A OR THE? EXERCISE 2 (ESL)
level: Beginner (A1/A2)
This second exercise in the a vs. the series introduces slightly trickier contexts: superlatives, the second-mention rule, and nouns identified by a relative clause or shared context. If you are new to this topic, start with exercise 1 first.
Grammar review
A vs the — specific cases to know
Once you know the basic rule (a for something new or general, the for something specific or already known), the next step is learning a few patterns that come up all the time.
Second mention rule:
When you mention something for the first time, use a. When you refer to it again, use the:
“I bought a lamp yesterday. The lamp is bright blue.”
Superlatives always take the:
“He is the tallest player on the team.”
“This is the quietest street in town.”
Unique or shared knowledge:
When there’s only one, or when context makes it clear which one is meant:
“Can you turn off the light?” (there's only one light in the room)
“The man at the front desk gave me the keys.” (a specific, identified person)
Introducing something with a:
Use a any time you're mentioning something for the first time, or it isn't specific:
“I saw a strange bird in the garden.” “There's a café on that corner.”
Once you know the basic rule (a for something new or general, the for something specific or already known), the next step is learning a few patterns that come up all the time.
Second mention rule:
When you mention something for the first time, use a. When you refer to it again, use the:
“I bought a lamp yesterday. The lamp is bright blue.”
Superlatives always take the:
“He is the tallest player on the team.”
“This is the quietest street in town.”
Unique or shared knowledge:
When there’s only one, or when context makes it clear which one is meant:
“Can you turn off the light?” (there's only one light in the room)
“The man at the front desk gave me the keys.” (a specific, identified person)
Introducing something with a:
Use a any time you're mentioning something for the first time, or it isn't specific:
“I saw a strange bird in the garden.” “There's a café on that corner.”
Choose a or the to complete each sentence.
1. We had ________ good time at the party.
Correct answer: a — introducing a new, non-specific noun for the first time — a good time.
2. Did your father get ________ gift that we sent him?
Correct answer: the — the refers to a specific, known item — the gift that was already sent.
3. Robert is ________ good dancer.
Correct answer: a — introducing a person in a general sense — a good dancer.
4. Your sister is ________ friendliest person I know.
Correct answer: the — superlatives always take the — the friendliest person.
5. Did you pass ________ exam that we had yesterday?
Correct answer: the — the refers to a specific, known exam — the one we had yesterday.
6. We have ________ meeting on Wednesday.
Correct answer: a — a meeting not yet mentioned — introducing it for the first time with a.
7. There's ________ mailbox around the corner.
Correct answer: a — a non-specific mailbox — introduced for the first time, no specific one implied.
8. I have two cats: a white one and ________ gray one.
Correct answer: a — introducing a new item — the gray cat is being mentioned for the first time.
9. ________ woman we spoke to this morning is my aunt.
Correct answer: The — the refers to a specific woman — the one we both know we spoke to.
10. I made ________ decision to quit smoking.
Correct answer: a — introducing a new decision — mentioned for the first time with a.
KEEP PRACTICING — MORE EXERCISES FOR YOU:
More article exercises:
Article or No Article? Exercise 3 (A2/B2)
A or the? Exercise 1 (A1/A2)
Articles with Geographic Names Exercise 1 (B1/B2)
Article or No Article? Exercise 1 (A2/B1)
Articles with Idioms Exercise 1 (B1/B2)
Indefinite Articles (A or an?) Exercise 1 (A1/A2)
Related countable/uncountable noun exercises:
Countable or Uncountable Nouns? Exercise 1 (A2/B1)
Isn'T or Aren'T? 1 (B1/B2)
Countable or Uncountable Nouns? Exercise 2 (A2/B1)
Countable or Uncountable Nouns? Exercise 3 (B1/B2)
Browse all article exercises →
More article exercises:
Article or No Article? Exercise 3 (A2/B2)
A or the? Exercise 1 (A1/A2)
Articles with Geographic Names Exercise 1 (B1/B2)
Article or No Article? Exercise 1 (A2/B1)
Articles with Idioms Exercise 1 (B1/B2)
Indefinite Articles (A or an?) Exercise 1 (A1/A2)
Related countable/uncountable noun exercises:
Countable or Uncountable Nouns? Exercise 1 (A2/B1)
Isn'T or Aren'T? 1 (B1/B2)
Countable or Uncountable Nouns? Exercise 2 (A2/B1)
Countable or Uncountable Nouns? Exercise 3 (B1/B2)
Browse all article exercises →
