English Grammar MCQs – Articles (a, an, the) (Job Test Preparation in Pakistan)
Ships often pass through ___ Suez Canal.
The Suez Canal is a specific, well-known canal, so the definite article 'the' is used.
We crossed ___ Arabian Sea during our cruise.
The Arabian Sea is a specific body of water, requiring the definite article 'the'.
He’s learning to play ___ violin.
When referring to playing a specific instrument like the violin, we use 'the'.
They gifted her ___ flute on her birthday.
Here, 'a' is used because it's referring to any flute, not a specific one.
He finished ___ second in the race.
When referring to a specific position in a sequence, 'the' is used.
They live near ___ top floor of the building.
The top floor is a specific part of the building, so 'the' is appropriate.
___ Philippines is made up of many islands.
Country names with plural forms, like the Philippines, use 'the'.
Tourists love visiting ___ Maldives.
Similar to the Philippines, the Maldives is a country name that requires 'the'.
Have you cleaned ___ car I gave you?
The car is specified (the one I gave you), so 'the' is used.
Where is ___ pen you borrowed yesterday?
The pen is a specific one that was borrowed, hence 'the' is used.
___ hockey is a national game of Pakistan.
Sports do not require an article when referred to in general terms.
He enjoys watching ___ tennis on weekends.
Similar to hockey, tennis does not need an article in this context.
My uncle went to ___ hospital to visit a friend.
When referring to a specific hospital for a specific purpose, 'the' is used.
He is still in ___ hospital after surgery.
When referring to being in a hospital as a patient, no article is typically used.
Galileo worked on ___ telescope.
Here, 'the' is used because it refers to the specific invention or concept of the telescope.
She brought ___ telescope from the museum shop.
In this case, 'a' is used because it refers to any telescope, not a specific one.
___ President will address the nation tonight.
When referring to a specific position like the President, 'the' is used.
___ Inspector visited the school yesterday.
The word 'Inspector' starts with a vowel sound, so 'an' is used.
Lahore is ___ Paris of Pakistan.
This is a specific comparison, so 'the' is used.
This student is ___ Einstein of our class.
This is a specific comparison, so 'the' is used.
Pakistan was not part of ___ Second World War.
Historical events like the Second World War require 'the'.
___ Mughal Empire left a strong cultural mark.
Specific historical empires like the Mughal Empire require 'the'.
___ more he delays, the worse it gets.
This is a comparative structure that requires 'the'.
___ harder you work, the better your result.
This is a comparative structure that requires 'the'.
Students must speak ___ English in school.
Languages do not require an article when referred to in general terms.
He is fluent in ___ German language.
When specifying the language with 'language', 'the' is used.
___ iron used in this gate is pure.
When referring to a specific type of material, 'the' is used.
___ silver is ___ precious metal.
Materials like silver do not require an article, but 'a' is used for 'precious metal' as it is a general statement.
___ air we breathe must be clean.
When referring to a specific type of air (the air we breathe), 'the' is used.
___ oxygen is essential for life.
When referring to elements or substances in a general sense, no article is used.
He got admission in ___ university of his choice.
Here, 'a' is used because it refers to any university, not a specific one.
That’s ___ unique chance. Don’t waste it.
Although 'unique' starts with a consonant sound, 'a' is used because it refers to any unique chance.
She reads ___ Quran daily.
Religious texts like the Quran require 'the'.
They study stories from ___ Bible in school.
Religious texts like the Bible require 'the'.
___ elderly deserve our respect.
When referring to a group of people like the elderly, 'the' is used.
A tip to ___ wise is better than advice to a fool.
This is a specific group being referred to, so 'the' is used.
I reached school by ___ bike.
When referring to a mode of transportation in general, no article is used.
He travelled to Lahore in ___ taxi.
Here, 'a' is used because it refers to any taxi, not a specific one.
___ happiness of children matters the most.
When referring to a specific concept like the happiness of children, 'the' is used.
___ patience is key to success.
Abstract nouns like patience do not require an article when referred to in general terms.
Tourists love visiting ___ Murree Hills.
Specific geographical locations like the Murree Hills require 'the'.
___ Sahara is the world’s largest desert.
Specific geographical locations like the Sahara require 'the'.
He is ___ tallest boy in our class.
Superlatives require 'the'.
That was ___ worst flood in decades.
Superlatives require 'the'.
We buy milk by ___ litre.
When referring to a unit of measurement in this context, 'the' is used.
My rent is Rs. 30,000 ___ month.
When referring to a rate or frequency, 'a' is used.
“He wants to become an honest and a hardworking officer.” Spot the error:
The error is with 'a hardworking'. The correct article should be 'a hardworking' as 'hardworking' starts with a consonant sound.
“He is in the school right now.” Find the mistake:
The mistake is with 'the'. When referring to being inside a place like school for its primary purpose, no article is typically used.
___ moon looks beautiful tonight.
When referring to the specific celestial body, 'the' is used.
___ honesty always pays off in the long run.
Abstract nouns like honesty do not require an article when referred to in general terms.