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/general, the for something specific/known), the next step is recognizing the patterns that come up most often in practice.
Second mention rule:
When you mention something for the first time, use a. When you refer to it again, use the:
“We have a meeting on Wednesday. The meeting starts at 9 AM.”
Superlatives always take the:
“She is the friendliest person I know.”
“That was the best film I’ve ever seen.”
Unique or shared knowledge:
When there’s only one, or when context makes it clear which one is meant:
“Did you pass the exam?” (both people know which exam)
“The woman we spoke to is my aunt.” (a specific, identified person)
Introducing with a:
Any time something is unspecified or introduced for the first time:
“I made a decision.” “There’s a mailbox around the corner.”
Once you know the basic rule (a for something new/general, the for something specific/known), the next step is recognizing the patterns that come up most often in practice.
Second mention rule:
When you mention something for the first time, use a. When you refer to it again, use the:
“We have a meeting on Wednesday. The meeting starts at 9 AM.”
Superlatives always take the:
“She is the friendliest person I know.”
“That was the best film I’ve ever seen.”
Unique or shared knowledge:
When there’s only one, or when context makes it clear which one is meant:
“Did you pass the exam?” (both people know which exam)
“The woman we spoke to is my aunt.” (a specific, identified person)
Introducing with a:
Any time something is unspecified or introduced for the first time:
“I made a decision.” “There’s a mailbox around the 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.
CHECK OUT OUR OTHER ARTICLE EXERCISES:
A or the? 1 (A1/A2)
A or the? 2 (A1/A2)
Article or no article? 1 (A2/B1)
Article or no article? 2 (A2/B2)
Article or no article? 3 (A2/B2)
Articles with idioms 1 (B1/B2)
Articles with idioms 2 (B1/B2)
Articles with idioms 3 (B1/B2)
Countable or uncountable nouns? 1 (A2/B1)
Countable or uncountable nouns? 2 (A2/B1)
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A or the? 1 (A1/A2)
A or the? 2 (A1/A2)
Article or no article? 1 (A2/B1)
Article or no article? 2 (A2/B2)
Article or no article? 3 (A2/B2)
Articles with idioms 1 (B1/B2)
Articles with idioms 2 (B1/B2)
Articles with idioms 3 (B1/B2)
Countable or uncountable nouns? 1 (A2/B1)
Countable or uncountable nouns? 2 (A2/B1)
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