Solution to the "Expanded Noun Phrases" Worksheet
An
expanded noun phrase includes a noun and one or more adjectives (or other modifiers) that provide more detail about the noun. The goal is to identify these phrases in each sentence.
Let’s go through each sentence and
underline (or circle) the expanded noun phrase:
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1.
The brightly-coloured parrot flew through the canopy.
✔ Expanded noun phrase: *The brightly-coloured parrot*
- "brightly-coloured" is an adjective describing "parrot".
2.
After his lunch, Harold ate a sweet, delicious chocolate brownie.
✔ Expanded noun phrase: *a sweet, delicious chocolate brownie*
- Adjectives: "sweet", "delicious", "chocolate" describe "brownie".
3.
Under the waves, the stripy fish swam quickly through the reef.
✔ Expanded noun phrase: *the stripy fish*
- "stripy" describes "fish".
4.
In a forest clearing, a dark, mysterious jaguar sauntered by the water.
✔ Expanded noun phrase: *a dark, mysterious jaguar*
- Adjectives: "dark", "mysterious" describe "jaguar".
5.
"Pass me the blue shoes please," Mum asked Sophia.
✔ Expanded noun phrase: *the blue shoes*
- "blue" describes "shoes".
6.
As John sat at the bus stop, he saw three large, black cars go past.
✔ Expanded noun phrase: *three large, black cars*
- "large", "black" describe "cars"; "three" is a number modifier.
7.
"These strawberry yoghurts are out of date!" complained the customer in the shop.
✔ Expanded noun phrase: *These strawberry yoghurts*
- "strawberry" describes "yoghurts"; "these" is a determiner.
8.
"Whose is this writing pencil?" asked the teacher as she held it in the air.
✔ Expanded noun phrase: *this writing pencil*
- "writing" describes "pencil"; "this" is a determiner.
9.
When he reached the top, the climber stared at the vast, breath-taking view.
✔ Expanded noun phrase: *the vast, breath-taking view*
- "vast", "breath-taking" describe "view".
10.
Happy and elated, the winning team held their trophy in the air.
✔ Expanded noun phrase: *the winning team*
- "winning" describes "team"; "the" is a determiner.
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✔ Final Answers (Expanded Noun Phrases):
1.
The brightly-coloured parrot
2.
a sweet, delicious chocolate brownie
3.
the stripy fish
4.
a dark, mysterious jaguar
5.
the blue shoes
6.
three large, black cars
7.
These strawberry yoghurts
8.
this writing pencil
9.
the vast, breath-taking view
10.
the winning team
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📝 Explanation:
Each expanded noun phrase adds descriptive details (adjectives or modifiers) to make the noun more vivid and informative. This helps readers visualize the scene better and makes writing more engaging.
For example, instead of just saying “a fish,” we say “the stripy fish” — which gives us a clearer image.
This exercise helps students recognize how writers use language to create richer descriptions.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of noun phrases worksheet.
