Articles (A, An, The) – English Grammar Exercises for A1
Looking out the window at the rain and advising a family member on what to take before leaving the house.
Choose the correct article (a, an, the) to fill in the blank.
1 Look outside! It is raining. You should take ___ umbrella with you.
(a) the
(b) a
(c) an
2 It is getting very wet out there. Please put on ___ raincoat.
(a) a
(b) the
(c) an
3 It is quite cold today too. You really need ___ warm jacket.
(a) an
(b) a
(c) the
4 Don’t get sick! Wear ___ hat to keep your head dry.
(a) the
(b) an
(c) a
5 Just look at ___ sky! The clouds are very dark and heavy.
(a) the
(b) a
(c) an
6 It is freezing. You will definitely need ___ extra sweater under your coat.
(a) a
(b) the
(c) an
7 The streets are flooded. Why don’t you take ___ bus instead of walking?
(a) a
(b) an
(c) the
8 Please close ___ front door quickly so the rain doesn’t come inside.
(a) an
(b) the
(c) a
9 If you have to walk, please wear ___ thick pair of boots.
(a) a
(b) the
(c) an
10 Your bag might get wet. I think you should bring ___ old towel with you.
(a) the
(b) a
(c) an
11 Do you want to borrow ___ orange raincoat from my closet?
(a) a
(b) an
(c) the
12 There is a lot of wind. Take ___ big umbrella, not a small one.
(a) an
(b) the
(c) a
13 Listen to that! ___ rain is making a very loud noise against the window.
(a) A
(b) An
(c) The
14 I just heard the news on TV. There is ___ awful storm coming this afternoon.
(a) an
(b) the
(c) a
15 Don’t go out yet. If you wait half ___ hour, maybe the rain will stop.
(a) the
(b) a
(c) an
16 Do not take my umbrella! Take ___ umbrella that is hanging next to the door.
(a) an
(b) the
(c) a
17 I know you have to wear ___ uniform to school, but put a large coat over it!
(a) an
(b) a
(c) the
18 Before you leave, put your keys on ___ table in the hallway so you don’t lose them.
(a) the
(b) a
(c) an
19 It is too far to walk. You should call ___ taxi to take you to work.
(a) the
(b) an
(c) a
20 It is ___ extremely bad idea to go outside without a coat today!
(a) an
(b) a
(c) the
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (c) an
Explanation: You are suggesting any umbrella for the first time. “Umbrella” starts with a vowel sound (/ʌ/). Option (b) “a” is a basic grammar error. Option (a) “the” is a common mistake because you haven’t specified which umbrella yet.
2 (a) a
Explanation: You are suggesting any raincoat. “Raincoat” starts with a consonant sound (/r/). Option (c) “an” is a basic error. Option (b) “the” is a common mistake for an unspecific item.
3 (b) a
Explanation: You are suggesting a general item. “Warm” starts with a consonant sound (/w/). Option (a) “an” is a basic error. Option (c) “the” is incorrect here.
4 (c) a
Explanation: “Hat” starts with a consonant sound (/h/). Option (b) “an” is a structural error. Option (a) “the” is a common mistake.
5 (a) the
Explanation: There is only one sky. It is a unique natural object, so we must use “the”. Option (b) “a” and (c) “an” are basic errors for unique objects in nature.
6 (c) an
Explanation: You are suggesting any extra sweater. The word “extra” starts with a vowel sound (/e/). Option (a) “a” is a common mistake for students who only look at the noun “sweater”. Option (b) “the” is incorrect.
7 (a) a
Explanation: You are suggesting taking any bus (a mode of transport in general). “Bus” starts with a consonant sound (/b/). Option (b) “an” is a basic error. Option (c) “the” is a common mistake unless you mean a specific scheduled bus.
8 (b) the
Explanation: A house usually has one specific front door. Both speakers know exactly which door it is. Option (c) “a” is a common mistake. Option (a) “an” is a basic error.
9 (a) a
Explanation: “Thick” starts with a consonant sound (/θ/). Option (c) “an” is a basic error. Option (b) “the” is incorrect for a general suggestion.
10 (c) an
Explanation: “Old” starts with a vowel sound (/oʊ/). Option (b) “a” is a common mistake if the student only looks at “towel”. Option (a) “the” is incorrect.
11 (b) an
Explanation: “Orange” starts with a vowel sound (/ɒ/). Option (a) “a” is a common mistake. Option (c) “the” is incorrect because you are offering one of your raincoats, not a specific one already discussed.
12 (c) a
Explanation: “Big” starts with a consonant sound (/b/). Option (a) “an” is a basic error. Option (b) “the” is a common mistake.
13 (c) The
Explanation: You are talking about the specific rain that is falling right now outside your window. Option (a) “A” and (b) “An” are structural errors because “rain” is an uncountable noun.
14 (a) an
Explanation: You are introducing a new storm. “Awful” starts with a vowel sound (/ɔː/). Option (c) “the” is a common mistake for a first mention. Option (b) “a” is a basic error.
15 (c) an
Explanation: The word “hour” has a silent ‘H’ and starts with a vowel sound (/aʊ/). Option (b) “a” is a very common mistake. Option (a) “the” is incorrect in this expression.
16 (b) the
Explanation: Contrast question! The phrase “that is hanging next to the door” makes it a very specific umbrella. Option (a) “an” is a common mistake because students just see “umbrella” and forget the context. Option (c) “a” is a basic error.
17 (b) a
Explanation: Exception! Even though “uniform” starts with the vowel letter ‘u’, it is pronounced with a consonant sound (/j/ – “yoo”). Option (a) “an” is a very common mistake. Option (c) “the” is incorrect.
18 (a) the
Explanation: “The table in the hallway” is a specific piece of furniture in the house that both people know. Option (b) “a” is a common mistake. Option (c) “an” is a basic error.
19 (c) a
Explanation: You are suggesting any yellow taxi. “Yellow” starts with a consonant sound (/j/). Option (b) “an” is a basic error. Option (a) “the” is incorrect.
20 (a) an
Explanation: “Extremely” starts with a vowel sound (/ɪ/). Option (b) “a” is a common mistake for students who only look at “bad” or “idea”. Option (c) “the” is incorrect.
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
1 Vowels vs. Consonants: When giving general advice about what to bring, use “a” before consonant sounds and “an” before vowel sounds.
- Examples: an umbrella, a raincoat, an orange hat, a blue jacket.
2 Look at the Adjective! If there is a describing word before the noun, the article matches the first sound of the describing word, not the noun itself.
- a sweater → an extra sweater
- a towel → an old towel
- an umbrella → a big umbrella
3 Watch out for trick sounds: * “Hour” has a silent ‘H’ → an hour.
- “Uniform” sounds like it starts with a ‘Y’ → a uniform.
4 When to use “The”: Only use “the” if you are telling the person to take a specific item (e.g., “the umbrella by the door”) or when talking about specific things in your house/environment (e.g., the front door, the sky, the rain).