Exercise 1 Fill in the blanks: definite article (the), indefinite article (a/an) or no article (--)?
1. Could you pass me ______ butter, please?
Could you pass me the butter, please?
2. It’s not easy to achieve ______ happiness, but some experts say it’s ______ mindset that you need to change.
It’s not easy to achieve -- happiness, but some experts say it’s the mindset that you need to change.
5. It’s ______ great car but now I need to sell it, because I need ______ bigger one.
It’s a great car but now I need to sell it, because I need a bigger one.
6. I love ______ vegetables, but I’m not too keen on fruit.
I love -- vegetables, but I’m not too keen on fruit.
10. There’s ______ mouse in the kitchen – Ugh, I hate ______ mice.
There’s a mouse in the kitchen – Ugh, I hate -- mice.
Exercise 2 Fill in the blanks with the correct demonstrative or possessive determiners .
1. Did you bring this cake? – No, Tina did. It’s ______ birthday.
Did you bring this cake? – No, Tina did. It’s her birthday.
6. If your dog is tired all day, you may want to change ______ diet.
If your dog is tired all day, you may want to change its diet.
10. ______ is an emergency. Get out of my way, please.
This is an emergency. Get out of my way, please.
Exercise 3 Fill in the blanks with the correct numerals or quantifiers . If there’s a number in brackets (1) you need to decide between cardinals and ordinals . Sometimes you need to choose between two options.
1. I had ______ (much/many) sympathy for George as it was his ______ (1) time performing on stage and he had been extremely nervous ______ day.
I had much sympathy for George as it was his first time performing on stage and he had been extremely nervous all day.
2. ______ the students in the classroom laughed about the video clip shown at the beginning of the lesson and ______ (much/many) of them remained motivated all morning.
All the students in the classroom laughed about the video clip shown at the beginning of the lesson and many of them remained motivated all morning.
3. I only had ______ hope that he would ever return, but suddenly there he was.
I only had little hope that he would ever return, but suddenly there he was.
4. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal used to be fierce competitors. ______ players had a stunning career in professional tennis.
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal used to be fierce competitors. Both players had a stunning career in professional tennis.
5. I had an interview with ______ (2) applicants this morning. The ______ (2) one’s CV was more promising, though.
I had an interview with two applicants this morning. The second one’s CV was more promising, though.
6. She was the ______ (6) runner to complete the marathon, and ______ (much/many) people applauded when she crossed the finish line.
She was the sixth runner to complete the marathon, and many people applauded when she crossed the finish line.
7. Could I have ______ (any/some) mashed potatoes please? – I ‘m afraid there aren’t ______ (some/any) side dishes left.
Could I have some mashed potatoes please? – I ‘m afraid there aren’t any side dishes left.
8. On the ______ (3) day of our vacation, we left the hotel because ______ (much/many) other guests complained about symptoms of food poisoning. Unfortunately, we received ______ refund.
On the third day of our vacation, we left the hotel because many other guests complained about symptoms of food poisoning. Unfortunately, we received no refund.
9. John reached a good compromise with his employer: He can work from home during the ______ ______ (1/2) of the week, but he needs to be present at the office for at least _________ (2) days a week. The company showed ______ (much/many) understanding of his familial situation.
John reached a good compromise with his employer: He can work from home during the first half of the week, but he needs to be present at the office for at least two days a week. The company showed much understanding of his familial situation.
10. Is there a doctor in the room? – I only have ______ medical knowledge, but maybe I can still help.
Is there a doctor in the room? – I only have little medical knowledge, but maybe I can still help.
Exercise 4 Fill in the blanks with the correct interrogative, distributive or exclusion determiner .
2. I had coffee at two different cafés, but ______ place was good.
I had coffee at two different cafés, but neither place was good.
3. I met my two new colleagues yesterday, and ______ of them seems very ambitious.
I met my two new colleagues yesterday, and each of them seems very ambitious.
5. I’m afraid I can’t accept your job offer, because I have too many ______ projects going on.
I’m afraid I can’t accept your job offer, because I have too many other projects going on.
10. We should add ______ spice to our curry. – Cumin maybe or some salt? – No, ______ of them.
We should add another spice to our curry. – Cumin maybe or some salt? – No, neither of them.