Практикум по грамматике английского языка : учебное пособие

ARTICLES
Indefinite article
Definite article
• ‘a’ is used before ‘half when ‘half’ 
follows a whole number
1 ‘/
2
kilos — one and a half kilos or 
a kilo and a half
But 1/2 kilo = ____ half a kilo (half 
doesn’t follow a whole number)
• ‘the’ + singular noun can represent 
a class of animals or things
The whale is in danger of extinction.
The deepfreeze made life easier for 
housewives.
• ‘the’ can be used before a member 
of a certain group of people 
(‘the’ + singular noun takes a 
singular verb)
The small shopkeeper is finding life 
increasing ly difficult.
The first-class traveller pays more so 
he can expect some comfort
Exercise 32. Complete the following sentences with ‘‘the’, ‘a/an’ or 
zero article..
1 . ______________ dolphin is an intelligent animal.
2. It lasted an hour and ______________half.
3. ______________ swan is a large white bird with a long neck.
4. ______________tulip has a bell-shaped flower.
5. Who invented ______________telescope?
6. ______________half of my friends are on holiday at the moment.
7. ______________computer allows us to deal with a lot of data very quickly.
8. ______________ orchid is a beautiful flower.
9. My mother’s favourite flower is _____ ______________rose.
10. We just sat and talked for ______________ half an hour or so.
11. Marconi invented ______________radio.
12. __________ giraffe is___________ tallest animal in ___________world.
Exercise 33. Complete the following sentences with a/an, the, or —.
1. What ______________ lovely weather!
2. He hates ______________ books he has to read at school.
3. He stayed the night in _____________ Grand Hotel, which is 
in _____________ Brook Street in ______________ centre of 
______________ Southampton.

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4. His ship, ______________ Queen’s Star, sailed next morning down 
______________ English Channel towards ______________Atlantic 
Ocean.
5. Now he’s travelling by ______________car across ______________ 
United States, along ______________ Mississippi River and into 
______________ Mexico.
6. I like______________ red wine they serve here, and my wife loves 
______________music.
7. “What was ______________ highest mountain in ______________ Hima-
layas before ______________ Mount Everest was discovered?”
—”I don’t know.”
—”______________ Everest was, of course!”
8. John went to______________ prison to visit his brother last Saturday.
9. There was ______________man in ______________lift.
10. Help yourself to______________ glass of wine if you’d like some.
11. Most people enjoyed ______________ show, but I was definitely 
______________one who enjoyed it most.
12. My younger brother still goes to ______________school.
13. We have landed men on ______________moon.
14. How long does it take on ______________ train?
15. Greg plays ______________ piano very well.
16. ______________ life is very difficult for ______________ poor.
17. Arthur Brown is ______________ dentist who lives next door to my par-
ents.
18. Has anyone seen _________ newspaper I left in _________ sitting room?
19. Manchester is ______________big city in ______________ north 
of______________ England.
20. ______________ Japanese is certainly ______________ most difficult 
language I have tried to learn.
21 . ______________ police are looking for ______________young man 
aged about 23.
22. Is there ______________ bookshop in that street?
23. Dad, can I borrow ______________ car tonight?
24. Only ______________ rich could afford his firm’s products.
25. I have no brothers or sisters. I’m ______________ only child.

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