ARTICLES

PART A: Read the sentences below and answer the following questions with your partner.

1. Why do we have “a/an” in the first sentences and “the” in the second sentences?

 Nelson Mandela lived in a house in a street in the countryside. The street was called “Vilakazi Street”
and the house was old.

 In 1988, he opened a museum in his house in Brussels. The museum was called “Musée d'Art
Moderne”.

2. Why do you think there is “an” in the sentence below?

 He was an experienced politician.

3. Why don’t we have “a/an”, or “the” in the sentences below?

 She liked books and taking photographs.

 He loved cooking Italian food.
 Basketball was his favorite hobby.

PART B: Fill in the blanks with the articles “a, /an-the”.

1. A: Did you have a good time at the party last night?

B: Yes, I did.
A: So did I. I’m glad that you decided to go with me.

2. A: What did you do last night?

B: I went to a party.
A: Oh? Where was it?

3. A: Do you have __________ car?

B: No, but I have _________ bicycle.

4. A: Do you need ________ car today, honey?

B: Yes, I have a lot of errands to do. I can drive you to work today.
A: OK. But be sure to fill ________ car up with gas today.

5. A: I bought __________ table yesterday.

B: Oh? I didn’t know you went shopping for furniture.

6. A: Have you seen my keys?

B: Yes. They’re on ___________ table next to _________ front door.
7. A: Is Mr. Jones __________ graduate student?
B: No, he’s ___________ professor.

8. A: Where’s _________ professor?

B: She’s absent today.

9. A: Would you like to go to ________ zoo this afternoon?

B: Sure, why not?

10. A: Does San Diego have _________ zoo?

B: Yes, it’s world famous.

PART C: Write a/an, Ø, or the in the blanks.

1. I have a window in my bedroom. I keep it open at night because I like Ø fresh air. The window
is above my bed.

2. Kathy bought __________ radio. She likes to listen to ________ music when she studies.

3. A: Would you please turn ___________ radio down? _________ music is too loud.
B: No problem.

4. _________ good book is _________ friend for _________ life.

5. Last week I read ________ book about __________ life of Gandhi.

6. A: Let’s go swimming in ___________ lake today.

B: That sounds like _________ good idea.

7. During our vacation in Brazil, we walked along ___________ beach in front of our hotel and
looked at ___________ ocean.

8. ___________ water is essential to human life, but don’t drink ___________ water in the Flat
River. It’ll kill you! ____________ pollution in that river is terrible.

9. People can drink ___________ fresh water. They can’t drink __________ seawater because it
contains ___________ salt.