Articles in Context
B1/B2 Grammar Accuracy · 50 items · 30–40 minutes
Listen to the sound, not the spelling. A written vowel can begin with a consonant sound, and a written consonant can be silent.
Exercise 1: Hear the First Sound
Choose the article that matches the sound at the beginning of the noun phrase.
1.Marta is ___ university student in Kraków.
2.We waited for ___ hour before the doctor called us in.
3.He gave a short presentation on ___ European project.
4.Could you send me ___ updated version of the timetable?
5.My neighbour is ___ honest person, even when the truth is awkward.
6.They need ___ uniform policy for the new staff.
7.It was ___ one-off mistake, not a regular problem.
8.She works as ___ HR manager for a small company.
9.We spoke to ___ useful contact at the conference.
10.An ambulance arrived within ___ few minutes.
Exercise 2: First Mention or Known Reference?
Use context to decide whether a noun is one new example, a known thing, or a general idea.
1.I bought ___ jacket yesterday. The jacket was on sale.
2.Could you close ___ window next to you, please?
3.We need ___ information before we can make a decision.
4.The manager asked for ___ report I had mentioned in my email.
5.A laptop is useful, but ___ laptops are not allowed during this exam.
6.She is looking for ___ job with flexible hours.
7.___ people who live upstairs are moving out next week.
8.There was ___ error in the invoice, so I contacted the supplier.
9.___ coffee in this café is excellent, but it is expensive.
10.Good communication is ___ essential skill at work.
Exercise 3: The, Names and Zero Article
Practise unique things, geographical names, and common zero-article categories.
1.The Pacific is ___ largest ocean on Earth.
2.Our train leaves from ___ platform 4 at 7.15.
3.This is ___ first time I have visited Scotland.
4.She speaks ___ Spanish and studies chemistry.
5.We drove through ___ Netherlands on our way to Belgium.
6.After ___ breakfast, I usually walk to work.
7.___ sun was already low when we left the office.
8.He went to ___ bed early because he had a headache.
9.___ Mount Everest attracts climbers from around the world.
10.My sister has ___ flu, so she is working from home.
Hospital: British English often uses zero article for a patient receiving treatment (in hospital); American English normally says in the hospital. Both varieties use the hospital for a particular building or visit.
Exercise 4: Institutions in Real Life
Decide whether the noun means its normal function, a particular building, or one unspecified place.
1.The children are at ___ school until three o'clock.
2.I am meeting the head teacher at ___ school on King Street.
3.In British English, her grandfather is still in ___ hospital after the operation.
4.In American English, her grandfather is still in ___ hospital after the operation.
5.We visited ___ hospital to see our colleague after work.
6.He was sent to ___ prison for six months.
7.The guide showed us ___ prison where the film was made.
8.She goes to ___ church every Sunday with her family.
9.There is ___ bank opposite the station if you need cash.
10.The accountant is at ___ bank, speaking to the manager we know.
Exercise 5: Article Case Study
Use each full phrase once. The surrounding context tells you which article choice is needed.
📚 Vocabulary Bank — Drag the words below:
1.On Monday, Lea met [ Drop here ] for the first time.
2.Later, [ Drop here ] asked for a revised quote.
3.That evening, Lea received [ Drop here ] from the client.
4.She replied to [ Drop here ] before leaving the office.
5.The next day, she skipped [ Drop here ] because her train was early.
6.At the hotel, [ Drop here ] included in the booking was served until ten.
7.Her colleague is studying at [ Drop here ] in Manchester.
8.They met outside [ Drop here ] where the conference was taking place.
9.The project involves teams in [ Drop here ] and Germany.
10.Next month, Lea will travel to [ Drop here ] for a meeting.
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N
E
R
D
Word Origin
Naturally Eccentric, Remarkably Different
Word Origin
Naturally Eccentric, Remarkably Different
| Word / Phrase | Category | Origin & Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Article | etymology | From Latin articulus, meaning a small joint or division. In grammar, an article is a small word that helps connect a noun to the situation. |
| Zero article | grammar | This is a useful grammar label for a deliberate absence of a/an or the: We had breakfast, She studies biology. |
| Go to school | grammar | With some institution nouns, zero article focuses on the normal purpose: a pupil goes to school to study; a visitor goes to the school as a building. |