Capital Code Practice Worksheet
Grade 7 ELA Mixed Skills Review
Capital Code: Grammar Investigation
Name:
Date:
Period:
Score:
Rule Radar: Seventh Grade Capitalization Checkpoints
1. Regions / Directions
Caps for regions (the Midwest); lowercase for compass directions (drive west).
2. Family Titles
Caps when used as/with names (Uncle Ray); lowercase after possessives (my uncle).
3. Courses / Languages
Caps for languages (Spanish) & numbered titles (Art II); lowercase general subjects (art).
4. Proper Adjectives
Caps for adjectives from proper nouns (Roman history, Victorian era, Swiss cheese).
A Sentence Triage: Underline Errors & Rewrite Correctly
4 Items • 2 pts each
Each sentence contains two or three capitalization errors. Underline the mistakes in the sentence, then rewrite the corrected sentence on the line.
1
When we drove north through the pacific northwest, my Mom bought fresh Oregon blackberries.
2
In seventh grade, I enjoy studying ancient History and Spanish, but my hardest class is Advanced science.
3
Did uncle Carlos explain that the declaration of independence was signed during the Summer of 1776?
4
During the Renaissance, italian artisans introduced new techniques that amazed mayor Higgins.
B Rule Showdown: Binary Selection
4 Items • 1 pt each
Carefully examine each pair. Fill in the circle next to the sentence that applies all capitalization rules correctly.
Set 1: Directions vs. Seasons
The birds fly South toward the Gulf of Mexico every Autumn.
The birds fly south toward the Gulf of Mexico every autumn.
Set 2: Family Titles & Possessives
I asked my Mom if Aunt Claire could join us for dinner.
I asked my mom if Aunt Claire could join us for dinner.
Set 3: Course Names & General Subjects
Next year, Marcus takes World History II, French, and biology.
Next year, Marcus takes world history II, french, and Biology.
Set 4: Titles of Creative Works
For book club, we read Island of the Blue Dolphins.
For book club, we read Island Of The Blue Dolphins.
Capital Code Practice Worksheet • Grade 7 English Language Arts Page 1 of 2
02
Editorial Lab & Application Studio
Student:
Date:
C The Editor's Desk: Extended Passage Proofreading
6 Errors Logged • 6 pts
Read the archaeological field dispatch. Circle all capitalization errors directly in the text, then record your corrections and reasons in the table.
Last spring, our expedition traveled to the American southwest to study ancestral cliff dwellings. Dr. Harrison, who formerly taught archaeology at columbia university, guided our team across Mesa Verde national park. We examined pottery decorated with traditional Puebloan geometric patterns. One afternoon, my Father interviewed park rangers about preserving ancient artifacts. Later that evening, professor Harrison delivered a lecture about how native astronomers tracked the solstices. As we packed our gear to head east toward Denver, we realized how much history lives right here in north America.
| # | Error in Text | Corrected Form | Rule Justification |
|---|
| Ex | southwest | Southwest | Capitalize recognized geographic regions |
| 1 | | | |
| 2 | | | |
| 3 | | | |
| 4 | | | |
| 5 | | | |
D Sentence Architect: Original Construction
3 Prompts • 2 pts each
Demonstrate your skills by composing original, complete sentences adhering to each exact blueprint.
Blueprint 1: Write a sentence that includes a compass direction (lowercase) AND a recognized geographic region (capitalized).
Blueprint 2: Write a sentence that uses a family title with a possessive word (e.g., my aunt) AND another family title used as a name (e.g., Grandpa).
Blueprint 3: Write a sentence naming a general school subject (lowercase) alongside a proper language or numbered course (capitalized).
Mastery Checkpoint: Tricky Nuances
Self-Audit
Circle the two words below that should never be capitalized unless they begin a sentence:
autumn
spanish
physics
buddhist
Capital Code Practice Worksheet • Mixed Skills Review Page 2 of 2
Capital Code Answer Key
Teacher Key Standards: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.7.2
Capital Code: Teacher Answer Key
Total Possible Points
26 Points
Grading Guide: Part A (8 pts) • Part B (4 pts) • Part C (6 pts) • Part D (6 pts) • Part E (2 pts)
Passing: 21/26 (80%)
A Sentence Triage: Corrections & Explanations
2 pts per item (1 pt underline, 1 pt rewrite)
Item 1 Errors: "pacific northwest" & "Mom"
When we drove north through the pacific northwest, my Mom bought fresh Oregon blackberries.
When we drove north through the Pacific Northwest, my mom bought fresh Oregon blackberries.
Rule: "Pacific Northwest" is a proper geographic region. "Mom" is preceded by possessive "my," so it remains lowercase. ("North" is correctly lowercase as a direction).
Item 2 Errors: "History" & "Advanced science"
In seventh grade, I enjoy studying ancient History and Spanish, but my hardest class is Advanced science.
In seventh grade, I enjoy studying ancient history and Spanish, but my hardest class is advanced science.
Rule: General academic subjects ("history," "advanced science") are lowercase unless they are languages ("Spanish") or specific numbered course titles (e.g., Biology 101).
Item 3 Errors: "uncle", "declaration...", "Summer"
Did uncle Carlos explain that the declaration of independence was signed during the Summer of 1776?
Did Uncle Carlos explain that the Declaration of Independence was signed during the summer of 1776?
Rule: "Uncle" is a family title preceding a proper name. "Declaration of Independence" is a historic document. Seasons ("summer") are never capitalized unless personified.
Item 4 Errors: "italian" & "mayor"
During the Renaissance, italian artisans introduced new techniques that amazed mayor Higgins.
During the Renaissance, Italian artisans introduced new techniques that amazed Mayor Higgins.
Rule: "Italian" is a proper adjective derived from Italy. "Mayor" is an official civic title directly preceding the proper noun "Higgins."
B Rule Showdown: Binary Selection Key
1 pt per item • 4 pts total
Set 1: Directions vs. Seasons
✗
The birds fly South toward the Gulf of Mexico every Autumn.
✓
The birds fly south toward the Gulf of Mexico every autumn.
Direction ("south") and season ("autumn") are both lowercase.
Set 2: Family Titles & Possessives
✗
I asked my Mom if Aunt Claire could join us for dinner.
