Nouns (Common & Proper) — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A noun names a person, place, or thing.
If a word tells you who, where, or what something is, it is a noun. Nouns are one of the most common parts of speech.
2. The word teacher is a common noun.
'Teacher' names a type of person, not one specific teacher. To make it proper, use the teacher's name, like Mrs. Smith.
3. Ben is a proper noun because it is a name.
Ben is a proper noun because it identifies one specific person by name. Names always start with a capital letter.
4. Proper nouns always start with a capital letter.
A capital letter at the start of a word is a clue that it might be a proper noun, naming someone or something unique.
5. The word river is a common noun.
'River' could be any river, so it is common. Add a name like 'Mississippi River' and it turns into a proper noun.
6. Main Street is a proper noun.
Main Street is a specific street name, so it is a proper noun. Street names always need capital letters.
7. A common noun names any person, place, or thing.
Common nouns are general labels. They never point to one particular thing, so they stay lowercase in a sentence.
8. The word Ohio is a proper noun.
Ohio is the official name of a state. Every state name is a proper noun and always starts with a capital letter.
9. The word book is a common noun.
'Book' means any book at all, not one specific title. That general meaning makes it a common noun written in lowercase.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
dog
→ common - animal
common - animal
Emma
→ proper - girl name
proper - girl name
lake
→ common - place
common - place
Dallas
→ proper - city
proper - city
Correct matches: dog → common - animal; Emma → proper - girl name; lake → common - place; Dallas → proper - city.