Common and Proper Nouns — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A noun is a word that names a person, place, or thing.
A noun names a person, place, or thing, so the missing word is thing.
2. The word "river" is a common noun, but "Mississippi" is a proper noun.
Mississippi is a proper noun because it is the name of one specific river.
3. We capitalize proper nouns because they name something specific.
Proper nouns are capitalized because they name something specific.
4. The word "country" is common, but "Mexico" is proper.
Mexico is a proper noun because it is the name of one specific country.
5. "Store" names any store, so it is a common noun.
Store is a common noun because it names any store, not one specific store.
6. Months like February and April are proper nouns.
April is a proper noun because it is the specific name of a month.
7. A proper noun for the common noun "ocean" could be Atlantic.
Atlantic is a proper noun because it is the name of one specific ocean.
8. The names of holidays like Thanksgiving are proper nouns.
Holiday names like Thanksgiving are proper nouns because they name specific holidays.
9. Common nouns are general, but proper nouns are specific.
Proper nouns are specific because they name one particular person, place, or thing.
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
→ Buddy
Mrs. Jones
city
→ Chicago
Buddy
month
→ March
March
teacher
→ Mrs. Jones
Chicago
Each common noun matches to a specific proper noun: dog → Buddy, city → Chicago, month → March, teacher → Mrs. Jones.