English Grammar - Articles for Airman English Test

Articles in English Grammar

Definition of Articles: Articles are words that define a noun as specific or unspecific. There are two types of articles in English:

1. Definite Article: "The"
2. Indefinite Articles: "A" and "An"

1. Definite Article: "The"

The definite article "the" is used to refer to a specific noun that is known to the reader or listener.

Usage of "The":

• When we are talking about a specific thing that is already known or mentioned.
• When there is only one of something in the world or in a particular context (e.g., "the sun," "the Earth").
• With superlatives and ordinals (e.g., "the best," "the first").

Examples:

1. The book on the table is mine.
   • Refers to a specific book that the listener is already aware of.
2. I saw the movie you recommended.
   • The listener knows which movie is being referred to.
3. The Eiffel Tower is in Paris.
   • Refers to a unique landmark.
4. The students in this class are hardworking.
   • Refers to a specific group of students.
5. We visited the museum last weekend.
   • A particular museum is being mentioned.

2. Indefinite Articles: "A" and "An"

Usage of "A":

• "A" is used before words that begin with a consonant sound.
• It refers to something that is not specific or is mentioned for the first time.

Examples:

1. I saw a dog in the park.
   • Refers to any dog, not a specific one.
2. She wants a sandwich for lunch.
   • Refers to any sandwich.
3. He is a doctor.
   • Refers to any doctor in general.
4. She bought a book yesterday.
   • Refers to one book, but not a specific one.
5. There is a chair in the room.
   • Refers to one chair.

Usage of "An":

• "An" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u).
• It also refers to something that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time.

Examples:

1. I ate an apple for breakfast.
   • Refers to any apple, not a specific one.
2. He is an engineer.
   • Refers to any engineer.
3. I need an umbrella because it’s raining.
   • Refers to any umbrella, not a specific one.
4. She has an idea about the project.
   • Refers to any idea.
5. He will be an actor in the next play.
   • Refers to any actor.

General Rules:

1. Use "a" when the noun starts with a consonant sound.
2. Use "an" when the noun starts with a vowel sound.
3. Use "the" when referring to something specific or known to both the speaker and the listener.

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Articles MCQs for PAF Airman English Test:

1. They ________ playing cricket in the park.
   a) is
   b) are
   c) was
   d) were

2. She ________ a beautiful singer.
   a) is
   b) are
   c) was
   d) were

3. He gave me ________ book I asked for.
   a) a
   b) an
   c) the
   d) some

4. ________ sun is shining brightly today.
   a) A
   b) An
   c) The
   d) None of the above

5. I want to buy ________ new phone.
   a) a
   b) an
   c) the
   d) none of the above

6. This is ________ important meeting for our project.
   a) a
   b) an
   c) the
   d) none of the above

7. Can you give me ________ apple from the basket?
   a) a
   b) an
   c) the
   d) none of the above

8. She is ________ best player on the team.
   a) a
   b) an
   c) the
   d) none of the above

9. I have ________ idea about the situation.
   a) a
   b) an
   c) the
   d) none of the above

10. ________ book you lent me was very interesting.
    a) A
    b) An
    c) The
    d) None of the above

11. We went to ________ cinema last night.
    a) a
    b) an
    c) the
    d) none of the above

12. ________ moon looks beautiful tonight.
    a) A
    b) An
    c) The
    d) None of the above

13. She wore ________ red dress to the party.
    a) a
    b) an
    c) the
    d) none of the above

14. There is ________ cat in my yard.
    a) a
    b) an
    c) the
    d) none of the above

15. I need ________ umbrella.
    a) a
    b) an
    c) the
    d) none of the above

16. I want to buy ________ car.
    a) a
    b) an
    c) the
    d) none of the above

17. He is ________ honest man.
    a) a
    b) an
    c) the
    d) none of the above

18. ________ Eiffel Tower is in Paris.
    a) A
    b) An
    c) The
    d) None of the above

19. I have never seen ________ elephant before.
    a) a
    b) an
    c) the
    d) none of the above

20. ________ doctor will see you shortly.
    a) A
    b) An
    c) The
    d) None of the above

21. He is ________ only person who can solve this problem.
    a) a
    b) an
    c) the
    d) none of the above

22. We stayed at ________ hotel near the beach.
    a) a
    b) an
    c) the
    d) none of the above

23. He has ________ unique style of painting.
    a) a
    b) an
    c) the
    d) none of the above

24. I found ________ interesting article online.
    a) a
    b) an
    c) the
    d) none of the above

25. She bought ________ house in the city.
    a) a
    b) an
    c) the
    d) none of the above

26. There was ________ interesting discussion in the meeting.
    a) a
    b) an
    c) the
    d) none of the above

27. He went to ________ store to buy some groceries.
    a) a
    b) an
    c) the
    d) none of the above

28. ________ birds are chirping outside.
    a) A
    b) An
    c) The
    d) None of the above

29. She is ________ best student in the class.
    a) a
    b) an
    c) the
    d) none of the above

30. I need ________ pencil to write.
    a) a
    b) an
    c) the
    d) none of the above

31. ________ movie we watched last night was fantastic.
    a) A
    b) An
    c) The
    d) None of the above

32. This is ________ interesting book I have ever read.
    a) a
    b) an
    c) the
    d) none of the above

33. There is ________ error in your calculation.
    a) a
    b) an
    c) the
    d) none of the above

34. ________ university you applied to is located in London.
    a) A
    b) An
    c) The
    d) None of the above

35. She gave me ________ advice that helped me a lot.
    a) a
    b) an
    c) the
    d) none of the above

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Answers:

1. b) are
2. a) is
3. c) the
4. c) The
5. a) a
6. c) the
7. b) an
8. c) the
9. a) a
10. c) the
11. c) the
12. c) The
13. c) the
14. a) a
15. b) an
16. a) a
17. b) an
18. c) The
19. b) an
20. b) An
21. c) the
22. c) the
23. b) an
24. b) an
25. a) a
26. b) an
27. c) the
28. c) The
29. c) the
30. a) a
31. c) The
32. c) the
33. b) an
34. c) The
35. c) the