Just for Adults™

Abstract Categories
by Kathryn J. Tomlin
Skills Ages
 abstract categorization  16 through adult
 reading and auditory comprehension Grades
 inclusion and exclusion  high school and up
 perceptual features
 vocabulary
 word relationships

Evidence-Based Practice
According to the Clinical Guidelines of the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists
(www.rcslt.org/resources, 2005) and the National Stroke Association (2006), the following
therapy principles are supported:
 Communication, both verbal and nonverbal, is a fundamental human need. Meeting this
need by facilitating and enhancing communication in any form can be vital to a patient’s
well-being.
 Therapy should include tasks that focus on semantic processing, including semantic cueing
of spoken output, semantic judgments, categorization, and word-to-picture matching.
 Therapy may target the comprehension and production of complex, as well as simple,
sentence forms.
 Therapy should be conducted within natural communication environments.
 Rehabilitation is an important part of recovering from a stroke, and the goal is to regain as
much independence as possible.

This book incorporates the above principles and is also based on expert professional practice.

Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

All of our products are copyrighted to protect the fine work of

LinguiSystems, Inc. our authors. You may only copy the client materials as needed
for your own use. Any other reproduction or distribution of the
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Web: linguisystems.com ISBN 978-0-7606-0714-5
About the Author
Kathryn J. Tomlin, M.S., CCC-SLP, has been a speech-language
clinician in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and in long-term care facilities
for over 25 years. She has authored many materials with LinguiSystems
over the last 20 years. Some of her works include:

WALC 1 (Workbook of Activities for Language and Cognition)–

Aphasia Rehab
WALC 2–Cognitive Rehab
WALC 8–Word Finding
WALC 9–Verbal and Visual Reasoning
WALC 10–Memory
WALC 11–Language for Home Activities
The Source for Apraxia Therapy
Kathy and her therapy dog, Zanmi

Zanmi, Kathy’s Samoyed, goes to work with her to encourage the clients.
Her clients enjoy feeding and spending time with Zanmi, and Zanmi
enjoys their company. Everybody wins!

Dedication
This book is respectfully dedicated to Danielle Fedele. Thanks for all your help in using
the exercises in this series of books. I couldn’t have done it without you. May your
journey in the world of speech/language pathology be fulfilling and fruitful.

Edited by Lauri Whiskeyman

Page Layout by Christine Buysse
Cover Design by Jeff Taylor
Illustrations by Margaret Warner
Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Screening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Selecting Category Name—Three Choices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Selecting Category Member—Three Choices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Matching Across Columns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Matching Category to Member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Locate Similar Category Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Sorting—Four Category Choice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Selecting Category Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Pictures of Category Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Locating Items in Sentences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Exclusion—Which Doesn’t Belong? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Name Category from Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Provide a Category Member Given First Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Name Category from List of Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Complete the List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Fill In Letters for Things to Read . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Listing Location Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Listing Category Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Answer Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 3 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Introduction
Categorization is an integral part of our daily communication. We categorize in multiple ways every
day. We categorize when we get dressed, when we choose what to eat, when we go shopping, when
we plant gardens, and so on. But the ability to categorize is frequently impaired in someone who has
language or thinking difficulties. It can become very confusing or overwhelming if categorization skills
are impaired.

Many factors can hinder one’s ability to categorize, such as:

• Difficulty understanding language or concepts due to aphasia.

• Difficulty utilizing convergent language skills.
• Difficulty mentally manipulating information and coming to a conclusion.
• Impulsivity causing action before receiving and analyzing all pertinent information.
• Becoming overwhelmed with mentally-held information and new input.

The exercises in Just for Adults: Abstract Categories have been developed to address abstract
categorization. Abstract categorization addresses intangible qualities and characteristics as opposed
to concrete categorization which refers to things that are definite and tangible. Abstract categorization
skills are foundational for many language and thought processes and for activities of daily functioning.

The exercises can be done in multiple ways.

• Have clients read items silently and complete them independently.

• Have clients read task items aloud and write the response. In general, performance improves
when a person has multi-modality input (i.e., hearing it while reading it).
• Read the items to the client and have the client give responses verbally.

On page 6, you will find a screening tool that is not to be used as a test but rather as a way to observe a
client’s use of strategies and reasoning patterns. Some questions to think about while observing how the
client completes the screening include:

1. Does the client need to use verbal rehearsal to aid comprehension?

2. Is the client impulsive, and does his impulsivity lead to errors?
3. Does the client read too much into the task and become confused?
4. Is the client aware of his error responses?
5. Does the client ask for clarification when having difficulty or does he just keep
going, whether the item is understood or not?
6. Does the client miss salient information?
7. Is the client able to think convergently and divergently?
8. Does the client have trouble shifting from one task to the next?

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 4 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

 Introduction, continued

These guidelines will help you present the activities in this book.

• The goals of these exercises are to improve a person’s ability to converge upon specific members
of a category and to think divergently to determine the category to which members belong.
These abilities to converge and diverge information are foundational skills in many cognitive
functions. Be flexible with presentation and accept answers that differ from your viewpoint if
the person can give a logical explanation. The answers in the Answer Key are provided as a
reference and are not intended to be all inclusive.

• The exercises are not for testing purposes. Try to make them as enjoyable as possible.
Talking about the specific task items, particularly when correcting error responses, will help
to improve one’s ability for achieving the goals. Do not get into debates if the person is
unable to see another viewpoint for a response. Just move on to the next item.

I hope you and your clients find these exercises enjoyable and beneficial.

Kathy

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 5 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Screening
1. Circle the best answer. A glass is something that: snaps jumps breaks

2. Circle the one that is dry. desert mist dew

3. Connect the category to its member.

smells good heater
bright glass
hot spotlight
smooth rose

4. Circle the two items from the same category.

tissue sponge windy

5. Circle the things that fly.

butter wasp pencil
kite stamp spaceship
mitten eagle airplane

6. Circle the item that doesn’t belong with the others.

door eyes paper mouth

7. Name something white that begins with the letter S. _________________

8. Add a similar item to this list.

anchor, truck, 200-lb. weight, _____________________

9. Name five green things found in a garden.

_________________ _________________ _________________

_________________ _________________
Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 6 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.
Selecting Category Name—Three Choices
Mark the category on the right that goes with the item on the left.

Example: lemon . . . . . . . . . . . . . sweet salty sour

1. elbow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . plants sees bends

2. memo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . short floats old

3. fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . opened burns rare

4. owl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jingles fresh hoots

5. corn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . yellow purple black

6. football . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . baked thrown tuned

7. hammer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . hard ripped pliable

8. cake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . bright hairy sweet

9. turtle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . fast slow square

10. joke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . short young funny

11. mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . small large wide

12. dime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . heavy round sticky

13. genius . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . smart locked clear

14. scream . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . slow pointed loud

15. rain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . thin wet lumpy

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 7 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Selecting Category Name—Three Choices
Mark the category on the right that goes with the item on the left.

Example: lemon . . . . . . . . . . . . . sweet salty sour

1. mile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . mixed long loud

2. balloon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . served sharp inflated

3. frog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jumps hard flat

4. antiques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . grows soft old

5. doorknob . . . . . . . . . . . . . . turns served spicy

6. mosquito . . . . . . . . . . . . . . large flies deep

7. mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . packed expires reflects

8. sun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . green bright moist

9. lettuce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . crisp quick tiny

10. carrot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . strong shrill orange

11. gravel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . tall rough salty

12. boat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . soft low floats

13. mountain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . turns chewy large

14. tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . opens bland grows

15. cotton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . early soft wide

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 8 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Selecting Category Member—Three Choices
Mark the word on the right that goes with the category on the left.

Example: blue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . nut blueberry starch

1. cold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . puzzle ramp ice

2. flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . river sun buck

3. sharp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ear knife stand

4. green . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . finger bark grass

5. expires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . license picture radio

6. quick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . turtle tears eye blink

7. rips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . clothing cement stone

8. colorful . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . rainbow glass water

9. straight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ruler curls ball

10. sticky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . powder wind glue

11. hairy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ape orange mug

12. shrill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . melody purr whistle

13. square . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . circle cube roll

14. tiny . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ant dog horse

15. strong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . paper steel cotton

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 9 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Selecting Category Member—Three Choices
Mark the word on the right that goes with the category on the left.

Example: blue . . . . . . . . . . . . . nut blueberry starch

1. sour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . lime candy jam

2. short . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . mile highway inch

3. young . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . baby antique ancient

4. fast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . worm jet snail

5. wet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . milk cactus blanket

6. hops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . shark weed rabbit

7. mixed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . salt batter ice

8. turns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page tray vase

9. fried . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cake egg tire

10. pointed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . glass balloon pencil

11. clear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . brick rug glass

12. large . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . grain truck paper clip

13. bumpy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . dirt road photo desk top

14. red . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . banana tomato broccoli

15. scented . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ice wire perfume

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 10 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Matching Across Columns
Match the word on the left to its category on the right. The first one is done
for you.

basketball player red

dawn loud

skunk arranged

flea narrow

rock concert tall

paper towel cold

turkey absorbent

window round

blood early

baseball stuffed

alley crunchy

dill pickle small

bouquet of flowers clear

magazine subscription sour

ice cube smells bad

potato chip expires

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 11 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Matching Across Columns
Match the category on the left to its member on the right. The first one is
done for you.

red race car

hot suitcase

tied blood

dark ocean waves

fast bubble

peeled peacock

takes practice night

crunchy table

pops pretzel

young kangaroo

packed infant

flat sun

hit knot

colorful playing the piano

wet tennis ball

jumps banana

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 12 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Matching Category to Member
Write the letter of the item on the right next to its category on the left. The
first one is done for you.

I
_____ deep A. apple pie

_____ fresh B. lawn mower

_____ f lexible C. crystal glasses

_____ sweet D. f lamingo

_____ hurts E. freshly-baked bead

_____ fragile F. skyscraper

_____ dirty G. sprained ankle

_____ tall H. insurance policy

_____ pink I. ocean

_____ expires J. garden hose

_____ pushed K. mud puddle

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 13 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Matching Category to Member
Write the letter of the item on the right next to its category on the left. The
first one is done for you.

D
_____ chewy A. puddle

_____ spicy B. jet taking off

_____ absorbent C. coal

_____ frozen D. gum

_____ shallow E. ice cream

_____ smooth F. cracker

_____ crisp G. chili

_____ sings H. circus clown

_____ black I. choir member

_____ funny J. sponge

_____ loud K. baby’s skin

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 14 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Locate Similar Category Items
Circle two words in each group that are in the same category.

Example: snow ice heater

1. helicopter soil eagle

2. perfume after-shave cola

3. milk skyscraper redwood tree

4. whisper mouse squeak drum

5. snow peacock rainbow

6. balloon stone volleyball

7. diamonds popcorn fur coat

8. quarter napkin paper towel

9. licorice coal school bus

10. pencil point plate nail

11. stone peanut butter margarine

12. fire kennel sun

13. glue chewing gum mine

14. manure piston skunk

15. building grain of sand ant

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 15 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Locate Similar Category Items
Circle two words in each group that are in the same category.

Example: snow ice dove

1. hair bow steel bar knot

2. fly kangaroo frog

3. beetle dice box

4. sugar candy bar burger

5. iron paste glue

6. car trunk football suitcase

7. sock newspaper magazine

8. speeding stealing breathing

9. fur coat tent cat

10. baby puppy watch

11. license wire cutters subscription

12. comedian clown cheese

13. fish lemonade dill pickle

14. stop sign strawberries snow

15. siren whisper screaming

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 16 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Sorting—Four Category Choice

Things that are sweet Things that are little

paper cli p

Things that run on electricity Things that burn

Write these words under their categories. The first one is done for you.

paper clip cardboard cookies

television candy bar newspaper
wood vacuum microwave
sugar thumbtack pie
paper logs grain of sand
ant cake coffee maker
air conditioner mouse thimble

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 17 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Sorting—Four Category Choice

Things that are loud Things that are inflated

Things that are sharp Things that are sticky

razor

Write these words under their categories. The first one is done for you.

razor molasses siren

air mattress yell raft
syrup saw meat cleaver
screech basketball horn
glue honey paste
tire rock concert sword
knife scissors balloon

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 18 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Selecting Category Members
Mark the words in each box that belong to the category.

Things that fly Things that break

airplane wax glass steel bar
stone kite hammer window
hawk ringer boulder pencil point
radio helicopter paper hearts
bee chair bones ginger ale

Things that are large Things that are baked

mouse mountain lettuce pies
mansion tennis ball ice cream hot dog
fly redwood tree bread cookies
train pebble cupcakes butter
brick office building juice pizza

Things that open and close Things that are peeled

eye feather apple carton
knee mouth hamburger cauliflower
book joke potato orange
door crust bun carrot
lamp window banana spaghetti

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 19 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Selecting Category Members
Mark the words in each box that belong to the category.

Things that are wet Things that jump

rain powder snake toad
salt lake frog worm
dew desert sand rabbit bear
bread dog’s tongue ant cricket
water flour kangaroo pig

Things that are fast Things that are lightweight

turtle race horse truck refrigerator
race car snail anchor piece of paper
worm sprinter feather twig
greyhound molasses walrus telephone pole
slug jet plane hair stamp

Things that are flat Things that are turned on

basketball desk lamp branch
shelf table pencil oven
pipes cup radio TV
floor book pouch ostrich
horn spoon ski pole microwave

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 20 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Pictures of Category Items
Mark any picture on this page that shows something sharp.

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 21 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Pictures of Category Items
Mark the ones that are jumping.

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 22 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Locating Items in Sentences
Circle the soft items in each sentence. The first one is done for you. There
may be more than one answer in each sentence.

1. He let the ice cream sit out awhile before serving it.

2. He tucked the blanket around the baby in the crib.

3. She added water to the clay so she could make a pot.

4. His leather coat had a thick fleece lining.

5. She put two pillows and a thick comforter on the bed.

6. Kittens and puppies are playful but they also sleep a lot.

7. The boy liked to feel the mud ooze between his toes.

8. The cotton balls are in the closet next to the tissues.

9. Her cat sat on her lap while she watched TV.

10. He kneaded the bread dough before baking it.

11. There were jellyfish lying on the sand along the water.

12. The scouts toasted marshmallows over the fire.

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 23 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Locating Items in Sentences
Circle the people or things that swim in each sentence. The first one is done
for you. There may be more than one answer in each sentence.

1. The children were doing laps in the swimming pool.

2. The documentary was about seals and walruses.

3. The lifeguard at the beach went on duty at 10:00 AM.

4. The river was teeming with bass and trout.

5. The playful otters loved to go down the waterfall.

6. He trained dolphins and porpoises for the water show.

7. The boys brought home frogs and toads in a bucket.

8. Among the rocks were many sea horses looking for food.

9. They went fishing for flounder in the bay.

10. The sting ray was chasing the turtle.

11. They got on a boat to go whale watching.

12. The deep sea diver saw many species of fish around the reef.

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 24 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Exclusion—Which Doesn’t Belong?
Mark the word that does not belong with the other words.

Example: blood tomato coal fire truck

1. cake batter spaghetti muffin mix dough

2. garlic air freshener perfume roses

3. air mattress tire wallet volleyball

4. jumping running sleeping walking

5. flour powder ashes water

6. ball ice pick pencil nail

7. joke riddle pun napkin

8. cookies lemons sugar taffy

9. mansion mountain mouse yacht

10. snow peacock rainbow flowers

11. wasp crow plane comb

12. new house gold jewelry socks diamonds

13. tissue gravel cotton hair

14. coal tar licorice butterfly

15. ice fire sun matches

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 25 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Exclusion—Which Doesn’t Belong?
Mark the word that does not belong with the other words.

Example: blood tomato coal fire truck

1. bird otter fish whale

2. spotlight sun headlight cloud

3. towel foil sponge rag

4. cube ball box dice

5. leopard Dalmatian volleyball ladybug

6. soap skunk rotten food pig

7. thumbtack penny pill elephant

8. snow teeth dirt cotton ball

9. pyramid computer dinosaur mummies

10. curtain bell telephone chimes

11. toad cricket shark kangaroo

12. carrot flamingo orange pumpkin

13. ice cream chili tacos spaghetti sauce

14. pillow baby’s skin cotton pipes

15. oatmeal mud water pudding

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 26 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Name Category from Example
Name a quality of each of item. The first one is done for you.

1. lemon: ____________________
sour
2. window: ____________________

3. ruler: ____________________

4. skunk: ____________________

5. mirror: ____________________

6. water: ____________________

7. bone: ____________________

8. pillow: ____________________

9. door: ____________________

10. coal: ____________________

11. gold: ____________________

12. jet plane: ____________________

13. snow: ____________________

14. grass: ____________________

15. towel: ____________________

16. potato chip: ____________________

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 27 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Name Category from Example
Name a quality of each of item. The first one is done for you.

1. lemon: ____________________
sour
2. ice cream: ____________________

3. hair: ____________________

4. tree: ____________________

5. cotton: ____________________

6. potato: ____________________

7. light bulb: ____________________

8. fire: ____________________

9. balloon: ____________________

10. tomato: ____________________

11. match: ____________________

12. sponge: ____________________

13. mouse: ____________________

14. leaf: ____________________

15. brick: ____________________

16. drinking glass: ____________________

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 28 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Provide a Category Member Given First Letter
Name an item using the given letter. The first one is done for you.

1. Name something soft that begins with H. _______________

hai r
2. Name something large that begins with T. _______________

3. Name something sharp that begins with K. _______________

4. Name something inflated that begins with B. _______________

5. Name something that smells good that begins with P. _______________

6. Name something loud that begins with S. _______________

7. Name something creamy that begins with P. _______________

8. Name something tied that begins with K. _______________

9. Name something that rips that begins with P. _______________

10. Name something bright that begins with L. _______________

11. Name something wet that begins with W. _______________

12. Name something funny that begins with J. _______________

13. Name something small that begins with M. _______________

14. Name something white that begins with S. _______________

15. Name something round that begins with B. _______________

16. Name something straight that begins with R. _______________

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 29 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Provide a Category Member Given First Letter
Name an item using the given letter. The first one is done for you.

1. Name something soft that begins with H. _______________

hair
2. Name something that pops that begins with B. _______________

3. Name something that jumps that begins with F. _______________

4. Name something that barks that begins with D. _______________

5. Name something warm that begins with C. _______________

6. Name something smooth that begins with G. _______________

7. Name something large that begins with M. _______________

8. Name something that flies that begins with B. _______________

9. Name something that swims that begins with F. _______________

10. Name something absorbent that begins with S. _______________

11. Name something green that begins with G. _______________

12. Name something cold that begins with I. _______________

13. Name something salty that begins with P. _______________

14. Name something that reflects that begins with M. _______________

15. Name something thrown that begins with B. _______________

16. Name something red that begins with T. _______________

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 30 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Name Category from List of Members
Name the quality the items have in common.

Example: grass, lime, lettuce: ____________________

green
1. ice, snow, sherbet: ____________________

2. polished metal, new coins, waxed car: ____________________

3. cotton, baby’s skin, pillow: ____________________

4. knife, razor, scissors: ____________________

5. raft, balloon, basketball: ____________________

6. lemon, banana, sun: ____________________

7. tabletop, glass, clean-shaven face: ____________________

8. anchor, boat with a hole, stone: ____________________

9. turtle, slug, worm: ____________________

10. paper, wood, match: ____________________

11. pebble, flea, grain of sand: ____________________

12. cake batter, cookie dough, muffin mix: ____________________

13. new house, diamonds, gold jewelry: ____________________

14. dinner plate, ball, globe: ____________________

15. doorknob, pages, steering wheel: ____________________

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 31 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Name Category from List of Members
Name the quality the items have in common.

Example: grass, lime, lettuce: ____________________

green
1. glue, adhesive, tape: ____________________

2. fire, heat, sun: ____________________

3. airplane, bird, kite: ____________________

4. skunk, rotten food, dirty socks: ____________________

5. boat, raft, buoy: ____________________

6. lettuce, cracker, pretzel: ____________________

7. unshaven face, gravel road, sandpaper: ____________________

8. race car, sprinter, jet: ____________________

9. snow, vanilla ice cream, teeth: ____________________

10. sea water, potato chip, pretzel: ____________________

11. wheelbarrow, lawn mower, baby carriage: ____________________

12. screaming, rock concert, playground: ____________________

13. sugar, chocolate bar, cake: ____________________

14. book, magazine, newspaper: ____________________

15. crystal glasses, windows, pencil points: ____________________

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 32 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Complete the List
Complete the list with a similar item.

Example: concrete, hard candy, rock, ____________________

steel
1. helicopter, kite, crow, ____________________

2. blood, radish, tomato, ____________________

3. barking dog, crying baby, police siren, ____________________

4. pin, thumbtack, nail, ____________________

5. sea water, ham, pretzels, ____________________

6. stove, iron, fire, ____________________

7. elephant, building, mountain, ____________________

8. marshmallow, baby’s skin, tissue, ____________________

9. sugar, pie, honey, ____________________

10. paper towel, mop, rag, ____________________

11. ice cream, snow, iced tea, ____________________

12. popcorn, balloon, bubble, ____________________

13. perfume, freshly-baked bread, after-shave, ____________________

14. grasshopper, frog, kangaroo, ____________________

15. taffy, tough meat, gumdrops, ____________________

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 33 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Fill In Letters for Things To Read
Fill in the missing letters for these things we read. Each item has a clue to
help you.

Example: a notice about something for sale: ad__erti__eme__t

v s n
1. has many pages that tell a story: b__ __ k

2. a weekly or monthly publication: ma __ a__ ine

3. information on a can, bottle, etc.: labe __

4. sent when on vacation: __ ostca __ d

5. written and mailed in an envelope: le__ te __

6. a long book about people and events: n__vel

7. instructions for how to do something: dire __ tio __ s

8. a message sent through the computer: e-m __ il

9. tells you how to cook something: re__ipe

10. gives you the meanings of words: dic __ ion __ ry

11. gives a discount on the price: co __ pon

12. gives daily news, sports info, etc.: ne __ spa __ er

13. these tell you how much you owe: bi __ ls

14. short for the word memorandum: me __ o

15. a written reminder or a short letter: not __

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 34 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Listing Location Items
List five things that can be found in each location.

Inexpensive things Sweet things

in a drugstore in a bakery

1. _________________________ 1. _________________________

2. _________________________ 2. _________________________

3. _________________________ 3. _________________________

4. _________________________ 4. _________________________

5. _________________________ 5. _________________________

Things in a pet store Large things

that grow at a circus

1. _________________________ 1. _________________________

2. _________________________ 2. _________________________

3. _________________________ 3. _________________________

4. _________________________ 4. _________________________

5. _________________________ 5. _________________________

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 35 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Listing Location Items
List five things that can be found in each location.

Baked things Things that keep you

in a restaurant warm in the winter

1. _________________________ 1. _________________________

2. _________________________ 2. _________________________

3. _________________________ 3. _________________________

4. _________________________ 4. _________________________

5. _________________________ 5. _________________________

Things in a house Small things in a

that can break department store

1. _________________________ 1. _________________________

2. _________________________ 2. _________________________

3. _________________________ 3. _________________________

4. _________________________ 4. _________________________

5. _________________________ 5. _________________________

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 36 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Listing Category Items
State _____ members in each category.

1. things that are cold 16. things that are round

2. things that are soft 17. things that lock

3. things that are sharp 18. things that grow

4. things that are green 19. things that fly

5. things that are smooth 20. things that are pointed

6. things that sink 21. things that are white

7. things that are sour 22. things that are frozen

8. things that move slowly 23. things that smell good

9. things that are wet 24. things that are loud

10. things that burn 25. things that are absorbent

11. things that are small 26. things that are chewy

12. things that are mixed 27. things that break

13. things that are spicy 28. things that are colorful

14. things that are heavy 29. things that are flat

15. things that are tall 30. things that pop

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 37 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Listing Category Items
State _____ members in each category.

1. things that are hot 16. things that turn

2. things that are hard 17. things that open and close

3. things that are inflated 18. things that have hair or fur

4. things that are stuffed 19. things that are renewed

5. things that are red 20. things that are crisp

6. things that are rough 21. things are black

7. things that float 22. things that are noisy

8. things that move fast 23. things that smell bad

9. things that are dry 24. things that are damp

10. things that are turned on 25. things that are spotted

11. things that are large 26. things that are round

12. things that are ripped 27. things that are sticky

13. things that are lightweight 28. things that are thrown

14. things that are bright 29. things that are salty

15. things that are expensive 30. things that are sweet

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 38 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

Answer Key
The most likely answers are listed. Accept other logical, appropriate answers as correct.

page 6 5. license packed-suitcase 9. fur coat, cat

Screening 6. eye blink flat-table 10. baby, puppy
1. breaks 7. clothing hit-tennis ball 11. license, subscription
2. desert 8. rainbow colorful-peacock 12. comedian, clown
3. smells good–rose 9. ruler wet-ocean waves 13, lemonade, dill pickle
bright–spotlight 10. glue jumps-kangaroo 14. stop sign, strawberries
hot–heater 11. ape 15. siren, screaming
smooth–glass 12. whistle page 13
4. tissue, sponge 13. cube E fresh page 17
5. kite, wasp, eagle, spaceship, 14. ant J flexible sweet: sugar, candy bar, cake,
airplane 15. steel A sweet cookies, pie
6. paper G hurts little: ant, thumbtack, mouse,
7. snow, socks page 10 C fragile grain of sand, thimble
8. elephant, concrete block 1. lime K dirty electricity: television,
9. peas, green beans, leaves, lettuce, 2. inch F tall air conditioner,
weeds 3. baby D pink vacuum,
4. jet H expires microwave,
page 7 5. milk B pushed coffee maker
1. bends 6. rabbit burn: wood, paper,
page 14
2. short 7. batter cardboard, logs,
G spicy
3. burns 8. page newspaper
J absorbent
4. hoots 9. egg E frozen
5. yellow 10. pencil page 18
A shallow
6. thrown 11. glass loud: screech, yell, rock
K smooth
7. hard 12. truck concert, siren, horn
F crisp
8. sweet 13. dirt road inflated: air mattress, tire,
I sings
9. slow 14. tomato basketball, raft,
C black
10. funny 15. perfume balloon
H funny
11. small sharp: knife, saw, scissors,
B loud
12. round page 11 meat cleaver, sword
13. smart dawn–early page 15 sticky: syrup, glue, molasses,
14. loud skunk–smells bad 1. helicopter, eagle honey, paste
15. wet flea–small 2. perfume, after-shave
rock concert–loud 3. skyscraper, redwood tree page 19
page 8 paper towel–absorbent 4. whisper, mouse squeak fly: airplane, hawk, bee, kite,
1. long turkey–stuffed 5. peacock, rainbow helicopter
2. inflated window–clear 6. balloon, volleyball break: glass, bones, window,
3. jumps blood–red 7. diamonds, fur coat pencil point, hearts
4. old baseball–round 8. napkin, paper towel large: mansion, train,
5. turns alley–narrow 9. licorice, coal mountain, redwood
6. flies dill pickle–sour 10. pencil point, nail tree, office building
7. reflects bouquet of flowers–arranged 11. peanut butter, margarine baked: bread, cupcakes, pies,
8. bright subscription–expires 12. fire, sun cookies, pizza
9. crisp ice cube–cold 13. glue, chewing gum open/close: eye, book, door,
10. orange potato chip–crunchy 14. manure, skunk mouth, window
11. rough 15. grain of sand, ant peeled: apple, potato, banana,
12. floats page 12 orange, carrot
13. large hot–sun page 16
14. grows tied–knot 1. hair bow, knot page 20
15. soft dark–night 2. kangaroo, frog wet: rain, dew, water, lake,
fast–race car 3. dice, box dog’s tongue
page 9 peeled–banana 4. sugar, candy bar jump: frog, rabbit, kangaroo,
1. ice takes practice–playing the piano 5. paste, glue toad, cricket
2. river crunchy–pretzel 6. car trunk, suitcase fast: race car, greyhound,
3. knife pops–bubble 7. newspaper, magazine race horse, sprinter,
4. grass young–infant 8. speeding, stealing jet plane

Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 39 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.

 Answer Key, continued
page 20, continued page 26 8. knot 13. sweet
lightweight: feather, hair, piece 1. bird 9. paper, pants 14. read
of paper, twig, stamp 2. cloud 10. light, lamp 15. breakable
flat: shelf, floor, desk, table, book 3. foil 11. water
turned on: lamp, radio, oven, 4. ball 12. joke page 33
TV, microwave 5. volleyball 13. mouse, mosquito 1. airplane, bee, wasp, bird
6. soap 14. snow, socks 2. stop sign, ketchup, apple
page 21 7. elephant 15. ball, bubble, button, 3. screaming, jet plane
steak knife, scissors, meat cleaver, 8. dirt balloon 4. screw, pencil
nail, pencil, ice pick, razor, sword, 9. computer 16. ruler 5. potato chips, popcorn
pocketknife, thumbtack 10. curtain 6. sun, heater
11. shark page 30 7. truck, redwood tree
page 22 12. flamingo 2. balloon, bubble 8. pillow, cotton
horse, frog, grasshopper, skydiver, 13. ice cream 3. frog 9. cake, cookies, candy
kangaroo, rabbit, girl jumping in 14. pipes 4. dog 10. sponge, towel
puddle, hurdler, cheerleader 15. water 5. coat, cocoa 11. ice, sherbet
6. glass 12. bubble wrap, tire, Rice Krispies
page 23 page 27 7. mountain, mansion 13. flowers, soap
2. blanket, baby 2. clear, breakable 8. bird, bee, beetle 14. rabbit, toad
3. clay 3. straight 9. fish, flounder 15. gum, mozzarella
4. fleece lining 4. smells bad 10. sponge
5. pillows, comforter 5. reflects 11. grass page 34
6. kittens, puppies 6. wet 12. ice, ice cream 1. book 10. dictionary
7. mud 7. breakable 13. pretzels, popcorn 2. magazine 11. coupon
8. cotton balls, tissues 8. soft 14. mirror 3. label 12. newspaper
9. cat, lap 9. opens/closes 15. ball 4. postcard 13. bills
10. bread dough 10. black 16. tomato 5. letter 14. memo
11. jellyfish, sand 11. expensive, soft 6. novel 15. note
12. marshmallows 12. fast, loud page 31 7. directions
13. white, cold 1. cold 8. e-mail
page 24 14. green 2. shiny 9. recipe
2. seals, walruses 15. absorbent 3. soft
3. lifeguard 16. salty, crunchy 4. sharp page 35
4. bass, trout 5. inflated drugstore: magazines, cards, candy,
5. otters page 28 6. yellow gum, aspirin
6. dolphins, porpoises 2. cold, soft 7. smooth bakery: cakes, cookies, pies,
7. boys, frogs, toads 3. soft, lightweight 8. sink doughnuts, brownies
8. sea horses 4. tall 9. slow pet store: puppies, kittens, fish,
9. flounder 5. soft 10. burn hamsters, fish tank plants
10. sting ray, turtle 6. crisp, salty 11. small circus: elephant, tent, lion cage,
11. whale 7. bright, breakable 12. mixed bleachers, merry-go-round
12. deep sea diver, fish 8. hot 13. expensive
9. inflated, round 14. round page 36
page 25 10. red, round 15. turn restaurant: bread, lasagna, turkey,
1. spaghetti 11. burns, hot potatoes, cake
2. garlic 12. absorbent page 32 winter: coat, sweater, fire, blanket,
3. wallet 13. small, white, gray 1. sticky hot drink
4. sleeping 14. green, lightweight 2. hot house: glasses, light bulb, window,
5. water 15. hard, rectangular 3. fly jars, pencils
6. ball 16. breakable, clear 4. smell bad department store: jewelry, toys, pens,
7. napkin 5. float bottles, cups
8. lemons page 29 6. crisp, crunchy
9. mouse 2. truck, train 7. rough pages 37 and 38
10. snow 3. knife 8. fast Answers will vary.
11. comb 4. balloon, ball 9. white
12. socks 5. perfume, popcorn 10. salty
13. gravel 6. scream, shout, siren 11. pushed
14. butterfly 7. peanut butter, pudding 12. loud
15. ice
19-08-98765432
Just for Adults: Abstract Categories 40 Copyright © 2007 LinguiSystems, Inc.