Let's solve this step by step.
Task:
You are asked to
identify whether each word in the balloons is a common noun or a proper noun, and then
color the balloons accordingly:
- Use the
yellow pencil (common noun) for general nouns.
- Use the
green pencil (proper noun) for specific names of people, places, things, or events.
---
Step 1: Understand the difference
-
Common Noun: A general name for a person, place, thing, or idea (e.g., *dog*, *city*, *book*).
-
Proper Noun: A specific name for a particular person, place, thing, or event. It always starts with a capital letter (e.g., *London*, *John*, *Christmas*).
---
Step 2: Analyze each balloon
| Balloon | Word | Type | Reason |
|--------|--------------|----------------|--------|
| 1 | milk |
Common noun | General substance |
| 2 | January |
Proper noun | Name of a month |
| 3 | money |
Common noun | General concept |
| 4 | bird |
Common noun | General animal |
| 5 | Australia |
Proper noun | Name of a country |
| 6 | ball |
Common noun | General object |
| 7 | River Thames |
Proper noun | Specific river name |
| 8 | song |
Common noun | General music piece |
| 9 | Mr. Jones |
Proper noun | Specific person’s name |
| 10 | Indian Ocean |
Proper noun | Specific ocean name |
| 11 | teacher |
Common noun | General occupation |
| 12 | Paris |
Proper noun | Name of a city |
---
Step 3: Color the balloons
Use:
-
Yellow pencil (Common noun):
→ milk, money, bird, ball, song, teacher
-
Green pencil (Proper noun):
→ January, Australia, River Thames, Mr. Jones, Indian Ocean, Paris
---
Final Answer:
✔ Color the following with Yellow (Common Noun):
- milk
- money
- bird
- ball
- song
- teacher
✔ Color the following with Green (Proper Noun):
- January
- Australia
- River Thames
- Mr. Jones
- Indian Ocean
- Paris
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This activity helps distinguish between general and specific names — a key grammar skill!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of common proper nouns worksheet.