A-AN-THE

__________ cat

• a

• an

• the

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'a' because 'cat' starts with a consonant sound. 'A' is used before words that begin with a consonant sound, while 'an' is used before vowel sounds. 'The' is not appropriate here as it specifies a particular cat.

__________ apple

• a

• an

• the

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'an' because 'apple' starts with a vowel sound. We use 'an' before words that begin with a vowel sound to ensure smooth pronunciation.

__________ elephant

• a

• an

• the

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'an' because 'elephant' starts with a vowel sound. In English, 'an' is used before words that begin with a vowel sound, while 'a' is used before consonant sounds. 'The' is not appropriate here.

__________ orange

• a

• an

• the

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'an' because it precedes a word that starts with a vowel sound ('orange'). 'A' is used before consonant sounds, while 'the' is a definite article, which is not appropriate here.

__________ owl

• a

• an

• the

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'an' because 'owl' starts with a vowel sound. In English, 'an' is used before words that begin with a vowel sound, while 'a' is used before consonant sounds. 'The' is not appropriate here.

__________ umbrella

• a

• an

• the

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'an' because 'umbrella' starts with a vowel sound. In English, 'an' is used before words that begin with a vowel sound, while 'a' is used before consonant sounds. 'The' is not appropriate here.

__________ sun

• a

• an

• the

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'the' because it specifies a particular sun, which is unique and known to everyone. 'A' and 'an' are used for non-specific nouns, which does not apply here.

__________ guitar

• a

• an

• the

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'a' because 'guitar' starts with a consonant sound. 'A' is used before words that begin with a consonant sound, while 'an' is used for vowel sounds. 'The' would imply a specific guitar, which is not indicated here.

__________ dog

• a

• an

• the

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'a' because 'dog' starts with a consonant sound. 'A' is used before words that begin with a consonant sound, while 'an' is used for vowel sounds. 'The' is definite, but here we need an indefinite article.

__________ beach

• a

• an

• the

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'the' because it specifies a particular beach, indicating that the speaker is referring to a specific location known to both the speaker and listener.