Question

abstract nouns
finding nouns you can’t see, hear, taste, touch, or smell
you know that nouns name people, places, and things. most of these nouns — like a tree in the park, a dog, your favorite song, a piece of fruit, or a flower — can be seen, heard, tasted, touched, or smelled. these are called concrete nouns. but there are many things that you can’t detect with your senses, such as beauty or trouble. these are called abstract nouns.
read the sentences below, and consider each underlined noun carefully. is it something you can see, hear, taste, touch, or smell? if not, it is an abstract noun. circle all of the abstract nouns that you find.

1. the monkeys at the sanctuary have a lot of curiosity.
2. the kids laugh at the playfulness of the little monkeys.
3. the monkeys laugh at the silliness of the kids.
4. the monkeys like to show off their intelligence to the onlookers.
5. the monkeys show their happiness with big smiles for everyone.
6. the keepers make sure the monkeys have a life filled with love and happiness.
7. the monkeys show each other affection by sharing their bananas.
8. the children point at the monkeys with great excitement and the monkeys wave back with equal enthusiasm.
9. the monkeys swing around the habitat with no fear or doubt.
10. the older monkeys share their wisdom with the babies with great tenderness.

Explanation:

An abstract noun names an idea, quality, or state rather than a concrete object. Words like curiosity, playfulness, silliness, intelligence, happiness, love, affection, excitement, enthusiasm, fear, doubt, wisdom, and tenderness cannot be perceived by the five senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell).

Answer:

1. curiosity
2. playfulness
3. silliness
4. intelligence
5. happiness
6. love, happiness
7. affection
8. excitement, enthusiasm
9. fear, doubt
10. wisdom, tenderness