Languages › English as a Second Language Article Use in English Quiz Do you know when to use 'a', 'an' and 'the'? English as a Second Language Grammar Pronunciation & Conversation Vocabulary Writing Skills Reading Comprehension Business English Resources for Teachers By Kenneth Beare Kenneth Beare English as a Second Language (ESL) Expert TESOL Diploma, Trinity College London M.A., Music Performance, Cologne University of Music B.A., Vocal Performance, Eastman School of Music Kenneth Beare is an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher and course developer with over three decades of teaching experience. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on March 06, 2017 1. I had ____ fish and ____ chips for dinner. a - a the - Ø the - the Ø - Ø Correct Wrong The name of specific dishes such as 'fish and chips' do not take an article. 2. I'm on ___ diet. No ___ sugar for me! a - Ø the - the the - a Ø - a Correct Wrong In this statement, the listener doesn't know which diet. Do not use articles when speaking in general and using non-count nouns. 3. I'm staying at ___ hotel on ____ Hudson river. the - the a - the a - a a - Ø Correct Wrong Use 'a' to introduce something to a conversation. Use 'the' with names of specific rivers. 4. Can I pay by ___ check? a the Ø Correct Wrong There's no need for an article with the phrase 'pay by' - pay by check, by credit card, etc. 5. ___ friend of mine is coming to visit next week. a the Ø Correct Wrong In this sentence, the speaker but not the listener knows which friend. 6. Have you got ____ car fixed yet? a the Ø Correct Wrong This question focuses on a specific car known to both speaker and listener. 7. I heard ___ knock on ___ door. a - a a - the Ø - the Correct Wrong Use 'a' to introduce a new topic. 'The' refers to the door of the house. 8. When do you get ___ home? a the Ø Correct Wrong Never use a preposition or an article with 'home' and a verb of movement such as 'go', 'get', 'drive', etc. 9. I wish he wouldn't talk during ___ lesson. Maybe the teacher should have ___ word with him. the - a a - the Ø - the Ø - Ø Correct Wrong In this case, the context makes clear that the students know which lesson is discussed. 10. There was ____ sound in ____ living room. the - Ø the - the Ø - Ø a - the Correct Wrong Use 'a' to introduce an unknown into a discussion. 11. Jack Anderson was caught holding _____ match during _____ fire. a - Ø the - a Ø - Ø a - the Correct Wrong Which match in particular is not known. However, 'the fire' refers to a specific fire. 12. She replied in _____ surprise that _____ question was much too difficult. Ø - a a - a Ø - Ø Ø - the Correct Wrong There is no need for an article in the phrase 'in surprise, or 'by surprise'. 13. I'm afraid I can't remember _____ exact date of _____ show. the - the the - a the - Ø Ø - Ø Correct Wrong In this case,the speaker refers to a specific date and show. 14. She's staying at _____ hotel in _____ small town in Colorado. a - the a - a the - a the - the Correct Wrong Use 'a' to introduce a new topic into the conversation. 15. _____ children went to _____ film yesterday afternoon. Ø - a The - Ø A - the The - a Correct Wrong 'The' can be used to refer to a specific plural noun. 16. I'm afraid _____ answer is 'no'. Come back when you can make _____ new proposal. Ø - the the - the the - a the - Ø Correct Wrong Here a specific answer is referred to. However, 'a proposal' refers to one of many possible proposals. 17. _____ fruit is usually sold by _____ pound. Ø - Ø The - a Ø - the Correct Wrong Nothing can be used to speak about non-count nouns in general. 18. He got _____ job in _____ best company in town. a - the a - a the - a the - Ø Correct Wrong Which job is not specified to the listener. Use 'the' with superlative forms. 19. _____ Pacific Ocean is _____ largest body of water on _____ Earth. Ø - the - the The - Ø - Ø The - the - Ø Ø - the - Ø Correct Wrong Always use 'the' with an ocean or sea. 20. You can find _____ books you'll need for class at _____ Amazon.com. a - the the - the the - Ø Correct Wrong It's not necessary to use an article with a specific company. Article Use in English Quiz You got: % Correct. You Know Your Articles! You know your English!. Andrew Rich / Vetta / Getty Images Congratulations! It's clear you know how to use articles in English which is no easy feat! Keep studying English and you'll be fluent in no time. Share Your Results Article Use in English Quiz You got: % Correct. Good Job, Keep Studying You've done well on your lessons. Anton Violin / Moment / Getty Images Well done. You understand the basics of article usage, but there are some exceptions to the rules that you should review. Share Your Results Article Use in English Quiz You got: % Correct. Article Use is Difficult! You'll need to study more!. John Fedele / Blend Images / Getty Images Correct article usage is one of the most difficult things to learn in English as there are so many exceptions to the rule. Keep working on your English, review the rules, and you'll understand soon. Share Your Results