Articles Test 1 (Answer key)
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
1. a nurse -

That's right! 

 

1. an

That's wrong. "An" is used with words beginning with vowels. 

 

1. X

That's wrong - a nurse means a member of the professional group of nurses

 

2. a composer

That's right!

 

2. an

That's wrong. "An" is used with words beginning with vowels.

 

2. X

That's wrong - as a composer means Mozart was one of many composers and is comparing him.

 

3. a

That's wrong! as managing director means he performed this role and there is only one managing director

 

3. an

That's wrong. "An" is used with words beginning with vowels. 

 

3. X

That's right! 

 

4. a

That's wrong - say an MP because  it is pronunced  as if it starts with a vowel like "empee"

 

4. an MP

That's right!

 

4.

That's wrong - an MP means he is one of the group of people who are MPs

 

4(b). a

That's wrong - no article used here (only one Labour MP for Stepney, the definite article could also be used)

 

4(b). an

That's wrong - no article used here (only one Labour MP for Stepney, the definite article could also be used)

 

4(b). X

That's right!

 

5. a

That's right!

 

5. an

That's wrong - what a heated debate because the 'h' is pronounced aspirated

5. X

That's wrong - what a heated debate because it is an exclamatory use of 'what' 

 

6. a

This is wrong because 'what' is used here as a question word and stands in place of the article

 

6. an

This is wrong because 'what' is used here as a question word and stands in place of the article

 

6. X

That's right!

 

7. a

That's right!

 

  an

That's wrong (not before 'w' in wonderful). 

 

  X

That's wrong. 

 

7b. a part

This is possible but probably no article is usual (become a part of, become part of)

 

  an

That's wrong - no article is required (become part of)

 

  X

Yes, this is the most usual way to say this.

 

7c. a

That's wrong because exciting starts with a vowel. 

 

  an

That's right!

 

  X

That's wrong - an exciting future, a promising future etc

 

8. a

That's wrong- hair is an uncountable noun here and no article is used (Tom has long hair)

 

8. an

That's wrong- hair is an uncountable noun here and no article is used (Tom has long hair

 

8. X

That's right!

 

8b. a

That's right!

 

8b. an

That's wrong - stubbly does not begin with a vowel 

 

8b. X

That's wrong because a beard is a countable noun

 

9. a

That's right!

 

9. an

That's wrong - the 'h' in hair is pronounced (turn a hair

 

9. X

That's wrong - not turn a hair is an idiomatic phrase where hair is a count noun and which means staying calm in a difficult or frightening situation

 

10. a

That's right!

 

10. an

That's wrong - there is no starting vowel

 

10. X

That's wrong - as a result is an expression of consequence or result, always used with the article 

 

10b. 10b a

That's right!

 

10b. 10b an

That's wrong - there is no starting vowel

 

10b. X

That's wrong - on a large scale is a phrase always used with the article

 

11. a

That's wrong employment is uncountable (same as work) so no article here 

 

11. an

That's wrong employment is uncountable (same as work) so no article here 

 

11. X

That's right!

 

12. a

That's wrong. Work is uncountable, so no article. find a job, but find work

 

12. an

That's wrong. Work is uncountable, so no article. find a job, but find work

 

12. X

That's right!

 


Chris Greaves
Virtual Language Centre 
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