Articles

Question 1

Use the article a or an to indicate any non-specified member of a group or category.

Answer 1

We are looking for an apartment.

Question 2

Use the article a or an to indicate one in number (as opposed to more than one).

Answer 2

I own a cat and two dogs.

Question 3

Use the article a before a consonant sound, and use an before a vowel sound.

Answer 3

A boy, An apple.

Question 4

Sometimes an adjective comes between the article and noun.

Answer 4

An unhappy boy, A red apple

Question 5

The plural form of a or an is some. Use some to indicate an unspecified, limited amount (but more than one).

Answer 5

An apple, Some apples

Question 6

Use the article the when a particular noun has already been mentioned previously.

Answer 6

I ate an apple yesterday. The apple was juicy and delicious.

Question 7

Use the article the when an adjective, phrase, or clause describing the noun clarifies or restricts its identity.

Answer 7

The boy sitting next to me raised his hand.

Question 8

Use the article the when the noun refers to something or someone that is unique.

Answer 8

The theory of relativity

Question 9

All things or things in general: Use no article with plural count nouns or any noncount nouns used to mean all or in general.

Answer 9

He was asking for advice. (He was asking for advice in general.)

Question 10

When indicating an unspecified, limited amount of a count or noncount noun, use some.

Answer 10

My cousin was seeking some advice from a counselor (not advice in general or advice about everything, but a limited amount of advice)

Question 11

Noncount nouns are those which usually cannot be counted.

Answer 11

Certain food and drink items, certain nonfood substances, most abstract nouns, areas of study, sports, languages, and others

Question 12

Geographical names are confusing because some require the and some do not. Use the with when

Answer 12

United countries, large regions, deserts, peninsulas, oceans, seas, gulfs, canals, rivers, mountain ranges, groups of islands.

Question 13

Geographical names are confusing because some require the and some do not. Do not use the with when

Answer 13

Streets, parks, cities, states, counties, most countries, continents, bays, single lakes, single mountains, islands

Question 14

Definite article

Answer 14

“The” (before a singular or plural noun)

Question 15

Indefinite article

Answer 15

“A” (before a singular noun beginning with a consonant sound)
“An” (before a singular noun beginning with a vowel sound)

Question 16

Count nouns

Answer 16

Refers to items that can be counted and are either singular or plural

Question 17

Non-count nouns

Answer 17

Refers to items that are not counted and are always singular

Question 18

Specific identity not known

Answer 18

a, an

Question 19

Specific identity known

Answer 19

the

Question 20

All things or things in general

Answer 20

(no article)