Abstract and Collective Nouns - Worksheets, Questions and Revision

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KS3 · Grammar

Y7.6 Abstract and Collective Nouns

Calculators not allowed · about 50 minutes
Name: _______________________________    Date: ____ / ____ / ______
Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

Open Day at Foxglove Wildlife Park

Source written for Revision Library (original, copyright-free). Written specifically for this grammar worksheet pack; not derived from or based on any published work, past paper or copyrighted text.

Saturday 14th June

A ripple of excitement ran along the queue outside Foxglove Wildlife Park long before the gates opened. Somewhere behind the fence, a troop of monkeys was already shrieking with what sounded like pure delight. Mrs Okafor, the park's head keeper, greeted the waiting crowd with a warm smile and a clipboard full of notes.

The first stop was the reptile house, where a coil of pythons lay motionless beneath a heat lamp. Ravi felt a flicker of nervousness as the guide lifted a corn snake from its glass tank, but curiosity soon won over fear, and he reached out to touch its smooth, dry scales.

Outside again, a herd of zebras grazed calmly beside a pack of wild dogs resting in the shade. Further along, a flock of flamingos stood in the shallow lake, their feathers a startling shade of pink against the water. The keeper explained that patience, not speed, was the secret to training the park's young elephants, and a murmur of admiration passed through the group.

By the end of the visit, exhaustion had replaced excitement, but every visitor agreed that the sense of wonder Foxglove Park created was worth the long walk back to the car park.

1
Look at these words taken from the source text 'Open Day at Foxglove Wildlife Park'. State whether each one is used as an ABSTRACT NOUN (a feeling, idea, quality or state) or a COLLECTIVE NOUN (a group of people, animals or things treated as one).
(a)excitement(1)
(b)troop(1)
(c)curiosity(1)
(d)herd(1)
(e)patience(1)
(f)flock(1)
2
Which definition below best describes an ABSTRACT NOUN?
  • A) A noun that names a specific person or place and always starts with a capital letter
  • B) A noun that names a feeling, quality, idea or state that cannot be touched or seen
  • C) A noun that names a group of people, animals or things treated as one unit
  • D) A noun formed only by adding -ing to a verb
3
Which definition below best describes a COLLECTIVE NOUN?
  • A) A noun that names one particular person, place or organisation
  • B) A noun that names an idea, feeling or quality
  • C) A noun that names a group of people, animals or things treated as one unit
  • D) A noun that can only ever be used in the plural form
4
Word bank:
Word 1Word 2Word 3Word 4Word 5Word 6
honestyswarmboldnessjurywisdomcolony

Tick whether each word in the bank above is an abstract noun or a collective noun.
(a)honesty(1)
  • A) Abstract noun
  • B) Collective noun
(b)swarm(1)
  • A) Abstract noun
  • B) Collective noun
(c)boldness(1)
  • A) Abstract noun
  • B) Collective noun
(d)jury(1)
  • A) Abstract noun
  • B) Collective noun
(e)wisdom(1)
  • A) Abstract noun
  • B) Collective noun
(f)colony(1)
  • A) Abstract noun
  • B) Collective noun
5
Which of these words is NOT a collective noun?
  • A) shoal
  • B) squad
  • C) kindness
  • D) troupe
6
Change each adjective below into an abstract noun by adding a suitable suffix (e.g. -ness, -ity, -dom, -ery, -th).
(a)happy(1)
(b)curious(1)
(c)free(1)
(d)brave(1)
(e)honest(1)
(f)strong(1)
7
Write the correct collective noun for each group described below.
(a)a large group of ships travelling together(1)
(b)a group of singers who perform together(1)
(c)a group of thieves working together(1)
(d)a group of geese standing on the ground(1)
(e)a group of lions living together(1)
(f)a group of islands close together(1)
8
Find and write the collective noun the writer uses for each group in the source text.
(a)the group of pythons in the reptile house(1)
(b)the group of people waiting outside the gates(1)
(c)the group of visitors listening to the keeper talk about the elephants(1)
9
Explain one reason the writer chose to use the abstract noun 'wonder' in the final paragraph ('the sense of wonder Foxglove Park created'), rather than writing something more literal such as 'she thought it was very good'.
(2)
10
Explain one effect of using the collective noun 'the group' in 'a murmur of admiration passed through the group', rather than describing each visitor's reaction individually.
(2)
11
In UK English, a collective noun can take a singular verb when the group acts as one unit, or a plural verb when the members are considered as individuals. Choose the verb that correctly completes each sentence.
(a)The choir ___ rehearsing together as one voice.(1)
  • A) is
  • B) are
(b)The jury ___ each considering the evidence in their own way.(1)
  • A) is
  • B) are
(c)The team ___ celebrating as a single unit after the final whistle.(1)
  • A) is
  • B) are
(d)The committee ___ each responsible for a different part of the report.(1)
  • A) is
  • B) are
12
Rewrite the phrase 'the notes belonging to the group' using a possessive apostrophe.
(1)
13
Identify and correct the error in this sentence: 'The herd of elephant's were resting quietly by the watering hole.'
(2)
14
Identify and correct the spelling error in the abstract noun in this sentence: 'Her curiousity about the reptile house grew with every step.'
(1)
15
Identify and correct the two errors in this sentence: 'The audiences nervousness grew as the compere walked onto the stage, but their excitment soon turned to enjoyment.'
(2)
16
Below is a paragraph with several errors involving abstract and collective nouns, apostrophes, spelling and capital letters. Rewrite it correctly, correcting every error you can find.

'the childrens excitment grew as the coach pulled into the car park. a group of teacher's led the class towards the entrance, where a flock of pigeon's scattered in alarm. by lunchtime, everyones tiredness had turned into pure happyness.'
(6)
17
Write two of your own original sentences. Each sentence must contain one collective noun and one abstract noun. Underline the collective noun and circle the abstract noun in each sentence.
(a)Write your first original sentence.(2)
(b)Write your second original sentence.(2)
18
Use your own ideas for this question. Do not repeat any word already used elsewhere in this worksheet.
(a)Write three abstract nouns of your own that could describe how someone might feel on their first day at a new school.(3)
(b)Write three collective nouns of your own for groups of animals or people.(3)
19
Write a short descriptive paragraph (approximately 60-90 words) about a visit to a busy place of your choice (for example, a market, a stadium or a train station). Your writing must include at least two different collective nouns and at least two different abstract nouns. Underline each collective noun and circle each abstract noun in your answer.
(10)
Mark scheme · Y7.6 Abstract and Collective Nouns

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Question 7

Question 8

Question 9

Question 10

Question 11

Question 12

Question 13

Question 14

Question 15

Question 16

Question 17

Question 18

Question 19