Practice. Exercise 1.Comment on the use of the definite article in the following sentences

Exercise 1. Comment on the use of the definite article in the following sentences.

1. The arch of the sky was the darkest of blues. 2. She, believed people like Wilf to be the salt of the earth. 3. Ah, it's the other side of the coin, so to speak. 4. The cycle of life is endless, and it never changes. 5. The following day I passed the morning making phone calls. 6. Like all the best ideas, it's a simple one. 7. This is the most modern shopping centre in the world. 8. That's the key question. 9. The house was quiet. The stuff had gone to bed. 10. She'll be the second to answer. 11. We live on the seventh floor. 12. The kitchen was equipped with all the latest appliances. 13. I know this road like the back of my hand. 14. Don't forget that Monday is the deadline. 15. The story which you told me is very romantic. 16. Where are the children? — They are in the garden. 17. He gave the same answer. 18. The house I bought was very cheap. Moreover, the building looked great. 19. Help the aged! 20. The steam engine was a powerful instrument of human progress.

Exercise 2. Insert theappropriate articles where necessary.

1. ____ door is locked. 2. Have you ____ telephone? 3. ____ telephone is out of order. 4. It is dark on ____ landing. 5. Do you like ____ dogs? 6. Don’t tease ____ dog. 7. Never try to stroke ____ dog if you don’t know it. 8. ____ fountain-pen won’t write. 9. Have you got ____ fountain-pens on sale? 10. Where can I have ____ coat made to order? 11. Where did you have ____ coat made? 12. In this store they always have a wide choice in ____ coats and suits. 13. ____ suits are ready-made. 14. Where is ____ key? 15. How many flats are there in ____ house? 16. How much are ____ dinner-sets? How many articles are there in ____ set? 17. How much are ____ dinner-sets now?

Exercise 3. Complete the sentences below putting the article in each space, together with a noun that is associated with the noun which is underlined.

1. We went into shops which had absolutely nothing on ______.

2. You shouldn’t ask a question if you already know ______.

3. I’ve never taught a class where ______ are so lazy.

4. It was a lovely house but ______ were too steep for old people.

5. In a test ______ should not be too difficult or too easy.

6. It’s a newspaper where ______ aren’t covered with pictures.

7. I’m not surprised you can’t walk in those shoes. ______ are much too high.

8. Before you go on a long journey in you car, check to make sure______ have enough air in them.

9. I bought the radio in a sale ______ had been slashed by 50%.

10. What’s the point in buying an expensive television if ______ isn’t clear?

Exercise 4. Complete the sentences below by putting the most appropriate of these adjectives together with the article.

blind deaf

healthy homeless

hungry lame

poor rich

uneducated unemployed

1. ________ are people who have no job.

2. ________ are people who are not sick.

3. ________ are people who have difficulty walking.

4. ________ are people who have a lot of money.

5. ________ are people who cannot see.

6. ________ are people who have very little money.

7. ________ are people who cannot hear.

8. ________ are people who have not have an education

9. ________ are people who do not have enough food to eat.

10. ________ are people who have nowhere to live.

Exercise 5. Complete the story below by inserting “a’ or “the” in the spaces as required. The first has been done for you.

Once upon a time, there was (1) a cat and (2) _____ dog that lived in (3) _____ small house. One day (4) _____ cat said to (5) _____ dog, “This place is too small for us – we need (6) _____ bigger house.” (7) _____ dog agreed. “We could even have (8) _____ garden where I could bury my bones.” “Well I’m not sure (9) _____ garden is a good idea,” said (10) _____ cat. “Who would cut the grass?” “We could employ (11) _____ cat to do it,” said (12) _____ dog. “Why not (13) _____ dog?” said (14) _____ cat. And so they never left (15) _____ small house because they couldn’t agree.

Exercise 6. In the following sentences, use “the” or “a”. Keep in mind that “a” refers to one unknown or unspecified person or thing.

1. She ran into _____ house and shut _____ door. 2. They are planning to buy _____ house some day. 3. We have to feed _____ dog and _____ cat before we leave. 4. The boy has always wanted to have _____ dog and _____ cat. 5. This apartment has _____ bedroom, _____ living-room, and _____ kitchen. 6. While he was in _____ park, he saw_____ man walking with _____ dog. 7. Everyone in _____ neighborhood was sorry to see them move. 8. They moved to _____ very quiet neighborhood. 9. _____ refrigerator like theirs is very expensive. 10. He’s going to _____ grocery store to buy _____ loaf of bread. 11. _____ moon is _____ satellite of _____ earth. 12. The drugstore hired _____ new pharmacist. 13. _____ leaves are already falling off _____ trees and covering _____ ground. 14. They live in _____ very expensive home. 15. She has an appointment this week with _____ doctor and _____ dentist.

Exercise 7. Explain why the definite article is used with the italicised nouns which refer to the preceding (or following) statement or situation in the following extracts.

Gwendolen: I am engaged to Mr. Worthing, mamma.

Lady Bracknell: Pardon me, you are not engaged to anyone. When you do become engaged to some one, I or your father will inform you of the fact.

Algernon: Relations are simply a tedious pack of people, who haven't got the remotest knowledge of how to live nor the smallest instinct about when to die.

Jack: Oh, that is nonsense.

Algernon: It isn't.

Jack: Well. I won't argue the matter.

Chasuble: But surely, Mr. Worthing, you have been christened already.

Jack: I don't remember anything about it.

Chasuble: But have you any grave doubts on the subject?

Jack: I certainly intend to have. Of course I don't know if the thing would bother you in any way, or if you think I am a little too old now.

Exercise 8. Insert articles in the following general statements. In some sentences, two choices are possible.

1. Because of ____ automobile, man has extended his horizons, but he has poisoned the atmosphere. 2. ____ automobile is a necessity today. 3. ____ refrigerator has enabled people to keep food fresh for a much longer time. 4. ____ vegetables are good for the health. 5. The world is getting smaller because of ____ airplane. 6. ____ wheel and ____ plow were very important inventions. 7. ____ supermarket sells not only ____ groceries, but also ____ household items, ____ liquor, ____ plants, ____ magazines, and ____ candy. 8. ____ newspaper is one of the most widespread media of communication. 9. ____ computer is doing much of the work that used to be done by ____ human beings. 10. ____ engineer must have a good knowledge of mathematics and physics. 11. ____ modern conveniences have been of great help in ____ home. 12. It has been proven that ____ cigarettes are bad for the health. 13. ____ eagle is a bird of prey. 14. ____ mountain is bigger and higher than ____ hill. 15. ____ kitchen can be a very suitable place to practice exercise.

Exercise 9. Complete the story below by inserting “a” or “the” in the spaces as required.

1. ____tiger is ____large carnivorous animal which belongs to ____ cat family. 2. ____ males are about three feet high and can be as long as twelve feet, including ____tail. 3. There are about eight varieties of tiger found around ____world. 4. ____tiger is ____wild animal, which lives in ____ jungle where water and prey are plentiful. 5. ____tiger will only attack ____ person if it is starving or if it is threatened. 6. ____ tiger is ____ easily recognized animal as it has ____ thick yellow or white coat with distinctive black stripes.

Exercise 10. Decide if the most appropriate articles “a” “an” and “the” are used in each of these texts.

1. Dan was playing outside in a street when he saw a red car go past driven by the teacher from his school.

2. A University has announced proposals to build a new library, to replace an existing one by the year 2005.

3. A: The car’s been stolen from outside a house!

B: Oh, no. I left my wallet and the camera in it.

4. I must buy the tin opener. I keep having to borrow one from a woman next door.

5. A: Jane bought a fridge and a washing machine for her house, but the washing machine wouldn’t go through a kitchen door so she had to send it back.

B: What did a shop say?

A: They offered to sell her a smaller one.

6. Now, when I start pushing a car, take your foot off the clutch. If it doesn’t start then, I’ll have to phone the garage.

7. We went out to the excellent restaurant last night. The food was delicious and the service was first class.

8. A: Where is a tea pot?

B: It’s in the cupboard on the right.

A: I thought you had a blue one.

B: Yes, but it broke so I had to get the new one.

9. A: I’ve no idea what to get Mark for his birthday.

B: What about a new jumper?

A: Well…it’s not very interesting present.

B: Why don’t you buy him a set of golf clubs he’s always wanted?

A: What a great idea.

10. Dr Pike has developed a way to teach musical theory. A method is designed for children over five.

11. A: Who is a woman in red?

B: She’s a journalist, I think. She works for a local newspaper.

12. Once, when I won the competition, I had to choose between a holiday in Disneyland and a Volvo. I chose a car, of course.

Exercise 11. Complete the sentences below, using the adjectives from the list; some have to be used more than once. Be careful – there is at least one sentence which requires “a” rather than “the”.

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