1. Complete the spelling rules in column A with the plural endings below.
-es -es -ies -s -s -s -ves
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A Spelling rules |
B Examples |
|
1 To make the plural of most nouns we add ……… |
1 singer – singers 2 …………………….. |
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2 If the noun ends in -s, -sh, -ch, -z, or -x, we add ……… |
3 …………………….. 4 …………………….. 5 …………………….. |
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3 If the noun ends in -o, we add ……… or sometimes ……… |
6 …………………….. |
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4 If the noun ends in a consonant – -y, we change -y to ……… |
7 …………………….. 8 …………………….. 9 …………………….. 10 …………………….. |
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5 If the noun ends in a vowel + -y, we add ……… |
11 …………………….. |
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6 If the noun ends in -f or -fe, we change -f or -fe to ……… |
12 …………………….. |
Answer
1 -s 2 -es 3 -s, -es 4 -ies 5 -s 6 -ves
2. Complete column B in exercise 1 with the underlined nouns in the text below. Write the singular and plural forms.
Famous families
WILL SMITH is a famous actor. His wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, is an actress, singer and businesswoman. They have got two children, Jaden and Willow. Jaden is an actor too – the star of ‘The Karate Kid’ – and Willow is a singer and dancer. The family have got a charity, The Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation. It helps poor young people in American cities.
SERENA AND VENUS WILLIAMS come from a large family – with five girls and no boys! They are both famous tennis players. Venus is the winner of seven singles Grand Slams. She is the first black woman to be Number 1 in the world. Venus has got a clothes company that makes dresses, skirts and tops. Serena is the winner of more tennis matches than any other female player. She speaks French, Italian and Spanish – and English, of course. She has got a tattoo of a heart on her neck.
Answer
2 winner – winners 3 actress – actresses
4 dress – dresses 5 match – matches 6 tattoo – tattoos
7 family – families 8 charity – charities 9 city – cities
10 company – companies 11 boy – boys 12 wife – wives
3. Which rules in exercise 1 do these nouns follow? Write 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.
a dictionary 4
b day ………
c knife ………
d box ………
e potato ………
f brother ………
Answer
b Rule 5 c Rule 6 d Rule 2 e Rule 3 f Rule 1
4. Complete the sentences with the plural forms of the nouns in exercise 3.
1 There are seven ……………………… in a week.
2 We’ve got fifteen English ……………………… on the shelf in our classroom.
3 I’ve got a sister and two ………………………
4 I keep my CDs in two ……………………… under my bed.
5 Let’s have steak, ……………………… and peas for dinner.
6 Can you put the plates, ………………………, forks and spoons on the table, please?
Answer
1 days 2 dictionaries 3 brothers 4 boxes
5 potatoes 6 knives
5. Look at the italic words in the text in exercise 2. Add them to the rules below. If possible, write the singular and plural forms.
1 Some nouns have irregular plural forms.
…………………………. …………………………. ………………………….
2 Some nouns are always plural
………………………….
3 Some nouns have no plural form. We call these uncountable nouns.
………………………….
Answer
1 child – children, person – people, woman – women
2 clothes 3 tennis
6. Complete the sentences with the words below. Sometimes you need to change the form.
help jeans man sunglasses tooth water
1 Can you give me some …………………………. with my homework? It’s very difficult.
2 ‘I’m thirsty.’ ‘Have a glass of …………………………..’
3 Always brush your …………………………. Before you go to bed.
4 The sun is very bright. Where are my ………………………….?
5 Joe has got a white top and blue ………………………….
6 Can you see those two …………………………. Over there? They’re my uncles.
Answer
1 help 2 water 3 teeth 4 sunglasses 5 jeans 6 men
7. Write the plural forms of the nouns below. Use a dictionary to help you.
1 key ……………….
2 half ……………….
3 ski ……………….
4 mouse ……………….
5 sheep ……………….
6 roof ……………….
Answer
1 keys 2 halves 3 skis 4 mice 5 sheep 6 roofs
8. Rewrite the following sentences with plural forms. Use the numbers in brackets.
1 Our flat has got a bedroom. (six)
…………………………….
2 We’ve got a class before lunch. (four)
…………………………….
3 Matt has got a shelf in his room. (five)
…………………………….
4 My sister has got a child. (three)
…………………………….
5 I’ve got a party this weekend. (two)
…………………………….
6 My friend has got a photo on his phone. (sixty)
…………………………….
Answer
1 Our flat has got six bedrooms.
2 We’ve got four classes before lunch.
3 Matt has got five shelves in his room.
4 My sister has got three children.
5 I’ve got two parties this weekend.
6 My friend has got 60 photos on his phone.
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