How proficient are you when it comes to articles? Articles, encompassing definite (the) and indefinite (a, an), play a pivotal role in specifying noun definiteness in grammar. The quiz below might be more than just a test; it could be a valuable tool for refining your grasp of proper article usage. Let's get started!
Which article(s) should be used in the following examples?
1. "Carl lives alone in ___ one-bedroom apartment."
a. a
b. an
c. the
d. no article
Answer ▼The correct answer is "a." In this sentence, "one-bedroom apartment" is a singular countable noun phrase that begins with a consonant sound “w” so it requires the indefinite article "a." The indefinite article "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound, so it is not appropriate in this context. The definite article "the" is used to refer to a specific noun that has already been mentioned or is known to both the speaker and the listener, which is not the case here.
2. "____ insecure person can never be happy."
a. A
b. An
c. The
d. no article
Answer ▼The correct answer is 'an'. The article "an" is used before words that start with a vowel sound. "Insecure" starts with the vowel sound "i," making "an" the correct article to use before it. This grammatical rule helps create a smoother flow in speech and writing.
3. "There is ____ pan. ____ same pan I saw in the market."
a. a / the
b. the / the
c. a / a
d. an / the
Answer ▼In the first sentence, "a" is used before "pan" because it refers to any pan in general, indicating that there is one pan present. In the second sentence, "the" is used before "same pan" to specify a particular pan that was previously mentioned or understood in the context of the conversation. It refers back to the specific pan that the speaker saw in the market, making it definite.
4. Which article is used before a singular countable noun that begins with a vowel sound?
a. a
b. an
c. the
d. no article
Answer ▼"An" is used before singular countable nouns that begin with a vowel sound (e.g., an apple, an hour).
5. "I think we should move to my ____ house."
a. a
b. an
c. the
d. no article
Answer ▼The correct answer is "no article" because when referring to a possessive noun, we do not use an article before it. In this case, "my" already indicates possession, so we do not need to use "a," "an," or "the" before "house."
6. Here is ____ knife, and there is ____ envelope.
a. A / a
b. A / an
c. A / the
d. An / a
Answer ▼The correct answer is "a/an". This is because "a/an" is used to introduce a singular noun that is not specific or known to the listener. In this case, "knife" and "envelope" are both singular nouns, and we are not specifying or referring to any particular knife or envelope. Therefore, "a/an" is the appropriate choice to introduce them.
7. "This is ____ last time I am warning you."
a. a
b. an
c. the
d. no article
Answer ▼The correct answer is "the". In this sentence, "the" is used to indicate that it is the specific last time the speaker is warning someone. It suggests that there have been previous warnings and this is the final one.
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