Nouns (Common & Proper) — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A proper noun names a specific person, place, or thing.
Proper nouns zero in on one particular person, place, or thing by giving its actual name, like Sam, Texas, or Fido.
2. The word store is a common noun.
'Store' means any shop, so it is a common noun. If you write the store's real name, like Target, that is proper.
3. Rosa is a proper noun because it is a name.
Rosa is a person's name, which makes it a proper noun. Personal names are always written with a capital first letter.
4. Common nouns do not need a capital letter.
Only proper nouns need a capital letter. Common nouns like 'chair' or 'river' stay lowercase in the middle of a sentence.
5. The word city is a common noun.
'City' can refer to any city in the world. To make it proper, name the specific city, like Denver or Boston.
6. Elm Park is a proper noun.
Elm Park is the specific name of a park, so both words are capitalized as a proper noun.
7. The word ball is a common noun.
'Ball' names any round toy you can throw or kick. Because it is not the name of one specific ball, it is common.
8. Dr. Lee is a proper noun.
Dr. Lee is a specific person's title and last name, so it is a proper noun. Both 'Dr.' and 'Lee' are capitalized.
9. A noun that names any place is a common noun.
If a noun refers to any place without giving its special name, it is common. 'Beach,' 'mountain,' and 'school' are all common.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
school
→ common - place
common - place
Jake
→ proper - boy name
proper - boy name
hill
→ common - land form
common - land form
Miami
→ proper - city
proper - city
Correct matches: school → common - place; Jake → proper - boy name; hill → common - land form; Miami → proper - city.