A, An, The or No Article: Exercise 2
A2–B1 · IntermediateUseful for:✓ IELTS✓ TOEIC
This mixed articles exercise focuses on situations where the is needed and where no article is used. Practice with geographical names, unique things, languages, sports, and meals.
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Choose a, an, the, or no article to complete each sentence.
1. He stopped eating __________ meat several years ago.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
2. __________ food that Aunt Theresa made was delicious!
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3. He believes that __________ alcohol is bad for your health.
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4. She's __________ very good dancer.
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5. He goes jogging on __________ beach every morning.
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6. My sister loves playing __________ basketball.
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7. He made sandwiches for __________ lunch.
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8. Everyone thought he was __________ real hero.
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9. I've waited __________ long time to hear you say that.
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10. That was __________ only time I've seen him cry.
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11. That is __________ really good restaurant.
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12. __________ song that she sang last night was beautiful!
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13. Peter should drink more __________ water.
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14. They are __________ dishonest.
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15. Would you like to go for a walk in __________ mountains?
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16. Robert was playing __________ tennis for several hours.
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17. Have you eaten __________ dinner yet?
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18. This is __________ very long movie.
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19. I've been waiting for __________ hours.
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20. That was __________ last time I saw her.
That's right! Well done!Sorry, that is incorrect. Please try again.
Next exercise: Mixed Articles – Exercise 3 →
Grammar review
Mixed articles — when the is required vs when it’s not
One of the biggest challenges in English article use is knowing when the is required and when it would be wrong. Here are the most important patterns.
The is required with:
• Unique things: the sun, the moon, the sky, the earth
• Superlatives: the tallest, the most expensive, the best
• Rivers, mountain ranges, seas, oceans: the Amazon, the Alps, the Pacific
• Groups of islands, countries with plural or common noun names: the Philippines, the United States
• Specified nouns: “the book you lent me”, “the woman at the door”
The is NOT used with:
• Most countries, cities, continents: France, London, Asia
• Languages and school subjects: English, mathematics
• Sports and activities: football, tennis, swimming
• Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Most transport expressions: by car, by train, on foot
One of the biggest challenges in English article use is knowing when the is required and when it would be wrong. Here are the most important patterns.
The is required with:
• Unique things: the sun, the moon, the sky, the earth
• Superlatives: the tallest, the most expensive, the best
• Rivers, mountain ranges, seas, oceans: the Amazon, the Alps, the Pacific
• Groups of islands, countries with plural or common noun names: the Philippines, the United States
• Specified nouns: “the book you lent me”, “the woman at the door”
The is NOT used with:
• Most countries, cities, continents: France, London, Asia
• Languages and school subjects: English, mathematics
• Sports and activities: football, tennis, swimming
• Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Most transport expressions: by car, by train, on foot
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