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Unit 5.1 · B1 Grammar

Articles

Use a/an for first mention of a singular countable noun; Choose a or an by sound, including /j/ and silent-h cases; Use the for a known, unique or obvious noun; Use zero article for plural and uncountable nouns in general; Use there is/was to introduce a present or past situation naturally.

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  1. 1. Choose the correct article: It was _____ useful suggestion.

    Multiple Choice20s
    Aa✓
    Ban
    Cthe
    Dno article

    💡 Useful begins with the consonant sound /j/, so it takes a, not an.

  2. 2. We choose a or an according to the first sound of the following word, not simply its first letter.

    True / False20s
    True ✓
    False

    💡 The sound rule explains a European but an hour.

  3. 3. We waited for _____ hour before the doctor arrived.

    Fill the Gap20s
    Accepted
    an

    💡 Hour begins with a vowel sound because h is silent, so it takes an.

  4. 4. Complete the second sentence: I bought a lamp. _____ lamp is beside my bed.

    Multiple Choice20s
    AThe✓
    BA
    CAn
    DNo article

    💡 After first mention with a, use the when both people know which lamp is meant.

  5. 5. Match each noun phrase to the reason for its article choice.

    Matching30s
    a new camera→first mention of one countable item
    an old camera→next word begins with a vowel sound
    the camera on my desk→a specifically identified item
    cameras are useful→plural noun used in general

    💡 Article choice depends on countability, sound and whether the reference is general or identifiable.

  6. 6. He works for _____ American company based in London.

    Fill the Gap20s
    Accepted
    an

    💡 The adjective American begins with a vowel sound, so the first-mentioned singular phrase takes an.

  7. 7. Put the chunks in order to show first mention followed by known reference.

    Put in Order30s
    1. 1.I found a wallet
    2. 2.on the bus.
    3. 3.The wallet
    4. 4.was empty.

    💡 Use a for first mention and the when referring to the same item again.

  8. 8. Which sentence correctly makes a general statement?

    Multiple Choice20s
    AMuseums can be expensive.✓
    BA museum are expensive.
    CMuseums can be an expensive.
    DThe museums is expensive.

    💡 A plural countable noun used in general takes zero article.

  9. 9. Because European begins with the letter E, it must take an.

    True / False20s
    True
    False ✓

    💡 The a/an rule follows sound rather than spelling.

  10. 10. Could you close _____ window, please? Everyone knows which one is open.

    Fill the Gap20s
    Accepted
    the

    💡 Use the for an item that is obvious from the shared situation.

  11. 11. Which sentence naturally introduces one camera in the room?

    Multiple Choice20s
    AThere's a camera on the shelf.✓
    BA camera is on the shelf there is.
    CThere's camera on the shelf.
    DThere a camera is on shelf.

    💡 The reference recommends there is/there's + a/an to introduce a present situation.

  12. 12. Match each phrase to the required article.

    Matching30s
    ___ umbrella→an
    ___ university→a
    ___ moon→the
    ___ information in general→no article

    💡 An follows a vowel sound, a follows the /j/ sound, the marks uniqueness, and general uncountable nouns take zero article.

  13. 13. We put the new sofa in _____ living room.

    Fill the Gap20s
    Accepted
    the

    💡 The home has one identifiable living room in this context, so use the.

  14. 14. The can be used before either a singular or a plural noun when the reference is known.

    True / False20s
    True ✓
    False

    💡 The definite article marks identifiable reference and is not limited by singular or plural number.

  15. 15. Which sentence correctly contrasts general and specific reference?

    Multiple Choice20s
    AI like olives, but the olives in this salad are too salty.✓
    BI like the olives in general, but olives in this salad are too salty.
    CI like an olives, but a olives are salty.
    DI like olive, but an olive in this salad are salty.

    💡 General plural olives takes zero article; the identified olives in the salad take the.

  16. 16. Put the chunks in order to make a general statement with zero article.

    Put in Order30s
    1. 1.Old photographs
    2. 2.can
    3. 3.sometimes
    4. 4.be
    5. 5.very valuable.

    💡 A plural noun used in general has no article.

  17. 17. There is _____ guide to local walks in the drawer.

    Fill the Gap20s
    Accepted
    a

    💡 A singular countable noun introduced for the first time takes a.

  18. 18. Which phrase correctly uses an before a silent h?

    Multiple Choice20s
    Aan honest answer✓
    Ba honest answer
    Can European answer
    Da hour-long answer

    💡 Honest begins with a vowel sound because h is silent, so it takes an.

  19. 19. Every English noun must have a, an or the before it.

    True / False20s
    True
    False ✓

    💡 The zero-article rule applies to general statements such as Books are useful and Information is valuable.

  20. 20. She bought _____ umbrella because rain was forecast.

    Fill the Gap20s
    Accepted
    an

    💡 Umbrella begins with a vowel sound and is a first-mentioned singular countable noun.