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Quizzes > English & Grammar

English Articles Quiz: A, An, and The in Real Sentences

Quick, free a vs an quiz with 15 multiple-choice questions. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Santeri MartinUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
paper art quiz illustration free English articles on golden yellow background 15 multiple choice questions

This English articles quiz helps you choose a, an, or the correctly in real sentences. Answer 15 multiple-choice questions and see instant results, then build skills with our quiz on articles and a focused article quiz with answers. Get quick feedback on common tricky cases like titles and places.

I saw ___ cat in the garden.
No article
the
a
an
The indefinite article 'a' is used before a singular countable noun when the noun is mentioned for the first time or is not specific. Here, 'a cat' refers to any cat, not a particular one. 'The' would imply a specific cat known to the listener, and 'an' is used before vowel sounds.
She wants to buy ___ apple.
an
No article
the
a
Use 'an' before words that begin with a vowel sound; 'apple' starts with the vowel sound /æ/. The article 'a' is incorrect because it precedes consonant sounds. 'The' and no article choices do not convey the indefinite meaning needed here.
He is ___ engineer.
a
No article
an
the
The word 'engineer' begins with the vowel sound /?n/, so the correct indefinite article is 'an'. 'A' would be used before consonant sounds, and 'the' implies a specific engineer already known.
They went to ___ park.
a
No article
the
an
Use 'the' before 'park' when referring to a specific, identifiable park. If it were any park and not specified, 'a' might be used. 'An' is incorrect because 'park' begins with a consonant sound.
___ sun rises in the east.
No article
The
An
A
Definite article 'the' is used for unique, one-of-a-kind entities like the sun. We don't say 'a sun' or omit the article in this context.
She has ___ umbrella.
No article
an
a
the
Because 'umbrella' starts with the vowel sound /?/, the correct indefinite article is 'an'. 'A' is incorrect for vowel sounds, and 'the' would refer to a specific umbrella previously mentioned.
We need ___ information.
A
An
No article
The
The noun 'information' is uncountable in this context and does not take an indefinite article. Using 'a' or 'an' is incorrect because you cannot count 'information' in that way.
John is ___ honest man.
a
the
No article
an
Despite 'honest' beginning with 'h', the 'h' is silent, so it starts with the vowel sound /?/. Therefore 'an' is correct. 'A honest' would be incorrect.
He gave me ___ advice about cooking.
A
An
No article
The
The noun 'advice' is uncountable in English and does not take an indefinite article. We say 'some advice' or simply 'advice'.
I'm going to ___ university in London.
An
A
The
No article
In British English, institutions like 'university' used in a general sense do not take an article. 'The university' would refer to a specific one already known.
___ Himalayas are majestic.
An
A
No article
The
Mountain ranges use the definite article 'the'. We say 'the Himalayas,' 'the Alps,' etc. 'A Himalayas' or no article would be incorrect.
I will see you in ___ evening.
an
the
No article
a
The expression 'in the evening' is a fixed phrase indicating a part of the day. Using 'an evening' or omitting the article is not idiomatic.
She is ___ only child.
a
No article
the
an
'Only child' is a singular countable noun phrase beginning with a vowel sound /?o?/. Therefore, 'an' is the correct indefinite article.
We spent ___ hour studying.
an
No article
the
a
The noun 'hour' starts with a silent 'h' and a vowel sound /a??r/, so 'an' is used. 'A hour' would be incorrect.
Do you have ___ money?
An
No article
A
The
'Money' is an uncountable noun and does not take an indefinite article. If you wanted specificity, you could say 'the money,' but here it is general.
___ Eiffel Tower is in Paris.
The
No article
An
A
Famous landmarks take the definite article: 'the Eiffel Tower,' 'the Statue of Liberty.' Omitting the article would be incorrect.
He works as ___ electrician.
the
a
No article
an
The word 'electrician' starts with the vowel sound /?/, so the correct article is 'an'. 'A electrician' would be incorrect.
Paris is ___ capital of France.
an
a
the
No article
When mentioning roles or titles that are unique, such as 'capital of France,' we use 'the'. 'A capital' would imply one of many.
It's ___ pity that we missed the show.
No article
an
a
the
The phrase 'a pity' is a fixed expression meaning 'unfortunate.' Using 'the pity' or no article would change the idiomatic meaning.
We have ___ unique opportunity.
No article
a
an
the
Although 'unique' begins with a vowel letter, it has a consonant /j/ sound at the start (/ju??ni?k/), so it takes 'a'. 'An unique' would be incorrect.
There was ___ strange noise at night.
the
No article
an
a
Use 'a' before a singular count noun starting with a consonant sound. 'Strange' begins with /str/, so 'a strange noise' is correct.
I need ___ more sugar.
An
No article
A
The
When talking about an uncountable noun like 'sugar' in a non-specific sense, no article is used. 'Some' can be implied.
This is ___ worst film I've seen.
an
the
No article
a
Superlative adjectives always take 'the'. 'The worst' indicates the highest degree in its class.
He is ___ MBA graduate.
the
a
No article
an
Although 'MBA' starts with the letter 'M', it is pronounced /??m.bi??e?/, beginning with a vowel sound /?/, so 'an' is correct.
She wants to go to ___ University of Oxford.
No article
the
a
an
Full official names of institutions often take 'the'. We say 'the University of Oxford'. Omitting the article would be incomplete.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify correct article usage -

    Use the 15 multiple choice questions for English to practice selecting "a", "an", or "the" in varied contexts.

  2. Distinguish definite and indefinite articles -

    Answer English articles multiple choice questions to correctly differentiate between general and specific references.

  3. Apply articles to countable and uncountable nouns -

    Engage with the articles grammar quiz to apply article rules based on noun type and quantity.

  4. Analyze sentence structures for errors -

    Review practice English articles questions to spot and correct missing or misplaced articles in sentences.

  5. Strengthen grammatical accuracy -

    Leverage insights from the definite indefinite articles quiz to boost confidence and precision in written communication.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Definite vs. Indefinite Articles -

    Understand that "a/an" introduces nonspecific nouns while "the" points to specific ones. According to Cambridge University Press, choosing the correct article depends on whether the listener can identify the noun. Master this by asking "Which one?" to decide between "a" (one of many) and "the" (this particular one).

  2. Choosing "a" vs. "an" -

    Use "an" before vowel sounds and "a" before consonant sounds to ensure a smooth flow. A handy mnemonic from Purdue OWL is "an apple, an hour" to remind you that vowel sounds - not letters - are what count. Practice with tricky words like "honest" and "European" to solidify your feel.

  3. Zero Article Usage -

    Some nouns take no article, such as proper nouns, abstract concepts, and plural countable nouns when speaking generally. As noted by the British Council, saying "I study biology" omits the article because you're referring to the subject in general. Spot these patterns to avoid unnecessary "the" in multiple choice questions for English.

  4. Generic vs. Specific References -

    Generic references use no article or "the" depending on singular/plural forms, e.g., "Dogs are loyal" vs. "The dog in the park." The University of Oxford explains that singular generic nouns take "the" ("The elephant is large"), while plural generic nouns take no article. Recognizing this nuance boosts accuracy in English articles multiple choice quizzes.

  5. Context Clues & Elimination Strategies -

    Leverage context clues like noun countability and modifiers to eliminate wrong choices in multiple choice questions. Educational Testing Service (ETS) advises reading the full sentence and focusing on surrounding adjectives or prepositional phrases to guide article selection. Turn practice english articles questions into a fun game: highlight key words and cross out mismatched articles!

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