Using Articles (a, an, the)

1. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

It was (a) — dark night. A blind man was walking along (b) — road with (c) — lamp in his hand. Two men laughed at (d) — blind man. One said, "What's (e) — use of (f) — lamp to a blind man?" The other called him (g) — fool. The blind man heard this and said, "It's for those who're (h) — careless." "What a surprise", said the others.

2. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

Once upon  (a) —  time two friends were passing by  (b) — forest. They were talking about their love for each other. Suddenly  (c) — bear came there.  (d) — first friend climbed up a tree.  (e) — later could not climb up a tree. He did not find any way. He lay down on  (f) — ground and feigned death.  (g) — bear smelt his ears, nose and face. He thought him to be  (h) — dead. Then the bear went away.

3. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

A crow was very thirsty and wanted to drink water. If flew from one place to another in search of water and at last found  (a) — jar in a garden. There was some water in  (b) — jar but it was too low down and out of his reach.  (c) — crow tried to turn the jar over and over again but it had no effect. Then it decided to fly away in despair. As it was leaving the jar, it noticed  (d) — heap of pebbles nearby. It hit upon a plan then and took some  (e) — pebbles. Then it dropped  (f) — pebbles into the jar. As each pebble went down,  (g) — water in the jar rose up little by little. When the water came to  (h) — mouth of the jar crow drank it.

4. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

A long time ago  (a) — town of Hamlin in Germany was faced with  (b) — great problem. It became full of rats. The people of the town came to  (c) — town hall. They said to  (d) — Mayor to do something about rats. The Mayor called a meeting of the councilors. The Mayor and the councilors talked about (e) — problem. But they could not find a way out. At that  (f) — moment there was a knock at  (g) — door. The Mayor said, “Come in”.(h) — stranger entered the hall.

5. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

There lived  (a) — farmer in a village. He had a few acres of  (b) — land. (c) — lands yielded him some crops. With that he supported his family with  (d) — difficulty. So he always thought how he could add to his income. One day he was walking through  (e) — fields. While walking he came across (f) — purse of gold. He thought that it might have been dropped by  (g) —  passer-by. However, he picked  (h) — bag up and carried it home. He showed it to his wife.

6. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

Once upon a time there was  (a) — honest and pious man. His name was Abu Ben Adhem. He was once sleeping peacefully. Suddenly he woke up and saw  (b) — angel. The angel was writing  (c) — names of persons who loved God. He asked the angel if his name was there. In reply the angel said that his name was not there. (d) — Abu then requested him to put his name in  (e) — list because he loved mankind and his fellow brothers. (f) — angel took down his request and went away. He again appeared  (g) — next night and showed Abu that his name was at  (h) — top of the list.

7. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

A snake lived in a hole at  (a) — foot of a tree. High up on its branches was the nest of  (b) — crow. The crow had four young chicks in its nest. Whenever the crow would leave  (c) — nest to bring food for its chicks, the snake would climb up and eat one. In this way the snake ate up three of  (d) — chicks. The crow at last thought of a plan to get rid of its  (e) — enemy. It stole  (f) — expensive necklace of the princes from the royal palace and dropped it into the snake's hole after scattering a few rubies here and there. The king became very angry at  (g) — loss and sent out men to look for the necklace. In course of time they noticed the scattered rubies near  (h) — hole. They dug the hole, killed the snake, and took the necklace.

8. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary. 

Once there lived (a) —beggar in (b) —city. He could not earn much by (c) —begging. So he thought how he could add to his income. One day (d) —idea crossed his mind. He thought that he would have more money if he pretended to be dumb. So one day he painted the word 'dumb' on (e) —board. He hung it round his neck. Another beggar also lived in (f) —city. He was very (g) —jealous of him. He wanted to teach him (h) —good lesson.

9. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

Once upon (a) —time there lived (b) —young man named Androcles. He was caught by (c) —slave merchant who sold him to (d) —rich man. His master was very bad and inflicted heavy torture on him. Androcles was very home-sick. One day he fled from his master's house and took shelter in (e) —cave. In (f) —evening a lion entered (g) —cave. The lion seemed wounded as it was groaning. It came near Androcles and lifted its paw. He took the lions paw in his hand and removed (h) —big thorn from it. The lion was relived from its pain.

10. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

A dishonest man lived in (a) — village. He used to do mischief to (b) — villagers. For this evil deeds, he blamed (c) — God. One day one of his neighbours saw him stealing mangoes from his garden. When (d) — dishonest man was asked to tell the cause of his stealing the  mangoes,  he gave (e ) — same reply. Without saying ( f)   –– anything the owner of the  garden took ( g)  ––  stick and waited for him. When the dishonest man came down from (h) –– tree, the owner started beating him with a stick. Then the wicked man understood his fault. 

11. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

Once sheikh Saadi was going to Bagdad with (a) —group of rich merchants.He had (b) —bundle of books and some money with him.The merchants had their goods and (c) —lot of money.They travelled for twelve days without any trouble.On the thirteenth day (d) —gang of robbers attacked them.The robbers took away all (e) —goods and money from the merchants.Then(f) —leader of the robbers came to Saadi. He ordered Saadi to give all he had to him.SheikhSaadi handed him (g) —bundle of books and also (h) —little money he had without any fear.Saadi then said, “I hope that you will make good use of these books.”

12.   Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

Once there was (a) —man named Aesop in Greece. He was famous for his fables on moral lessons. He was (b) —slave in his early days but he was very religious minded. Once he was sold to (c) —farmer who was lazy. On (d) —first day Aesop found that his master did not say his (e) —morning prayer but slept till sunrise. He woke his master, but he would not leave his bed. He asked Aesop to go to (f) —held to work for him. Aesop woke his master next day too. But (g) —master became very angry and gave him a bag of barley. He told him to go to the field and sow (h) —seeds.

13. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

Long ago there lived (a) — very kind and generous man in (b) — Yemen. The name of that man was (c) —Hatem Tia. He was not rich but he was very hospitable. People praised him more than (d) — king. One day (e) — king gave a dinner. The guests praised the king. So (f) — king felt happy and proud. But the guests praised Hatem Tai also. This made the king angry. So (g) — king wanted to have him removed (h) — world.

14. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

Taimur was one of (a) —greatest conquerors of (b) —world. Once he attacked the province of (c) —powerful prince. He entered (d) —kingdom of the prince and captured a large village. The village was situated far away from (e) —capital. The prince heard the news. He came with (f) —large army. His soldiers surrounded the village on (g) —all sides and a terrible battle took place. Taimur's soldiers were killed. Taimur disguised himself as (h) —poor traveller. Thus, he saved his life.

15. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

A student must take care of his (a) — health because (b) — sound mind lives in (c) — body. Good health is (d) — key to success. In order to enjoy good health, (e) — student observe (f) — rules of health. (g) — unhealthy man may be (h) — possessor of vast wealth but he leads an unhappy life.

16. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

One day I met (a) — lame man. After talking for a while he showed me (b) — identity card. Seeing (c) — identity card I came to know that he was (d) — university student. After completing his (e) — study he joined (f) — army. During the Liberation War he fought (g) — bravely against (h) — occupied army of the then West Pakistan. But it is an irony of fate that a bullet of the enemies hit on his left leg. Thus he lost his leg.

17. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

Rahim has (a) –– elder brother who is (b) –– engineer. He works in (c) –– office in (d) –– Dhaka. Last summer his brother asked him to stay (e) –– few days with him.  He sent him (f) –– air ticket. He arrived at the airport about (g) –– hour before the flight. He entered the waiting (h) –– room. He was given a boarding card where he had to write his address. 

18. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

Once there lived (a) — man in a village. He made caps with palm leaves and sold them in (b) — market to (c) — maintain his family. One day he was going to (d) — distant market. He had (e) — basket full of caps. He became tired. He saw (f) — big mango tree. He sat under (g) — tree and fell asleep. Then (h) — strange thing happened. The tree was full of monkeys.

19. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary. 

Once there was (a) — cowboy. He used to tell (b) — lies to make jokes. He used to shout by saying "Tiger! Tiger!".  (c) — villagers came to help him hearing his shouting. But they saw no tiger. So, they left (d) — boy angrily. Again, he shouted and (e) — villagers came and went away. One day (f) — tiger really came. (g) — boy shouted and (h) — no one came. The tiger killed the boy. So, the result of telling lies is dangerous.

20. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

Moti is (a) — street boy. He is (b) — orphan. He lives in (c) — street of Dhaka city. One day he went to (d) — New Market. He saw (e) — fruit seller selling different kinds of fruits. There he found (f) — old man buying some apples. (g) — apples looked very fresh. His mouth watered at (h) — sight of the apples. He wished if he could have an apple. He thought for a while. Feeling pity for him the old man gave him an apple.

21. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

Once (a) — schoolboy named (b) — Ahasanullah was going home after completing his class. When he was crossing the road, he saw (c) — old woman lying on the road. She was (d) — senseless and it was impossible for her to cross (e) — road. People come and pass but no one looks at her. The boy felt (f) — strong sense of sympathy for her. He rushed to (g) — lying helpless woman and somehow managed to rescue her from (h) — accident. The boy also helped her to go to her residence. Last but not the least, the woman prayed to the Almighty for his betterment.

22. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

(a) — beautiful garden surrounds the Tajmahal. (b) — green trees of (c) — garden make the Tajmahal's marble look even (d) — white. There is a long, narrow pool in (e) — front of (f) — main entrance to (g) — building. If you look at this pool, you can see all (h) — beauty of the Tajmahal in the reflection in water.

23. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

Kamal is (a) — SSC examinee. He has been suffering from (b) — fever for about a week. He wants to see (c) — experienced doctor. He has heard much about (d) — reputation of Mr Shahin who is (e) — FRCS. He is one of (f) — best doctors in our country. He had his degree from (g) — UK. So Kamal made (h) — appointment. On the appointed day, he reached the doctor's chamber.

24. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

Once upon (a) — time there was a king called Midas. He was extremely fond of gold. Although he had (b) — lot of it, he wanted more. "I wish I had the golden touch," he said to himself one day. "Then I'd be (c) — happiest man." (d) — wise god granted his wish promptly. Half (e) — hour later, as (f) — king was sitting under (g) — apple tree in his garden, suddenly (h) — ripe apple fell beside him. He picked it up. As he touched it, the apple turned into gold.

25. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

It was Monday in (a) — month of July. The sky was cloudy at (b) — night. It was drizzling since (c) — morning. I got up a bit late and looked out through (d) — window. My mother asked me to get ready for (e) — school. So after breakfast I came to the road with my books in (f) — bag and opened my (g) — umbrella over the head. I did not find any rickshaw. I went on (h) — foot. No sooner had I gone half of way than it began to rain in torrents. I got drenched and took shelter in a roadside shop.

26. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

(a) — ant is (b) — industrious insect. No other insect is as industrious as (c) — ant. If we open (d) — pages of history, we shall see that (e) — men who have become great were (f) — industrious. (g) — industrious are liked by all. On (h) — other hand, the idle are hated by all. So industry is a must to prosper in life.

27. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

Once a rabbit and a tortoise took part in (a) — race. The rabbit could run fast but (b) — tortoise was slow. They started running. The rabbit passed (c) — long way in a short time but (d) — other remained behind. After (e) — while the rabbit saw that the tortoise was far behind him and he could take rest for a while. So it slept under (f) — tree. After sleeping for some time (g) — first one found the second one still far behind. So, it again slept. When it woke up it was (h) — afternoon. It became very worried and began to run fast again. But when it reached its destination, it became surprised that the other had reached there long before.

28. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

William Shakespeare was born in 1564 at Stratford-on-Avon in England. He received (a) —sound basic education. But he never attended any (b) —college. Shakespeare was married at eighteen to (c) —woman of twenty one. (d) —few years later, he went to London. There he became (e) —actor and (f) —playwright. He had three children before he was twenty-one. During (g) —next ten years, he composed his greatest plays. By this time, he was thirty. He had become prosperous before he reached (h) —age of thirty-four.

29. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

Long, long ago there lived (a) —fisherman in a village. He could barely support his wife and three children. Every day he used to go fishing early in (b) —morning.But he never threw his net into (c) —sea more than four times.Onemorning he threw his net into the sea as usual.He thought he had caught (d) —large fish and so he felt very happy.But (e) —moment later he saw that there no fish, rather only (f) —dead donkey. He was very disappointed.Then (g) —fisherman became angry.He had just repaired his net and he noticed that (h) —weight of the dead donkey had broken it in several places.

30. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

Once (a) —dog was eating (b) —bony piece of meat under (c) —tree. A crow saw him and wished to eat that. It flew away and after some time returned with (d) —another crow. Both (e) —crows went near the dog. One of them started packing the dog’s tail.(f) —dog not only felt disturbed but also became angry. (g) —dog dropped (h) —bone and barked at the crow.In the meantime the other crow flew away with the bone. The dog ran after the crow but in vain. Thus they made him sad and helpless.

31. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

Once there lived (a) —Sultan in (b) —country. He wanted to appoint (c) —honest man as his tax collector. Then he invited applications. A number of people applied for (d) —job. So he asked for (e) —wise counselor’s advice. The applicants were asked to meet the Sultan one by one. They came through a passage where (f) —gold coins were kept. When they all arrived (g) —Sultan asked them to dance. All (h) —applicants blushed and refused except one. Then he found the desired man.

32. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

Robert Bruce was (a) —king of Scotland. He reigned over (b) —country well and his subjects were happy under his rule. (c) —greedy king of England attacked Scotland to grab his territory. He tried his best to uphold (d) —independence but fortune did not smile upon him. After repeated defeats, he has to take shelter in a lonely cave. There he saw (e) —spider trying to reach the ceiling with the help of its silken thread to complete the cobweb. (f) —spider tried again and again to go up but dropped down cave. Bruce observed that the spider came out successful in is twentieth attempt. He saw a ray of hope from the struggle and thought that if (g) —spider did not accept defeat, why should he? Filled with new hope he brought together his scattered forces and finally succeeded in defeating his (h) —enemies.

33. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

It relates to (a) — incident of Hazrad Abdul QuaderJilani’schildhood.He had to go to Baghdad to receive education.Baghdad was very far from his (b) — house.Then travelling was not easy.At the time of departure his mother said to him, “Never tell (c) — lie.”He was going to Baghdad accompanied by (d) — few merchants.A band of robbers fell upon then on the way.The chief of (e) — robbers asked Abdul Quader, “What have you got with you?”(f) — boy replied fearlessly, “I have got twenty gold coins?”He did not tell (g) — lie even in danger.

34. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

One day Meena and her parrot Mithu, climbed (a) — tall tree to pick (b) — mango. She picked (c) — mango and took it to her mother. Although Meena had picked the mango, her mother gave the larger share of the fruit to Raju. Meena felt very disappointed. At dinner Meena noticed that Raju as usual had got (d) — egg but she did not. Mithu was not pleased to see that. Mother wanted to see if (e) — children had washed their hands before they started eating. While they were outside washing their hands, Mithu divided (f) — egg into two and put half of on (g) — Meena’s plate. Coming back, Raju was upset to see that half of  egg had gone. Grandma thought that Raju as (h) — boy child needed more food.

35. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

Once there was (a) — man named Aesop in Greece. He was (b) — slave in his early days but he was very religious minded. He was famous for his fables on moral lessons. Once he was sold to (c) — farmer who was lazy. On (d) — first day Aesop found that his(e) — master did not say his morning prayer but slept till sunrise. He woke up his master but he would not leave his bed. He asked Aesop to go to (f) — field to work for him. Aesop woke his master next day too. But (g) — master became very angry and gave him a bag barley. He told him to go to (h) — field and sow the seeds.

36. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

Once there lived (a) — cowboy in a village near (b) — deep forest. He used to tell lies to make fun. One day (c) — boy cried out, “Tiger! Tiger! Help! Help!” The villagers rushed to help him but found no (d) — tiger. The villagers became angry and went away. Some days later, the boy made the same fun and the villagers became deceived again. One day (e) — tiger really came. (f) — boy cried for help but nobody came. At last the tiger killed all the cows. (g) — boy saved his life running away from (h) — spot.

37. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

Once there lived a farmer who had three sons. They always quarreled with each other. Their parents told them to stop but they didn’t listen to their advice. One day (a) — farmer told his sons to bring five sticks and (b) — rope. He made (c) — bundle of (d) — sticks and told his sons to break it. They tried and tried but failed. At last he untied (e) — sticks and gave one stick each. Now they could easily break (f) — sticks. Then the farmer said, “If you remain united like (g) — sticks, you will be very strong and none can harm you”.  After that the sons stopped (h) — quarrelling.

38. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

Once, (a) — hare and a tortoise competed in (b) — race. The peacock was (c) — judge. The hare ran very fast and went a long way in a moment.  He looked back but could not see the tortoise. So he sat to take rest under (d) — tree and soon slept off. When he woke up, it was (e) — evening. So he felt worried and began to run fast. But when he reached the goal, (f) — tortoise had already crossed (g) — finishing line. The tortoise walked slowly and steadily. So he won (h) — race.

39. Fill in the gaps with appropriate articles (a/an/the). Put a cross (×) where no article is necessary.

Once two rats found (a) — piece of bread. They could not agree on how to divide the bread because each rat wanted the larger share than the other. At last, they went to (b) — Mr. Monkey for help. Mr. Monkey said that they should solve their own problem. But the rats persisted him to divide (c) — bread.So Mr. Monkey broke (d) — bread into two halves and put them on his scales. One part became larger and he took (e) — bite from that part. Now (f) — other part became larger, and he took another bite from that part. Only (g) — little piece was left and now the rats agreed to divide it themselves. But (h) — monkey said that he would get it as fee for his work.