Real-Life Writing © Scholastic Teaching Resources

1. Recognizing and Using Adjectives

Discuss
An adjective is a word that describes or adds to the meaning of a noun or
pronoun. For example, in the sentence below, strange is an adjective that adds to
the meaning of the noun noise.

The strange noise keeps us awake.

Often an adjective can appear after the noun it describes:

The noise is strange.

In the sentence below, strange modifies the pronoun it:

It is strange.

Read aloud the sentences below. Identify the adjective. Tell what noun or
pronoun it describes.
1. Most students passed the test. 5. A kind family adopted the cat.
2. The test was difficult. 6. She is happy.
3. The homeless cat wandered along the street. 7. The house seems small.
4. It was hungry. 8. The cat sleeps on a tiny cushion.

Writing Practice
Choose an adjective from the box to complete each sentence below. Write your choices on
the lines. Different answers are possible.

green several scary beautiful silly first

difficult big delicious little new special

1. He made mistakes on the test.

2. She prepared a dessert.
3. It was .
4. The kids didn’t like the movie.
5. They made a poster for the fair.
6. The trees are and full of blossoms.
7. Nobody liked that TV program.

42 8. The contestants won a prize.

 Real-Life Writing © Scholastic Teaching Resources

Use what you’ve learned.

Partner Work
Writing on Your Own
Use each of the words in the box below as an
1. With your partner, read aloud the sentences
adjective in a sentence of your own. Underline
you completed for Writing Practice. Name the adjective. Circle the word it describes.
the adjective or adjectives you used in each Example: large
sentence. Then tell which word in the The mail carrier delivered a large box.
sentence your adjective describes.
large easy purple good different
Example: He made several mistakes on the
mysterious sad enormous quiet
test. The adjective several describes the noun
mistakes. 1.________________________________________________

__________________________________________________
2. With your partner, write sentences using
each word below as an adjective. 2.________________________________________________

a. gloomy ____________________________________ __________________________________________________

______________________________________________ 3.________________________________________________

b. confusing ____________________________________ __________________________________________________

______________________________________________ 4.________________________________________________

c. horrible ______________________________________ __________________________________________________

______________________________________________ 5.________________________________________________

d. brave ______________________________________ __________________________________________________

______________________________________________ 6.________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

7.________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

8.________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

9.________________________________________________

__________________________________________________
43
Section 3: Adjectives and Adverbs
pp. 42–43
Writing Practice
Answers will vary. Examples:
1. He made several mistakes on the
test.
2. She prepared a delicious dessert.
3. It was difficult.
4. The little kids didn’t like the scary
movie.
5. They made a beautiful poster for the
fair.
6. The trees are green and full of
blossoms.
7. Nobody liked that silly TV program.
8. The first contestants won a special
prize.

Partner Work
2. Answers will vary. Examples:
a. The house was gloomy.
b. She gave confusing directions.
c. We had a horrible time at the party.
d. The brave sailors rescued the sinking
ship.

Writing on Your Own

Answers will vary.