Nouns: Common and Proper — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the correct answer for each question.
1. Which word is a proper noun?
A) school
B) Texas
C) river
D) happy
'Texas' is a proper noun because it is the specific name of one state. It begins with a capital letter, which is a key sign of a proper noun.
2. Which word is a common noun?
A) run
B) pretty
C) book
D) quickly
'Book' is a common noun because it names any book in general, not one specific titled book. Common nouns do not need a capital letter.
3. Which sentence uses a proper noun correctly?
A) I have a cat.
B) My cat fluffy is nice.
C) My cat Fluffy is nice.
D) Cats are soft.
This sentence correctly capitalizes 'Fluffy' because it is a proper noun — the specific name of one cat. The common noun 'cat' is correctly left lowercase.
4. What type of noun is 'Sunday'?
A) common noun
B) action word
C) proper noun
D) describing word
'Sunday' is a proper noun because it is the specific name of one day of the week. Days of the week are always proper nouns and begin with a capital letter.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word on the line.
1. Proper nouns always begin with a capital letter.
Proper nouns always begin with a capital letter. This rule helps readers identify names of specific people, places, and things.
2. The word 'lake' is a common noun; 'Lake Erie' is a proper noun.
'Lake' by itself is a common noun, but 'Lake Erie' is a proper noun because it is the specific name of one particular lake.
3. In 'My dog Spot likes bones,' the proper noun is Spot.
In 'My dog Spot likes bones,' the common noun is 'dog' (any dog) and the proper noun is 'Spot' (this dog's specific name).
4. Common nouns name any person, place, or thing.
Common nouns name any person, place, or thing. 'Thing' is the third category — it covers objects, animals, and ideas.
5. Names of holidays like Christmas are proper nouns.
Names of holidays like Christmas are proper nouns because each holiday has a specific name that begins with a capital letter.