Fill-in-the-blank worksheet for practicing the use of articles a, an, and the in English sentences.
A worksheet titled "A, AN, THE WORKSHEET" from ExamPlanning.com, featuring 24 sentences with blanks to fill in the correct article (a, an, the), illustrated with a cartoon boy reading a book.
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: A, An, The Worksheet | ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT | English grammar ...
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: A, An, The Worksheet | ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT | English grammar ...
Let's solve this "A, AN, THE" Worksheet step by step. The goal is to fill in the blanks with the correct article: a, an, or the, based on grammar rules.
---
- A / An: Used for non-specific singular countable nouns.
- Use a before consonant sounds.
- Use an before vowel sounds.
- The: Used for specific nouns or when referring to something unique or previously mentioned.
---
Now, let’s go through each sentence:
---
1. ___ horse runs fast.
→ A general statement about any horse → A
✔ A horse runs fast.
2. I saw ___ boy running in ___ street.
→ "boy" is non-specific → a
→ "street" is a general location (not specific) → the (used with streets in cities)
✔ I saw a boy running in the street.
3. He can play upon ___ flute very well.
→ "flute" is a musical instrument; here it's a general one → the
(Note: We say "play the flute", not "play a flute")
✔ He can play upon the flute very well.
4. I saw ___ old man in ___ street.
→ "old man" is non-specific → an (because "old" starts with a vowel sound)
→ "street" → the (same as above)
✔ I saw an old man in the street.
5. All ___ boys were present.
→ "boys" is plural and general → no article needed? But wait — "all" + plural noun usually doesn't take an article unless specific.
But here, it's general → no article? Actually, "all the boys" is standard when referring to all members of a group.
✔ All the boys were present.
6. He is ___ M. Phil.
→ "M. Phil." is a degree title. When used after "is", we use no article or a/an?
Actually, we say: "He is an M. Phil." because "M. Phil." starts with a vowel sound.
✔ He is an M. Phil.
7. ___ moon is shining in ___ sky.
→ Moon is unique → The
→ Sky is also unique → the
✔ The moon is shining in the sky.
8. Man is ___ rational being.
→ General statement about humanity → a (one representative example)
✔ Man is a rational being.
9. I have read ___ Arabian Nights.
→ "Arabian Nights" is a title of a book collection → The
✔ I have read the Arabian Nights.
10. Dawn is ___ English paper.
→ "English paper" likely means a newspaper named "Dawn"? Or a test paper?
But if it's a newspaper, it's a proper noun → The Dawn?
Wait — "Dawn" is a name, but "English paper" is generic.
Possibly: "Dawn is an English paper." → meaning it's a type of paper (newspaper).
Since "paper" is a countable noun and non-specific → an
✔ Dawn is an English paper.
11. ___ whole milk was spilled.
→ "Whole milk" = full-fat milk → a type of milk.
We don't use articles with types of liquids in general? But here it's a specific quantity.
Actually, "whole milk" is a product — often used without article, but in this context, we might say "the whole milk" if referring to a specific amount.
But better: "The whole milk was spilled" → implies a particular batch.
✔ The whole milk was spilled.
12. He is ___ European boy.
→ Non-specific European boy → a (since "European" starts with a consonant sound)
✔ He is a European boy.
13. ___ higher you go, ___ cooler it is.
→ This is a comparative structure: "The... the..."
→ Fixed expression: The higher you go, the cooler it is.
✔ The higher you go, the cooler it is.
14. We saw ___ snake in ___ grass.
→ "snake" – non-specific → a
→ "grass" – general → the (we say "in the grass")
✔ We saw a snake in the grass.
15. ___ handle of this jug is durable.
→ "handle" is specific to this jug → the
✔ The handle of this jug is durable.
16. He came here ___ hour ago.
→ "hour" is a unit of time. After "ago", we use an because "hour" starts with a vowel sound.
✔ He came here an hour ago.
17. ___ topic we are discussing, is very interesting.
→ Refers to a specific topic → the
✔ The topic we are discussing is very interesting.
18. She gave me ___ book.
→ Non-specific book → a
✔ She gave me a book.
19. He read ___ book I gave him.
→ "book" is specific (the one I gave him) → the
✔ He read the book I gave him.
20. ___ less you work, ___ less you gain.
→ Again, comparative structure: The less you work, the less you gain.
✔ The less you work, the less you gain.
21. I have ___ bag of rice.
→ Non-specific bag → a
✔ I have a bag of rice.
22. ___ river is full of water.
→ General river → a (any river)
But if it's a specific river, it would be the. Here, it's general.
✔ A river is full of water.
23. We rode ___ elephant.
→ Non-specific elephant → an (because "elephant" starts with a vowel sound)
✔ We rode an elephant.
24. He hit himself with ___ stick.
→ Non-specific stick → a
✔ He hit himself with a stick.
---
| No. | Sentence | Answer |
|-----|--------|--------|
| 1 | ___ horse runs fast. | A |
| 2 | I saw ___ boy running in ___ street. | a, the |
| 3 | He can pay upon ___ flute very well. | the |
| 4 | I saw ___ old man in ___ street. | an, the |
| 5 | All ___ boys were present. | the |
| 6 | He is ___ M. Phil. | an |
| 7 | ___ moon is shining in ___ sky. | The, the |
| 8 | Man is ___ rational being. | a |
| 9 | I have read ___ Arabian Nights. | the |
| 10 | Dawn is ___ English paper. | an |
| 11 | ___ whole milk was spilled. | The |
| 12 | He is ___ European boy. | a |
| 13 | ___ higher you go, ___ cooler it is. | The, the |
| 14 | We saw ___ snake in ___ grass. | a, the |
| 15 | ___ handle of this jug is durable. | The |
| 16 | He came here ___ hour ago. | an |
| 17 | ___ topic we are discussing, is very interesting. | The |
| 18 | She gave me ___ book. | a |
| 19 | He read ___ book I gave him. | the |
| 20 | ___ less you work, ___ less you gain. | The, the |
| 21 | I have ___ bag of rice. | a |
| 22 | ___ river is full of water. | A |
| 23 | We rode ___ elephant. | an |
| 24 | He hit himself with ___ stick. | a |
---
- Use a/an for general, non-specific things.
- Use the for specific, unique, or previously mentioned items.
- Special cases like titles ("M. Phil."), books ("Arabian Nights"), and fixed expressions ("the more..., the more...") follow specific rules.
- With time expressions like "an hour ago", use an because "hour" begins with a vowel sound.
Let me know if you'd like this formatted as a printable answer sheet!
---
🔹 Rules for Articles:
- A / An: Used for non-specific singular countable nouns.
- Use a before consonant sounds.
- Use an before vowel sounds.
- The: Used for specific nouns or when referring to something unique or previously mentioned.
---
Now, let’s go through each sentence:
---
1. ___ horse runs fast.
→ A general statement about any horse → A
✔ A horse runs fast.
2. I saw ___ boy running in ___ street.
→ "boy" is non-specific → a
→ "street" is a general location (not specific) → the (used with streets in cities)
✔ I saw a boy running in the street.
3. He can play upon ___ flute very well.
→ "flute" is a musical instrument; here it's a general one → the
(Note: We say "play the flute", not "play a flute")
✔ He can play upon the flute very well.
4. I saw ___ old man in ___ street.
→ "old man" is non-specific → an (because "old" starts with a vowel sound)
→ "street" → the (same as above)
✔ I saw an old man in the street.
5. All ___ boys were present.
→ "boys" is plural and general → no article needed? But wait — "all" + plural noun usually doesn't take an article unless specific.
But here, it's general → no article? Actually, "all the boys" is standard when referring to all members of a group.
✔ All the boys were present.
6. He is ___ M. Phil.
→ "M. Phil." is a degree title. When used after "is", we use no article or a/an?
Actually, we say: "He is an M. Phil." because "M. Phil." starts with a vowel sound.
✔ He is an M. Phil.
7. ___ moon is shining in ___ sky.
→ Moon is unique → The
→ Sky is also unique → the
✔ The moon is shining in the sky.
8. Man is ___ rational being.
→ General statement about humanity → a (one representative example)
✔ Man is a rational being.
9. I have read ___ Arabian Nights.
→ "Arabian Nights" is a title of a book collection → The
✔ I have read the Arabian Nights.
10. Dawn is ___ English paper.
→ "English paper" likely means a newspaper named "Dawn"? Or a test paper?
But if it's a newspaper, it's a proper noun → The Dawn?
Wait — "Dawn" is a name, but "English paper" is generic.
Possibly: "Dawn is an English paper." → meaning it's a type of paper (newspaper).
Since "paper" is a countable noun and non-specific → an
✔ Dawn is an English paper.
11. ___ whole milk was spilled.
→ "Whole milk" = full-fat milk → a type of milk.
We don't use articles with types of liquids in general? But here it's a specific quantity.
Actually, "whole milk" is a product — often used without article, but in this context, we might say "the whole milk" if referring to a specific amount.
But better: "The whole milk was spilled" → implies a particular batch.
✔ The whole milk was spilled.
12. He is ___ European boy.
→ Non-specific European boy → a (since "European" starts with a consonant sound)
✔ He is a European boy.
13. ___ higher you go, ___ cooler it is.
→ This is a comparative structure: "The... the..."
→ Fixed expression: The higher you go, the cooler it is.
✔ The higher you go, the cooler it is.
14. We saw ___ snake in ___ grass.
→ "snake" – non-specific → a
→ "grass" – general → the (we say "in the grass")
✔ We saw a snake in the grass.
15. ___ handle of this jug is durable.
→ "handle" is specific to this jug → the
✔ The handle of this jug is durable.
16. He came here ___ hour ago.
→ "hour" is a unit of time. After "ago", we use an because "hour" starts with a vowel sound.
✔ He came here an hour ago.
17. ___ topic we are discussing, is very interesting.
→ Refers to a specific topic → the
✔ The topic we are discussing is very interesting.
18. She gave me ___ book.
→ Non-specific book → a
✔ She gave me a book.
19. He read ___ book I gave him.
→ "book" is specific (the one I gave him) → the
✔ He read the book I gave him.
20. ___ less you work, ___ less you gain.
→ Again, comparative structure: The less you work, the less you gain.
✔ The less you work, the less you gain.
21. I have ___ bag of rice.
→ Non-specific bag → a
✔ I have a bag of rice.
22. ___ river is full of water.
→ General river → a (any river)
But if it's a specific river, it would be the. Here, it's general.
✔ A river is full of water.
23. We rode ___ elephant.
→ Non-specific elephant → an (because "elephant" starts with a vowel sound)
✔ We rode an elephant.
24. He hit himself with ___ stick.
→ Non-specific stick → a
✔ He hit himself with a stick.
---
✔ Final Answers:
| No. | Sentence | Answer |
|-----|--------|--------|
| 1 | ___ horse runs fast. | A |
| 2 | I saw ___ boy running in ___ street. | a, the |
| 3 | He can pay upon ___ flute very well. | the |
| 4 | I saw ___ old man in ___ street. | an, the |
| 5 | All ___ boys were present. | the |
| 6 | He is ___ M. Phil. | an |
| 7 | ___ moon is shining in ___ sky. | The, the |
| 8 | Man is ___ rational being. | a |
| 9 | I have read ___ Arabian Nights. | the |
| 10 | Dawn is ___ English paper. | an |
| 11 | ___ whole milk was spilled. | The |
| 12 | He is ___ European boy. | a |
| 13 | ___ higher you go, ___ cooler it is. | The, the |
| 14 | We saw ___ snake in ___ grass. | a, the |
| 15 | ___ handle of this jug is durable. | The |
| 16 | He came here ___ hour ago. | an |
| 17 | ___ topic we are discussing, is very interesting. | The |
| 18 | She gave me ___ book. | a |
| 19 | He read ___ book I gave him. | the |
| 20 | ___ less you work, ___ less you gain. | The, the |
| 21 | I have ___ bag of rice. | a |
| 22 | ___ river is full of water. | A |
| 23 | We rode ___ elephant. | an |
| 24 | He hit himself with ___ stick. | a |
---
📝 Summary of Key Points:
- Use a/an for general, non-specific things.
- Use the for specific, unique, or previously mentioned items.
- Special cases like titles ("M. Phil."), books ("Arabian Nights"), and fixed expressions ("the more..., the more...") follow specific rules.
- With time expressions like "an hour ago", use an because "hour" begins with a vowel sound.
Let me know if you'd like this formatted as a printable answer sheet!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of a an the worksheet for kids.
