Articles — Fill in the Gap

Your task

Fill in the gap in each sentence with the correct word or phrase.

0 / 15 answered

Your score

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Keep practising! Focus on the explanations below.

He is best player on the team.

Correct answer: the

Superlatives (best, biggest, most…) always take "the" because they refer to one unique thing in a group.

She has been learning violin for three years.

Correct answer: the

Use "the" with musical instruments when talking about playing them as a skill: play the violin, the piano, the guitar.

more you practise, the better you become.

Correct answer: The

The pattern "the + comparative, the + comparative" expresses that two things change together. Both "the"s are required.

They live on sixth floor of the building.

Correct answer: the

Ordinal numbers (first, second, sixth…) always take "the" because they refer to one specific position.

French are known for their sophisticated cuisine.

Correct answer: The

Use "the + nationality adjective" to refer to all people of a nationality: the French, the English, the Japanese.

It was most memorable holiday of my life.

Correct answer: the

"Most memorable" is a superlative — only one holiday can be the most memorable, so "the" is required.

We arrived at hotel we had booked online just after midnight.

Correct answer: the

The relative clause "we had booked online" makes the hotel specific and known — use "the".

She gave excellent speech at the conference last week.

Correct answer: an

"Excellent" starts with the vowel sound /ɛ/, so use "an": an excellent speech. It is also first mention, so "a/an" not "the".

After months of searching, he finally found job he was looking for.

Correct answer: the

The relative clause "he was looking for" identifies a specific, unique job. Use "the" when the noun is fully identified.

Can you turn down music? I am trying to concentrate.

Correct answer: the

Use "the" when the listener already knows what you are referring to — here, music both people can hear.

I need to go to bank before it closes — I have a bill to pay.

Correct answer: the

Use "the" when referring to a specific place that the listener can identify from context: the bank (the one we both know).

She made big mistake when she refused the offer.

Correct answer: a

"A big mistake" is indefinite and mentioned for the first time. Use "a" for first mention of a countable singular noun.

The film was about young woman who moved to Paris alone.

Correct answer: a

In storytelling, introduce new characters with "a/an": a young woman. Once introduced, subsequent mentions use "the".

information he gave us at the meeting was very useful.

Correct answer: The

The relative clause "he gave us at the meeting" makes the information specific and known. Use "the".

It is honour to receive this award.

Correct answer: an

The "h" in "honour" is silent — it is pronounced /ˈɒnə/, starting with a vowel sound. Use "an": an honour, not "a honour".

Please answer at least one question first.

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