Zero Article Challenge Quiz

1. Which sentence correctly uses the zero article to talk about something in general?

The water is important for life.

Water is important for life.

A water is important for life.

An water is important for life.

Water is uncountable and used in general, so it takes no article.

Explanation

Water is uncountable and used in general, so it takes no article.

2. We listened to ___ music while we studied.

A

An

The

No article

Music is an uncountable noun in general use here, so no article is needed.

Explanation

Music is an uncountable noun in general use here, so no article is needed.

3. Choose the best option: ___ cats are playful animals.

A

An

The

No article

Cats is plural and used in general, so we leave out the article.

Explanation

Cats is plural and used in general, so we leave out the article.

4. Which sentence correctly uses the to show something specific?

Books are on table.

The books are on the table.

Books are on the tables in general.

A books are on the table.

Both books and table are specific, so the is needed before each.

Explanation

Both books and table are specific, so the is needed before each.

5. We usually use the zero article with plural nouns when we talk about them in general.

True

False

Plural general nouns like Dogs are friendly do not take a, an, or the.

Explanation

Plural general nouns like Dogs are friendly do not take a, an, or the.

6. We normally use the zero article with uncountable nouns like sugar or air when the meaning is general.

True

False

Uncountable nouns in general statements usually appear without an article.

Explanation

Uncountable nouns in general statements usually appear without an article.

7. Which sentences correctly use the zero article?

Children like cartoons.

The children like cartoons in general.

Music can change your mood.

A music can change your mood.

People need sleep.

A, C, and E have plural or uncountable nouns in general, so no article is needed.

Explanation

A, C, and E have plural or uncountable nouns in general, so no article is needed.

Submit

8. In which sentences should we use the because the noun is specific?

___ sun is shining today.

I put the book on ___ table next to you.

I like pizza.

___ moon looks big tonight.

Cats are my favorite animals.

Sun, table, and moon are specific or unique in these sentences, so they need the.

Explanation

Sun, table, and moon are specific or unique in these sentences, so they need the.

Submit

9. Complete the general statement: ___ is my favorite subject at school. (talking about math in general)

School subjects like Math are usually used without an article in general statements.

Explanation

School subjects like Math are usually used without an article in general statements.

Submit

10. Complete: ___ help us learn about the world. (talking about books in general)

Books is plural and general, so it appears without an article.

Explanation

Books is plural and general, so it appears without an article.

Submit

11. She lives in ___ Paris.

A

An

The

No article

City names like Paris usually take no article.

Explanation

City names like Paris usually take no article.

12. Choose the best option: I saw ___ interesting movie yesterday.

A

An

The

No article

Interesting starts with a vowel sound, so we use an for a singular count noun mentioned first.

Explanation

Interesting starts with a vowel sound, so we use an for a singular count noun mentioned first.

13. We normally use the zero article with sports, as in "She plays tennis" or "He likes football."

True

False

Names of sports are usually used with no article in general statements.

Explanation

Names of sports are usually used with no article in general statements.

14. We usually use no article before names of people, such as Maria or John.

True

False

Most personal names take no article in English.

Explanation

Most personal names take no article in English.

15. Which sentences have an article mistake and should use the zero article?

I like the music in general.

The sugar is sweet in general.

The books can teach us many things in general.

Dogs are loyal pets.

Students need help sometimes.

A, B, and C talk about things in general, so music, sugar, and books should not have the.

Explanation

A, B, and C talk about things in general, so music, sugar, and books should not have the.

Submit

16. Which sentences use articles correctly as written?

The water in this glass is cold.

Water is cold in this glass in general.

She wants to be a doctor.

He is looking at the sky right now.

Sky is blue today.

A and D use the for specific nouns, and C correctly uses a with a singular job title.

Explanation

A and D use the for specific nouns, and C correctly uses a with a singular job title.

Submit

17. Complete: ___ is important for good health. (talking about exercise in general)

Exercise is used as an uncountable general idea here, so it takes no article.

Explanation

Exercise is used as an uncountable general idea here, so it takes no article.

Submit

19. Choose the best option: ___ coffee in this cup is too hot, but I think ___ coffee in general tastes good.

A / the

The / no article

No article / the

The / the

Specific coffee in the cup needs the, while coffee in general takes no article.

Explanation

Specific coffee in the cup needs the, while coffee in general takes no article.

20. Which rule about the zero article is correct?

We use the zero article before all singular nouns.

We never use the zero article before plural nouns.

We often use the zero article with plural or uncountable nouns when they refer to things in general.

We only use the zero article with names of cities.

Plural and uncountable nouns in general statements commonly take no article.

Explanation

Plural and uncountable nouns in general statements commonly take no article.

Comprehensive Mastery: Zero Article Challenge Quiz