Demonstrative Adjectives Quiz

In general, adjectives 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 particular noun is being discussed, through demonstration. There are four demonstrative adjectives in the English language: this, that, these, and those.

Unlike other languages that distinguish between masculine and feminine in their adjectives, the only distinctions in English are between singular/plural and near/far.

• this - refers to a singular noun that is nearby
• that - refers to a singular noun that is far away
• these - refers to a plural noun that is close by
• those - refers to a plural noun in the distance

When you think “demonstrative,” think “demonstration,” and then think about the spokesmodels on The Price is Right who show off the merchandise while the announcer uses a demonstrative adjective (this).

“This Kenmore Electric Range features a Hidden Bake Element for increased capacity and easy clean up ... This marvelous prize can be yours if the price is right!”

They have just demonstrated which stove they’re talking about by pointing, displaying and using the demonstrative adjective this.

The following demonstrative adjectives quiz is in four parts. Use all four or just one or two sections, depending on your needs. Complete the demonstrative adjectives exercises first (or assign them to your students), then scroll down to see the answers. If you'd rather use a printable version, skip ahead to the next section.

There are four demonstrative adjectives: this, that, these, and those. Choose which demonstrative adjective would be used in each of the situations listed below.

1. Which demonstrative adjective would you use to describe a singular noun that is far away?
2. Which demonstrative adjective would you use to describe a singular noun that is nearby?
3. Which demonstrative adjective would you use to describe a plural noun that is far away?
4. Which demonstrative adjective would you use to describe a plural noun that is nearby?

For each of the items below, review the choices and decide which of the four options given is the best answer to the 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.

Select the correct demonstrative adjective for each of the following sentences.

1. This/that glass here is mine, but this/that one over there is his.
2. These/Those books here are hers, but these/those over there are mine.
3. She can’t eat all of this/these popcorn.
4. I can’t finish this/these contracts today. I’ll work on them tomorrow.
   
5. I think that/those woodpecker is back. I hear it banging on the house.

Each of the following sentences has a mistake with a demonstrative adjective. Identify the incorrect word and decide what it should be replaced with.

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.

Would you prefer a printable worksheet version of the quiz? Download an expanded version below. Some of the questions on the demonstrative adjectives worksheet are the same as the quiz questions above, though it contains more items. The worksheet is ideal for upper elementary or early middle school students. In addition to the printable quiz, the PDF includes a complete answer key.

The answers to the in-article quiz appear below. Use it to check the accuracy of your work. or that of your students.

Answers to the questions in part 1 are listed below.

1. that (use with a singular noun that is far away)
2. this (use with a singular noun that is nearby)
3. those (use with a plural noun that is far away)
4. these (use with a plural noun that is nearby)

See below for answers to the part 2 items.

1. d. "those socks" contains a demonstrative adjective
2. d. "this car" contains a demonstrative adjective used correctly
3. a. "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" does not use a demonstrative adjective.

The complete sentences appear below; the correct demonstrative adjectives are bold.

1. This glass here is mine, but that one over there is his.
2. These books here are hers, but those over there are mine.
3. She can’t eat all of this popcorn.
4. I can’t finish these contracts today. I’ll work on them tomorrow.
   
5. I think that woodpecker is back. I hear it banging on the house.

The incorrect words are crossed out. The change that needs to be made appears in italics after each sentence.

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

There is always something new to learn in English grammar. After mastering demonstrative adjectives, the next logical step is to learn about demonstrative pronouns. Start with a lesson explaining what demonstrative pronouns are. Then, move on to practicing newly mastered skills with a few demonstrative pronoun worksheets.