- •The article
- •The use of indefinite article a/An:
- •The use of definite article the:
- •The use of a zero article:
- •The use of an article with names and titles:
- •Set expressions with an indefinite article:
- •Set expressions used with the definite article:
- •Set expressions with zero article:
- •Practice file
- •Ukraine bans wheat exports
Practice file
Ex. 1. Explain the usage of an article:
The Japanese are very goal-seeking.
We are going to introduce this program in the same form.
Fierce competition in the industry has brought our prices down.
Decisiveness is an essential quality in a manager.
The Board will assess the progress made in all the areas.
Alex has to be at work by 8:30.
Let me answer some of your questions.
A memory stick is a storage device.
He gave me a hundred dollars.
10. She goes to the hospital to visit her daughter.
11. We go to the bank to withdraw some money.
12. Is there a post-office near here?
13. When you study on your own, work with a watch.
14. Does this report have an introduction and a conclusion?
15. If you are going to visit another country, find out about the weather at the relevant time of the year.
Ex. 2. Complete the blanks with a/an, the or ø.
He is … project manager.
Where are … rest rooms?
He doesn’t attend … meetings.
I get up at 7 am, leave … house by 8.10 am, take … train to … work and arrive at 9 a.m.
Steve pays great attention to … balance of trade.
He doesn’t attend … meetings they have on … Fridays.
Our cashier goes to … bank twice a week.
Thank you very much for … sending me … your application form.
He had … book and … magazine. He read … book himself and gave … magazine to me.
Let me assure you that this is … safest product on … market.
This branch is … oldest in our city.
It was … interesting issue.
I don’t have such … goal.
Most … universities have their … own admission policies.
I like … white wine with … fish.
Ex. 3. Underline the correct item.
Write a / the short email to them.
All applications for holidays must be made at a / ø 10 days in a / ø advance.
This bank has branches right in a / the centre of a / ø most major cities.
I try to obtain a / ø information from a / ø different sources.
If he improves a / ø his language skills, he will be able to get a / the better job.
Michael is a / an honest person.
I feel awful. It seems I’ve lost the / a book you lent me ø / the last week. I’m afraid, it’s out of a / the question.
This enterprise tries to survive. It’s a / an extremely stressful situation.
Could you give us a / the discount?
The / ø Japanese are hoping to get a / the next Olympics.
He works a / the six-day week, up to nine hours a / the day.
A / The moon circles a / the earth.
The / ø finished goods they ordered have already arrived.
One of the / a pressing problems we are facing is to control the price policy.
It was the / a main reason for redundancies.
Ex. 4. Fill in a/an, the or ø with the proper names:
1. This company is located in … Leipzig, in … Germany.
2. … Republic of … Poland is a country is … Central Europe bordered by … Germany and … Check Republic and … Baltic Sea.
3. Our Institute deals with … Bundesbank.
4. To improve my English I frequently watch … BBC.
5. When you live in … U.S., knowledge of a foreign language is helpful but not necessary for survival.
6. … Poland is a member of … European Union.
7. …Lloyds Bank took over a number of smaller banking companies.
8. … Confederation of British Industry is … UK’s leading business organization.
9. … Sheraton Palace Hotel is located in the centre of … Moscow.
10. … Bohdan Khmelnytsky University is an alma mater of many students.
11. Jorge Zukoski is a president of … (the) American Chamber of Commerce in … Ukraine.
12. How long are you staying in … Hague?
13. … Sky Hotel is the most expensive hotel in this city.
14. He was allowed to vote at … Annual General Meeting.
15. … Thailand has become … Asia’s primary holiday destination and is a useful and popular first stop on any overland journey through … Southeast Asia.
Ex. 5. Fill in a/an, the or ø in the following set expressions.
1. In … other words, the taxes are postponed until you take the money out.
2. On … other hand, an insurance policy is given in … event of one’s death.
3. In … conclusion, let me say that the profitability of the company is steady enough to capture the market.
4. I never pay inflated price for a packaging, I want … value for … money.
5. Someone called us by … mistake.
6. What are your plans for … future?
7. A witness has an obligation to tell … truth.
8. They are in … hurry.
9. He told … lie.
10. Would you have … bite? – I’d love to.
11. Take at … least a five-minute break when you feel tired.
12. They travelled mostly by … night.
13. He never keeps his papers in … order.
14. We had the great time that weekend. How about them, by … way.
15. Opposition parties hope to break his monopoly grip on … power by mustering a legislative majority.
Ex. 6. Are these sentences right or wrong? Correct those which are wrong.
1. The President returned from the Netherlands.
To remedy the problems mentioned above we have to be decisive.
I am afraid we only give the one-year warranty for that amount.
I am looking for the fax machine for my office.
I’d like to have a lunch with our overseas investors.
Don’t forget we are a cheaper than our competitors.
Do you have a brochure, or any literature on it?
This statue is made of gold.
I can offer you $30 off the price of this model.
He drives 50km the hour.
I am the thirty-seven-year-old CEO.
I’m so sorry to hear that. What’s matter with him?
David Backer describes the difficulties of setting up the new business.
What a lucky guy you are!
The decisive person is a person who makes decisions.
Ex. 7. Choose the correct sentence.
a. All the usual perks, plus a free cellular.
b. All a usual perks, plus the free cellular.
a. Oh, sorry, I didn’t know it was a birthday party!
b. Oh, sorry, I didn’t know it was birthday party!
a. We used to speak French.
b. We used to speak the French.
a. We used to speak the French language.
b. We used to speak French language.
a. What the fringe benefits do you offer?
b. What fringe benefits do you offer?
a. In the last three years, sales have declined, causing a sharp decline in the profits.
b. In last three years, sales have declined, causing a sharp decline in a profits.
a. Shall we go for the drink?
b. Shall we go for a drink?
a. I’d like to discuss the details further when you visit the Netherlands.+
b. I’d like to discuss details further when you visit the Netherlands.
a. He needs money.
b. He needs a money.
a. He must have met the lots of people.
b. He must have met lots of people.
11. a. They were not in position to extend his credit at a moment.
b. They were not in position to extend his credit at the moment.
12. a. A person who has borrowed money has a debt.
b. A person who has borrowed money has the debt.
13. a. Someone who is a fluent speaker, speaks language as their mother tongue.
b. Someone who is the fluent speaker, speaks language as their mother tongue.
14. a. Law breaking is definitely on the increase.
b. Law breaking is definitely on increase.
15. a. She was earning about $1000 month.
b. She was earning about $1000 a month.
Ex. 8. Cross the extra word out.
1. This summary is the best and the most complete.
If they pay on the delivery, we can process their order in a month.
The email they have sent is written in the Japanese.
Victor sent in a his resignation and joined the unemployed.
He is a single parent. It’s difficult for him to work the full time.
The gold futures certainly won’t fall in the short term.
If they increase the order to 200, we’ll lower our price to $40 per the item.
It was a set of rules which told the people how to behave properly.
I sounds like a rewarding job and he really finds it the very satisfying.
In the recent years, this company has become one of the Asia’s leading brands of clothes.
I try to jot down my activities for the upcoming week in a notebook and then include a time for a homework for each day.
The minimum interest rate or the discount rate is usually fixed by the central bank.
If you plan a holiday, remember the safest way to carry the money is to take traveller’s cheques.
Some companies have a helpline to provide the assistance and advice, which could be.
The deadline for checking in over the internet is earlier than in the person at the airport.
Ex. 9. Complete the article filling in a/an, the or ø.