Chapter 06 — Articles, determiners and countability

Track: common | Study time: 75–100 minutes | Recall task: write the rule before checking the key.

Pareeksha English foundation notes

3. Articles

There are two kinds: the indefinite articles "a" and "an" and the definite article "the".

A / An

• Use "a" before a consonant sound: a book, a university, a one-rupee note, a European.
• Use "an" before a vowel sound: an apple, an hour, an honest man, an MLA.
• Use them with singular countable nouns that are mentioned for the first time. "I saw a cat."
• Use them to mean "one" or "any": "A dog is a faithful animal."
• Use them after "such" and "what" with singular nouns: "What a beautiful sight!" "Such a thing."

The

• Use "the" for a thing already mentioned, or known to both speaker and listener: "I saw a cat. The cat was black."
• Use "the" for one-of-a-kind things: the sun, the moon, the earth, the sky.
• Use "the" before superlatives: the best, the tallest.
• Use "the" before rivers, seas, oceans, mountain ranges, island groups and deserts: the Godavari, the Bay of Bengal, the Himalayas, the Andamans.
• Use "the" before names of holy books and newspapers: the Gita, the Hindu.
• Use "the" before ordinal numbers: the first, the second.
• Use "the" before a nationality or a class in the plural sense: the Indians, the poor, the rich.

No article

• Before names of persons, cities, countries (most), single mountains and languages: Ravi, Hyderabad, India, Mount Everest, Telugu.
• Before abstract nouns used generally: honesty, love, time.
• Before meals, games and subjects: breakfast, cricket, history.
• Before "school", "college", "hospital", "church", "bed", "prison" when used for their main purpose: "He goes to school." "She is in hospital." If you mean the building, use "the": "He went to the school to meet the headmaster."

Special cases:

• "A" is not used before uncountable nouns: information, advice, furniture, luggage, news, knowledge, scenery. Wrong: "a good advice." Right: "a piece of good advice."
• "The" is not used before "last night" or "next week", but is used in "the previous week".
• "Many a" and "such a" take the article after the word.

Worked reasoning and learner clinic

Articles encode whether a noun is countable and whether the reader can identify it. On first mention, “a notice” introduces one notice. On later mention, “the notice” points to the same one. Before choosing an article, ask: is the noun singular and countable; is it new or already known; and what sound begins the following word?

Sound beats spelling. “An hour” begins with a vowel sound, while “a uniform” begins with /j/. Initialisms are pronounced letter by letter: “an FIR” begins with the sound /ef/. Do not choose solely by the first written letter.

Zero article. General plural and uncountable nouns often take no article: “Books help readers”; “Information is useful.” A specific set takes “the”: “The books on this desk are mine.” Abstract nouns can take an article when a particular instance is meant: “The honesty shown in this case was notable.”

Quantifiers. “Many” goes with countable plural nouns; “much” with uncountable nouns; “a few” suggests a small but positive number; “few” stresses scarcity. “Less” is commonly used with quantities, “fewer” with countable items. In formal exam writing, keep the noun category visible.

Telugu-medium transfer check

Decide whether a noun is countable in the meaning used, whether the reader already knows which item is meant, and whether the article begins with a vowel sound. Sound, not spelling, determines ‘a’ or ‘an’.

Retrieval practice

Sort ten nouns into countable, uncountable or meaning-dependent groups. Then test ‘a/an/the/zero article’ in a complete sentence rather than memorising an isolated noun.

Error-log prompt

Write the noun and its intended meaning, then note whether the error involved countability, first mention, shared reference or sound. Add a contrasting sentence where the article changes.

Study plate 06. Recall the sequence before you begin the question set.

Chapter 06 practice questions

001. The idiom 'break the ice' means to

A. stop a quarrel

B. start a friendly talk

C. break frozen water

D. end a friendship

Key: B | Explanation: Break the ice means to ease the first awkward moment. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

002. 'Burn the midnight oil' means to

A. sleep early

B. cook at night

C. waste fuel

D. work late at night

Key: D | Explanation: It means to study or work far into the night. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

003. 'A piece of cake' means

A. a hard job

B. a sweet gift

C. a very easy task

D. a small share

Key: C | Explanation: It is used for something very easy. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

004. 'Spill the beans' means to

A. tell a secret

B. waste food

C. make a mess

D. cook well

Key: A | Explanation: To reveal secret information. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

005. 'Under the weather' means

A. in a storm

B. slightly ill

C. very rich

D. very happy

Key: B | Explanation: It means not feeling well. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

006. 'A blessing in disguise' means

A. a bad omen

B. a costly gift

C. a hidden good thing

D. a religious act

Key: C | Explanation: Something that seems bad but turns out good. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

007. 'The lion's share' means

A. a fair share

B. a fearful part

C. a very small part

D. the largest part

Key: D | Explanation: The biggest portion. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

008. 'Once in a blue moon' means

A. at night

B. very rarely

C. very often

D. every month

Key: B | Explanation: It describes something that happens very seldom. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

009. 'Out of the blue' means

A. suddenly and unexpectedly

B. very sadly

C. slowly

D. with sorrow

Key: A | Explanation: Without any warning. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

010. 'Cry over spilt milk' means to

A. waste money

B. feel hungry

C. clean a mess

D. regret what cannot be undone

Key: D | Explanation: It is useless to feel sorry about past events. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

011. 'To beat about the bush' means to

A. hunt animals

B. speak loudly

C. avoid the main point

D. hit a plant

Key: C | Explanation: To talk without coming to the point. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

012. 'Leave no stone unturned' means to

A. clear the field

B. damage property

C. try every possible means

D. give up quickly

Key: C | Explanation: To make every effort. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

013. 'Turn over a new leaf' means to

A. turn a page quickly

B. stop studying

C. read a book

D. begin a better way of life

Key: D | Explanation: To change one's behaviour for the better. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

014. 'Hit the nail on the head' means to

A. use a hammer

B. say exactly the right thing

C. make an error

D. hurt someone

Key: B | Explanation: To be exactly right. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

015. 'A white elephant' is

A. a costly thing of little use

B. a sacred object

C. a rare animal

D. a gift of value

Key: A | Explanation: An expensive possession that is a burden. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

016. 'Black sheep' means

A. a dark colour

B. a bad member of a group

C. a helpful friend

D. a farm animal

Key: B | Explanation: The disgrace of a good family or group. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

017. 'To pull someone's leg' means to

A. joke with someone

B. help someone

C. hurt someone

D. walk with someone

Key: A | Explanation: To tease in a playful way. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

018. 'Cost an arm and a leg' means to be

A. very cheap

B. fairly priced

C. dangerous

D. very expensive

Key: D | Explanation: Extremely costly. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

019. 'Call it a day' means to

A. fix a holiday

B. begin work

C. stop work for the day

D. name a date

Key: C | Explanation: To end the work for now. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

020. 'Apple of one's eye' refers to

A. a sick person

B. a much-loved person

C. a stranger

D. a hated person

Key: B | Explanation: Someone dearly loved. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

021. 'To make both ends meet' means to

A. earn a great deal

B. finish a task

C. manage with a small income

D. join two ropes

Key: C | Explanation: To live within a limited income. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

022. 'At sixes and sevens' means

A. in confusion

B. in a hurry

C. in agreement

D. in a good mood

Key: A | Explanation: In a state of disorder. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

023. 'To let the cat out of the bag' means to

A. hide a fact

B. start a fight

C. free an animal

D. reveal a secret by mistake

Key: D | Explanation: To disclose a secret carelessly. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

024. 'Add fuel to the fire' means to

A. make a bad situation worse

B. calm a fight

C. cook food

D. start a business

Key: A | Explanation: To increase anger or trouble. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

025. The phrasal verb 'give up' means

A. give a gift

B. stop trying

C. give advice

D. give away

Key: B | Explanation: Give up means to quit. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

026. The phrasal verb 'look after' means

A. search for

B. wait for

C. take care of

D. look at

Key: C | Explanation: Look after means to care for. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

027. The phrasal verb 'call off' means

A. phone

B. shout

C. visit

D. cancel

Key: D | Explanation: Call off means to cancel. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

028. The phrasal verb 'put up with' means

A. tolerate

B. arrive

C. build

D. delay

Key: A | Explanation: Put up with means to bear something unpleasant. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

029. The phrasal verb 'take after' means

A. follow rules

B. resemble an elder

C. remove clothes

D. stop work

Key: B | Explanation: It means to look or act like a parent or elder. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

030. Fill in the blank: The match was ____ because of rain.

A. called on

B. called up

C. called in

D. called off

Key: D | Explanation: Called off means cancelled. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

031. Fill in the blank: She was ____ by her grandparents after her parents moved abroad.

A. brought on

B. brought out

C. brought up

D. brought in

Key: C | Explanation: Brought up means raised. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

032. Fill in the blank: The fire ____ in the market late at night.

A. broke in

B. broke off

C. broke up

D. broke out

Key: D | Explanation: Break out means to start suddenly. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

033. Fill in the blank: We have ____ of sugar; please buy some.

A. run in

B. run up

C. run out

D. run over

Key: C | Explanation: Run out of means to have none left. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

034. Fill in the blank: He is good ____ mathematics.

A. at

B. in

C. with

D. on

Key: A | Explanation: The standard pair is good at. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

035. Fill in the blank: I prefer tea ____ coffee.

A. from

B. to

C. over

D. than

Key: B | Explanation: Prefer is followed by to. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

036. Fill in the blank: He has been suffering ____ fever for a week.

A. with

B. of

C. by

D. from

Key: D | Explanation: Suffer takes from. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

037. Choose the correct sentence.

A. This book is different with that one.

B. This book is different than that one.

C. This book is different from that one.

D. This book is different to that one.

Key: C | Explanation: Different from is the standard form. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

038. Consider the statements about idioms. 1. 'Out of the blue' means suddenly. 2. 'Once in a blue moon' means very often.

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

Key: A | Explanation: Once in a blue moon means very rarely. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

039. Consider the statements about phrasal verbs. 1. 'Look down on' means to respect. 2. 'Look up to' means to respect.

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

Key: B | Explanation: Look down on means to think less of someone. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

040. Consider the statements about phrasal verbs. 1. 'Put off' means to delay. 2. 'Turn down' means to accept.

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

Key: A | Explanation: Turn down means to refuse. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

041. Consider the statements. 1. The words of an idiom can be changed freely in exams. 2. An idiom must be understood by its whole meaning.

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

Key: B | Explanation: Idioms are fixed expressions; their words should not be changed. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

042. Consider the statements. 1. 'Bite the dust' means to fail or fall. 2. 'In hot water' means in comfort.

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

Key: A | Explanation: In hot water means in trouble. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

043. Consider the statements. 1. 'Take off' always means to remove a thing. 2. 'Take over' means to take control.

A. 1 only

B. 2 only

C. Both 1 and 2

D. Neither 1 nor 2

Key: B | Explanation: Take off can also mean a plane rising into the air. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

044. Match the phrasal verb with its meaning: 'come across'.

A. visit often

B. go across a road

C. find by chance

D. argue with

Key: C | Explanation: Come across means to meet or find unexpectedly. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

045. Which idiom means 'to face a problem bravely'?

A. Cry over spilt milk

B. Beat about the bush

C. Spill the beans

D. Take the bull by the horns

Key: D | Explanation: Taking the bull by the horns means meeting danger directly. Treat the expression as a unit. Idioms and phrasal verbs often have a meaning that cannot be calculated from each word separately.

046. He is ___ honest officer.

A. no article

B. a

C. an

D. the

Key: C | Explanation: “Honest” begins with a vowel sound because h is silent.

047. She studies at ___ university in the state.

A. a

B. an

C. the

D. no article

Key: A | Explanation: “University” begins with the consonant sound /juː/.

048. We crossed ___ Godavari by ferry.

A. an

B. the

C. no article

D. a

Key: B | Explanation: Names of rivers normally take “the”.

049. Please give me ___ information about the form.

A. the

B. no article

C. an

D. a

Key: B | Explanation: “Information” is uncountable; say “some information” or “a piece of information”.

050. ___ sun rose behind the hills.

A. No article

B. A

C. An

D. The

Key: D | Explanation: The sun is unique in the context and takes “the”.

051. She plays ___ cricket after class.

A. a

B. an

C. the

D. no article

Key: D | Explanation: Games used in a general sense usually take no article.

052. He waited for ___ hour.

A. an

B. the

C. no article

D. a

Key: A | Explanation: “Hour” begins with a vowel sound because h is silent.

053. They met ___ European visitor.

A. the

B. no article

C. a

D. an

Key: C | Explanation: “European” begins with the consonant sound /j/.

054. Honesty is ___ valuable quality.

A. no article

B. a

C. an

D. the

Key: B | Explanation: A singular countable noun introduced for the first time takes an indefinite article; “valuable” begins with consonant sound.

055. ___ first applicant received a receipt.

A. A

B. An

C. The

D. No article

Key: C | Explanation: Ordinal numbers used before a noun take “the”.