Capitalization question: Which of the following words are correctly capitalized?
1. Mount McKinley is the tallest mountain in North America.
2. Marsha speaks excellent german.
3. The most beautiful State is Hawaii.
4. Jim must drive to the North to study the northern lights.
I got it wrong, of course by selecting C, as State should not be capitalized. But, the other sentences appear incorrect to me as well. Anyone have any suggestions? Please advise. Thank you

Question

Capitalization question: Which of the following words are correctly capitalized?
1. Mount McKinley is the tallest mountain in North America.
2. Marsha speaks excellent german.
3. The most beautiful State is Hawaii.
4. Jim must drive to the North to study the northern lights.
I got it wrong, of course by selecting C, as State should not be capitalized. But, the other sentences appear incorrect to me as well.  Anyone have any suggestions? Please advise. Thank you

mrnood · Answer

Why do the others seem wrong?

Mountains and continents I think should be capitalised (as in a)
Names should and languages shouldn't (as in b)
Evidently State shouldn't in c
'the North' is a generic indication of direction and not a specific North, so no capitalisation for north there