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Let's solve both exercises step by step, explaining the rules for using a, an, and the.

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🔹 Rules Recap:

- "a" is used before words that start with a consonant sound.
- "an" is used before words that start with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u).
- "the" is used when referring to something specific or unique, or when it's clear from context which one we're talking about.

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## ✔ Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with *a*, *an*, or *the*.

We are filling in the blanks before nouns. Since these are general, non-specific things, we use a or an, unless the noun refers to something unique (like the sun, the moon).

1. an owl → "owl" starts with a vowel sound (/ʌ/), so an
2. a rocket → "rocket" starts with a consonant sound (/r/), so a
3. an apron → "apron" starts with a vowel sound (/æ/), so an
4. the sun → The sun is unique → the
5. a page → "page" starts with a consonant sound (/p/), so a
6. a computer → "computer" starts with a consonant sound (/k/), so a
7. the moon → The moon is unique → the
8. the Missouri River → Specific river name → the
9. a mango → "mango" starts with a consonant sound (/m/), so a
10. an animal → "animal" starts with a vowel sound (/æ/), so an
11. an eagle → "eagle" starts with a vowel sound (/iː/), so an
12. a baby → "baby" starts with a consonant sound (/b/), so a

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✔ Exercise 1 Answers:

1. an owl
2. a rocket
3. an apron
4. the sun
5. a page
6. a computer
7. the moon
8. the Missouri River
9. a mango
10. an animal
11. an eagle
12. a baby

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## ✔ Exercise 2: Complete the sentences with *a*, *an*, or *the*

Let’s go sentence by sentence:

1. There is ______ rainbow in ______ sky.
- A rainbow is a general thing → a
- The sky is unique → the
→ a rainbow in the sky

2. Who is ______ man outside ______ gate?
- "man" is general → a
- "gate" is specific (we know which one) → the
→ a man outside the gate

3. ______ doctor gave Jane ______ injection.
- "doctor" is general → a
- "injection" is general → an (because "injection" starts with /ɪ/, a vowel sound)
→ A doctor gave Jane an injection

4. Paul opened ______ door to let ______ dog in.
- "door" is specific (the door he was standing at) → the
- "dog" is general → a
→ Paul opened the door to let a dog in

5. Mark is ______ only child in ______ family.
- "only child" → "only" makes it specific → the
- "family" is specific (Mark’s family) → the
→ Mark is the only child in the family

6. What's ______ largest animal in ______ world?
- "largest animal" — superlative → the
- "world" is unique → the
→ What's the largest animal in the world?

7. There's ______ nest in ______ tree.
- "nest" is general → a
- "tree" is general → a
→ There's a nest in a tree

8. Sue is writing ______ letter to her grandfather.
- "letter" is general → a
→ Sue is writing a letter to her grandfather

9. Jack has ______ brother and ______ sister.
- Both are general (one brother, one sister) → a and a
→ Jack has a brother and a sister

10. We reached ______ top of ______ hill in two hours.
- "top" is specific (the top of that hill) → the
- "hill" is specific (the hill they were climbing) → the
→ We reached the top of the hill in two hours

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✔ Exercise 2 Answers:

1. There is a rainbow in the sky.
2. Who is a man outside the gate?
3. A doctor gave Jane an injection.
4. Paul opened the door to let a dog in.
5. Mark is the only child in the family.
6. What's the largest animal in the world?
7. There's a nest in a tree.
8. Sue is writing a letter to her grandfather.
9. Jack has a brother and a sister.
10. We reached the top of the hill in two hours.

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📝 Summary of Key Points:

- Use a/an for general, non-specific nouns.
- Use the for specific, unique, or previously mentioned things.
- Remember: an before words starting with a vowel sound, even if spelled with a consonant (e.g., "hour", "honest").
- Superlatives (largest, best, etc.) always take the.
- Unique things like sun, moon, earth, sky, ocean usually take the.

Let me know if you'd like this turned into a printable worksheet!