ARTICLE OR NO ARTICLE? EXERCISE 3 (ESL)
A2–B1 · IntermediateThis third exercise in the articles series covers a wider range of contexts: country names, job descriptions, sports, uncountable nouns, and nouns identified by a relative clause. Exercise 1 covers the basic patterns before these mixed contexts.
Need a refresher? Review the grammar ↓
Choose a, the, or no article to complete each sentence.
1.________ Australia is a big country.
Correct answer: NO ARTICLE — country names never take an article in English — Australia, not the Australia.
2.________ prime minister's decision took everyone by surprise.
Correct answer: The — we use the when the noun is unique or already known — there is only one prime minister.
3.David plays ________ hockey every Sunday.
Correct answer: NO ARTICLE — sports and games take no article — play hockey, not play the hockey.
4.My wife gave me ________ new backpack for Christmas.
Correct answer: a — we use a with singular countable nouns introduced for the first time.
5.My brother is a fan of ________ Los Angeles Lakers.
Correct answer: the — sports teams always take the — the Lakers, the Yankees.
6.That sounds like ________ good plan!
Correct answer: a — we use a with singular countable nouns when mentioning something for the first time.
7.My cousin Will makes a lot of ________ money.
Correct answer: NO ARTICLE — uncountable nouns used in a general sense take no article — money in general, not a specific amount.
8.My uncle works as ________ janitor at a local high school.
Correct answer: a — we use a before a job or role when used with as — works as a janitor.
9.________ sweater that he ordered online is black.
Correct answer: The — we use the when the listener knows which specific item is being referred to.
10.Everyone considered him ________ real hero.
Correct answer: a — we use a with singular countable nouns — a beautiful day, not beautiful day.
Finished this series? Try Mixed Articles – Exercise 1 →
Grammar review
Article or no article — zero article, a, and the in context
This exercise covers a wider range of article use at intermediate to upper-intermediate level. The key challenge is recognizing when context makes a noun specific (the), when it’s being introduced (a), or when no article is needed at all.
Zero article (no article) — key cases:
• Proper nouns — countries, cities, names: Australia, David, London
• Sports: “He plays hockey.”
• Uncountable nouns in a general sense: “He makes a lot of money.”
Use a when:
• Introducing something unspecific or new: “She got a new backpack.”
• Describing a job or characterising someone: “He works as a janitor.”
• With expressions: “That sounds like a great idea.”
Use the when:
• The noun is identified by context or a relative clause: “The sweater he ordered is black.”
• A unique role or position: “The prime minister’s decision…”
• Sports teams: “the Chicago Bulls”
This exercise covers a wider range of article use at intermediate to upper-intermediate level. The key challenge is recognizing when context makes a noun specific (the), when it’s being introduced (a), or when no article is needed at all.
Zero article (no article) — key cases:
• Proper nouns — countries, cities, names: Australia, David, London
• Sports: “He plays hockey.”
• Uncountable nouns in a general sense: “He makes a lot of money.”
Use a when:
• Introducing something unspecific or new: “She got a new backpack.”
• Describing a job or characterising someone: “He works as a janitor.”
• With expressions: “That sounds like a great idea.”
Use the when:
• The noun is identified by context or a relative clause: “The sweater he ordered is black.”
• A unique role or position: “The prime minister’s decision…”
• Sports teams: “the Chicago Bulls”
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