Demonstrative Adjectives

Demonstrative Adjectives Quiz

Whether you’re a teacher finishing up a unit or a student wanting to test your knowledge, here is a demonstrative adjectives quiz for you along with a quick explanation of what demonstrative adjectives are and how we use them.

What Are Demonstrative Adjectives?

Adjectives in general describe nouns, telling something about their appearance, origin, make-up or character. Adjectives also describe our opinions about nouns. Demonstrative adjectives are a specific class of adjectives that describe which noun we’re talking about through demonstration. When you think “demonstrative,” think “demonstration,” and then think about the women onThe Price is Right who show off the merchandise while Rod Roddy says, “THIS Kenmore Electric Range features a Hidden Bake Element for increased capacity and easy clean up. Easy-to-clean ceramic glass cooktop features two 9-inch and two 6-inch radiant elements and a Warm & Serve zone. THIS marvelous prize can be yours if the price is right!”

Rod (along with Barker’s Beauties) have just demonstrated to us which stove they’re talking about by pointing, displaying, and using the word “this.” The demonstrative adjectives in English are:

• This
• That
• These
• Those

Unlike other languages that distinguish between masculine and feminine in their adjectives, we only have to deal with distinctions between singular/plural and near/far. A singular noun that is nearby, for example, would be referred to using “this.” A singular noun that is far away is “that.” A plural noun close at hand is “these,” and a plural noun in the distance is “those.” The following might be helpful to students who are learning their demonstratives:

• Near: This (singular) These (plural)
• Far: That (singular) Those (plural)

The following demonstrative adjectives quiz is in four parts. Use all four or just one or two sections, depending on your students’ needs.Demonstrative Adjectives Quiz

Fill in the lines below with this, that, these and those.

• Near: _______ (singular) _______ (plural)
• Far: _______ (singular) _______ (plural)

Choose the best answer to each question.

1. Which of the following contains a demonstrative adjective?

a. red socks

b. old socks

c. stinky socks

d. those socks

2. Which of the following contains a demonstrative adjective used correctly?

a. those car

b. this car

c. these car

d. this cars

3. Which sentence DOES NOT use a demonstrative adjective?

a. The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

b. That movie was hilarious.

c. I could eat all of these cookies.

d. I couldn’t sleep last night because those dogs were barking.

4. Choose the correct sentence.

a. Maria loves this muffins.

b. Maria loves those muffin.

c. Maria loves these muffins.

d. Maria loves that muffins.

5. Choose the INCORRECT sentence.

a. Sam owns that motorcycle.

b. Sam owns these motorcycle.

c. Sam owns this motorcycle.

d. Sam owns those motorcycles. 

ANSWERS:

1. d
2. b
3. a
4. c
5. b

Complete the sentences with this, that, these or those.

1. ________ glass here is mine, but ________ one over there is his.
2. ________ books here are hers, but ________ over there are mine.
3. She can’t eat all of ________ popcorn.
4. A: (on the telephone) Hello? // B: Hi, Amy? // A: Yes, ________ is Amy speaking. Who is calling? // B: Hi, Amy, ________ is Paul.
5. I found ________ earring in the bedroom. Is it yours?
6. ________ cupcakes are delicious, Shawn. May I have another?
7. I can’t finish ________ contracts today. I’ll work on them tomorrow.
8. ________ picture here was taken in India. ________ mountains back there are the Himalayas.
9. I think ________ woodpecker is back. I hear it banging on the house.
10. Cathy, could you please make ________ delicious brownies again? You know, the ones you brought to my birthday party.

ANSWERS:

1. This / that
2. These / those
3. that
4. this / this
5. this
6. These
7. these
8. This / Those (“These” is also possible.)
9. that
10. those

Correct the mistakes in the following sentences.

1. Can you see these deer out in the field?
2. The robbery took place on May 19th. This night, there was a big storm.
3. This computers over there are old. That computers here are the new ones.
4. This movie ended four hours ago.
5. These cake tastes funny. I think you put too much salt in it.

ANSWERS:

1. Change “these” to “those.”
2. Change “This” to “That.”
3. Change “This” to “Those.” Change “That” to “These.”
4. Change “This” to “That.”
5. Change “These” to “This.”