Foundational Grammar: Identifying The Definite Article Quiz

1. Which word is the definite article in the sentence: 'The bird flew high.'

Bird

The

High

Flew

The word 'The' is the definite article. It is used before a noun (bird) to specify or point out a particular one.

Explanation

The word 'The' is the definite article. It is used before a noun (bird) to specify or point out a particular one.

2. The word 'the' is known as the definite _______.

The definite article is used to refer to a specific noun that is already known or has been mentioned.

Explanation

The definite article is used to refer to a specific noun that is already known or has been mentioned.

Submit

3. The definite article is a type of verb.

True

False

This is false. The definite article 'the' is a type of determiner or adjective because it modifies or specifies a noun; it is not an action word (verb).

Explanation

This is false. The definite article 'the' is a type of determiner or adjective because it modifies or specifies a noun; it is not an action word (verb).

4. Which word is the definite article in the sentence: 'Can you please close the door?'

Can

Close

The

Door

The word 'the' is the definite article. It specifies a particular noun ('door') that both the speaker and listener know.

Explanation

The word 'the' is the definite article. It specifies a particular noun ('door') that both the speaker and listener know.

5. Which sentences below contain the definite article? (Select all that apply)

A dog is chasing the cat.

We went to the park.

I ate an apple.

The sky is blue.

The definite article 'the' appears in sentences A, B, and D. Sentences A and C also contain indefinite articles ('a' and 'an').

Explanation

The definite article 'the' appears in sentences A, B, and D. Sentences A and C also contain indefinite articles ('a' and 'an').

Submit

6. The definite article 'the' always comes directly before a _______ (or an adjective describing one).

The purpose of the article is to point out or specify the noun, so it is always positioned immediately before the noun it modifies.

Explanation

The purpose of the article is to point out or specify the noun, so it is always positioned immediately before the noun it modifies.

Submit

7. Which sentence does not contain the definite article?

I saw the movie yesterday.

A butterfly landed on the flower.

The bicycle is red.

Please hand me the book.

The definite article 'the' is used in A, C, and D. Sentence B contains the indefinite article 'A', but not 'the.'

Explanation

The definite article 'the' is used in A, C, and D. Sentence B contains the indefinite article 'A', but not 'the.'

8. The definite article is used when talking about a specific thing.

True

False

This is true. 'The' is used when the speaker and listener know exactly which item or thing is being discussed (e.g., 'the car in the driveway').

Explanation

This is true. 'The' is used when the speaker and listener know exactly which item or thing is being discussed (e.g., 'the car in the driveway').

9. If you are pointing to a specific chair, which word would you most likely use?

An

A

The

Many

The word 'The' is the correct choice because it points out or singles out a definite, specific chair.

Explanation

The word 'The' is the correct choice because it points out or singles out a definite, specific chair.

10. Which words are articles (definite or indefinite)? (Select all that apply)

An

The

Big

A

The three articles in English are A, An (indefinite), and The (definite).

Explanation

The three articles in English are A, An (indefinite), and The (definite).

Submit

11. The dog barked' refers to a _______ dog, not just any dog.

The definite article 'the' makes the noun specific. If the sentence said 'A dog barked,' it would refer to any non-specific dog.

Explanation

The definite article 'the' makes the noun specific. If the sentence said 'A dog barked,' it would refer to any non-specific dog.

Submit

12. Which word in the sentence 'Look at the yellow sun!' is the definite article?

Look

Yellow

Sun

The

The word 'The' is the definite article. It is used here before the adjective 'yellow,' which describes the noun 'sun.'

Explanation

The word 'The' is the definite article. It is used here before the adjective 'yellow,' which describes the noun 'sun.'

13. The word 'an' is an example of the definite article.

True

False

This is false. 'An' is an example of an indefinite article. The definite article is 'the.'

Explanation

This is false. 'An' is an example of an indefinite article. The definite article is 'the.'

14. In the phrase 'the tallest building,' the word 'the' tells us we are talking about:

Any building in the world

A specific, known building

A building that is far away

A building that is small

The definite article 'the' tells the reader that there is a specific, single building being referred to (the one that is tallest).

Explanation

The definite article 'the' tells the reader that there is a specific, single building being referred to (the one that is tallest).

15. Which are reasons to use the definite article 'the'? (Select all that apply)

When referring to a specific item.

When the item is unique (like the Sun).

When referring to any item in a group.

When the noun has already been mentioned.

The definite article 'the' is used for specific items (A), unique items (B), and nouns that are now familiar because they've been introduced (D).

Explanation

The definite article 'the' is used for specific items (A), unique items (B), and nouns that are now familiar because they've been introduced (D).

Submit

16. The definite article is 'the', and the indefinite articles are 'a' and _______.

The three articles in English are the (definite) and a/an (indefinite).

Explanation

The three articles in English are the (definite) and a/an (indefinite).

Submit

17. Which word is the definite article in the sentence: 'Please give me the biggest piece.'

Piece

Give

Biggest

The

The word 'The' is the definite article, specifying which piece is wanted (the one that is biggest).

Explanation

The word 'The' is the definite article, specifying which piece is wanted (the one that is biggest).

18. Every sentence must contain the definite article.

True

False

This is false. Many sentences do not refer to a specific noun and may use an indefinite article or no article at all.

Explanation

This is false. Many sentences do not refer to a specific noun and may use an indefinite article or no article at all.

19. Which sentence uses the definite article to refer to something unique?

I saw a dog running.

The Moon orbits the Earth.

I ate an orange.

A child is crying.

The Moon and the Earth are unique objects, and the definite article 'the' is always used before them to show their specific nature.

Explanation

The Moon and the Earth are unique objects, and the definite article 'the' is always used before them to show their specific nature.

20. Which words are most often positioned next to the definite article 'the'? (Select all that apply)

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

Prepositions

The definite article 'the' almost always precedes a Noun (the car) or an Adjective (the blue car) that is modifying the noun.

Explanation

The definite article 'the' almost always precedes a Noun (the car) or an Adjective (the blue car) that is modifying the noun.

Submit

Foundational Grammar: Identifying the Definite Article Quiz