ELA Q1 — Nouns & Vocabulary
5th Grade · River Ridge / Frilot · Study Guide
Filled in from Beau’s First Quarter Exam Review packet
This guide matches the packet sections: common/proper nouns, singular/plural nouns,
possessive nouns, collective nouns, and nouns as subjects or subject complements.
Section 6 (Vocabulary Review) was blank / not visible in the photos, so it is not included.
Section 1 — Common & Proper Nouns
Common noun
A common noun names a general person, place, thing, or idea.
It is usually not capitalized (unless it starts a sentence).
Examples from the packet idea: mountain, park, students.
Tip: Ask “Is this a specific name?” If no → common noun.
Proper noun
A proper noun names a specific person, place, or thing and
is always capitalized.
- People: Mr. Ramirez, Ms. Nguyen
- Places: Yellowstone, Florida / Texas
- Holidays: Thanksgiving, Halloween
If a word should be capitalized because it is a specific name, it is a proper noun.
Section 2 — Singular & Plural Nouns
Regular plurals
- Most nouns: add -s
- Ends in s, x, z, ch, sh: add -es → box → boxes
- Ends in consonant + y: change y to -ies
- Many ending in -o: add -es → tomato → tomatoes, potato → potatoes
- Ends in -f / -fe: often change to -ves → shelf → shelves, wolf → wolves, leaf → leaves, calf → calves
Irregular plurals (memorize)
- man → men, woman → women
- foot → feet, tooth → teeth
- child → children, mouse → mice
Watch out for fake plurals like mans, foots, boxs, or wolfs.
Section 3 — Possessive Nouns
Apostrophe rules
- Singular (one): add 's → dog’s, brother’s, sister’s, cat’s
- Plural ending in s: add only ' → students’, dolphins’, teachers’, whales’
- Irregular plural (not ending in s): add 's → children’s
- Singular name ending in s (packet style): add 's → James’s, Chris’s
Singular = apostrophe before the s ( brother’s ).
Plural that already ends in s = apostrophe after the s ( brothers’ ).
Section 4 — Collective Nouns
Common collective nouns from the packet
- crowd of tourists / visitors
- pack of wolves
- choir (school choir that sings)
- school of fish
- flock of sheep
Match the group word to what is being grouped — people, animals, or singers.
Section 5 — Subject vs. Subject Complement
Subject (S)
The subject is who or what the sentence is about — usually the noun that
does the action.
Examples: The energetic puppy chased… ·
Several high waves crashed…
Subject complement (SC)
After a linking verb (is, are, was, were, became),
a noun that renames the subject is a subject complement.
- Mrs. Garcia is a supportive teacher. → SC
- My uncle is a skilled carpenter. → SC
- Dr. Patel was a reliable physician. → SC
Linking verb + noun that renames = subject complement.
Action verb + noun that does the action = subject.
Quick check before the quiz
- Proper nouns are capitalized specific names.
- Plural spelling: -es, -ves, and irregulars (men, feet, teeth).
- Possessives: one = ’s · many ending in s = s’ · children = children’s.
- Collective: crowd, pack, choir, school, flock.
- Subject does the action; SC renames after is/was/became.
Start the practice quiz