What clues should students look for?

Two: a number clue and a place clue. The noun tells one or many (apple or apples), and the sentence tells near or far (here, in my pocket, over there, across the street). When both clues are found, only one pointing word fits.

Are these words adjectives or pronouns?

Both, depending on the job. Before a noun they describe (these cookies); alone they stand in (these are delicious). At this grade the distinction matters less than choosing correctly; the labels can come later.

2nd grade this, that, these, and those

2nd grade this, that, these, and those worksheets

The demonstratives sort along two lines: number (this/that for one, these/those for more) and distance (this/these near, that/those far). Second graders read the sentence's clues and pick the word both lines agree on.

Free printable PDF worksheet, aligned to Common Core L.1.1.h.

Each print is a different sheet with its own answer key. You don't need to sign up.

The kind of sentences you'll get

Circle the letter of the pointing word that fits the sentence.

poster across the hallway shows every planet in order. This · That
Answer: That
trains over there move slowly. Those · This
Smell pie across the room. this · that

Every print pulls a new set of sentences at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling gets a different mix.

What's on a 2nd grade sheet

2nd grade sheets draw from 120 sentences, 8 to a page. All 60 of 1st grade's sentences are here too, plus 60 more. 1st grade sheets print 10 to a page.

A few of the sentences:

Those goats across the pen are loud.
This medal around my neck is from the relay race.
That bright star far above the rooftops is really a planet.

Choose the word. Circle the letter of the pointing word that fits the sentence. 8 questions per page.

Every version prints on US Letter or A4, with its answer key on the last page.

How to teach this

Build the two-by-two chart together (near/far by one/many) and let students place each sentence's answer in its box. The chart makes it obvious why there are exactly four words. Watch for sentences where students catch the number but miss the distance clue; both must agree.

Watch for: Two questions decide every case: how many, and how far. Answer both before choosing. Them is never a pointing word: it's those books, not them books.

Common questions about 2nd grade this, that, these, and those

What clues should students look for?: Two: a number clue and a place clue. The noun tells one or many (apple or apples), and the sentence tells near or far (here, in my pocket, over there, across the street). When both clues are found, only one pointing word fits.
Are these words adjectives or pronouns?: Both, depending on the job. Before a noun they describe (these cookies); alone they stand in (these are delicious). At this grade the distinction matters less than choosing correctly; the labels can come later.

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Aligned to Common Core L.1.1.h. Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 241, updated August 2026.

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