Common and Proper Nouns — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The word "state" is a common noun, but "Florida" is a proper noun.
State is a general word that can mean any of the 50 states. Florida names one specific state, so it is a proper noun and needs a capital F.
2. A common noun names any person, place, or thing.
Nouns always name one of three categories: a person, a place, or a thing. Place is the word that belongs in the middle spot of that list.
3. "Mountain" is common, but "Mount Everest" is proper.
Mountain can mean any mountain anywhere, but Mount Everest is the name of the one tallest mountain on Earth. Specific names like this are always proper nouns.
4. The word "toy" does not need a capital letter because it is a common noun.
Toy is a general word that can refer to any plaything. Common nouns like this do not get capitalized unless they start a sentence.
5. Days of the week like Thursday and Saturday are proper nouns.
Saturday is one specific day, just like Thursday is. All seven day names are proper nouns, which is why they always begin with a capital letter.
6. A proper noun for the common noun "lake" could be Lake Erie.
Lake by itself is a general word, but Lake Erie names one specific body of water. When you give a lake a name, it becomes a proper noun.
7. The names of states like California are proper nouns.
Each state has its own special name, and California is one of them. State names are proper nouns because they point to one specific place on the map.
8. The word "pet" is a common noun because it could mean any pet.
Pet is a general word because it can refer to a dog, cat, fish, or rabbit. Since it does not name one specific animal, pet is a common noun.
9. Proper nouns always start with an uppercase letter.
An uppercase letter is the same as a capital letter. Starting a proper noun with an uppercase letter tells readers the word is a specific name.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each common noun to its proper noun example.
lake
→ Lake Superior
Christmas
state
→ Ohio
Lake Superior
pet
→ Goldie
Goldie
holiday
→ Christmas
Ohio
Correct matches: lake → Lake Superior; state → Ohio; pet → Goldie; holiday → Christmas.