Articles Practice (based on Murphy - Units 73-76)


1. Explain the use of articles in bold in the following sentences:


1.      It was late when we were going home. The sun was going down.

2.      They must have some free rooms. It’s the biggest hotel in town.

3.      a) Cars are expensive today.

b) The cars had both broken down.

4.      a) Have you read the book I gave you for your birthday?

b) What shall I buy her? – Well, what about a book or a CD?

5.      a) Is this salt or sugar?

b) Can you pass me the salt, please?

6.      a) You always need money.

b) Kate put the money in her purse.

7.      a) Sally can play the piano very well.

b) We do not have enough room for a piano.

8.      a) The tiger can swim.

b) The tiger we saw in the zoo looked ill.

9.      a) David is in hospital. He needs a surgery.

b) Mary waited in the hospital for news.

10.  a) School is over at half past three.

b) The school is a mile from here.

11.  a) We have supper at about eight.

b) The supper David cooked was excellent.

12.  a) All children should learn foreign languages.

b) All the children at the party were wearing masks.


2. Complete the sentences using a, the, or -:


1.      …… elephants are intelligent animals.

2.      I couldn’t finish the project because …… computers crashed at work today.

3.      I’m sorry, I can’t help. I don’t understand ….computers.

4.      In Britain a lot of people play cricket in …. summer.

5.      OK, I’ll see you at ….. breakfast.

6.      ….. apples you gave me were nice. Where did you buy them?

7.      I like watching ….. television but John prefers listening to …. radio.

8.      Tony reads …..books about history, so he might like this one.

9.      I like …. old cars. I like driving them.

10.  We had …. good lunch. I didn’t know Jane was such …. good cook.


3. Complete the sentences. Use in, at or to and these words: bed, church, college, home, hospital,
library, city centre, prison, town, work, seaside. Decide it you need ‘the’.


Ex.      We’ll eat out tonight. I’ll meet you …. in town …. later.


1.      The weather was awful. We stayed ……………….. all weekend.

2.      Joan had an early night last night. She was …………….at nine.

3.      Emma’s friend has just had a baby. Emma is going ………………. to visit her.

4.      Vicky’s parents are religious. They go …………… every Sunday.

5.      Laura doesn’t like her job. She just goes ……………… to earn some money.

6.      I’ve read these books. I’m taking them back …………………. .

7.      The man who did the robbery is no longer ……………… . He was let out last month.

8.      Jessica is a student. She’s …………. .

9.      Where shall we go on holiday this year? – What about going ………………………..?

10.  I love shopping ……………………… , but the shops are quite expensive, of course.


4. Complete the sentences with a/an, the or zero:


 1. I’m going to ….. bed. I’ve got …. headache.
 2. The children are in bed with …. mumps.
 3. These apples are 90 p … kilo.
 4. What speed are we doing? – 100km per …. Hour.
 5. That’s …. woman we met last night. Do you remember her?
 6. ….. British are known for being quite reserved.
 7. Mary is not in. She has gone to …. butcher’s.
 8. We prefer to spend our holidays in … country, …. mountains or by …. sea.
 9. I’ve got …. appointment this afternoon. I’ve got to go to …. doctor’s.
10. A lot of people are giving up …. meat.
11. We must be home before …. midnight, so we’d better take …. taxi.
12. We are invited to the Smiths for … lunch.
13. Everyone is in a hurry these days. – Well, …. time is … money.
14. Excuse me, have you got …. time? – Yes, it’s five to three.
15. Don’t worry. The 3 o’clock train is never on …. time.
16. My children do not like … milk in their tea.
17. …. whale is in danger of becoming extinct.
18. His car struck a tree; you can still see … mark on …. tree.
19. I bought a newspaper on my way to …. work.
20. Which of the jackets do you like better? - …. blue one.


5. Correct the mistakes in the following sentences. Some sentences are correct.


1.      The exercise is on the page 55, isn’t it?

2.      The young are usually keen to travel.

3.      Someone broke into their house during night.

4.      Don’t forget we are meeting on Friday for lunch.

5.      The rich people have comfortable lives.

6.      I am usually free on Wednesday mornings, so I can pick you up.

7.      Oh, I’m sorry, you’re having a lunch. I’ll come later.

8.      Does it snow here at Christmas? – Well, not much.

9.      Can you read the question 5, please?

10.  How often do you go to cinema? – About once a month.

11.  When is she getting married? – At the end of this month.

12.  I don’t like swimming in sea. – Why not?
13. I can’t find my bag. I must have left it in the taxi.
14. When do you hope to go to the university? – Probably next year.
15. Norton High is a very good school, one the best in this region.
16. Don’t waste this opportunity. The life is short.
17. Can you go to a supermarket and get some butter?
18. Times is the most widely known British newspaper.
19. I often listen to news on the BBC.
20. I phoned my brother to wish him good luck for his exam.


Answers


Ex. 1

1.      The sun was going down. (The Sun is unique, there is only one)

2.      It’s the biggest hotel in town. (superlative)

3.      a) Cars are expensive today.   (cars in general, all cars)

b) The cars had both broken down.  (both = particular cars)

4.      a) Have you read the book I gave you for your birthday? (the book is specified by … I gave
you …)

b) Well, what about a book or a CD? (not specified yet)

5.      a) Is this salt or sugar?  (uncountable)

b) Can you pass me the salt, please? (a particular salt caster)

6.      a) You always need money. (uncountable, unspecified)

b) Kate put the money in her purse. (specified, particular money)

7.      a) Sally can play the piano very well. (the piano as an instrument)

b) We do not have enough room for a piano. ( a piano, one)

8.      a) The tiger can swim. (the tiger as a species)

b) The tiger we saw in the zoo looked ill. (a particular one = the one we saw in the zoo)

9.      a) David is in hospital. He needs a surgery. (in hospital = he is there as a patient)

b) Mary waited in the hospital for news. (hospital = a building)

10.  a) School is over at half past three. (school = classes)

b) The school is a mile from here. (a building)

11.  a) We have supper at about eight. (in general meals do not take articles)

b) The supper David cooked was excellent. (a specific dinner)

12.  a) All children should learn foreign languages.  (in general)

b) All the children at the party were wearing masks. (particular children = at the party)


ex. 2
 1. The elephant
 2. the computers
 3. –
 4. … in summer or in the summer
 5. –
 6. The apples ….
 7. …. television …. the radio
 8. ….books
 9. …. old cars
10. … a good lunch …. a good cook


Ex. 3
 1. at home
 2. in bed
 3. to the hospital
 4. to church
 5. to work
 6. to the library
 7. in prison
 8. at college
 9. to the seaside
10. in the city centre


Ex. 4
 1. ….to bed,   … a headache
 2. –
 3. 90 p a kilo
 4. 100km per hour
 5. … the woman
 6. The British
 7. …the butcher’s
 8. …the country, the mountains or by the sea
 9. …an appointment, ….the doctor’s
10. –
11. ..before midnight … take a taxi
12. –
13. … time is money
14. ..the time
15. ..on time
16. –
17. The whale ….
18. … the mark on the tree
19. …to work.
20. The blue one.


ex. 5
 1. on page 55
 2. correct /  or Young people
 3. during the night
 4. correct
 5. The rich  … / or Rich people
 6. Correct
 7. … are having lunch
 8. Correct
 9. …question 5
10. go to the cinema
11. correct
12. …in the sea
13. Correct
14. … to university
15. Correct
16. Life is short.
17. … to the supermarket
18. The Times …
19. … the news on the BBC.
20. Correct