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π Articles & Determiners Practice
Choose an answer, then open the short learning card. Explanations are kept small so students can continue practising without losing rhythm.
Q41. English is the mother tongue of _________ English.
"English" in this context, refers to the language. "The English" refers to English speaking population in that region."
Q42. Nelson was __________ boy without fear.
Using "a" suggests that Nelson was just one of many boys without fear.
Q43. __________ book you want is out of print.
"The" is used before the noun "book" to indicate that the speaker is referring to a specific book.
Q44. He is not _________ honourable man.
The word "honorable" begins with a vowel sound because the "h" is silent.
Q45. My wife and I have _________ appointment.
"an" is used before "appointment" because "appointment" starts with a vowel sound.
Q46. It is ________ one-day cricket match.
Explanation: Use the indefinite article a before singular countable nouns that begin with a consonant sound. The phrase one-day starts with the sound /w/ (as in "one" pronounced "wuhn"), which is a consonant sound, so we say βa one-day cricket match.β If the word began with a vowel sound, weβd use an (e.g., an hour, an honest person, where the h is silent). ? Did You Know? One tricky rule: the choice of a vs an depends on pronunciation, not spelling. ? Remember: Before a word, use a β starting with a consonant sound; use an β starting with a vowel sound.
Q47. He is _______ honourable man.
"honourable" starts with sound of "vowel"
Q48. He will join _______ army.
the
We use the definite article "the" with "army" here because it refers to a specific armyβthe military force that the person is joining. "Join the army" is a common fixed collocation. Using "a" or "an" would imply any army, which is not the intended meaning, and "zero article" is incorrect for a singular, countable noun in this fixed sense.
Use "the" with singular nouns when you refer to a specific, identifiable thing (the army, the sun, the door). "A" or "an" introduces a non-specific item. Zero article is common with plurals and uncountables or when speaking in general terms.
He joined the army after finishing school.
Q49. Iron is _______ useful metal.
Explanation: Use the indefinite article a before a singular countable noun when it starts with a consonant sound. Here, the noun phrase is βa useful metal.β The word βusefulβ begins with a consonant sound (/ΛjuΛ/ acts like a consonant sound here), so we say βa useful metal.β Do not use an before it because βusefulβ starts with a consonant sound. Another example: βShe is a useful helper.β ? Did You Know? Indefinite articles a/an are chosen by sound, not just by the first letter. Use a before consonant sounds and an before vowel sounds. ? Remember: Before a word with a consonant sound β a.
Q50. Give him three rupees and ______ half.
Explanation: Use an indefinite article before a singular countable noun when it begins with a consonant sound, and use an before a vowel sound. In "a half," half is singular and begins with a consonant sound /h/, so we say "a half." We donβt use "three rupees and an half" or "zero article" here. The phrase expresses 1/2 along with three rupees, so the correct completion is "a" half. ? Did You Know? Indefinite articles use a before consonant sounds and an before vowel sounds, regardless of spelling (e.g., a university, an hour). ? Remember: Before a singular countable noun: consonant sound = a; vowel sound = an.