Question 1

What is a closed compound noun?

Accepted Answer

A closed compound noun is a noun made from two words written together as one word. Examples from this exercise include "toothpaste," "bedroom," "sunlight," "newspaper," and "airport." The two parts create one object, place, activity, or idea. The meaning is often connected to both parts, but the spelling must be learnt as a complete word. At B1 level, it helps to group closed compounds by topic, such as home words, school words, body words, weather words, and common everyday objects.

Question 2

How do I know if a compound noun is one word?

Accepted Answer

There is no perfect rule that tells you every compound noun spelling. Some are one word, some are two words, and some use a hyphen. In this easy exercise, every answer is a closed compound, so you write the two parts together: "homework," "playground," and "toothbrush." Outside the exercise, check a dictionary when you are unsure. Reading common words often is the best long-term method because English compound noun spellings are strongly based on usage and repeated exposure in books and lessons.

Question 3

Why are bookshop and newspaper written as one word?

Accepted Answer

"Bookshop" and "newspaper" are established closed compounds. A bookshop is a shop for books, and a newspaper is a publication that contains news. Over time, frequent word pairs often become fixed as one word because speakers treat them as single ideas. That does not happen to every compound, which is why "post office" remains two words. For this B1 practice, concentrate on recognising familiar one-word nouns and spelling them accurately without adding spaces or hyphens in short written answers independently.

Compound Nouns - Easy Exercises

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