Articles Competitive Exams
100 questions · One Paper
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Question 1 of 100
She has family living in ___ Philippines.
ExplanationCountry names that are plural in form (the Philippines, the Maldives) take the definite article.
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Question 2 of 100
She will graduate ___ next year, according to her academic plan.
Explanation'Next year' as a time expression conventionally takes no article.
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Question 3 of 100
My brother plays ___ cricket every weekend with his friends.
ExplanationNames of sports and games generally take no article: play cricket, football, chess.
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Question 4 of 100
He enjoys playing ___ football with his friends every evening.
ExplanationNames of sports and games generally take no article.
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Question 5 of 100
___ harder you work, ___ better your results will be.
ExplanationThe proportional comparative structure 'the + comparative...the + comparative' always uses 'the' in both clauses.
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Question 6 of 100
Mount Everest is part of ___ Himalayan mountain range.
ExplanationMountain ranges, being plural/collective geographical features, take the definite article, unlike single peaks (Mount Everest - no article).
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Question 7 of 100
___ United Kingdom consists of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Explanation'United Kingdom' as a union of nations takes the definite article.
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Question 8 of 100
He is ___ heir to a vast fortune.
Explanation'Heir' has a silent 'h', making its first sound a vowel, hence 'an' is correct.
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Question 9 of 100
It was ___ unique opportunity that he could not refuse.
Explanation'Unique' begins with the consonant sound /j/ (as in 'you'), so 'a' is correct, not 'an'.
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Question 10 of 100
It took only ___ hour to finish the assignment.
Explanation'Hour' begins with a silent 'h', so it starts with a vowel SOUND, requiring 'an'.
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Question 11 of 100
She prefers to travel by ___ train rather than by air.
ExplanationThe structure 'by + transport' conventionally takes no article.
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Question 12 of 100
She works as ___ university lecturer in Lahore.
Explanation'University' begins with a consonant SOUND (/j/ as in 'you'), so 'a' is used, not 'an', despite the spelling starting with a vowel letter.
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Question 13 of 100
The visitor went to ___ hospital to deliver flowers to a friend.
ExplanationWhen visiting the hospital building for a purpose unrelated to treatment, 'the hospital' is used.
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Question 14 of 100
This is ___ same book I was telling you about yesterday.
ExplanationThe word 'same' as an adjective is always preceded by the definite article 'the'.
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Question 15 of 100
He is ___ honest man who never lies.
Explanation'Honest' has a silent 'h', so the word begins with a vowel sound, requiring 'an'.
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Question 16 of 100
He was sent to ___ prison for theft.
Explanation'Go to prison' (as a punishment, the institutional purpose) is an idiomatic expression taking no article.
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Question 17 of 100
___ man who is standing near the gate is my uncle.
ExplanationThe relative clause 'who is standing near the gate' makes the noun 'man' specific, requiring 'the'.
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Question 18 of 100
There was ___ old man sitting alone on the bench.
Explanation'Old' begins with a vowel sound, so the indefinite article 'an' is required before it.
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Question 19 of 100
Tensions between the superpowers defined ___ Cold War era.
ExplanationNames of significant historical periods, such as 'the Cold War', take the definite article.
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Question 20 of 100
The environmentalists are working to protect ___ ozone layer.
Explanation'The ozone layer', a unique protective layer of Earth's atmosphere, takes the definite article.
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Question 21 of 100
She dreams of visiting ___ Maldives for her honeymoon.
Explanation'The Maldives', a plural-form country name, takes the definite article.
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Question 22 of 100
Many great works of art were created during ___ Renaissance.
ExplanationNames of specific historical periods/eras conventionally take the definite article: the Renaissance, the Middle Ages.
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Question 23 of 100
___ dogs are considered loyal companions.
ExplanationA general statement about a category (dogs in general) using a plural noun takes no article.
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Question 24 of 100
Turn off ___ light before you leave the room.
Explanation'The light' refers to a specific light fixture known to both speaker and listener in that room.
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Question 25 of 100
She is ___ engineer by profession.
ExplanationThe indefinite article is used before a singular noun denoting a profession or classification.
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Question 26 of 100
___ sooner we leave, ___ sooner we will arrive.
ExplanationThe fixed structure 'the sooner...the sooner' follows the standard proportional comparative pattern with 'the' in both parts.
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Question 27 of 100
___ more you practice English, ___ more fluent you become.
ExplanationThis idiomatic comparative construction always requires 'the' before each comparative form.
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Question 28 of 100
Many ancient civilizations flourished along ___ Indus River.
ExplanationRiver names always take the definite article: the Indus, the Nile, the Ganges.
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Question 29 of 100
Scientists are studying how life began on ___ earth.
Explanation'The earth' (as our planet) is a unique object and takes the definite article.
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Question 30 of 100
The children go to ___ school every morning to attend classes.
Explanation'Go to school' (for the purpose of studying) is an idiomatic expression that takes no article.
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Question 31 of 100
The patient was rushed to ___ hospital after the accident.
Explanation'Go to hospital' (British usage, for treatment) is idiomatic and takes no article.
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Question 32 of 100
___ love is a powerful emotion that drives human behavior.
ExplanationAbstract nouns used generally (not referring to a specific instance) take no article.
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Question 33 of 100
They got married ___ last year in a small ceremony.
Explanation'Last year' as a time expression takes no article.
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Question 34 of 100
___ sun rises in the east every morning.
ExplanationUnique natural objects of which there is only one (the sun, the moon, the sky, the earth) always take the definite article.
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Question 35 of 100
___ Japanese have made remarkable progress in robotics.
ExplanationWhen a nationality adjective refers to the people of a nation collectively, it takes the definite article.
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Question 36 of 100
We are planning to visit our hometown ___ next month.
ExplanationTime expressions with 'next' and 'last' (next week, last year) generally take no article.
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Question 37 of 100
We had ___ lunch together after the meeting concluded.
ExplanationMeal names generally take no article unless a specific, memorable meal is being described (e.g., 'the lunch we had last year').
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Question 38 of 100
We usually have ___ breakfast at 8 AM.
ExplanationNames of meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) generally take no article in ordinary usage.
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Question 39 of 100
Astronauts have long dreamed of traveling beyond ___ moon.
Explanation'The moon' is a unique celestial object and always takes the definite article.
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Question 40 of 100
He is ___ tallest boy in the entire class.
ExplanationSuperlative adjectives are conventionally preceded by the definite article 'the'.
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Question 41 of 100
They travel by train once ___ month to visit their relatives.
Explanation'A' is used in this frequency expression, meaning 'per month'.
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Question 42 of 100
Historians often study ___ Industrial Revolution for its impact on society.
ExplanationNamed historical events/periods, such as 'the Industrial Revolution', take the definite article.
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Question 43 of 100
She wants to become ___ doctor after finishing her studies.
ExplanationSingular professions/occupations take the indefinite article 'a' when mentioned generally.
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Question 44 of 100
They invited us to ___ dinner at their new house.
ExplanationMeal names typically take no article, even in this context of invitation.
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Question 45 of 100
___ information is available on the official website.
Explanation'Information' is uncountable and, when referring to it generally, takes no article.
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Question 46 of 100
___ United Nations was established after the Second World War.
ExplanationNames of international organizations formed of multiple entities conventionally take the definite article: the United Nations, the European Union.
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Question 47 of 100
She is ___ most talented singer in the competition.
ExplanationSuperlative adjective forms require the definite article 'the' before them.
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Question 48 of 100
The parents went to ___ school to meet their child's teacher.
ExplanationWhen referring to a specific school building for a purpose other than studying (like meeting a teacher), 'the school' is used.
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Question 49 of 100
She excels in ___ mathematics and physics at school.
ExplanationAcademic subject names take no article in general reference.
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Question 50 of 100
He usually travels to work by ___ bus.
ExplanationThe fixed expression 'by + mode of transport' (by bus, by car, by train) takes no article.
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Question 51 of 100
He was born in Pakistan but now lives in ___ Czech Republic.
ExplanationCountry names containing 'Republic' typically take the definite article.
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Question 52 of 100
___ honesty is the best policy in life.
ExplanationAbstract/uncountable nouns used in a general sense take no article.
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Question 53 of 100
Diplomatic ties between Pakistan and ___ United Arab Emirates remain strong.
Explanation'The United Arab Emirates', being a federation of states, takes the definite article.
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Question 54 of 100
I need ___ pen to sign this document.
ExplanationA singular countable noun mentioned generally (any pen, not a specific one) takes the indefinite article 'a'.
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Question 55 of 100
Ships pass through ___ Suez Canal to shorten their journey.
ExplanationNames of canals always take the definite article: the Suez Canal, the Panama Canal.
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Question 56 of 100
She has been learning to play ___ guitar since childhood.
ExplanationMusical instruments are conventionally preceded by the definite article when referring to playing them: play the guitar, the piano, the violin.
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Question 57 of 100
___ Lake Victoria is one of the largest lakes in Africa.
ExplanationNames of individual lakes generally take no article, unlike seas and oceans.
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Question 58 of 100
The explorers ventured deep into ___ Amazon rainforest.
ExplanationNames of large forests/regions like 'the Amazon' conventionally take the definite article.
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Question 59 of 100
I saw ___ dog barking at a stranger near the gate.
ExplanationWhen a singular countable noun is mentioned for the first time (not specific/known to the listener), the indefinite article 'a' is used.
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Question 60 of 100
___ higher he climbed, ___ colder it became.
ExplanationThis is another example of the fixed 'the + comparative...the + comparative' construction.
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Question 61 of 100
He has ___ interesting story to tell us about his journey.
Explanation'Interesting' begins with a vowel sound, so 'an' is the correct article.
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Question 62 of 100
___ Mount Everest is the highest peak in the world.
ExplanationNames of individual mountains generally take no article, unlike mountain ranges (the Himalayas).
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Question 63 of 100
___ water is essential for all forms of life.
ExplanationUncountable nouns used generally (not referring to specific water) take no article.
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Question 64 of 100
During the colonial era, ___ British established several institutions in the subcontinent.
Explanation'The British' referring to the people collectively takes the definite article.
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Question 65 of 100
He came to Pakistan by ___ air for the first time.
ExplanationThe fixed expression 'by air' (mode of travel) takes no article.
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Question 66 of 100
___ milk is a good source of calcium.
ExplanationGeneral references to uncountable nouns like 'milk' take no article.
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Question 67 of 100
This is ___ European country known for its scenic beauty.
Explanation'European' begins with the consonant sound /j/ (as in 'yes'), so 'a' is correct, not 'an'.
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Question 68 of 100
___ Arabian Sea lies to the south of Pakistan.
ExplanationNames of seas always take the definite article.
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Question 69 of 100
They enjoy playing ___ chess during their free time.
ExplanationBoard games and sports, unlike musical instruments, generally take no article after 'play'.
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Question 70 of 100
She has been ___ one-eyed observer of the political scene for years.
Explanation'One-eyed' begins with the consonant sound /w/ (as in 'won'), so 'a' is correct despite the letter 'o'.
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Question 71 of 100
According to ___ Times, the negotiations have reached a critical stage.
ExplanationNames of well-known newspapers conventionally take the definite article: The Times, The Guardian.
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Question 72 of 100
He represented his college in ___ hockey tournament last year.
ExplanationHere, 'a hockey tournament' refers to one specific unspecified tournament as a singular countable noun, requiring 'a', unlike the general reference 'play hockey' which takes no article.
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Question 73 of 100
They waited for ___ hour before the doctor arrived.
Explanation'Hour' starts with a silent 'h' and a vowel sound, requiring 'an'.
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Question 74 of 100
___ Nile is the longest river in Africa.
ExplanationNames of rivers always take the definite article: the Nile, the Indus, the Amazon.
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Question 75 of 100
She is studying ___ chemistry at university this semester.
ExplanationNames of academic subjects generally take no article.
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Question 76 of 100
___ French are known for their rich culinary traditions.
ExplanationNationality adjectives used to refer to an entire people as a collective group take the definite article: the French, the Chinese.
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Question 77 of 100
Please close ___ door; it's getting cold in here.
Explanation'The door' refers to a specific, known door in the shared context of speaker and listener.
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Question 78 of 100
I bought a book yesterday. ___ book was extremely interesting.
ExplanationOnce a noun has been mentioned once (with 'a book'), it becomes specific/known, so 'the' is used on subsequent mention.
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Question 79 of 100
He goes to the gym twice ___ week.
Explanation'A' is used in expressions of frequency or rate, meaning 'per' (twice a week = twice per week).
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Question 80 of 100
He learned to play ___ violin from a renowned musician.
ExplanationMusical instruments take the definite article after the verb 'play': play the violin.
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Question 81 of 100
___ Himalayas are home to some of the world's highest peaks.
ExplanationNames of mountain ranges (plural in form) always take the definite article: the Himalayas, the Alps.
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Question 82 of 100
Sailors have crossed ___ Atlantic Ocean for centuries.
ExplanationNames of oceans and seas always take the definite article.
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Question 83 of 100
She was ___ first person to arrive at the venue.
ExplanationOrdinal numbers (first, second, third) used as adjectives are typically preceded by the definite article.
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Question 84 of 100
___ children love to play outdoor games.
ExplanationA general statement about children as a category (plural, general reference) takes no article.
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Question 85 of 100
The lawyer visited ___ prison to meet his client.
ExplanationWhen referring to the specific prison building for a different purpose (visiting), 'the prison' is used.
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Question 86 of 100
___ President Biden addressed the nation last night.
ExplanationA title used directly before a person's name (President Biden) takes no article.
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Question 87 of 100
___ books are a great source of knowledge.
ExplanationWhen making a general statement about a category using a plural countable noun, no article is used.
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Question 88 of 100
She speaks ___ French fluently along with English and Urdu.
ExplanationNames of languages take no article when referring to the language itself.
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Question 89 of 100
Many philosophers have pondered the meaning of ___ universe.
Explanation'The universe', being a unique entity, always takes the definite article.
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Question 90 of 100
Not a single cloud could be seen in ___ sky that day.
Explanation'The sky' is treated as a unique entity and always takes the definite article.
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Question 91 of 100
What ___ beautiful sunset we saw yesterday!
ExplanationThe indefinite article is used in exclamatory sentences of the pattern 'What + a/an + adjective + singular noun'.
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Question 92 of 100
Pakistan shares a border with ___ Islamic Republic of Iran.
ExplanationCountry names containing 'Republic of' conventionally take the definite article.
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Question 93 of 100
She has recently started learning to play ___ flute.
ExplanationThe definite article is used before musical instruments in the structure 'play the + instrument'.
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Question 94 of 100
He is fluent in ___ Urdu, English, and Arabic.
ExplanationLanguage names take no article when used generally.
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Question 95 of 100
He was ___ last person to leave the office last night.
Explanation'Last' as an ordinal-type adjective is conventionally preceded by 'the'.
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Question 96 of 100
He is ___ only student who solved the puzzle correctly.
Explanation'Only' as an adjective is conventionally preceded by the definite article 'the'.
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Question 97 of 100
___ Chinese have a long and rich cultural history spanning thousands of years.
ExplanationNationality names ending in '-ese' or '-ch' referring to the people as a whole take the definite article.
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Question 98 of 100
___ United States has a federal system of government.
ExplanationCountry names that are unions/federations of states, or contain words like 'United', 'Republic', 'Kingdom', take the definite article.
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Question 99 of 100
Many tourists visit ___ Netherlands for its famous tulip fields.
Explanation'The Netherlands', being a plural-form country name, takes the definite article.
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Question 100 of 100
Tensions have often risen over territorial claims in ___ Persian Gulf.
ExplanationNames of gulfs take the definite article: the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Mexico.
0 / 100 answered
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