Collective Nouns | 20 Collective Noun | gpo.gov.pg - Free Printable
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Step-by-step solution for: Collective Nouns | 20 Collective Noun | gpo.gov.pg
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Collective Nouns | 20 Collective Noun | gpo.gov.pg
Let's solve this step-by-step.
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Collective nouns (like *team*, *group*, *flock*) can be treated as singular or plural depending on context, but in this exercise, we're focusing on singular collective nouns, so we use singular verbs.
1. The ream of paper (is - are) needed by the teacher...
→ "Ream" is a singular collective noun.
✔ is
2. Sometimes a litter of pigs (smell - smells) awful...
→ "Litter" is singular; even though it refers to multiple pigs, the noun itself is singular.
✔ smells
3. The chest of drawers (were - was) moved...
→ "Chest" is singular.
✔ was
4. The team (consists - consist) of the president, secretary...
→ "Team" is singular.
✔ consists
5. I saw a group of boys and girls who (were - was) helping...
→ "Group" is singular, but the relative clause refers to the individuals inside the group. Since the action ("helping") involves multiple people, we use plural.
✔ were
> Note: This one is tricky! Even though "group" is singular, when the subject of the relative clause refers to the members collectively acting, we often use plural. So were is correct here.
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Word Bank:
- flock
- circle
- class
- gaggle
- convoy
- hive
- litter
- mob
- board
- fleet
6. My mother invited my circle of friends to my birthday party next week.
→ A "circle of friends" is a common phrase meaning a group of close friends.
7. The board of directors at the school voted to build a new gym and auditorium.
→ "Board of directors" is standard.
8. Every winter I get to see a flock of geese flying over my house.
→ "Flock" is used for birds.
9. During the summer, a hive of bees fell from the tree and chased my dog.
→ Wait — bees live in a hive, but “a hive of bees” usually means the structure, not the group falling. But if bees are falling, it might be a swarm. However, “hive” isn’t quite right. Let’s reconsider.
Wait — actually, “hive” refers to the home, not the group. The correct collective noun for bees is "swarm", but that’s not in the list. The only bee-related word in the bank is hive, which is not ideal.
But let's check: Is there a better fit?
No — perhaps it's a mistake? Or maybe they mean the hive as a group?
Actually, "hive" is not typically used as a collective noun like "flock" or "gaggle". It’s more of a container.
But since hive is the only bee-related word, and the sentence says “a hive of bees fell”, that's awkward.
Wait — perhaps it should be swarm? But it's not in the bank.
Alternatively, maybe it's mob? No — mob is for angry people.
Wait — "gaggle" is for geese or ducks.
Hmm.
Let’s look again:
The word bank includes: hive — and it’s commonly used with bees, though technically it's not a collective noun in motion.
But in usage: “A hive of bees” = a group of bees living together.
So even though it’s not perfect, hive is likely intended.
✔ So: hive
10. There was a litter of kittens born in my neighborhood last week.
→ "Litter" is correct for newborn animals.
11. The giant mob of people was screaming for their team...
→ "Mob" fits for a large, noisy crowd.
12. A fleet of ships about one mile long could be seen from the beach.
→ Already completed. fleet is correct.
13. As we rode down the highway, a convoy of trucks passed our car.
→ "Convoy" = group of vehicles traveling together.
14. The teacher gave her class of second-grade students cake and ice cream.
→ "Class" = group of students.
15. There was a flock of birds heading straight for the power lines...
→ "Flock" = group of birds.
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Now write one original sentence for each:
16. rack of ribs
→ We ordered a rack of ribs for dinner and enjoyed every bite.
17. pad of paper
→ I grabbed a pad of paper to jot down my ideas during the meeting.
18. galaxy of stars
→ Looking up at the night sky, I imagined a galaxy of stars swirling in space.
19. battery of tests
→ The doctor ran a battery of tests to determine the cause of his symptoms.
20. pride of lions
→ A pride of lions rested under the shade of a large acacia tree.
---
#### Part 1: Verbs
1. is
2. smells
3. was
4. consists
5. were
#### Part 2: Word Bank
6. circle
7. board
8. flock
9. hive
10. litter
11. mob
12. fleet (already given)
13. convoy
14. class
15. flock
#### Part 3: Sentences
16. We ordered a rack of ribs for dinner and enjoyed every bite.
17. I grabbed a pad of paper to jot down my ideas during the meeting.
18. Looking up at the night sky, I imagined a galaxy of stars swirling in space.
19. The doctor ran a battery of tests to determine the cause of his symptoms.
20. A pride of lions rested under the shade of a large acacia tree.
---
Let me know if you'd like these sentences rewritten in different styles or with more advanced vocabulary!
---
Part 1: Choose the correct verb for singular collective nouns
Collective nouns (like *team*, *group*, *flock*) can be treated as singular or plural depending on context, but in this exercise, we're focusing on singular collective nouns, so we use singular verbs.
1. The ream of paper (is - are) needed by the teacher...
→ "Ream" is a singular collective noun.
✔ is
2. Sometimes a litter of pigs (smell - smells) awful...
→ "Litter" is singular; even though it refers to multiple pigs, the noun itself is singular.
✔ smells
3. The chest of drawers (were - was) moved...
→ "Chest" is singular.
✔ was
4. The team (consists - consist) of the president, secretary...
→ "Team" is singular.
✔ consists
5. I saw a group of boys and girls who (were - was) helping...
→ "Group" is singular, but the relative clause refers to the individuals inside the group. Since the action ("helping") involves multiple people, we use plural.
✔ were
> Note: This one is tricky! Even though "group" is singular, when the subject of the relative clause refers to the members collectively acting, we often use plural. So were is correct here.
---
Part 2: Use the word bank to complete each sentence
Word Bank:
- flock
- circle
- class
- gaggle
- convoy
- hive
- litter
- mob
- board
- fleet
6. My mother invited my circle of friends to my birthday party next week.
→ A "circle of friends" is a common phrase meaning a group of close friends.
7. The board of directors at the school voted to build a new gym and auditorium.
→ "Board of directors" is standard.
8. Every winter I get to see a flock of geese flying over my house.
→ "Flock" is used for birds.
9. During the summer, a hive of bees fell from the tree and chased my dog.
→ Wait — bees live in a hive, but “a hive of bees” usually means the structure, not the group falling. But if bees are falling, it might be a swarm. However, “hive” isn’t quite right. Let’s reconsider.
Wait — actually, “hive” refers to the home, not the group. The correct collective noun for bees is "swarm", but that’s not in the list. The only bee-related word in the bank is hive, which is not ideal.
But let's check: Is there a better fit?
No — perhaps it's a mistake? Or maybe they mean the hive as a group?
Actually, "hive" is not typically used as a collective noun like "flock" or "gaggle". It’s more of a container.
But since hive is the only bee-related word, and the sentence says “a hive of bees fell”, that's awkward.
Wait — perhaps it should be swarm? But it's not in the bank.
Alternatively, maybe it's mob? No — mob is for angry people.
Wait — "gaggle" is for geese or ducks.
Hmm.
Let’s look again:
The word bank includes: hive — and it’s commonly used with bees, though technically it's not a collective noun in motion.
But in usage: “A hive of bees” = a group of bees living together.
So even though it’s not perfect, hive is likely intended.
✔ So: hive
10. There was a litter of kittens born in my neighborhood last week.
→ "Litter" is correct for newborn animals.
11. The giant mob of people was screaming for their team...
→ "Mob" fits for a large, noisy crowd.
12. A fleet of ships about one mile long could be seen from the beach.
→ Already completed. fleet is correct.
13. As we rode down the highway, a convoy of trucks passed our car.
→ "Convoy" = group of vehicles traveling together.
14. The teacher gave her class of second-grade students cake and ice cream.
→ "Class" = group of students.
15. There was a flock of birds heading straight for the power lines...
→ "Flock" = group of birds.
---
Part 3: Use each phrase in a sentence
Now write one original sentence for each:
16. rack of ribs
→ We ordered a rack of ribs for dinner and enjoyed every bite.
17. pad of paper
→ I grabbed a pad of paper to jot down my ideas during the meeting.
18. galaxy of stars
→ Looking up at the night sky, I imagined a galaxy of stars swirling in space.
19. battery of tests
→ The doctor ran a battery of tests to determine the cause of his symptoms.
20. pride of lions
→ A pride of lions rested under the shade of a large acacia tree.
---
✔ Final Answers
#### Part 1: Verbs
1. is
2. smells
3. was
4. consists
5. were
#### Part 2: Word Bank
6. circle
7. board
8. flock
9. hive
10. litter
11. mob
12. fleet (already given)
13. convoy
14. class
15. flock
#### Part 3: Sentences
16. We ordered a rack of ribs for dinner and enjoyed every bite.
17. I grabbed a pad of paper to jot down my ideas during the meeting.
18. Looking up at the night sky, I imagined a galaxy of stars swirling in space.
19. The doctor ran a battery of tests to determine the cause of his symptoms.
20. A pride of lions rested under the shade of a large acacia tree.
---
Let me know if you'd like these sentences rewritten in different styles or with more advanced vocabulary!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of collective nouns worksheet pdf.
