Three Basic Rules for Articles

We use "the" when we talk about specific, definite things.

We use "a" or "an" when we talk about things that are not specific.

Once upon a time, [blank_start]a[blank_end] princess was sitting by [blank_start]a[blank_end] lake. She was playing with [blank_start]a[blank_end] golden ball. Suddenly, [blank_start]the[blank_end] golden ball fell into [blank_start]the[blank_end] lake. [blank_start]The[blank_end] princess was very sad. Suddenly [blank_start]a[blank_end] frog came out of [blank_start]the[blank_end] lake and sat beside [blank_start]the[blank_end] princess. [blank_start]The[blank_end] frog promised to fetch [blank_start]the[blank_end] golden ball and [blank_start]the[blank_end] princess was very happy!

We use "the" with things that are unique, which means that they are the only one.

1. [blank_start]The[blank_end] mayor spoke to reporters at [blank_start]the[blank_end] airport today. 2. [blank_start]A[blank_end] member of Parliament talked about ways to save [blank_start]the[blank_end] environment. 3. My brother and sister work for [blank_start]the[blank_end] government. She is [blank_start]a[blank_end] lawyer and he is [blank_start]an[blank_end] accountant. 4. [blank_start]The[blank_end] Earth orbits [blank_start]the[blank_end] Sun in 365 days. [blank_start]The[blank_end] moon orbits [blank_start]the[blank_end] Earth in 27 days. 5. His father is [blank_start]a[blank_end] captain in [blank_start]the[blank_end] Navy. His mother is [blank_start]a[blank_end] major in [blank_start]the[blank_end] Army.

We use "the" with superlatives because they are the only one - they are unique! For example: He is the tallest person in our family. She is the best singer in the school.

1. What is [blank_start]the[blank_end] best food you have ever tasted? 2. What is [blank_start]the[blank_end] most interesting book you have ever read? 3. Who is [blank_start]the[blank_end] strangest person you have ever met? 4. What is [blank_start]the[blank_end] most beautiful country you have ever visited? 5. What is [blank_start]the[blank_end] funniest movie you have ever seen?

We usually use "the" when places or things are named. (the Amazon River, the Eiffel Tower, the Pacific Ocean) We also use "the" for plural names or groups of things. (the Rocky Mountains, the Canary Islands, the Baltic States)

1. [blank_start]the[blank_end] Atlantic Ocean 2. [blank_start]the[blank_end] Baltic Sea 3. [blank_start]the[blank_end] Mississippi River 4. [blank_start]...[blank_end] Manhattan Island 5. [blank_start]...[blank_end]Lake Superior 6. [blank_start]the[blank_end] United Nations 7. [blank_start]the[blank_end] United Kingdom 8. [blank_start]the[blank_end] European Union 9. [blank_start]...[blank_end] Beaver Mountain

When you talk about plural or uncountable nouns in general, don't use an article. For example: Apples are my favorite fruit.

General or Specific? 1. [blank_start]...[blank_end] Strawberries are my favorite [blank_start]...[blank_end] fruit. 2. [blank_start]The[blank_end] strawberries from my grandmother's garden are very sweet. 3. [blank_start]...[blank_end] Hotels are expensive. 4. [blank_start]The[blank_end] hotel next to the theater is very expensive. 5. He never asks for [blank_start]...[blank_end] advice. 6. [blank_start]The[blank_end] advice you gave me was very good!