MIXED ENGLISH ARTICLES EXERCISE 1 (ESL)
level: Beginner/Intermediate (A2/B1)
✓ Useful for IELTS
✓ Useful for TOEIC
English articles — a, an, the, and the zero article — are used constantly but governed by rules that interact in ways that take real practice to internalise. This exercise covers all four options across a range of everyday contexts.
Grammar review
Mixed articles — a, an, the, or no article?
This exercise covers all article choices in English. The core questions to ask for each sentence:
Is the noun specific and known to both speaker and listener?
→ Use the: “Pass me the salt.” (we both know which one)
Is it being introduced for the first time, or is it one of many?
→ Use a/an: “She bought a new car.”
Is it a general, uncountable, or abstract noun used in a broad sense?
→ No article: “She loves music.” “He works in sales.”
Quick reference:
the = specific, identified, unique, or already mentioned
a/an = unspecific, first mention, one of many, job/role descriptions
No article = proper nouns (most), sports, languages, subjects, uncountable nouns in general sense
This exercise covers all article choices in English. The core questions to ask for each sentence:
Is the noun specific and known to both speaker and listener?
→ Use the: “Pass me the salt.” (we both know which one)
Is it being introduced for the first time, or is it one of many?
→ Use a/an: “She bought a new car.”
Is it a general, uncountable, or abstract noun used in a broad sense?
→ No article: “She loves music.” “He works in sales.”
Quick reference:
the = specific, identified, unique, or already mentioned
a/an = unspecific, first mention, one of many, job/role descriptions
No article = proper nouns (most), sports, languages, subjects, uncountable nouns in general sense
Choose a, an, the, or no article to complete each sentence.
KEEP PRACTICING — MORE EXERCISES FOR YOU:
More article exercises:
A or the? Exercise 2 (A1/A2)
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)
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:
A or the? Exercise 2 (A1/A2)
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)
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 →
