Practice. Exercise 1Comment on the use of the definite article in the following sentences.

Exercise 1 Comment on the use of the definite article in the following sentences.

1. The arch of the sky was the darkest of blues. 2. She, believed people like Wilf to be the salt of the earth. 3. Ah, it's the other side of the coin, so to speak. 4. The cycle of life is endless, and it never changes. 5. The following day I passed the morning making phone calls. 6. Like all the best ideas, it's a simple one. 7. This is the most modern shopping centre in the world. 8. That's the key question. 9. The house was quiet. The stuff had gone to bed. 10. She'll be the second to answer. 11. We live on the seventh floor. 12. The kitchen was equipped with all the latest appliances. 13. I know this road like the back of my hand. 14. Don't forget that Monday is the deadline. 15. The story which you told me is very romantic. 16. Where are the children? — They are in the garden. 17. He gave the same answer. 18. The house I bought was very cheap. Moreover, the building looked great. 19. Help the aged! 20. The steam engine was a powerful instrument of human progress.

Exercise 2 Insert theappropriate articles where necessary.

1. ____ door is locked. 2. Have you ____ telephone? 3. ____ telephone is out of order. 4. It is dark on ____ landing. 5. Do you like ____ dogs? 6. Don’t tease ____ dog. 7. Never try to stroke ____ dog if you don’t know it. 8. ____ fountain-pen won’t write. 9. Have you got ____ fountain-pens on sale? 10. Where can I have ____ coat made to order? 11. Where did you have ____ coat made? 12. In this store they always have a wide choice in ____ coats and suits. 13. ____ suits are ready-made. 14. Where is ____ key? 15. How many flats are there in ____ house? 16. How much are ____ dinner-sets? How many articles are there in ____ set? 17. How much are ____ dinner-sets now?

Exercise 3 Complete the sentences below putting the article in each space, together with a noun that is associated with the noun which is underlined.

1. We went into shops which had absolutely nothing on ______.

2. You shouldn’t ask a question if you already know ______.

3. I’ve never taught a class where ______ are so lazy.

4. It was a lovely house but ______ were too steep for old people.

5. In a test ______ should not be too difficult or too easy.

6. It’s a newspaper where ______ aren’t covered with pictures.

7. I’m not surprised you can’t walk in those shoes. ______ are much too high.

8. Before you go on a long journey in you car, check to make sure______ have enough air in them.

9. I bought the radio in a sale ______ had been slashed by 50%.

10. What’s the point in buying an expensive television if ______ isn’t clear?

Exercise 4 Complete the sentences below by putting the most appropriate of these adjectives together with the article.

1. ________ are people who have no job.

2. ________ are people who are not sick.

3. ________ are people who have difficulty walking.

4. ________ are people who have a lot of money.

5. ________ are people who cannot see.

6. ________ are people who have very little money.

7. ________ are people who cannot hear.

8. ________ are people who have not have an education

9. ________ are people who do not have enough food to eat.

10. ________ are people who have nowhere to live.

Exercise 5 Complete the story below by inserting “a’ or “the” in the spaces as required. The first has been done for you.

Once upon a time, there was (1) a cat and (2)_____ dog who lived in (3) _____ small house. One day (4) _____ cat said to (5) _____ dog, “This place is too small for us – we need (6) _____ bigger house.” (7) _____ dog agreed. “We could even have (8) _____ garden where I could bury my bones.” “Well I’m not sure (9) _____ garden is a good idea, ” said (10) _____ cat. “Who would cut the grass? ” “We could employ (11) _____ cat to do it, ” said (12) _____ dog. “Why not (13) _____ dog? ” said (14) _____ cat. And so they never left (15) _____ small house because they couldn’t agree.

Exercise 6 In the following sentences, use “the” or “a”. Keep in mind that “a” refers to one unknown or unspecified person or thing.

1. She ran into _____ house and shut _____ door. 2. They are planning to buy _____ house some day. 3. We have to feed _____ dog and _____ cat before we leave. 4. The boy has always wanted to have _____ dog and _____ cat. 5. This apartment has _____ bedroom, _____ living-room, and _____ kitchen. 6. While he was in _____ park, he saw_____ man walking with _____ dog. 7. Everyone in _____ neighborhood was sorry to see them move. 8. They moved to _____ very quiet neighborhood. 9. _____ refrigerator like theirs is very expensive. 10. He’s going to _____ grocery store to buy _____ loaf of bread. 11. _____ moon is _____ satellite of _____ earth. 12. The drugstore hired _____ new pharmacist. 13. _____ leaves are already falling off _____ trees and covering _____ ground. 14. They live in _____ very expensive home. 15. She has an appointment this week with _____ doctor and _____ dentist.

Exercise 7 Explain why the definite article is used with the italicised nouns which refer to the preceding (or following) statement or situation in the following extracts.

Gwendolen: I am engaged to Mr. Worthing, mamma.

Lady Bracknell: Pardon me, you are not engaged to anyone. When you do become engaged to some one, I or your father will inform you of the fact.

Algernon: Relations are simply a tedious pack of people, who haven't got the remotest knowledge of how to live nor the smallest instinct about when to die.

Jack: Oh, that is nonsense.

Algernon: It isn't.

Jack: Well. I won't argue the matter.

Chasuble: But surely, Mr. Worthing, you have been christened already.

Jack: I don't remember anything about it.

Chasuble: But have you any grave doubts on the subject?

Jack: I certainly intend to have. Of course I don't know if the thing would bother you in any way, or if you think I am a little too old now.

Exercise 8 Insert articles in the following general statements. In some sentences, two choices are possible.

1. Because of ____ automobile, man has extended his horizons, but he has poisoned the atmosphere. 2. ____ automobile is a necessity today. 3. ____ refrigerator has enabled people to keep food fresh for a much longer time. 4. ____ vegetables are good for the health. 5. The world is getting smaller because of ____ airplane. 6. ____ wheel and ____ plow were very important inventions. 7. ____ supermarket sells not only ____ groceries, but also ____ household items, ____ liquor, ____ plants, ____ magazines, and ____ candy.

8. ____ newspaper is one of the most widespread media of communication. 9. ____ computer is doing much of the work that used to be done by ____ human beings. 10. ____ engineer must have a good knowledge of mathematics and physics. 11. ____ modern conveniences have been of great help in ____ home. 12. It has been proven that ____ cigarettes are bad for the health. 13. ____ eagle is a bird of prey. 14. ____ mountain is bigger and higher than ____ hill. 15. ____ kitchen can be a very suitable place to practice exercise.

Exercise 9 Complete the story below by inserting “a’ or “the” in the spaces as required.

1. ____tiger is ____large carnivorous animal which belongs to ____ cat family. 2. ____ males are about three feet high and can be as long as twelve feet, including ____tail. 3. There are about eight varieties of tiger found around ____world. 4. ____tiger is ____wild animal, which lives in ____ jungle where water and prey are plentiful. 5. ____tiger will only attack ____ person if it is starving or if it is threatened. 6. ____ tiger is ____ easily recognized animal as it has ____ thick yellow or white coat with distinctive black stripes.

Exercise 10 Decide if the most appropriate articles “a” “an” and “the” are used in each of these texts.

1. Dan was playing outside in a street when he saw a red car go past driven by the teacher from his school.

2. A University has announced proposals to build a new library, to replace an existing one by the year 2005.

3. A: The car’s been stolen from outside a house!

B: Oh, no. I left my wallet and the camera in it.

4. I must buy the tin opener. I keep having to borrow one from a woman next door.

5. A: Jane bought a fridge and a washing machine for her house, but the washing machine wouldn’t go through a kitchen door so she had to send it back.

B: What did a shop say?

A: They offered to sell her a smaller one.

6. Now, when I start pushing a car, take your foot off the clutch. If it doesn’t start then, I’ll have to phone the garage.

7. We went out to the excellent restaurant last night. The food was delicious and the service was first class.

8. A: Where is a tea pot?

B: It’s in the cupboard on the right.

A: I thought you had a blue one.

B: Yes, but it broke so I had to get the new one.

9. A: I’ve no idea what to get Mark for his birthday.

B: What about a new jumper?

A: Well…it’s not very interesting present.

B: Why don’t you buy him a set of golf clubs he’s always wanted?

A: What a great idea.

10. Dr Pike has developed a way to teach musical theory. A method is designed for children over five.

11. A: Who is a woman in red?

B: She’s a journalist, I think. She works for a local newspaper.

12. Once, when I won the competition, I had to choose between a holiday in Disneyland and a Volvo. I chose a car, of course.

Exercise 11 Complete the sentences below, using the adjectives from the list; some have to be used more than once. Be careful – there is at least one sentence which requires “a” rather than “the”.

First last next only right same wrong

1. Nail Armstrong was ­­­______ man on the moon.

2. “I’m sorry I’m late. I caught ______ bus.” – “Well in future try to catch ______ one.”

3. What a coincidence! We live in ______ street.

4. I’m warning you! ______ person who does that will be in trouble!

5. He was ______ survivor of the crash; everyone else died.

6. There isn’t always ______ way of doing things.

7. He waited until ______ possible moment, then jumped.

8. Joanne hasn’t changed; she’s ______ as ever.

9. Before leaving, he had ______ look around the house.

10. What a surprise! You’re ______ person I expected to see.

Exercise 12 Insert articles if necessary.

1. _____ chorus of young voices repeating the lesson came from the class-room. 2. We want _____ place where we can live in peace and freedom. 3. _____ echo of her footsteps died away. 4. Across the yard walked _____ young man in black robes and four- cornered hat. 5. The yacht, _____ a large and luxurious craft, lay at anchor in the bay. 6. _____ man, who had preceded to the entrance, opened _____ door. 7. He was evidently _____ man who had never in his life had the slightest doubt as to his abilities. 8. Francis had made it a point in Knowing _____ right people who would write about her. 9. I want you to choose _____ right road, _____ road your father and grandfather had chosen. 10. _____ road he took soon brought him to _____ street where fishermen lived. 11. When I begin to feel drowsy, I change _____ heavy book I am reading for _____ lighter one. 12. She shook her head a trifle – just _____ trifle that was meant for “no”. 13. The door was opened after some delay by _____ very dirty child with _____ nose that needed attention. 14. _____ book that reads well gets soon dog-eared. 15. The boy was casting frightened glances at _____ dentist who was getting ready. 16. The man poured himself another glass of wine with _____ hand that shook with irritable anger.

Exercise 13 Explain why in the following passages the italicised noun with the definite article is followed by the same noun with the in­definite article.

1. " Good evening to you, sister, " said the voice, a musi­cal voice with the broad accent of Lorraine.

2. Why was the front door opened?

(A husband says.) " It is not as though he had to let the lady out."

The magistrate interrupted sharply. " The lady? What lady do you mean? "

" Why, the lady who came to see him."

" Had a lady been to see him that evening? "

" But yes, monsieur — and many other evenings as well."

3. " I've got to go to Mass, and then I want to see the priest about this petition. Don't you think it might help if a priest signed it? "

4. Bateman brought Isabel the letter he had just re­ceived... " It's a very strange letter, " she said, " I don't quite understand it."

Exercise 14 Insert the appropriate articles where necessary.

1. _____ cover of _____ book attracts _____ attention of _____ children at once. 2. _____ head of the expedition was _____ man who had traveled a lot. 3. Every morning he would come to _____ top of _____ hill to drink in the beauty of _____ pastures of which he felt himself _____ owner. 4. He could not forget _____ face of _____ girl with _____ fine profile of _____ Greek statue. 5. Mr. Drum was _____ large man with _____ head full of grey hair, rather unkempt. 6. When _____ race was over _____ victor made _____ traditional round of _____ track, carrying _____ wreath of victory. 7. He was _____ single child. 8. He was _____ only boy of _____ five children. 9. We are told that ­­_____ wicked shall be punished. 10. Then it was night and he was awake, standing in ­­_____ street, looking up at ­­_____ dark windows of ­­_____ place where he lived.

Exercise 15 Complete the sentences below by inserting “the”, “a”, “an”, or nothing into the spaces provided, according to whether or not the noun is referring to something generally seen as unique in the given context.

1. People have always wanted to be able to fly like birds in ______ sky. 2. Every solar system has ______ sun. 3. ______ equator runs round the middle of ______ earth. 4. I was given to Spain by ______ Pope in the Middle Ages. 5. Can you imagine ______ world with no wars, no hunger, no pain? 6. There’s nowhere on ______ earth like Hong Kong. 7. When ______ moon passes between ______ sun and ______ earth, it is called an eclipse. 8. That night there was ______ amazing sky, full of different colours. 9. It’s the oldest university in ______ world. 10. We don’t know how old ______ universe is.

Exercise 16 Use the appropriate article with nouns denoting things considered to be unique.

1. The clouds were lying so closely below the plane that nothing could be seen of _____ earth. 2. The huge disc of _____ moon was rising in _____ east. 3. The clouds broke away and we had the advantage of _____ full moon. 4. Magellan was killed in battle. 18 of his companions reached Spain in 1522, completing the first voyage round _____ world. 5. Quite _____ new world opened before him. 6. The night was so dark that the sailors could distinguish neither _____ sky nor _____ sea. 7. _____ sea was sparkling under _____ cloudless sky. 8. _____ clear midday sky was suddenly overcast by heavy clouds coming from nowhere. 9. The air was filled with the odour of _____ sea of blossoms. 10. _____ high noon sun was incredibly strong, _____ summer sun now, sudden, uncompromising. 11. It was Sunday afternoon, and _____ sun, which had been shining now for several hours, was beginning to warm _____ earth.

Exercise 17 Insert articles where necessary. Comment on the use of articles or their absence.

1. Though _____ earth was cold and wet, _____ sky was clear and _____ sun rose bright and beautiful. 2. He made them provide not one car, but half _____ dozen. 3. _____ compass was invented in ancient China. 4. Not _____ word was spoken, not _____ a sound was made. 5. Edward remained _____ week at _____ cottage. 6. Dinny looked up at _____ house; and suddenly saw _____ face in _____ window of _____ dining-room. 7. As _____ man sows, so shall he reap. 8. I have _____ long story to tell you. Come and sit down on _____ sofa and let us have _____ comfortable chat. 9. It was _____ cottage built like _____ mansion, having _____ central hall with _____ wooden gallery running round it, and _____ rooms no bigger than _____ closets. 10. What _____ beautiful moth there is over there on _____wall. 11. He was _____ short, plump man with _____ very white face and _____ very white hands. 12. _____ old couldn’t help _____ young. 13. To him she would always be _____ loveliest woman in _____ world. 14. I am afraid I addressed _____ wrong person. 15. _____ room has three doors; one on _____ same side as _____ fireplace, near _____ corner, leading to _____ best bedroom.

Exercise 18 Insert articles where necessary. Comment on the use of articles or their absence.

1. Sometimes visitors rang _____ wrong bell. 2. My family came from hereabouts some generations back. I just wanted to have _____ look at _____ place, and ask you _____ question or two. 3. He arrived half _____ hour before dinner time, and went up to _____ school-room at _____ top of _____ house, to see _____ children. 4. Far away in _____ little street there is _____ little house. One of _____ windows is open and through it I can see _____ woman seated at _____ table. She is _____ seamstress. 5. When _____ woman really makes up her mind to marry _____ man nothing on God’s earth can save him. 6. I believe I can tell _____ very moment I began to love him. 7. Mr. Boythorn lived in _____ pretty house with _____ lawn in front, _____ bright flower garden at _____ side and _____ kitchen-garden in _____ rear, enclosed with _____ wall. _____ house was _____ real old house. 8. _____ bartender was _____ pale little man in _____ vest and apron, with _____pale, hairy arms and _____ long, nervous nose. 9. _____ old man quitted _____ house secretly at _____ same hour as before. 10. When I was _____ child my mother used to make _____ cakes and send me out with them as _____ presents to _____ neighbours. And _____ neighbours would give us _____ presents too, and not only at Christmas time.

Exercise 19 Rewrite the words in parentheses by adding of the or nothing. In sentences where two choices are possible, give both choices.

Example: (Many) rnany, many of the people in the room were protesting against the new regulations.

1. (Most) _____ clerical mistakes are the result of carelessness. 2. (Most) _____ clerical mistakes in our office could be avoided if the clerks paid more attention to their work. 3. (Some) _____ students are lazy. 4. (Some) _____ students I know are lazy. 5. (Many) _____ arguments have been presented for equality before the law. 6. (Many) _____ arguments presented by his lawyer were very powerful. 7. (Both) _____ men who were charged with disorderly conduct were fined by the judge. 8. (Half) _____ men would be as patient with a nagging wife as he is. 9. (Four) _____ passengers in the car were hurt in the accident. 10. (All) _____ men are created equal. 11. (All) _____ men who have been accused will be given a fair trial. 12. In (some) _____ developing countries, (many) _____ people from the villages come to the cities to look for work. 13. (Most) _____ young children would rather play than study. 14. (Many) ____ people were in the room. 15. (All) ____ boys were good at tennis. 16. (Half) ____ students nowadays don’t want to study thoroughly

Exercise 20 Translate into English.

1. Мені необхідно зняти кімнату. 2. Провітри кімнату. Тут дуже душно. 3. Ніж не ріже. 4. В тебе є ніж? 5. Візьми ножа та відріж собі хліба. 6. Ми не знали, що тут є озеро. 7. Озеро глибоке. 8. Замок зламався. 9. Кому віддати відремонтувати замок? 10. Ти не знаєш, де ремонтують замки? 11. Не забудь купити замка. 12. В нас сьогодні апельсини на десерт. 13. Апельсини у буфеті. 14. Візьми собі апельсин. 15. Апельсин не кислий?

Exercise 21 Translate into English.

1. Ми живемо в маленькій квартирі у центрі міста. 2. Я шукаю роботу. Чи можете ви мені допомогти? 3. Бажаєте яблуко? Цього року яблука в нас дуже смачні. 4. Ти вже прочитав книгу, яку ми купили минулого тижня? 5. Чи отримав Гаррі роботу, що до якої він подавав заяву? 6. Зачиніть, будь ласка, вікно. 7. Ось нарешті і будинок, в якому я живу. 8. Чи знайшла поліція людину, що пограбувала банк на Грін стріт? 9. Коли я йшов по вулиці, на тротуарі я знайшов $20 купюру. 10. Немає потреби купувати молоко. Молочар приносить його щоранку. 11. В тебе є машина? – Ні. Ніколи в житті я не мав машини. 12. На вулиці було дуже тепло і сонячно, тому ми вирішили посидіти в садку. 13. Оскільки я був незадоволений товаром який придбав, я повернувся до крамниці аби поскаржитися менеджеру. 14. Пітер сів на стілець, що стояв найближче до дверей. 15. Він тихенько зайшов до кімнати і став навпроти мене без жодного слова.

Exercise 22 Translate into English.

1. Листоноша приходив? 2. Будівлю було зведено два роки тому. 3. Моє улюблене дерево – дуб. 4. Біля будинку ріс старий дуб. 5. Ми запізнилися на потяг, і нам довелося довго чекати на вокзалі. 6. Папуга може копіювати людське мовлення. 7. Ми зайшли у маленьку кімнату, в якій стояв стіл, декілька стільців та крісло. 8. Сподіваюся, що завтра ви дасте мені відповідь. 9. Телескоп потрібен астрономам, а мікроскоп – біологам. 10. Срібний місяць світив у небі. 11. Скрипка – струнний інструмент, флейта – духовий. 12. Шекспір і Сервантес померли в одному й тому ж році. 13. Ми отримали телеграму саме в день нашого від’їзду. 14. Ви дали мені не ту адресу. 15. Деякі з гостей пішли рано. 16. Вони живуть на тій самій вулиці. 17. Він постукав не в ті двері. 18. Хто ця дівчина, яка розмовляє з твоєю мамою? – Це Вероніка, моя двоюрідна сестра. Вона студентка Економічного університету. 19. „А чи знайшла поліція того чоловіка, який вкрав твого мотоцикла? ” – „Харлея Девідсона? Нажаль ні.” 20. У кімнаті дуже холодно. Закрий, будь ласка, вікно.

Exercise 23 Translate into English.

1. Цей молодий музика – прекрасний диригент і скрипаль. 2. Це був чудовий концерт: і диригент і скрипаль обидва мали великий успіх у публіки. 3. Мені дуже подобаються і чорні і білі черевики. 4. Не давайте однакові завдання найсильнішим і найслабшим студентам. 5. Будь ласка, покажіть мені блакитний та червоний олівець. 6. Я раджу вам купити обидва пледи: картатий та смугастий. 7. Я вже прочитав книжку, яку ти дав мені минулого тижня. 8. Найближча аптека знаходиться недалеко від будинку Ніка, дві хвилини пішки. 9. Сьогодні вранці Дон купив газету та журнал. Газета лежить на столі, але він не знає де журнал. 10. Я бачив дорожньо-транспортну пригоду цього ранку. Машина врізалася в стінку. Водій автомобіля не постраждав, але машина була дуже сильно пошкоджена.

Exercise 24 Translate into English.

1. Коли всі прийшли на кухню і сіли за стіл, розпочалася дуже серйозна бесіда. 2. День просто чудовий! На небі а ні хмаринки. 3. Він саме та людина, з якою можна мати справи. 4. Молодий чоловік слухав розповідь із задоволеною посмішкою. 5. Ця картина сама незвичайна в колекції. 6. Він намагався застерегти всіх, що поблизу знаходився леопард, і що тварина вже налякала багатьох мешканців селища. 7. Під час війни багато письменників змінили перо на гвинтівку. 8. Як же людина вперше знайшла вогнище? 9. Я можу надати лише одне пояснення своїй поведінці. Я погано себе почував. 10. Він зробив лише одну помилку в тесті. 11. Я ніколи не подорожую літаком. Я завжди боюся, що літак розіб’ється. 12. Вам сподобалась вистава? 13. Будьте ласкаві, підніміть газети з підлоги і покладіть біля телефону. 14. Де інструкція до пральної машини? – Вона у пральній машині. 15. Я подивився на картину і вирішив її придбати.

Exercise 25 Translate into English.

1. Кит – ссавець, що мешкає в морі. 2. Страус – найбільший птах на землі. 3. Жираф – найвища тварина. 4. Моя улюблена квітка – роза. 5. В багатьох країнах є пам’ятники тваринам: в Індії – пам’ятник слону, у Сполучених Штатах – пам’ятник мавпі. 6. Хто і коли винайшов телефон? 7. Велосипед – чудовий транспортний засіб. 8. Гітара з’явилася в Іспанії у XIII столітті. 9. Ніхто не знає, коли людина винайшла колесо. 10. Підмет і присудок – головні члени речення. 11. Детективний роман – один з літературних жанрів. 12. Детективний роман допомагає не помічати довгої подорожі. 13. Корова – священна тварина в Індії. 14. Тюльпан – одна з найперших весняних квіток. 15. Долар – грошова одиниця Сполучених Штатів Америки. 16. Тюльпан був завезений до Нідерландів із Туреччини. 17. Яблуня та виноград – найдавніші фруктові дерева. 18. Сонячні промені проходять крізь атмосферу і зігрівають землю. 19. У мурахи шість ніжок. 20. Волинка – національний інструмент Шотландії.

Unit 4