Animal Nouns in English: Fun Matching, Sorting & Gap-Fill Exercises

Animal Names Vocabulary Exercises

Introduction

The vocabulary related to animal nouns is helpful if you prepare for exams like IELTS or TOEFL. It allows you to name and describe animals or assist you when you travel to an English-speaking country. A strong grasp of animal vocabulary boosts both your speaking and comprehension skills.

To help you learn animal vocabulary, this post offers interactive exercises, including:

  • Picture-word matching (boost memory),
  • Category sorting (master groups like mammals/birds),
  • Gap-fill sentences (use animals in context),
  • Bonus games (idioms & storytelling).

Ready to test your skills with animal names vocabulary exercises! These interactive exercises will improve your English while teaching you fascinating facts about creatures around the world.

Animal Vocabulary Exercises

The following fun animal names vocabulary exercises are perfect for English learners of all levels (beginner to advanced). They include varied, interactive activities like:

  • Matching (pair animals with pictures, habitats, or collective nouns)
  • Classification (sort mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish)
  • Gap-filling (complete sentences with animal names)
  • Creative challenges (describe an animal without naming it!)

1. Matching Exercise

  • Task: Match each animal (left) with its correct collective noun (right).
    • Example:
      • Lions → ___ (Answer: C. Pride)

2. Classification Exercise

  • Task: Sort the animals into the correct categories (Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Fish).
  • Tip: Use the features listed (e.g., fur, feathers) to help decide.

3. Gap-Fill Exercise

  • Task: Complete each sentence with the correct animal from the word bank.
  • Challenge: Cover the word bank for extra difficulty!

All exercises include answers for self-checking.

Exercise 1: Matching Exercise — Collective Nouns for Animals Exercise

Match each animal (1-6) with its correct collective noun (A-F).

AnimalsCollective Nouns:
1. LionsA. Flock
2. FishB. Herd
3. WolvesC. Pride
4. BirdsD. Swarm
5. BeesE. Pack
6. ElephantsF. School
1. Lions → C. Pride
2. Fish → F. School
3. Wolves → E. Pack
4. Birds → A. Flock
5. Bees → D. Swarm
6. Elephants → B. Herd

Exercise 2: Animal Classification Exercise

Pair Animal Groups. Use the following Descriptions for Help:

Categories:
A) Mammals (warm-blooded, fur/hair, give birth to live young)
B) Birds (feathers, beaks, lay eggs)
C) Reptiles (scales, cold-blooded, lay eggs)
D) Fish (gills, fins, live in water)
See more about this classification below

Practice scientific vocabulary by categorizing these 20 animals!

  1. Chameleon
  2. Alligator
  3. Iguana
  4. Gecko
  5. Clownfish
  6. Stingray
  7. Angelfish
  8. Pufferfish
  9. Seahorse
  10. Cobra
  11. Dolphin
  12. Kangaroo
  13. Elephant
  14. Flamingo
  15. Woodpecker
  16. Swan
  17. Hummingbird
  18. Pelican
  19. Giraffe
  20. Squirrel
MammalsBirdsReptilesFish
…………
…………
…………
…………
…………
1. Mammals (Warm-blooded, fur/hair, live young)
– Dolphin
– Kangaroo
– Elephant
– Giraffe
– Squirrel
2. Birds (Feathers, lay eggs, beaks)
– Flamingo
– Woodpecker
– Swan
– Hummingbird
– Pelican
3. Reptiles (Scales, cold-blooded, lay eggs)
– Chameleon
-Alligator
– Iguana
– Gecko
– Cobra
4. Fish (Gills, fins, live in water)
– Clownfish
– Stingray
– Angelfish
– Pufferfish
– Seahorse

Exercise 3: Animal Noun Gap-Fill Exercise

Fill in each blank with the correct animal from the word bank.

Word Bank:
kangaroo — alligator — penguin — dolphin — chameleon — woodpecker — stingray — squirrel

  1. A ____ changes color to blend into its surroundings.
  2. The ____ uses its powerful tail to hop at high speeds.
  3. Watch out! That ____ in the swamp has sharp teeth.
  4. The ____ stores nuts in tree hollows for winter.
  5. A ____ pecks holes in trees to find insects.
  6. The ____ glides through water using wing-like fins.
  7. A ____ can recognize itself in a mirror—it’s very smart!
  8. The ____ is a bird that swims but cannot fly.
1. → chameleon
2. → kangaroo
3. → alligator
4. → squirrel
5. → woodpecker
6. → stingray
7. → dolphin
8. → penguin

Bonus Activity: Guess the Animal

Guess the Animal
Guess the Animal

Students play a guessing game that involves describing animals:

  • How to play:
    • Student A describes (or mimics — for beginners) an animal without saying its name (e.g., “This animal has black-and-white stripes and lives in Africa.”).
    • Student B guesses (e.g., “Zebra!”).
  • Level up:
    • Use 3 words only (e.g., “trunk, big, gray” → elephant).
    • Taboo style: Ban obvious words (e.g., can’t say “hump” for camel).

Notes about Animal Classification

Animal Vocabulary
Animal Names Vocabulary Exercisesa

Here is a more detailed explanation of the vocabulary related to animal classification:

Animal Classification Categories

A) Mammals

  • Key Features:
    • Have fur or hair
    • Warm-blooded (body temperature stays the same)
    • Most give birth to live young (no eggs)
    • Feed babies with milk
  • Examples: 🐄 Cow, 🦇 Bat, 🐬 Dolphin, 🦔 Hedgehog

B) Birds

  • Key Features:
    • Have feathers and wings
    • Lay hard-shelled eggs
    • Have beaks (no teeth)
  • Examples: 🦜 Parrot, 🦅 Eagle, 🐧 Penguin, 🦉 Owl

C) Reptiles

  • Key Features:
    • Have dry, scaly skin
    • Cold-blooded (need sun to warm up)
    • Most lay eggs (some give live birth)
  • Examples: 🐍 Snake, 🐢 Turtle, 🦎 Lizard, 🐊 Crocodile

D) Fish

  • Key Features:
    • Live in water
    • Breathe through gills
    • Have fins (no arms/legs)
    • Most lay eggs
  • Examples: 🐠 Clownfish, 🦈 Shark, 🐟 Goldfish, 🐡 Pufferfish

More about the classification of animals

Tags: Vocabulary Exercise on Nouns
Shopping Cart
Scroll to Top