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.
A new sheet every click.
The kind of sentences you'll get
Circle the letter of the pointing word that fits the sentence.
-
pumpkins at the far end of the patch won ribbons last fall.
Those · This
Answer: Those
- comic books in my backpack are signed by the author. That · These
- maracas in my hands were a gift from my cousin. These · Those
Every print pulls a fresh set of sentences at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling never gets the same sheet.
What's on each sheet
- 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 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.
Related worksheets
- 1st grade this, that, these, and those A step easier, same skill
- 3rd grade this, that, these, and those A step harder, same skill
- 2nd grade action verbs Same grade, nearby skill
- 2nd grade adverbs of how, when, and where Same grade, nearby skill
- 2nd grade articles (a, an, the) Same grade, nearby skill
- This, that, these, and those, all grades The full progression
- All 2nd grade English worksheets Every skill at this level
- All 2nd grade worksheets Everything at this level
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Aligned to Common Core L.1.1.h. Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 137, updated August 2026.
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