Creating Opportunity Worldwide

Pro-ELT Teacher Training Materials

Level: B1 & B2

Articles in Use
Definite Article: ______________

Indefinite Articles: _______________

Rule 1: Indefinite articles are used for previously unknown nouns that are
being introduced into a dialogue or story and definite articles are used for
nouns that have already been introduced (or are already known or are
assumed to be known at the point of introduction to the conversation.
I saw ____ cat. _____ cat was sitting on _____ fence. _____fence was painted brown. _____ cat
jumped off _____ fence when it saw _____ mouse. _____ mouse ran into _____ hole when it saw
_____ cat so _____ cat didnt catch _____ mouse.
Rule 2: When a noun is unique, or there is only one of that object, use a definite article. This is
true for objects that are well known by many or most people, but it is even true when the
listener/reader may not know the object.
A: Whos he?B: Hes the president of Korea. Hes the CFO. Hes the mayor?
A: Whos she?

B: Shes a member of parliament. Shes an accountant. Hes a lawyer.

A: What happened? B: A car crashed into a tree. The driver was not seriously injured. (once we
have introduced the car, there is only one possible driver of that car)
Rule 3: When we are talking about a noun in general we usually leave the article out and, if it is
countable, use the plural form.
I like cookies.
general
I loved the cookies.
cookies

I love baking cookies.

I ate a cookie.

I never eat cookies at night. ---------- Cookies in

The cookies were delicious. ---------- Actual, specific, real

Try it out! Use a, an, the, or ( )to complete the sentences.

1. Are you shopping for _____ health club to join so you can get in shape?
2. Shop wisely! You could end up choosing _____ wrong club and losing more money than
pounds.
3. You may find out too late that _____ health clubs arent for you.
4. Did you get _____ birthday card that I sent you?
5. We ate _____ wonderful meal yesterday.
6. _____ meal that we ate yesterday was wonderful.
7. We are practicing for _____ writing section of _____ Aptis exam.
8. Use of _____ articles in this section is very important.
9. For more practice, look at _____ following websites:
a. http://www.learnenglishfeelgood.com/esl-english-articles-new2.html
Adapted from bogglesworldesl.com and learnenglishfeelgood.com by Robyn Stewart
The British Council, 2013
The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and education opportunities.
British Council Malaysia is a branch (995232-A) of the British Council, registered as a charity in England and Wales (209131) and Scotland (SC037733)

Creating Opportunity Worldwide

Pro-ELT Teacher Training Materials

Level: B1 & B2

b. http://a4esl.org/q/h/mc001-ck.html

Adapted from bogglesworldesl.com and learnenglishfeelgood.com by Robyn Stewart

The British Council, 2013
The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and education opportunities.
British Council Malaysia is a branch (995232-A) of the British Council, registered as a charity in England and Wales (209131) and Scotland (SC037733)