Articles Exercise

This grammar exercise tests your understanding of articles.

Fill in the blanks.

1. ……………. are useful devices.

Computers
The computers
Either could be used here

We do not use ‘the’ with plural nouns to talk about things in general.

2. I love …………………

mushrooms
the mushrooms
Either could be used here

We do not use ‘the’ with plural nouns to talk about things in general.

3. ………………. birds can fly.

Most
The most
Either could be used here

When most means ‘the majority of’, it is used without the.

4. Mother is in ……………… She has kidney trouble.

hospital
the hospital
Either could be used here

We use 'the' with hospital only when the reference is to the building.

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 Articles Exercise

5. Both …………….. are good at painting.

children
the children
Either could be used here

We often leave out ‘the’ after both.

6. All ……………… robbers have been arrested.

five
the five
Either could be used here

We often leave out ‘the’ between all and a number.

7. The number of …………….. has increased rapidly.

unemployed
the unemployed
Either could be used here

‘The’ is dropped after ‘the number of’ or ‘the amount of’.

8. Who is that on ……………….?

piano
the piano
Either could be used here

The article ‘the’ is common with the names of musical instruments.

9. It is not easy to produce programs for …………….

radio
the radio
Either could be used here

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 Articles Exercise

Articles are generally used with radio, cinema and theater.

10. What …………….. idea!

brilliant
a brilliant
Either could be used here

We use’a/an’ with singular countable nouns in exclamations after what.

11. Can you get that cat off …………….?

TV
the TV
Either could be used here

Articles are used with TV when the reference is to a television set.

12. I am getting ……………

toothache
a toothache
Either could be used here

'A toothache' is more common in American English.

PLAY AGAIN !

Answers

1. Computers are useful devices.

2. I love mushrooms.
3. Most birds can fly.
4. Mother is in hospital. She has kidney trouble.
5. Both children / the children are good at painting.
6. All five / the five robbers have been arrested.
7. The number of unemployed has increased rapidly.

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 Articles Exercise

8. Who is that on the piano?

9. It is not easy to produce programs for the radio.
10. What a brilliant idea!
11. Can you get that cat off the TV?
12. I am getting toothache / a toothache.

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