Articles A, An, and The are demonstrative adjectives used before nouns. There are two kinds of articles: Indefinite (A/An) and Definite (The).
A/An is called the Indefinite Article because it refers to any one person or thing, not a specific one. It is used only before singular countable nouns, such as a book or an orange. The choice between a and an depends on sound, not spelling. An is used before vowel sounds (an hour, an honest man), while a is used before consonant sounds, including yu and w sounds (a university, a one-rupee note).
The is called the Definite Article because it points to a particular person or thing already known from the context. It can be used before singular, plural, and uncountable nouns. It is also used to represent a whole class (The cow is a useful animal), before superlatives, ordinals, musical instruments, unique objects (the sun), rivers, seas, mountain ranges, certain countries, holy books, and well-known institutions.
Articles are omitted before abstract nouns, substances, plural nouns in general sense, most proper nouns, meals, languages, and certain fixed expressions. Correct use of articles improves clarity and accuracy in English writing.
| Aspect | Explanation with Examples |
|---|---|
| Meaning of Articles | A, An, and The are Demonstrative Adjectives. They are placed before nouns to limit or define their meaning. |
| Types of Articles | There are two articles: Indefinite (A, An) and Definite (The). |
| Indefinite Article (A/An) | Used before singular countable nouns in a general sense: a boy, an apple. |
| Choice of A or An | Depends on sound, not spelling. An hour (vowel sound), a university (consonant sound ‘yu’). |
| Definite Article (The) | Refers to a particular person or thing already known: the book you want. |
| The as Class Representative | A singular noun with the can represent a whole class: The cow is a useful animal. |
| The with Proper Nouns | Used with rivers, seas, deserts, mountain ranges, groups of islands, and some countries: the Ganga, the Himalayas. |
| Special Uses of The | Used with superlatives, ordinals, musical instruments, adjectives as nouns, and comparatives: the best, the first, the poor, the more the merrier. |
| Use of A/An | Shows one, a certain, any, or converts a proper noun into a common noun: a Daniel. |
| Omission of Articles | Articles are omitted before abstract nouns, substances, meals, languages, institutions, and set phrases: Honesty is the best policy. |
Articles MCQs With Answers (Based on Wren & Martin)
Total Questions: 60
[RPSC 2nd Grade (Grammar & Usage)]
Q.1. Articles ‘A’, ‘An’, and ‘The’ are grammatically classified as which of the following?
(A) Personal Pronouns
(B) Demonstrative Adjectives
(C) Possessive Adjectives
(D) Relative Adverbs
Answer: (B) Demonstrative Adjectives
Q.2. Which article is referred to as the “Indefinite Article”?
(A) The
(B) A only
(C) An only
(D) A or An
Answer: (D) A or An
Q.3. Why is ‘The’ called the Definite Article?
(A) Because it is used before vowels only.
(B) Because it points out a particular person or thing.
(C) Because it leaves the person or thing indefinite.
(D) Because it is used with plural nouns only.
Answer: (B) Because it points out a particular person or thing.
Q.4. Choose the correct article to complete the sentence: “He saw _____ doctor.” (meaning some particular doctor)
(A) a
(B) an
(C) the
(D) No article
Answer: (C) the
Q.5. The choice between ‘A’ and ‘An’ is primarily determined by:
(A) Spelling
(B) Sound
(C) The length of the word
(D) The origin of the word
Answer: (B) Sound
Q.6. Fill in the blank: “He is _____ honest man.”
(A) a
(B) an
(C) the
(D) no article
Answer: (B) an
Q.7. Which of the following phrases uses the indefinite article correctly?
(A) An yard
(B) An horse
(C) A heir
(D) An inkstand
Answer: (D) An inkstand
Q.8. Fill in the blank: “He studies at _____ university.”
(A) an
(B) a
(C) the
(D) no article
Answer: (B) a (The word begins with the consonant sound ‘yu’)
Q.9. Complete the sentence: “It was _____ one-rupee note.”
(A) an
(B) a
(C) the
(D) any
Answer: (B) a (The word begins with the consonant sound ‘w’)
Q.10. Fill in the blank: “Copper is _____ useful metal.”
(A) an
(B) a
(C) the
(D) one
Answer: (B) a
Q.11. Identify the correct usage for the word ‘European’:
(A) An European
(B) A European
(C) The European (in a general indefinite sense)
(D) None of the above
Answer: (B) A European
Q.12. Fill in the blank: “He is _____ heir to the throne.”
(A) a
(B) an
(C) the
(D) one
Answer: (B) an
Q.13. Which of the following is considered a common error?
(A) The banyan is a kind of fig tree.
(B) The banyan is a kind of a fig tree.
(C) A banyan is a kind of fig tree.
(D) The banyan is the kind of fig tree.
Answer: (B) The banyan is a kind of a fig tree.
Q.14. “The cow is a useful animal.” In this sentence, the definite article is used to:
(A) Point out a specific cow owned by someone.
(B) Represent a whole class.
(C) Indicate a superlative degree.
(D) Distinguish it from a horse.
Answer: (B) Represent a whole class.
Q.15. Which of the following alternatives to “The cow is a useful animal” is grammatically correct?
(A) Cow is a useful animal.
(B) A cow are useful animals.
(C) Cows are useful animals.
(D) The cows is a useful animal.
Answer: (C) Cows are useful animals.
Q.16. Fill in the blank: “_____ is man’s mate.”
(A) The Woman
(B) A Woman
(C) Woman
(D) An Woman
Answer: (C) Woman (Used in a general sense without an article)
Q.17. Complete the sentence: “_____ book you want is out of print.”
(A) A
(B) An
(C) The
(D) Any
Answer: (C) The (Refers to a particular book)
Q.18. Fill in the blank: “Let’s go to _____ park.” (meaning the park in this town)
(A) a
(B) an
(C) the
(D) one
Answer: (C) the
Q.19. We use ‘_____’ before names of rivers. Example: “_____ Ganga.”
(A) A
(B) An
(C) The
(D) No article
Answer: (C) The
Q.20. Which of the following is incorrect?
(A) The Pacific
(B) The Sahara
(C) The Everest
(D) The Himalayas
Answer: (C) The Everest (We do not use ‘The’ before individual peaks, only mountain ranges)
Q.21. Fill in the blank: “_____ French defeated the Germans.”
(A) A
(B) An
(C) The
(D) No article
Answer: (C) The (Assuming ‘The French’ refers to the people/nation, though contextually implying historical reference)
Q.21. Which proper name correctly takes the definite article?
(A) India
(B) United Kingdom
(C) France
(D) America
Answer: (B) United Kingdom
Q.22. Fill in the blank: “He reads _____ Vedas every morning.”
(A) a
(B) an
(C) the
(D) no article
Answer: (C) the
Q.23. Identify the correct phrasing:
(A) The Valmiki’s Ramayana
(B) Valmiki’s Ramayana
(C) A Valmiki’s Ramayana
(D) An Valmiki’s Ramayana
Answer: (B) Valmiki’s Ramayana
Q.24. Fill in the blank: “_____ sun shines brightly.”
(A) A
(B) An
(C) The
(D) One
Answer: (C) The (Things unique of their kind)
Q.25. “At last the warrior in him was thoroughly aroused.” Here, ‘the warrior’ means:
(A) A specific soldier
(B) The martial spirit (Abstract noun)
(C) The army
(D) A historical figure
Answer: (B) The martial spirit (Abstract noun)
Q.26. Fill in the blank: “This is________best book of elementary chemistry.”
(A) a
(B) an
(C) the
(D) no article needed
Answer: (C) the
Q.27. Fill in the blank with a Superlative: ” _____darkest cloud has a silver lining.”
(A) a
(B) an
(C) the
(D) one
Answer: (C) the
Q.28. “He was _____ first man to arrive.”
(A) a
(B) an
(C) the
(D) one
Answer: (C) the (Used with ordinals)
Q.29. Which category does NOT generally take ‘The’?
(A) Musical instruments
(B) Rivers
(C) Individual Islands
(D) Oceans
Answer: (C) Individual Islands
Q.30. Fill in the blank: “_____ poor are always with us.”
(A) A
(B) An
(C) The
(D) Some
Answer: (C) The (Before an adjective when the noun is understood)
Q.31. “The Verb is the word in a sentence.” Here, ‘the word’ implies:
(A) Any word
(B) The chief word
(C) A grammatical unit
(D) An object
Answer: (B) The chief word
Q.32. “The more they get, _____ more they want.”
(A) a
(B) an
(C) the
(D) some
Answer: (C) the (Used as an Adverb with Comparatives)
Q.33. “Twelve inches make _____ foot.”
(A) the
(B) a
(C) an
(D) one
Answer: (B) a (In the numerical sense of one)
Q.34. “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” Here ‘A’ is used in the sense of:
(A) A certain
(B) Any
(C) One
(D) The
Answer: (C) One (Numerical sense)
Q.35. “A Kishore Kumar is suspected by the police.” Here ‘A’ implies:
(A) The famous singer
(B) A certain person named Kishore Kumar
(C) Any singer
(D) One of many
Answer: (B) A certain person named Kishore Kumar
Q.36. “A pupil should obey his teacher.” Here ‘A’ is used to:
(A) Single out an individual as the representative of a class
(B) Refer to a specific student
(C) Mean “one” numerically
(D) Refer to a vague person
Answer: (A) Single out an individual as the representative of a class
Q.37. “A Daniel come to judgement!” Here, the proper noun ‘Daniel’ is used as:
(A) An Abstract Noun
(B) A Common Noun
(C) A Collective Noun
(D) A Material Noun
Answer: (B) A Common Noun (Meaning a very wise man)
Q.38. Articles are generally omitted before:
(A) Rivers
(B) Holy books
(C) Abstract nouns used in a general sense
(D) Superlatives
Answer: (C) Abstract nouns used in a general sense
Q.39. Fill in the blank: “_____ is a precious metal.”
(A) The Gold
(B) A Gold
(C) Gold
(D) An Gold
Answer: (C) Gold
Q.40. “_____ wisdom of Solomon is great.”
(A) A
(B) An
(C) The
(D) No article
Answer: (C) The (Abstract noun qualified by a phrase)
Q.41. “Children like chocolates.” Why is no article used before Children?
(A) It is a proper noun.
(B) It is a plural countable noun used in a general sense.
(C) It is an abstract noun.
(D) It is a material noun.
Answer: (B) It is a plural countable noun used in a general sense.
Q.42. Fill in the blank: “Where are _____ children?” (Referring to ‘our’ children)
(A) a
(B) an
(C) the
(D) some
Answer: (C) the
Q.43. Before which of the following is the article omitted?
(A) The Ukraine
(B) The Hague
(C) Mount Everest
(D) The West Indies
Answer: (C) Mount Everest (Individual mountain)
Q.44. Fill in the blank: “What time do you have _____ lunch?”
(A) a
(B) an
(C) the
(D) no article
Answer: (D) no article
Q.45. Fill in the blank: “I had _____ late lunch today.”
(A) a
(B) an
(C) the
(D) no article
Answer: (A) a (Because there is an adjective before lunch)
Q.46. Fill in the blank: “_____ dinner we had at the Tourist Hotel was very nice.”
(A) A
(B) An
(C) The
(D) No article
Answer: (C) The (Specified dinner)
Q.47. “We are studying _____ English.”
(A) a
(B) an
(C) the
(D) no article
Answer: (D) no article (Before languages)
Q.48. “I learnt French at school.” Here ‘school’ takes no article because:
(A) It is a proper noun.
(B) It is visited for its primary purpose (learning).
(C) It is a specific building.
(D) It is a material noun.
Answer: (B) It is visited for its primary purpose (learning).
Q.49. Fill in the blank: “________school is very near my home.”
(A) A
(B) An
(C) The
(D) No article
Answer: (C)
Q.49. “I went to _____ hospital to see my uncle.”
(A) a
(B) an
(C) the
(D) no article
Answer: (C) the (visited as a definite place/object, not for treatment)
Q.50. “He stays in _____ bed till nine every morning.”
(A) a
(B) an
(C) the
(D) no article
Answer: (D) no article
Q.51. “_____ bed is broken.”
(A) A
(B) An
(C) The
(D) No article
Answer: (C) The (Referring to the specific object)
Q.52. “_____ has returned.” (Meaning our father)
(A) The Father
(B) A Father
(C) Father
(D) An Father
Answer: (C) Father (Before names of relations like father, mother, etc.)
Q.53. “_____ has given notice.”
(A) The Cook
(B) A Cook
(C) Cook
(D) An Cook
Answer: (C) Cook (Meaning ‘our cook’)
Q.54. “He was elected _____ of the Board.”
(A) a chairman
(B) the chairman
(C) chairman
(D) an chairman
Answer: (C) chairman (Predicative noun denoting a unique position)
Q.55. “Mr Banerji became Principal of the college in 1995.” The article is omitted before ‘Principal’ because:
(A) It is a proper noun.
(B) It is a unique position held by one person at a time.
(C) It is a common noun.
(D) It is an abstract noun.
Answer: (B) It is a unique position held by one person at a time.
Q.56. Which phrase is correct?
(A) To catch the fire
(B) To catch a fire
(C) To catch fire
(D) To catch an fire
Answer: (C) To catch fire
Q.57. Fill in the blank: “They travelled by _____ train.”
(A) a
(B) an
(C) the
(D) no article
Answer: (D) no article
Q.58. Fill in the blank: “The ship is at _____ anchor.”
(A) a
(B) an
(C) the
(D) no article
Answer: (D) no article
Q.59. Fill in the blank: “He is in _____ debt.”
(A) a
(B) an
(C) the
(D) no article
Answer: (D) no article
Q.60. Fill in the blank: “Don’t lose _____ heart.”
(A) a
(B) an
(C) the
(D) no article
Answer: (D) no article
[Source : High School English Grammar and Composition]
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