Fill in Blanks (Basic) — Set 7
Questions 61–70 of 123
He is reading _____ novel in _____ library.
Correct Answer: C. a, the
'Novel' starts with a consonant sound, so use 'a'. 'The library' uses the definite article as it's a specific, known place. 'A novel' introduces a book generically, and 'the library' refers to a particular library.
She wants to be _____ actress and perform in _____ theater.
Correct Answer: A. an, the
'Actress' starts with a vowel sound, so use 'an'. 'The theater' uses the definite article for a specific place. 'An actress' indicates her desired profession, and 'the theater' refers to a particular theatrical venue.
I have _____ orange and _____ apple in my bag.
Correct Answer: C. an, an
Both 'orange' and 'apple' begin with vowel sounds — 'orange' starts with /ɒ/ and 'apple' starts with /æ/. The indefinite article 'an' must be used before both words. Therefore the correct form is 'an orange and an apple', making option C ('an, an') the right answer. Using 'a' before either word would be incorrect because both begin with vowel sounds.
He is _____ university graduate who has _____ unique talent for music.
Correct Answer: A. a, a
Both blanks require 'a' because 'university' starts with the consonant sound /j/ (not a vowel sound) despite beginning with the letter 'u', and 'unique' also starts with the /j/ sound. Article choice depends on the initial sound, not the initial letter. 'A' is used before consonant sounds; 'an' before vowel sounds.
We need _____ pencil and _____ eraser for the exam.
Correct Answer: A. a, an
'Pencil' starts with a consonant sound (p), so use 'a'. 'Eraser' starts with a vowel sound /ɪ/, so use 'an'. The indefinite articles introduce two supplies needed for the exam. 'A pencil and an eraser' correctly follows the rule that 'a' precedes consonant sounds and 'an' precedes vowel sounds.
He works at _____ school as _____ teacher.
Correct Answer: B. the, a
'The school' uses the definite article as it's a specific place where he works. 'A teacher' uses the indefinite article to indicate his profession. The definite article marks a known institution, and the indefinite article describes his role.
She saw _____ bird building _____ nest.
Correct Answer: B. a, a
'Bird' starts with a consonant sound (b), so use 'a'. 'Nest' starts with a consonant sound (n), so use 'a'. The indefinite articles introduce an animal and the structure it's building.
I bought _____ ticket to watch _____ movie.
Correct Answer: A. a, a
'Ticket' starts with a consonant sound (t), so use 'a'. 'Movie' starts with a consonant sound (m), so use 'a'. The indefinite articles introduce an admission pass and a film.
There is _____ river near our village and _____ bridge across it.
Correct Answer: A. a, a
'River' starts with a consonant sound (r), so use 'a'. 'Bridge' starts with a consonant sound (b), so use 'a'. The indefinite articles introduce geographical features in the village.
He gave her _____ watch as _____ birthday gift.
Correct Answer: A. a, a
'Watch' starts with a consonant sound (w), so use 'a'. 'Birthday gift' is a compound noun starting with 'b' (consonant), so use 'a'. The indefinite articles describe the gift and its occasion.