Concrete and Abstract Nouns

Which of these names something you could hold in your hand?

• love

• idea

• pencil

• bravery

Answer explanation

A pencil is a concrete noun because it's a physical object you can touch. Love, idea, and bravery are abstract nouns because they are feelings or concepts.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1C

Which word below is an abstract noun, meaning it's a feeling, quality, or idea?

• chair

• laptop

• happiness

• water bottle

Answer explanation

Happiness is an abstract noun because it's a feeling you can't perceive with your five senses. The other options are all concrete nouns you can see and touch.

True or False: A noun is concrete if you can experience it with at least one of your five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, or touch).

• True

• False

Answer explanation

This is the definition of a concrete noun. For example, you can see a 'rainbow' and touch a 'rock', so they are concrete nouns.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1C

Fill in the blank: After scoring the winning goal, the soccer player was filled with _____.

• a cleat

• the net

• a whistle

• pride

Answer explanation

'Pride' is an abstract noun that represents the feeling of satisfaction from an achievement. The other options are concrete objects found at a soccer game.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1C

In the sentence, "It takes a lot of courage to speak in front of a big crowd," which word is the abstract noun?

• lot

• crowd

• courage

• front

Answer explanation

'Courage' is the abstract noun because it's a quality that can't be touched or seen directly. A 'crowd' is a concrete noun (a group of people).

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1C

Fill in the blank: My brother left his muddy _____ by the front door.

• thought

• hope

• boots

• memory

Answer explanation

'Boots' are a concrete noun, a physical item that can get muddy. The other options are abstract nouns and cannot be physically muddy.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1C

True or False: In the sentence, "Laughter is the best medicine," the word "Laughter" is a concrete noun because you can hear it.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Even though you can hear laughter, the concept of laughter itself is abstract. It is an idea or an action, not a tangible object you can hold.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1C

Which of these common compound nouns is an abstract noun?

• skateboard

• friendship

• sunflower

• notebook

Answer explanation

'Friendship' is an abstract concept representing a relationship. The other options are all physical, concrete objects you can see and touch.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1C

In which sentence is the word "paper" used as an abstract noun?

• I need to buy a ream of paper for the printer.

• He wrote his phone number on a scrap of paper.

• My final grade depends on this research paper.

• She wrapped the gift in colorful paper.

Answer explanation

In this sentence, 'paper' refers to an idea or a body of work (an assignment), which is abstract. In the other sentences, it refers to the physical material.

Fill in the blank: The teacher admired the student's _____ to learn new things.

• eagerness

• desk

• book

• pencil

Answer explanation

'Eagerness,' which ends in the suffix -ness, is an abstract noun describing a quality. The other options are all concrete objects in a classroom.