IELTS Grammar & Vocabulary: Articles (a, an, the, zero article) Practice Questions
Test yourself on Articles (a, an, the, zero article) with 13 original IELTS practice questions. Pick an answer to see instant feedback and a full explanation.
Free original practice questions for study purposes. Open Exam Prep is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the makers of IELTS.
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Answer the questions below — you get instant feedback and a full explanation for each.
1. Choose the correct option: "She is ___ honest person who never lies."
Explanation. Use 'an' before words beginning with a vowel SOUND. 'Honest' starts with a silent 'h', so the first sound is a vowel /ɒ/, requiring 'an'. The spelling with 'h' is misleading; it's pronunciation that matters.
2. Select the best option: "I'd like to be ___ engineer when I grow up."
Explanation. 'Engineer' begins with a vowel sound /e/, so 'an' is required. The indefinite article fits because it is one of many possible engineers, not a specific one.
3. Fill the gap: "___ Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world."
Explanation. Names of single mountains take no article (Mount Everest, Mont Blanc). We use 'the' only with mountain ranges (the Alps, the Himalayas). So zero article is correct.
4. Choose the correct option: "Could you pass me ___ salt, please?"
Explanation. 'The' is used because both speaker and listener know exactly which salt is meant—the salt on the table. Shared, identifiable reference requires the definite article.
5. Select the best completion: "___ tigers are an endangered species."
Explanation. To talk about a whole class or species using a plural countable noun, use zero article (Tigers are endangered). 'The tigers' would refer to specific, known tigers, not the species in general.
6. Fill the gap: "He plays ___ piano beautifully but doesn't enjoy playing ___ football."
Explanation. Musical instruments take 'the' (play the piano). Sports and games take no article (play football). So 'the piano' and zero article for 'football'.
7. Choose the correct option: "We had ___ wonderful time at ___ party last night."
Explanation. 'Time' here is countable in 'a wonderful time' (one experience), so 'a'. The party is specific and known to both speakers, so 'the party'.
8. Select the best option: "___ United Kingdom consists of four nations."
Explanation. Countries whose names include words like 'Kingdom', 'States', 'Republic', or plural forms take 'the' (the United Kingdom, the United States, the Netherlands). Simple country names (France, Japan) take no article.
9. Fill the gap: "After breakfast she went to ___ work by ___ bus."
Explanation. 'Go to work' is a fixed expression with no article. With means of transport, we say 'by bus', 'by car', 'by train'—all with zero article. Both gaps take no article.
10. Choose the correct option: "This is ___ best book I have ever read."
Explanation. Superlatives are always preceded by 'the' because they identify something unique (the best, the tallest, the most expensive). Therefore 'the best book' is correct.
11. Select the best completion: "My brother is ___ university student studying ___ economics."
Explanation. 'University' begins with a consonant sound /j/ ("yoo"), so it takes 'a', not 'an'. Academic subjects and uncountable abstract fields like economics take no article. So 'a university' and zero article for 'economics'.
12. Fill the gap: "There was ___ accident on the motorway. ___ accident caused a long delay."
Explanation. First mention of a singular countable noun uses the indefinite article; 'accident' starts with a vowel sound, so 'an'. On second mention it is now known/specific, so use 'the'. Pattern: an accident → The accident.
13. Choose the correct option: "___ sun rises in ___ east."
Explanation. Unique objects (the sun, the moon, the sky) take 'the'. Points of the compass also take 'the' (the east, the north). So both gaps require 'the'.
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FAQ
How do I decide between 'a' and 'an'?
Base your choice on the SOUND, not the spelling, of the following word. Use 'an' before a vowel sound (an hour, an MP, an honest man) and 'a' before a consonant sound (a university, a European, a one-off). Always say the word aloud to check the first sound.
When should I use 'the' versus no article for general statements?
For general statements about a whole group, use plural countable nouns or uncountable nouns with NO article (Dogs are loyal; Water is essential). Use 'the' only when referring to specific, identifiable things known to both speaker and listener (the dogs next door).
Which countries and place names take 'the'?
Use 'the' with country names containing 'Kingdom', 'States', 'Republic', or that are plural (the UK, the USA, the Philippines, the Netherlands), and with oceans, rivers, mountain ranges, and deserts (the Pacific, the Nile, the Alps, the Sahara). Single mountains, lakes, and most countries/cities take no article (Everest, Lake Victoria, France, Paris).