This document provides a summary of the use of articles in English. It explains that "a" and "an" are indefinite articles used before singular nouns starting with consonant and vowel sounds respectively. It also explains that "the" is the definite article, which is used before specific cities, countries, rivers, unique things, and some country names where the government is part of the name. It provides examples and exceptions to the usage of articles. The document concludes with a practice exercise testing the use of articles in different contexts.

1. Escuela de Educación Continua
Repaso para la Prueba de Evaluación
y Admisión Universitaria
(College Board)
INGLÉS
Parts of the Speech
Articles
Preparado por
Prof. Carmen Cembalest, Enero 1994
Revisado por
Prof. Thelvenitsie Hernández, Junio 2006

2. Este manual es propiedad del Campus Virtual de la Escuela
de Educación Continua de la Universidad Metropolitana. El
mismo no puede ser reproducido parcial ni totalmente sin la
autorización expresa del Decano Asociado del Campus Virtual
de la Escuela de Educación Continua de la
Universidad Metropolitana.
Escuela de Educación Continua de UMET, enero 2012

3. VIII. Articles: The article A and AN are indefinite articles.
A is used with singular nouns before a consonant sound.
Example: a book a union a car
AN is used with singular nouns before a vowel sound.
Example: an orange an igloo an honest man
The is a definite article. It is used in the following instances:
a. Before the names of cities, countries, and streets when used as adjectives.
Example: The Alaska pipeline connects the oil fields with the port.
b. Before the names of rivers, seas and mountains, chains when they specify
something.
Example: The Mississippi river runs through the bridge.
c. Before nouns of indefinite quantity or quality when they specify something.
Example: The band is willing to play at the game.
d. Before the names of some countries when the form of government is part of the
name.
Example: The United States government is republican.
THE is not used:
a. Before the names of persons, most countries, cities or streets when used as proper
nouns.
Example: San Juan is very interesting.
b. Before a noun + a possessive
Example: My mother’s car.
c. Before non countable nouns.
Example: Honesty is important.

4. Practice Exercises IX
Choose the correct answer. Circle your answer. If no article is needed, circle X.
1. Marcos is _________________ excellent driver.
a. the
b. an
c. a
d. X
2. This is ___________ rainiest season in Puerto Rico.
a. a
b. an
c. x
d. the
3. _________ coffee is an important crop in Brazil.
a. the
b. a
c. an
d. x
4. It is __________ hour till lunch.
a. a
b. the
c. an
d. x
5. ___________ Soviet Union is rich in natural resources.
a. the
b. a
c. x
d. an
6. That is ______________ used car.
a. a
b. an
c. x
d. the
7. That is ____________ new book.
a. x
b. a
c. an
d. the

5. 8. __________ copper is a good conductor of electricity.
a. the
b. a
c. x
d. an
9. I ate ____________ egg this morning.
a. a
b. x
c. an
d. the
10. Helen has ______________ headache.
a. an
b. the
c. a
d. x
11. He is ___________ honest man.
a. an
b. the
c. a
d. x
12. It is __________ exception to the rule.
a. a
b. an
c. x
d. the
13. I enjoyed ____________ speech by ____________ Mr. Brown last night.
a. a, the
b. the, x
c. the, a
d. a, x
14. It is _______________ one story-building.
a. the
b. an
c. a
d. x
15. We often go to ____________ beach on Sunday.
a. x
b. a
c. the
d. an

6. 16. My wife bought _____________ new stove last month.
a. an
b. x
c. a
d. and
17. ___________ tea in this pot is very weak.
a. the
b. a
c. x
d. an
18. ______________ fresh air is needed by all growing children.
a. x
b. the
c. a
d. an
19. She is ____________ happy child.
a. an
b. a
c. x
d. the
20. He is _____________ unusual man.
a. a
b. the
c. an
d. x