Collective Noun Exercises to Fix Your Grammar ASAP!

Collective nouns look harmless until they ruin your confidence in front of an entire classroom. One minute you’re vibing, the next your teacher asks for a collective noun for birds, and your brain submits a resignation letter. If English has ever embarrassed you like this, you need collective noun exercises that actually make sense and don’t read like 90s textbooks. This blog gives you zero academic trauma energy. So, let’s fix your basics before collective nouns collectively destroy your marks again.

What are Collective Nouns?

Collective nouns are words that represent a group of people, animals, or things as a single entity. Instead of saying “many birds,” we say “a flock of birds.” Instead of “several ships,” we use “a fleet of ships.” These nouns make sentences more concise and engaging while adding clarity to communication.

Collective Noun Examples

Let us understand some useful Collective Noun examples quickly and easily before we start solving collective noun exercises.

Collective Noun	Explanation	Example Usage
Flock of birds	A group of birds flying or moving together.	A flock of birds flew across the sky.
Herd of cows	A large group of grazing animals like cows or deer.	The farmer owns a herd of cows.
Swarm of bees	A large group of flying insects, especially bees.	A swarm of bees gathered around the hive.
Pack of wolves	A group of wild animals, like wolves or dogs, that live and hunt together.	A pack of wolves was spotted in the forest.
School of fish	A group of fish swimming together in coordination.	A school of fish swam near the coral reef.
Pride of lions	A family or social group of lions living together.	The pride of lions rested under the tree.
Colony of ants	A large organized group of ants living and working together.	A colony of ants built a nest in the garden.
Gaggle of geese	A group of geese, especially when on land or in water.	A gaggle of geese waddled near the pond.
Troop of monkeys	A group of monkeys travelling and living together.	A troop of monkeys played in the jungle.
Bouquet of flowers	A collection of flowers arranged together.	She received a bouquet of flowers for her birthday.

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Collective Noun Exercise with Answers

To understand the topic more in-depth let us practice some Collective Noun exercises listed below.

Exercise 1: MCQs on Collective Nouns

Instruction: Choose the correct collective noun for each sentence:

1. After a successful hunt, a ______ of lions rested lazily under the big shady tree.

a) Flock

b) Pride

c) Herd

d) Swarm

2. The fisherman was thrilled to see a massive ______ of fish swimming together in the river.

a) Pack

b) School

c) Bunch

d) Flock

3.  The ______ of judges carefully discussed before announcing the winner of the singing competition.

a) Jury

b) Team

c) Committee

d) Group

4. The farmer led his ______ of cattle across the field as the sun began to set.

a) Crowd

b) Herd

c) Swarm

d) Cluster

5. A buzzing ______ of bees surrounded the colourful flowers, collecting nectar.

a) Swarm

b) Pack

c) Fleet

d) Colony

6. The students gave a warm welcome as their ______ of teachers entered the school auditorium.

a) Crew

b) Faculty

c) Army

d) Troop

7. The audience clapped and cheered as the ______ of musicians played a beautiful melody.

a) Team

b) Choir

c) Orchestra

d) Pack

8. A ______ of ships set sail for a long journey across the deep blue ocean.

a) Fleet

b) Stack

c) Row

d) Cluster

9. The hikers were startled when they saw a ______ of wolves moving through the forest.

a) Flock

b) Troop

c) Pack

d) School

10.  The library shelves were neatly stacked with a ______ of books, ready for readers.

a) Bunch

b) Stack

c) Bundle

d) Pile

11. A loud ______ of geese flew across the sky in perfect formation.

a) Pack

b) Gaggle

c) Herd

d) Troop

12. The mountain climbers were surprised to see a ______ of eagles soaring above the peaks.

a) Fleet

b) Flock

c) Convocation

d) Cluster

13. A ______ of experts was called to discuss the environmental crisis.

a) Team

b) Panel

c) Assembly

d) Jury

14. The ship captain navigated carefully through a ______ of icebergs in the Arctic waters.

a) Stack

b) Field

c) Cluster

d) Group

15. The ancient temple was protected by a ______ of monks who dedicated their lives to prayer.

a) Brotherhood

b) Troop

c) Congregation

d) Order

16. A ______ of dancers performed a mesmerising routine at the cultural festival.

a) Crowd

b) Troupe

c) Assembly

d) Party

17. The president was welcomed by a ______ of journalists eager to ask questions.

a) Group

b) Press

c) Council

d) Panel

18. A ______ of mountains stretched across the horizon, covered in thick clouds.

a) Chain

b) Range

c) Cluster

d) Belt

19. The chef carefully selected a ______ of herbs to enhance the dish’s flavour.

a) Flock

b) Collection

c) Bouquet

d) Pack

20. A ______ of sailors worked tirelessly to prepare the ship for departure.

a) Pack

b) Crew

c) Gang

d) Regiment

Answers:  1. Pride  2. School  3. Jury  4. Herd  5. Swarm  6. Faculty  7. Orchestra  8. Fleet  9. Pack  10. Pile 11. Gaggle  12. Convocation  13. Panel  14. Field  15. Brotherhood  16. Troupe  17. Press  18. Range  19. Bouquet  20. Crew

Exercise 2:  Complete the Story with Collective Nouns

Instruction: Complete the story with the correct collective noun from the given options.

Story 1: The Magical Garden

Lily and her friends visited a hidden garden said to have magical powers. As they stepped inside, they saw a (i)______ of peacocks spreading their beautiful feathers under the sunlight. Near the pond, a (ii)______ of frogs croaked in harmony, making the place feel even more magical.

Options for (i)

a) Ostentation

b) Swarm

c) Flock

d) Group

Options for (ii)

a) Troop

b) Army

c) Cluster

d) Pack

Answers: (i) a. Ostentation  (ii) b. Army

Story 2: The Ancient Castle

Archaeologists discovered a long-lost castle buried under layers of history. Inside, they found a (i)______ of paintings hanging on the stone walls, each telling a different story of the past. In the grand hall, a (ii)______ of chandeliers still hung from the ceiling, covered in dust but still majestic.

Options for (i)

a) Gallery

b) Stack

c) Cluster

d) Collection

Options for (ii)

a) Row

b) Array

c) Chain

d) Glimmer

Answers: (i) a. Gallery  (ii) d. Glimmer

Story 3: The Seaside Mystery

Detective Ray was called to a quiet seaside village to investigate a missing treasure. As he walked along the shore, he noticed a (i)______ of crabs moving sideways across the sand. Looking up, he saw a (ii)______ of seagulls circling above, as if guiding him towards a hidden clue.

Options for (i)

a) Cast

b) Group

c) Swarm

d) Cluster

Options for (ii)

a) Flock

b) Pack

c) Squadron

d) Flight

Answers: (i) a. Cast  (ii) c. Squadron

Story 4: The Circus Show

The circus arrived in town, bringing joy to children and adults alike. A (i)______ of acrobats performed daring stunts high above the stage. Meanwhile, a (ii)______ of clowns entertained the crowd with their funny tricks and bright costumes.

Options for (i)

a) Troupe

b) Crew

c) Ensemble

d) Team

Options for (ii)

a) Bunch

b) Pack

c) Assembly

d) Band

Answers: (i) a. Troupe  (ii) d. Band

Story 5: The Bakery Contest

At the annual baking contest, a (i)______ of chefs prepared their best recipes to impress the judges. On the display table, a (ii)______ of cupcakes, pastries, and cookies was arranged beautifully, making everyone’s mouth water.

Options for (i)

a) Brigade

b) Panel

c) Jury

d) Crew

Options for (ii)

a) Row

b) Stack

c) Spread

d) Bundle

Answers: (i) a. Brigade  (ii) c. Spread

Exercise 3: Fill in the blanks with Collective Nouns

Instruction: Read each riddle carefully and guess the correct collective noun that fits the description.

Set 1

1. A group of elephants ___

2. A collection of grapes ___

3. A group of ships ___

4. A team of doctors ___

5. A group of stars ___

6. A row of houses ___

7. A group of thieves ___

8. A stack of papers ___

Answers:

1. A Herd  2. A Cluster  3. A Fleet  4. A Board  5. A Constellation  6. A Row  7. A Gang  8. A Ream

Set 2

1. A collection of stamps ___

2. A group of geese ___

3. A group of musicians ___

4. A group of judges ___

5. A bundle of sticks ___

6. A group of dancers ___

7. A group of mountains ___

8. A collection of tools ___

Answers:

1. An Album  2. A Gaggle  3. A Band  4. A Bench  5. A Faggot  6. A Troupe  7. A Range  8. A Kit

Set 3

1. A group of cows ___

2. A set of drawers ___

3. A group of directors ___

4. A swarm of ants ___

5. A group of rabbits ___

6. A collection of poems ___

7. A group of puppies ___

8. A gathering of worshippers ___

Answers:

1. A Drove  2. A Chest  3. A Board  4. An Army  5. A Warren 6. An Anthology  7. A Litter   8. A Congregation

Exercise 4: Collective Noun Riddles

Instruction: Read each riddle carefully and guess the correct collective noun that fits the description.

Q1. I am a group of singers performing in harmony. You will often find me in a church or at concerts. What am I?

Answer: A Choir

Q2. I am a group of experts gathered to discuss and give advice on an important matter. People respect my decisions. What am I?

Answer: A Panel

Q3. I am a collection of maps bound together in a book. Travelers and explorers often use me. What am I?

Answer: An Atlas

Q4. I am a set of rules or laws used as a reference. Lawyers and judges frequently refer to me. What am I?

Answer: A Code

Q5. I am a group of stars that form a recognisable pattern in the night sky. People love to gaze at me. What am I?

Answer: A Constellation

Q6. I am a collection of weapons stored in one place, ready for use in defence or battle. What am I?

Answer: An Arsenal

Q7. I am a group of people watching a play, a movie, or a sports event. My reaction can make a performer feel great. What am I?

Answer: An Audience

Q8. I am a group of beautiful flowers tied together, often given as a gift. What am I?

Answer: A Bouquet

Q9. I am a group of actors performing in a play or a movie. We work together to tell a story. What am I?

Answer: A Cast

Q10. I am a collection of ships controlled by a navy or a commander. I sail across the ocean. What am I?

Answer: An Armada

Q11. I am a group of islands located close to each other. Tourists love to visit me. What am I?

Answer: An Archipelago

Q12. I am a group of robbers planning or committing a crime together. People fear my presence. What am I?

Answer: A Gang

Q13. I am a set of bells tuned to sound pleasant together. People love to hear my melodies. What am I?

Answer: A Carillon

Q14. I am a group of angels, often described in religious texts as messengers of peace and hope. What am I?

Answer: A Host

Q15. I am a collection of rare or valuable items displayed in a museum or for personal interest. What am I?

Answer: A Collection

Exercise 5: Identify the Collective Noun

Instructions: Read each sentence and identify the collective noun used.

Questions:

1. A pride of lions rested under the tree.
   
2. The jury debated the final decision.
   
3. A swarm of bees gathered near the hive.
   
4. The fleet of boats reached the shore.
   
5. A bunch of grapes hung from the vine.
   
6. The herd of elephants crossed the river.
   
7. A troop of monkeys jumped from branch to branch.
   
8. The bouquet of roses smelled sweet.
   
9. A school of fish swam together.
   
10. The choir performed beautifully.

Answers:

1. pride
   
2. jury
   
3. swarm
   
4. fleet
   
5. bunch
   
6. herd
   
7. troop
   
8. bouquet
   
9. school
   
10. choir

Exercise 6: Replace the Underlined Words

Instructions: Replace the underlined group description with the correct collective noun.

Questions:

1. A group of sailors prepared the ship.
   
2. The group of puppies played in the yard.
   
3. A group of stars twinkled above.
   
4. The group of thieves ran away quickly.
   
5. A group of islands is visible from the shore.
   
6. The group of singers practised all day.
   
7. A group of mountains surrounded the valley.
   
8. The group of experts discussed the problem.
   
9. A group of insects hovered over the fruit.
   
10. The group of dancers performed well.

Answers:

1. crew
   
2. litter
   
3. cluster
   
4. gang
   
5. archipelago
   
6. choir
   
7. range
   
8. panel
   
9. swarm
   
10. troupe

Exercise 7: Fill in the Blanks Using Collective Nouns

Instructions: Choose the correct collective noun to complete the sentences.

Questions:

1. A ___ of wolves was seen near the forest.
   
2. The ___ of cards lay scattered on the table.
   
3. A ___ of musicians played at the event.
   
4. The ___ of cattle moved slowly.
   
5. A ___ of ants crawled on the food.
   
6. The ___ of geese flew in a V shape.
   
7. A ___ of robbers escaped at dawn.
   
8. The ___ of actors rehearsed all day.
   
9. A ___ of sheep grazed quietly.
   
10. The ___ of judges announced the winner.

Answers:

1. pack
   
2. pack
   
3. band
   
4. herd
   
5. colony
   
6. gaggle
   
7. gang
   
8. troupe
   
9. flock
   
10. jury

Exercise 8: Add the Missing Collective Nouns 

Instructions: Fill in the story using the correct collective nouns.

Questions:

1. A ___ of tourists arrived early in the morning.
   
2. They watched a ___ of dolphins jump near the boat.
   
3. Soon, a ___ of clouds covered the sky.
   
4. A ___ of fishermen returned with fresh catch.
   
5. Nearby, a ___ of children played on the sand.
   
6. Suddenly, a ___ of dogs started barking.
   
7. A ___ of boats sailed toward the harbour.
   
8. The guide pointed to a ___ of islands in the distance.
   
9. A ___ of photographers took pictures.
   
10. By evening, a ___ of stars lit up the sky.

Answers:

1. group
   
2. pod
   
3. mass
   
4. fleet
   
5. group
   
6. pack
   
7. fleet
   
8. cluster
   
9. team
   
10. cluster

Exercise 9: Collective Noun Riddles

Instructions: Read the riddles and guess the correct collective noun.

Questions:

1. We swim together like one giant water dance. What are we?
   
2. We make honey and stick together. Who are we?
   
3. We howl at night and move as one. What are we?
   
4. We fly high and migrate every season. What are we?
   
5. We stand tall in mountains and come in long lines. What are we?
   
6. We are tiny but march together in hundreds. What are we?
   
7. We perform in churches and events with our voices. Who are we?
   
8. We sparkle in the sky and live together. What are we?
   
9. We protect the king in chess and move as a team. What are we?
   
10. We support actors by giving feedback and reviews. Who are we?

Answers:

1. school (of fish)
   
2. swarm (of bees)
   
3. pack (of wolves)
   
4. flock (of birds)
   
5. range (of mountains)
   
6. colony (of ants)
   
7. choir (of singers)
   
8. cluster (of stars)
   
9. army (of chess pieces)
   
10. panel (of critics)

Exercise 10: Choose the Correct Option

Instructions: Choose the correct collective noun from the options.

Questions:

1. A ___ of lions rested in the shade. (pride/group)
   
2. A ___ of eggs lay in the nest. (clutch/pack)
   
3. A ___ of soldiers marched forward. (troop/litter)
   
4. A ___ of flowers decorated the hall. (bouquet/swarm)
   
5. A ___ of whales swam near the shore. (pod/herd)
   
6. A ___ of pages tore from the wind. (sheaf/school)
   
7. A ___ of players celebrated the win. (team/stack)
   
8. A ___ of birds circled the tree. (flock/crew)
   
9. A ___ of keys jingled on his belt. (bunch/pod)
   
10. A ___ of frogs croaked loudly. (army/choir)

Answers:

1. pride
   
2. clutch
   
3. troop
   
4. bouquet
   
5. pod
   
6. sheaf
   
7. team
   
8. flock
   
9. bunch
   
10. Army

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Fun Facts

Collective nouns make the English language exciting and colourful. While we often use some common collective nouns suck as a herd of cattle or a pack of wolves, still there are many unique and interesting collective nouns that you might come across. 

Examples	Collective Noun	Fun Fact
Group of Owls	Parliament	Owls are called a parliament because they symbolise wisdom in mythology, but in reality, they are mostly solitary.
Group of Rhinos	Crash	Rhinos can run up to 50 km/h, and their massive size makes Crash a perfect name for their group.
Group of Crows	Murder	The term murder comes from folklore, linking crows to mystery and death, but they are actually very intelligent birds.
Group of Geese	Gaggle	When on land, geese are a gaggle because of their noisy honking. In flight, they are a skein or wedge.
Group of Monkeys	Troop	Monkeys live in troops for protection, food gathering, and social bonding, with a dominant leader in charge.
Group of Whales	Pod	Whales communicate using songs that travel miles underwater, and some pod members stay together for life.
Group of Caterpillars	Army	Before turning into butterflies, caterpillars move together in large groups or army for protection.
Clowder of  Cats	Clowder	A group of cats is called a clowder, while a group of kittens is a kindle. Unlike dogs, cats prefer independence.
Group of Bears	Sleuth	Sleuth comes from an old word for detective, as bears are naturally curious and love to explore.
Group of Camels	Caravan	Camels travel in caravans across deserts, surviving for days without water, making them the perfect transport animals.

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FAQs

Check related blogs from Learn English here:

What are Material Nouns?	100 Examples of Countable Nouns
What are Irregular Nouns in English?	Nouns Ending with Y
List of Proper Nouns A-Z	Common Noun and Proper Noun Exercises

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