1.
I want to buy ______ car.
Correct Answer
A. A
Explanation
The correct answer is "a." In this sentence, the speaker is talking about buying any car, not a specific one. When referring to a general item, we use an indefinite article like "a" or "an." Since "car" starts with a consonant sound (k)," we use "a." The article "an" is only used before words that begin with a vowel sound (like "apple" or "orange"). If the sentence were about a specific car, "the" would be correct. But here, the speaker is not specifying which car they want.
2.
Can you please go to _____ grocery store on Third Street and buy 2 liters milk?
Correct Answer
C. The
Explanation
The correct answer is "the." The phrase "the grocery store on Third Street" refers to a specific store that both the speaker and listener are expected to know. In English, we use "the" when talking about something definite or unique. If the sentence was about any grocery store, "a" or "an" would be correct. However, because this store is clearly identified by its location, the definite article "the" is required. Also, "liters of milk" is the correct phrasing because "milk" is an uncountable noun and should be measured in units.
3.
Please meet me at the train station within _______ hour.
Correct Answer
B. An
Explanation
The correct answer is "an." The word "hour" starts with the letter "h," but in pronunciation, it begins with a vowel sound ("ow"). The rule in English is to use "an" before words that start with a vowel sound, not just a vowel letter. This is why we say "an hour" instead of "a hour." However, if the word had a pronounced "h" sound (like "hotel"), we would use "a." The sentence is correct as it refers to a time period of one hour, making "an" the right choice.
4.
I like to watch tennis on television. It is ________ very good game.
Correct Answer
A. A
Explanation
The correct answer is "a." The phrase "a very good game" follows the rule that we use "a" before words starting with a consonant sound. Although "very" starts with the letter "v," which is a consonant, the sound it makes is also a consonant sound. Therefore, "an" would be incorrect. If the sentence were "It is an excellent game," we would use "an" because "excellent" starts with a vowel sound. Since the sentence refers to tennis generally and not a specific instance of the game, "the" is also incorrect here.
5.
My brother won an award for being ______ best dancer in our school.
Correct Answer
C. The
Explanation
The correct answer is "the." The phrase "the best dancer" is correct because "best" is a superlative adjective, meaning it describes something at the highest level. In English, we always use "the" before superlatives (e.g., the fastest, the tallest, the strongest). The sentence is talking about one specific person who was recognized as the best dancer in the school. Using "a" or "an" would be incorrect because they suggest that the person is just one of many dancers, rather than the top dancer.
6.
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw _______ ant attacking a roach.
Correct Answer
B. An
Explanation
The correct answer is "an" because the word "ant" starts with a vowel sound and the ant being referred to is one of many ants, not a specific ant familiar to the speaker. In English grammar, we use "an" before words that begin with a vowel sound, regardless of whether the word actually starts with a vowel letter. In this case, "ant" is pronounced with an "ae" sound, which is a vowel sound, so "an" is the appropriate choice.
7.
Would you like to watch ________ movie or something with me?
Correct Answer
A. A
Explanation
The correct answer is "a." The speaker is asking about watching any movie, not a specific one. The word "movie" starts with a consonant sound ("m"), so we use "a" instead of "an." If the sentence referred to a specific movie, "the" would be correct (e.g., "Would you like to watch the movie we talked about?"). But here, because the movie is not defined, the indefinite article "a" is appropriate.
8.
How much will it cost to go on ______ holiday to Spain?
Correct Answer
A. A
Explanation
The correct answer is "a." In British English, "holiday" is used like "vacation" in American English. Since the speaker is asking about a general holiday, we use "a." If the sentence referred to a specific holiday, such as Christmas or New Year's, then "the" would be correct (e.g., "the Christmas holiday"). The word "holiday" starts with a consonant sound ("h"), so "an" would be incorrect. The sentence suggests any trip to Spain, not a particular one, making "a" the correct choice.
9.
Can you please help me pick out _____ birthday present for my brother?
Correct Answer
A. A
Explanation
The correct answer is "a." The speaker is talking about any birthday present, not a specific one. In English, we use "a" when referring to a general, unspecified item. The word "birthday" starts with a consonant sound ("b"), so "an" is incorrect. If the sentence were referring to a specific present, "the" could be used (e.g., "the birthday present you bought last year"). But since the speaker is asking for help choosing any present, "a" is the right choice.
10.
_______ President of the United States will be visiting Australia next week.
Correct Answer
C. The
Explanation
The correct answer is "the." The phrase "the President of the United States" refers to a unique position held by only one person at a time. In English, we use "the" before titles when they refer to a specific and known individual. Even though different people hold the position over time, there is only one President at any given moment. Using "a" or "an" would suggest that there are multiple Presidents, which is incorrect. The definite article "the" is necessary when referring to a specific and well-known role.
11.
I saw ______ interesting movie last night.
Correct Answer
B. An
Explanation
The correct article is “an.” Even though "interesting" starts with the letter 'i,' what really matters is the sound. The 'i' in "interesting" makes a vowel sound, just like in words such as "elephant" or "apple." In English, we use "an" before words that begin with a vowel sound, no matter what letter the word starts with. If the word started with a consonant sound, we would use "a." So, since “interesting” begins with a vowel sound, the correct phrase is “an interesting movie,” not “a interesting movie.
12.
She is ______ excellent teacher.
Correct Answer
B. An
Explanation
The correct article is “an.” The word "excellent" begins with the vowel letter 'e,' but more importantly, it starts with a vowel sound. In English, we use “an” before words that begin with a vowel sound because it makes the sentence flow smoothly. Saying “a excellent teacher” would not sound right. Instead, “an excellent teacher” is the correct phrase. We also use “an” because "teacher" is a countable noun, and we are referring to one teacher among many. So, the sentence should be, “She is an excellent teacher,” making it grammatically and phonetically correct.
13.
He went to ______ university in London.
Correct Answer
B. The
Explanation
The correct article is "a." Even though “university” starts with the vowel letter 'u,' what matters is the sound. The 'u' in “university” sounds like “you,” which is a consonant sound. In English, we use “a” before words that begin with a consonant sound and “an” before words that begin with a vowel sound. Since "university" starts with a "yoo" sound, we say “a university,” not “an university.” The sentence should be, “He went to a university in London,” because we are referring to one of many universities, not a specific one.
14.
We need ______ kilo of sugar.
Correct Answer
A. A
Explanation
The correct article is “a.” The word "kilo" starts with the letter 'k,' which makes a consonant sound like “key” or “kite.” In English, we use “a” before words that begin with a consonant sound. If the word started with a vowel sound, we would use “an.” Since "kilo" is a singular, countable noun, the correct phrase is “a kilo of sugar.” We use “a” because we are referring to an unspecified amount, not a specific kilo. If we were talking about a known or mentioned kilo, we could use “the” instead.
15.
She is ______ only person I know who speaks French.
Correct Answer
C. The
Explanation
The correct article is “the.” The phrase “only person” means there is just one such person, which makes it unique. In English, we use “the” before singular or plural nouns when there is only one or when both the speaker and listener know exactly which one is being referred to. Saying “a only person” would be incorrect because “only” already suggests uniqueness. The sentence should be, “She is the only person I know who speaks French.” We use “the” to emphasize that no one else fits this description, making the article necessary and correct.