Adjectives and Adverbs worksheet with fill-in-the-blank exercises and multiple-choice answers, illustrated with a cartoon farmer.
Worksheet titled "Adjectives & Adverbs" with multiple-choice questions to choose correct adjectives or adverbs, featuring a cartoon illustration of a woman with chickens and a basket.
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Step-by-step solution for: Adjective or Adverb? Worksheet for 3rd - 6th Grade | Lesson Planet
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Adjective or Adverb? Worksheet for 3rd - 6th Grade | Lesson Planet
Let's solve this worksheet step by step. The goal is to choose the correct answer between an adjective and an adverb, based on grammar rules.
---
- Adjectives describe nouns (people, places, things).
- Adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Most end in -ly, but not all.
Now, let’s go through each question:
---
1. Martha is always ______ when he talks to you.
a) polite ✔
b) politely
→ "polite" describes Martha (a person), so it's an adjective.
✔ Answer: a) polite
2. She put the glasses on the table ______.
a) carefully ✔
b) careful
→ "put" is a verb; we need an adverb to describe *how* she put them.
✔ Answer: a) carefully
3. Your granny walks ______.
a) slow
b) slowly ✔
→ "walks" is a verb, so we need an adverb. "Slowly" modifies the verb.
✔ Answer: b) slowly
4. That’s a ______ work for him.
a) easy ✔
b) difficult
→ "work" is a noun, so we need an adjective. Both are adjectives, but "difficult" fits better with "work".
However, both could be grammatically correct depending on context. But since both options are valid adjectives, let's see which makes more sense.
Actually, “easy” and “difficult” are both correct adjectives here. But the sentence says “a ______ work” — “work” is uncountable, so we say “a difficult job” or “hard work”, but “a easy work” is incorrect.
Wait — “work” is uncountable, so we can’t say “a work”. It should be “a difficult task” or “hard work”.
But here, the sentence says “a ______ work” — this is grammatically incorrect unless it's a typo. Likely intended as “a difficult job” or “hard work”.
Assuming it's meant to be "a difficult job", then b) difficult is better.
But given the options, both are adjectives. Let's assume the sentence is okay.
→ "difficult" is more likely correct because “easy work” sounds odd unless specified.
Actually, “easy work” is acceptable. But perhaps the intended contrast is that it's hard.
Still, both are adjectives, so we pick the one that fits best.
But wait — the word "work" is uncountable. So saying "a work" is wrong.
This might be a typo. Perhaps it's supposed to be “a difficult task”?
Regardless, we must choose between two adjectives.
→ Since "work" is uncountable, “a _____ work” is ungrammatical. But if we ignore that, both are possible.
But “difficult” is more common in such contexts.
✔ Answer: b) difficult
5. She’s been working ______.
a) hard ✔
b) hardly
→ “working” is a verb, so we need an adverb. “Hard” is an adverb meaning “with effort”; “hardly” means “almost not”.
She has been working hard (not hardly).
✔ Answer: a) hard
6. There’s a ______ man in the street.
a) homeless ✔
b) homelessly
→ "man" is a noun, so we need an adjective. "Homeless" is an adjective; "homelessly" is not used to describe a person.
✔ Answer: a) homeless
7. They ran ______ to the police station.
a) quick
b) quickly ✔
→ "ran" is a verb, so we need an adverb.
✔ Answer: b) quickly
8. I know your job is ______ and badly paid.
a) hard ✔
b) hardly
→ "job" is a noun, so we need an adjective. "Hard" = difficult job; "hardly" = almost not (adverb).
✔ Answer: a) hard
9. He cleaned his flat ______ two days ago.
a) complete
b) completely ✔
→ "cleaned" is a verb, so we need an adverb. "Completely" modifies how he cleaned.
✔ Answer: b) completely
10. Of course, he was ______ right.
a) absolutely ✔
b) absolute
→ "right" is an adjective, so we need an adverb to modify it. "Absolutely" is an adverb; "absolute" is an adjective.
✔ Answer: a) absolutely
11. Their baby girl was really ______.
a) beauty
b) beautiful ✔
→ "girl" is a noun, so we need an adjective. "Beautiful" describes her appearance. "Beauty" is a noun.
✔ Answer: b) beautiful
12. Sarah is a very ______ woman.
a) tall ✔
b) happily
→ "woman" is a noun → needs adjective. "Happily" is an adverb.
✔ Answer: a) tall
13. I don’t like his portraits, he paints ______.
a) awful
b) awfully ✔
→ "paints" is a verb → needs adverb. "Awfully" = very badly (adverb). "Awful" is an adjective.
✔ Answer: b) awfully
14. The teacher was angry and talked ______.
a) angry
b) angrily ✔
→ "talked" is a verb → needs adverb. "Angrily" describes how she talked.
✔ Answer: b) angrily
15. Harry’s English is ______ than Sam’s.
a) good
b) better ✔
→ We have a comparison ("than"), so we need the comparative form. "Better" is the comparative of "good".
✔ Answer: b) better
16. It isn’t difficult. You have to read it ______.
a) slowly ✔
b) slow
→ "read" is a verb → needs adverb. "Slowly" is the correct adverb.
✔ Answer: a) slowly
17. Spain is a ______ country.
a) greatly
b) great ✔
→ "country" is a noun → needs adjective. "Great" is an adjective; "greatly" is an adverb.
✔ Answer: b) great
18. Johnny always answers me ______.
a) patient
b) patiently ✔
→ "answers" is a verb → needs adverb. "Patiently" describes how he answers.
✔ Answer: b) patiently
19. The house wasn’t ______ but I love it.
a) cheap ✔
b) cheaply
→ "house" is a noun → needs adjective. "Cheap" describes the house. "Cheaply" would describe how something was bought, but here it's describing the house itself.
✔ Answer: a) cheap
20. He broke two glasses ______.
a) accident
b) accidentally ✔
→ "broke" is a verb → needs adverb. "Accidentally" means by accident. "Accident" is a noun.
✔ Answer: b) accidentally
21. My friend had an ______ hair.
a) incredible ✔
b) incredibly
→ "hair" is a noun → needs adjective. "Incredible" describes the hair. "Incredibly" is an adverb.
✔ Answer: a) incredible
22. We were laughing ______ while watching TV.
a) happy
b) happily ✔
→ "laughing" is a verb → needs adverb. "Happily" describes how they laughed.
✔ Answer: b) happily
---
| Q# | Answer |
|----|--------|
| 1 | a) polite |
| 2 | a) carefully |
| 3 | b) slowly |
| 4 | b) difficult |
| 5 | a) hard |
| 6 | a) homeless |
| 7 | b) quickly |
| 8 | a) hard |
| 9 | b) completely |
| 10 | a) absolutely |
| 11 | b) beautiful |
| 12 | a) tall |
| 13 | b) awfully |
| 14 | b) angrily |
| 15 | b) better |
| 16 | a) slowly |
| 17 | b) great |
| 18 | b) patiently |
| 19 | a) cheap |
| 20 | b) accidentally |
| 21 | a) incredible |
| 22 | b) happily |
---
- Use adjectives to describe nouns.
- Use adverbs (often ending in -ly) to describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
- Exceptions: "hard", "fast", "early" — these can be adverbs without -ly.
- Comparative forms (e.g., better) are needed when using "than".
- Watch for uncountable nouns (like "work") — they don't take "a".
Let me know if you'd like a printable version or explanation for any specific question!
---
🔹 Key Rule:
- Adjectives describe nouns (people, places, things).
- Adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Most end in -ly, but not all.
Now, let’s go through each question:
---
1. Martha is always ______ when he talks to you.
a) polite ✔
b) politely
→ "polite" describes Martha (a person), so it's an adjective.
✔ Answer: a) polite
2. She put the glasses on the table ______.
a) carefully ✔
b) careful
→ "put" is a verb; we need an adverb to describe *how* she put them.
✔ Answer: a) carefully
3. Your granny walks ______.
a) slow
b) slowly ✔
→ "walks" is a verb, so we need an adverb. "Slowly" modifies the verb.
✔ Answer: b) slowly
4. That’s a ______ work for him.
a) easy ✔
b) difficult
→ "work" is a noun, so we need an adjective. Both are adjectives, but "difficult" fits better with "work".
However, both could be grammatically correct depending on context. But since both options are valid adjectives, let's see which makes more sense.
Actually, “easy” and “difficult” are both correct adjectives here. But the sentence says “a ______ work” — “work” is uncountable, so we say “a difficult job” or “hard work”, but “a easy work” is incorrect.
Wait — “work” is uncountable, so we can’t say “a work”. It should be “a difficult task” or “hard work”.
But here, the sentence says “a ______ work” — this is grammatically incorrect unless it's a typo. Likely intended as “a difficult job” or “hard work”.
Assuming it's meant to be "a difficult job", then b) difficult is better.
But given the options, both are adjectives. Let's assume the sentence is okay.
→ "difficult" is more likely correct because “easy work” sounds odd unless specified.
Actually, “easy work” is acceptable. But perhaps the intended contrast is that it's hard.
Still, both are adjectives, so we pick the one that fits best.
But wait — the word "work" is uncountable. So saying "a work" is wrong.
This might be a typo. Perhaps it's supposed to be “a difficult task”?
Regardless, we must choose between two adjectives.
→ Since "work" is uncountable, “a _____ work” is ungrammatical. But if we ignore that, both are possible.
But “difficult” is more common in such contexts.
✔ Answer: b) difficult
5. She’s been working ______.
a) hard ✔
b) hardly
→ “working” is a verb, so we need an adverb. “Hard” is an adverb meaning “with effort”; “hardly” means “almost not”.
She has been working hard (not hardly).
✔ Answer: a) hard
6. There’s a ______ man in the street.
a) homeless ✔
b) homelessly
→ "man" is a noun, so we need an adjective. "Homeless" is an adjective; "homelessly" is not used to describe a person.
✔ Answer: a) homeless
7. They ran ______ to the police station.
a) quick
b) quickly ✔
→ "ran" is a verb, so we need an adverb.
✔ Answer: b) quickly
8. I know your job is ______ and badly paid.
a) hard ✔
b) hardly
→ "job" is a noun, so we need an adjective. "Hard" = difficult job; "hardly" = almost not (adverb).
✔ Answer: a) hard
9. He cleaned his flat ______ two days ago.
a) complete
b) completely ✔
→ "cleaned" is a verb, so we need an adverb. "Completely" modifies how he cleaned.
✔ Answer: b) completely
10. Of course, he was ______ right.
a) absolutely ✔
b) absolute
→ "right" is an adjective, so we need an adverb to modify it. "Absolutely" is an adverb; "absolute" is an adjective.
✔ Answer: a) absolutely
11. Their baby girl was really ______.
a) beauty
b) beautiful ✔
→ "girl" is a noun, so we need an adjective. "Beautiful" describes her appearance. "Beauty" is a noun.
✔ Answer: b) beautiful
12. Sarah is a very ______ woman.
a) tall ✔
b) happily
→ "woman" is a noun → needs adjective. "Happily" is an adverb.
✔ Answer: a) tall
13. I don’t like his portraits, he paints ______.
a) awful
b) awfully ✔
→ "paints" is a verb → needs adverb. "Awfully" = very badly (adverb). "Awful" is an adjective.
✔ Answer: b) awfully
14. The teacher was angry and talked ______.
a) angry
b) angrily ✔
→ "talked" is a verb → needs adverb. "Angrily" describes how she talked.
✔ Answer: b) angrily
15. Harry’s English is ______ than Sam’s.
a) good
b) better ✔
→ We have a comparison ("than"), so we need the comparative form. "Better" is the comparative of "good".
✔ Answer: b) better
16. It isn’t difficult. You have to read it ______.
a) slowly ✔
b) slow
→ "read" is a verb → needs adverb. "Slowly" is the correct adverb.
✔ Answer: a) slowly
17. Spain is a ______ country.
a) greatly
b) great ✔
→ "country" is a noun → needs adjective. "Great" is an adjective; "greatly" is an adverb.
✔ Answer: b) great
18. Johnny always answers me ______.
a) patient
b) patiently ✔
→ "answers" is a verb → needs adverb. "Patiently" describes how he answers.
✔ Answer: b) patiently
19. The house wasn’t ______ but I love it.
a) cheap ✔
b) cheaply
→ "house" is a noun → needs adjective. "Cheap" describes the house. "Cheaply" would describe how something was bought, but here it's describing the house itself.
✔ Answer: a) cheap
20. He broke two glasses ______.
a) accident
b) accidentally ✔
→ "broke" is a verb → needs adverb. "Accidentally" means by accident. "Accident" is a noun.
✔ Answer: b) accidentally
21. My friend had an ______ hair.
a) incredible ✔
b) incredibly
→ "hair" is a noun → needs adjective. "Incredible" describes the hair. "Incredibly" is an adverb.
✔ Answer: a) incredible
22. We were laughing ______ while watching TV.
a) happy
b) happily ✔
→ "laughing" is a verb → needs adverb. "Happily" describes how they laughed.
✔ Answer: b) happily
---
✔ Final Answers:
| Q# | Answer |
|----|--------|
| 1 | a) polite |
| 2 | a) carefully |
| 3 | b) slowly |
| 4 | b) difficult |
| 5 | a) hard |
| 6 | a) homeless |
| 7 | b) quickly |
| 8 | a) hard |
| 9 | b) completely |
| 10 | a) absolutely |
| 11 | b) beautiful |
| 12 | a) tall |
| 13 | b) awfully |
| 14 | b) angrily |
| 15 | b) better |
| 16 | a) slowly |
| 17 | b) great |
| 18 | b) patiently |
| 19 | a) cheap |
| 20 | b) accidentally |
| 21 | a) incredible |
| 22 | b) happily |
---
📌 Summary of Rules Used:
- Use adjectives to describe nouns.
- Use adverbs (often ending in -ly) to describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
- Exceptions: "hard", "fast", "early" — these can be adverbs without -ly.
- Comparative forms (e.g., better) are needed when using "than".
- Watch for uncountable nouns (like "work") — they don't take "a".
Let me know if you'd like a printable version or explanation for any specific question!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of adjective and adverb worksheets.
