Definite and Indefinite Articles Quiz

In this definite and indefinite articles quiz you have to decide whether a, an, or the fits in the gap or whether no article (zero article) is needed.

Definite and Indefinite Article Quiz

A, An, The, Zero Article

Instructions

For each sentence, decide which article fits in the gap or if there is no article needed.

1. She wants to buy ___________ new car
a
an
the
---
Correct!
Wrong!

Here, the noun "car" is indefinite, and it refers to any car in general, not a specific one. It's 'a' not 'an' because it comes before a consonant 'n'.

2. Have you ever visited ___________ Eiffel Tower?
a
an
the
---
Correct!
Wrong!

When referring to a specific landmark or monument like the Eiffel Tower, we use the definite article "the."

3. They are going to ___________ theatre tonight.
a
an
the
---
Correct!
Wrong!

When referring to a specific noun (such as the theatre they are planning to visit tonight), we use the definite article "the."

4. I saw ___________ interesting movie last night.
a
an
the
---
Correct!
Wrong!

In this context, "movie" is a general reference to any movie, not a specific one. It's 'an' because it comes before the vowel 'i'.

5. There's an elephant over there. ___________ elephant is drinking water.
a
an
the
---
Correct!
Wrong!

"The" comes before a noun that has been previously mentioned or introduced in the conversation.

6. I think ___________ cars are the best way of travelling.
a
an
the
---
Correct!
Wrong!

Generalised plural nouns not referring to anything specific don't take an article.

7. Can you pass me ___________ that pen, please?
a
an
the
---
Correct!
Wrong!

Articles are determiners. If another determiner has already been used ('that' in this case) we don't need an article.

8. I think ___________ insect has flown into my eye.
a
an
the
---
Correct!
Wrong!

Use the article "a" or "an" to indicate any non-specified member of a group or category. This is the same as question 1.

9. ___________ weather is predicted to be bad today.
a
an
the
---
Correct!
Wrong!

Use "the" when the noun refers to something or someone that is unique - there's only one weather.

10. I've got ___________ guinea pig and two rabbits.
a
an
the
---
Correct!
Wrong!

Use the indefinite article to indicate one in number (as opposed to more than one).

11. I can drink most things but I don't like ___________ tea.
a
an
the
---
Correct!
Wrong!

We don't generally use an article with plural countable nouns or any non-countable nouns that are used to refer to all things in general.

12. That's ___________ third time she has phoned me in the last hour!
a
an
the
---
Correct!
Wrong!

"The" is placed before ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second) to specify the position or order of something in a sequence.

13. Listening to ___________ music everyday is really important to me.
a
an
the
---
Correct!
Wrong!

We don't generally use an article with plural countable nouns or any non-countable nouns that are used to refer to abstract things (e.g. music, happiness, education).

14. ___________ Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's five oceans
a
an
the
---
Correct!
Wrong!

In geography, "the" is used with large regions, deserts, peninsulas, oceans, seas, gulfs, canals, rivers, mountain ranges, and groups of islands.

15. I really want to climb ___________ Mount Everest one day.
a
an
the
---
Correct!
Wrong!

Avoid using "the" with streets, parks, cities, states, counties, most countries (i.e. those not united such as the United States), continents, bays, individual lakes, solitary mountains, or islands.

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