Indefinite Articles Quiz

1. What are the words "a" and "an" called in English grammar?

Indefinite articles

Pronouns

Verbs

Conjunctions

A and an are called indefinite articles because they talk about a non-specific person, place, or thing.

Explanation

A and an are called indefinite articles because they talk about a non-specific person, place, or thing.

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3. When do we usually use "an" before a noun?

Before a word that starts with a vowel sound

Before any long word

Before every plural noun

Before every proper noun

We use an before a vowel sound, like an apple or an egg.

Explanation

We use an before a vowel sound, like an apple or an egg.

4. Choose the best sentence.

He found a egg in the nest.

He found an egg in the nest.

He found egg in the nest.

He found a eggs in the nest.

Egg begins with a vowel sound e, so we use an egg.

Explanation

Egg begins with a vowel sound e, so we use an egg.

5. Choose the correct article: We waited for ___ hour.

Hour starts with a silent h, so the first sound is a vowel sound, and we use an.

Explanation

Hour starts with a silent h, so the first sound is a vowel sound, and we use an.

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7. When do we usually use "a" before a noun?

Before a word that starts with a vowel sound

Before a word that starts with a consonant sound

Only before names

Only at the end of a sentence

We use a before a consonant sound, like a dog or a pencil.

Explanation

We use a before a consonant sound, like a dog or a pencil.

8. We use ___ before words that start with a consonant sound and "an" before words that start with a vowel sound.

A comes before a consonant sound, and an comes before a vowel sound.

Explanation

A comes before a consonant sound, and an comes before a vowel sound.

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9. Choose the best sentence.

She bought an pencil.

She bought a pencil.

She bought an eraser pencil.

She bought pencil.

Pencil begins with a consonant sound p, so we use a pencil.

Explanation

Pencil begins with a consonant sound p, so we use a pencil.

10. We use "a" or "an" when we talk about one thing, not many things.

True

False

Indefinite articles show that we are talking about one, non-specific person or thing.

Explanation

Indefinite articles show that we are talking about one, non-specific person or thing.

11. Choose the correct sentence.

She wants a ice cream.

She wants an ice cream.

She wants ice cream.

She wants an ice creams.

Ice cream begins with a vowel sound i, so an ice cream is correct here.

Explanation

Ice cream begins with a vowel sound i, so an ice cream is correct here.

12. We use "a" and "an" with plural nouns, like "a cats" or "an apples."

True

False

A and an are only used with singular nouns, like a cat or an apple.

Explanation

A and an are only used with singular nouns, like a cat or an apple.

13. Which nouns normally use "a" in front of them? "Select all that apply."

___ cat

___ orange

___ book

___ umbrella

___ pencil

Cat, book, and pencil start with consonant sounds, so they use a.

Explanation

Cat, book, and pencil start with consonant sounds, so they use a.

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14. We normally use "a" or "an" with uncountable nouns like water or rice.

True

False

We usually do not use a or an with uncountable nouns like water or rice. Instead, we say some water or a bottle of water.

Explanation

We usually do not use a or an with uncountable nouns like water or rice. Instead, we say some water or a bottle of water.

15. We choose "a" or "an" based on the sound at the start of the next word, not just the first letter.

True

False

It is the starting sound that matters. For example, we say a unicorn (y sound) but an umbrella (uh sound).

Explanation

It is the starting sound that matters. For example, we say a unicorn (y sound) but an umbrella (uh sound).

16. Which sentence best explains how we use "a" and "an"?

We use them only with names of people.

We use them with any noun, singular or plural.

We use them before singular nouns to mean one non-specific thing.

We use them only at the end of a sentence.

A and an come before singular nouns when we are not talking about a specific one.

Explanation

A and an come before singular nouns when we are not talking about a specific one.

17. Which nouns normally use "an" in front of them? "Select all that apply."

___ apple

___ egg

___ house

___ octopus

___ igloo

Apple, egg, octopus, and igloo start with vowel sounds, so they use an.

Explanation

Apple, egg, octopus, and igloo start with vowel sounds, so they use an.

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18. Which words use "an" because they start with a vowel sound? "Select all that apply."

___ hour

___ honest man

___ house

___ umbrella

___ one-way street

Hour and honest begin with a silent h, so they start with a vowel sound. Umbrella also begins with a vowel sound, so all three use an.

Explanation

Hour and honest begin with a silent h, so they start with a vowel sound. Umbrella also begins with a vowel sound, so all three use an.

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19. Choose the correct article: She saw ___ unicorn in the storybook.

Unicorn starts with a y sound (you-nicorn), so we use a, not an.

Explanation

Unicorn starts with a y sound (you-nicorn), so we use a, not an.

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20. Which words use "a" because they start with a consonant sound? "Select all that apply."

___ unicorn

___ hour

___ user

___ university

___ owl

Unicorn, user, and university start with a /y/ sound (like ‘you’), so they use a, not an.

Explanation

Unicorn, user, and university start with a /y/ sound (like ‘you’), so they use a, not an.

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Defining Words: What Are Indefinite Articles (a and an) Quiz?

1. What are the words "a" and "an" called in English grammar?

2. Choose the correct article: I ate ___ apple for lunch.

3. When do we usually use "an" before a noun?

4. Choose the best sentence.

5. Choose the correct article: We waited for ___ hour.

6. Choose the correct article: She has ___ dog.

7. When do we usually use "a" before a noun?

8. We use ___ before words that start with a consonant sound and "an" before words that start with a vowel sound.

9. Choose the best sentence.

10. We use "a" or "an" when we talk about one thing, not many things.

11. Choose the correct sentence.

12. We use "a" and "an" with plural nouns, like "a cats" or "an apples."

13. Which nouns normally use "a" in front of them? "Select all that apply."

14. We normally use "a" or "an" with uncountable nouns like water or rice.

15. We choose "a" or "an" based on the sound at the start of the next word, not just the first letter.

16. Which sentence best explains how we use "a" and "an"?

17. Which nouns normally use "an" in front of them? "Select all that apply."

18. Which words use "an" because they start with a vowel sound? "Select all that apply."

19. Choose the correct article: She saw ___ unicorn in the storybook.

20. Which words use "a" because they start with a consonant sound? "Select all that apply."