. Because it does not name a specific cat, it is a common noun.
2. Texas = proper noun
'Texas' is the specific name of one state. It begins with a capital letter and is a proper noun.
3. river = common noun
The word 'river' names any river in general rather than one particular named river, so it is a common noun.