Quick Navigation: Final Revision Sections

• Part 1: Error Spotting in Complex Sentences (Questions 1-30)
• Part 2: Choosing the Correct Phrasing (PYQs) (Questions 31-50)
• Part 3: Advanced Omission (Zero Article) Cases (Questions 51-75)
• Part 4: Fill in the Blanks – The Final Test (Questions 76-100)

Q1. He has been sent to (A)/ the prison several times but (B)/ has shown no signs of improvement. (C)/ No Error (D)
(SSC CGL Tier-II)

Answer & Explanation: B) the prison several times but
When ‘prison’ is used for its primary purpose (as punishment for a convict), no article is used. It should be ‘sent to prison’.

Q2. Of all the politicians (A)/, he is the one who is (B)/ a more respected in his constituency. (C)/ No Error (D)
(Bank PO Mains)

Answer & Explanation: C) a more respected in his constituency.
The sentence implies a superlative context (‘Of all…’), so it should use ‘the most respected’. The use of ‘a more’ is incorrect.

Q3. A beauty of this monument (A)/ lies not just in its architecture (B)/ but in the stories behind it. (C)/ No Error (D)
(UPSC CDS)

Answer & Explanation: A) A beauty of this monument
We are talking about the specific beauty of a particular monument, so the definite article ‘The’ is required. ‘The beauty…’.

Q4. The advice he gave me (A)/ proved to be an invaluable (B)/ and helped me a great deal. (C)/ No Error (D)
(KVS PGT Exam)

Answer & Explanation: B) proved to be an invaluable
‘Advice’ is an uncountable noun. While it is preceded by an adjective ‘invaluable’, it cannot take ‘an’. The correct phrasing would be ‘…proved to be invaluable…’.

Q5. He took up the (A)/ teaching line in his (B)/ youth and has never regretted it. (C)/ No Error (D)
(UP TGT English)

Answer & Explanation: B) teaching line in his
The correct idiom is ‘the teaching profession’, not ‘teaching line’. While an idiom, it’s often tested under article errors for using ‘the’ with an incorrect phrase.

Q6. It is said that (A)/ an elephant is one of the strongest (B)/ animal on the earth. (C)/ No Error (D)
(SSC MTS)

Answer & Explanation: C) animal on the earth.
The phrase ‘one of the’ must be followed by a plural noun. It should be ‘strongest animals’.

Q7. My friend is having (A)/ a hard time because (B)/ he has been out of a work for months. (C)/ No Error (D)
(IBPS Clerk)

Answer & Explanation: C) out of a work for months.
The idiom ‘out of work’ (unemployed) does not take an article.

Q8. The reason we have not (A)/ been able to pay income tax (B)/ is due to fact that we did not receive payment on time. (C)/ No Error (D)
(CAT Exam)

Answer & Explanation: C) is due to fact that
The correct idiom is ‘due to the fact that…’. It requires the definite article ‘the’.

Q9. This is an one-sided (A)/ affair and I do not (B)/ wish to be a part of it. (C)/ No Error (D)
(CDS Exam)

Answer & Explanation: A) This is an one-sided
‘One-sided’ starts with a consonant ‘w’ sound (‘won’), so it should be ‘a one-sided’.

Q10. As a student of a science (A)/, you are far better (B)/ than him in these matters. (C)/ No Error (D)
(SSC CHSL)

Answer & Explanation: A) As a student of a science
‘Science’ as an academic field does not take an article. It should be ‘student of science’.

Q11. It is written in a Gita (A)/ that God incarnates (B)/ Himself in times of trouble. (C)/ No Error (D)
(PGT Exam)

Answer & Explanation: A) It is written in a Gita
Holy books are preceded by ‘the’. It should be ‘in the Gita’.

Q12. The loss of job (A)/ is regarded by some as an (B)/ necessary evil in the fight against inflation. (C)/ No Error (D)
(Bank PO)

Answer & Explanation: B) necessary evil in the fight
Here, ‘loss of jobs’ is general, but the definite article ‘the’ makes ‘loss’ specific. ‘Necessary’ starts with a consonant sound, so it should be ‘a necessary evil’.

Q13. He did not go to (A)/ the city on the foot, (B)/ he went there by train. (C)/ No Error (D)
(UP LT Grade)

Answer & Explanation: B) the city on the foot,
The correct idiom for walking is ‘on foot’, without ‘the’.

Q14. What a beautiful (A)/ moon it is tonight; (B)/ let’s go for a walk. (C)/ No Error (D)
(Advanced Exclamatory)

Answer & Explanation: A) What a beautiful
The moon is a unique celestial body and should be preceded by ‘the’. It should be ‘The beautiful moon…’. Exclamatory form ‘what a…’ is not appropriate here.

Q15. The English is a (A)/ very popular language (B)/ amongst south Indians. (C)/ No Error (D)
(Common PYQ)

Answer & Explanation: A) The English is a
‘English’ as a language does not take an article. ‘The English’ means the people of England.

Q16. Mrs. Verma, our new (A)/ principal, is a man (B)/ of a principle. (C)/ No Error (D)
(TGT English)

Answer & Explanation: C) of a principle.
The idiom is ‘a man of principle’ (meaning he has moral principles). The article ‘a’ before principle is incorrect.

Q17. The sun shines (A)/ by a day, while (B)/ the moon shines by night. (C)/ No Error (D)
(UPSC CSE Prelims)

Answer & Explanation: B) by a day, while
The correct idiom is ‘by day’, without an article.

Q18. He found himself (A)/ in a trouble when he saw (B)/ no one to bring him out of the mess. (C)/ No Error (D)
(SSC CGL)

Answer & Explanation: B) in a trouble when he saw
The correct idiom is ‘in trouble’, without ‘a’.

Q19. He made a blunder (A)/ but the manager pardoned him (B)/ on a condition that he would not repeat it. (C)/ No Error (D)
(CDS Exam)

Answer & Explanation: C) on a condition that he would not repeat it.
The correct idiomatic phrase is ‘on the condition that…’, requiring the definite article ‘the’.

Q20. When the house was set on the fire, (A)/ all the people started (B)/ shouting at the top of their voices. (C)/ No Error (D)
(Bank PO)

Answer & Explanation: A) set on the fire,
The idiom is ‘set on fire’, without an article.

Q21. We will be reaching (A)/ the London tomorrow morning; (B)/ our flight is at 10 PM. (C)/ No Error (D)
(KVS PGT)

Answer & Explanation: B) the London tomorrow morning;
Names of cities do not take an article. It should be ‘reaching London’.

Q22. In my conclusion, it is (A)/ better to be silent than (B)/ to speak in anger. (C)/ No Error (D)
(Debate/Writing Context)

Answer & Explanation: A) In my conclusion, it is
The correct phrase is ‘In conclusion’, without ‘my’. While not strictly an article error, it’s an error in determiners.

Q23. The little water that was (A)/ in the pot evaporated (B)/ due to the extreme heat. (C)/ No Error (D)
(CDS)

Answer & Explanation: D) No Error
The sentence is correct. ‘The little water’ correctly refers to the small but specific amount of water that existed.

Q24. An European expert (A)/ was called to consult (B)/ on the architectural design. (C)/ No Error (D)
(Common PYQ)

Answer & Explanation: A) An European expert
‘European’ begins with a consonant ‘y’ sound, so it should be ‘A European expert’.

Q25. It is a fact that (A)/ a most of the people desire (B)/ to work less but earn more. (C)/ No Error (D)
(SSC CGL)

Answer & Explanation: B) a most of the people desire
The correct phrase is ‘most of the people’. The article ‘a’ is incorrect.

Q26. I have been informed (A)/ that Mr. Sharma, the Director and the Chairman (B)/ will visit our office next week. (C)/ No Error (D)
(IBPS PO Mains)

Answer & Explanation: B) the Director and the Chairman
Using ‘the’ twice implies two different people. If Mr. Sharma holds both posts, it should be ‘the Director and Chairman’.

Q27. The most happy marriage (A)/ would be a union of (B)/ a deaf man and a blind woman. (C)/ No Error (D)
(UPSC CSAT)

Answer & Explanation: D) No error
The sentence is grammatically correct. ‘The most happy marriage’ is superlative, and ‘a union’ uses the indefinite article correctly.

Q28. My friend enjoys (A)/ to play a cricket and (B)/ to watch movies in his free time. (C)/ No Error (D)
(SSC MTS)

Answer & Explanation: B) to play a cricket and
Names of sports do not take an article. It should be ‘to play cricket’.

Q29. On my request, (A)/ Rohan introduced me to his friend (B)/ who is a singer and a scientist. (C)/ No Error (D)
(Bank PO)

Answer & Explanation: C) who is a singer and a scientist.
Using ‘a’ twice implies two different people are being introduced, which contradicts the phrase ‘his friend’ (singular). It should be ‘who is a singer and scientist’.

Q30. He thinks (A)/ himself as (B)/ a great scholar. (C)/ No Error (D)
(UP PGT)

Answer & Explanation: B) himself as
The verb ‘thinks’ does not take ‘as’ in this structure. The correct phrase would be ‘He thinks himself a great scholar’. The article ‘a’ is correct.

Q31. Choose the correct option.
(SSC CPO)

A) He is an one-eyed man.
B) He is a one-eyed man.
C) He is one-eyed man.
D) He is the one-eyed man.

Answer & Explanation: B) He is a one-eyed man.
‘One’ starts with a consonant ‘w’ sound.

Q32. Choose the correct sentence.
(KVS TGT)

A) Copper is an useful metal.
B) The copper is a useful metal.
C) Copper is a useful metal.
D) A copper is an useful metal.

Answer & Explanation: C) Copper is a useful metal.
‘Copper’ (material, general) takes no article. ‘Useful’ starts with a consonant ‘y’ sound and takes ‘a’.

Q33. Which phrasing is correct?
(CDS Exam)

A) I have lost a hope.
B) I have lost hope.
C) I have lost the hope.
D) I have lost an hope.

Answer & Explanation: B) I have lost hope.
‘Hope’ as an abstract feeling is uncountable here.

Q34. Choose the grammatically correct sentence.
(UP PGT)

A) This is a history of our country.
B) This is history of our country.
C) This is the history of our country.
D) This is a history about our country.

Answer & Explanation: C) This is the history of our country.
Referring to the specific history of a particular country makes it definite.

Q35. Which of the following is correct?
(SSC Stenographer)

A) My father is a honest government employee.
B) My father is the honest government employee.
C) My father is an honest government employee.
D) My father is honest government employee.

Answer & Explanation: C) My father is an honest government employee.
‘Honest’ begins with a vowel sound.

Q36. Choose the correct phrase.
(Bank Clerk)

A) a half an hour
B) half hour
C) half a hour
D) half an hour

Answer & Explanation: D) half an hour
This is the standard, correct idiom. ‘Hour’ takes ‘an’.

Q37. Which sentence correctly uses articles?
(CDS Exam)

A) He does not know how to swim.
B) He does not know a swimming.
C) He does not know the swimming.
D) He does not know how to the swim.

Answer & Explanation: A) He does not know how to swim.
‘Swim’ here is part of an infinitive phrase, and ‘swimming’ as a skill doesn’t take an article.

Q38. Choose the correct sentence.
(UPSC CSAT)

A) He is a heir to a vast kingdom.
B) He is an heir to a vast kingdom.
C) He is the heir of a vast kingdom.
D) He is an heir of vast kingdom.

Answer & Explanation: B) He is an heir to a vast kingdom.
‘Heir’ starts with a vowel sound. The preposition ‘to’ is more appropriate than ‘of’ in this context.

Q39. Which is correct?
(IBPS PO)

A) What kind of a teacher is he?
B) What a kind of teacher is he?
C) What kind of the teacher is he?
D) What kind of teacher is he?

Answer & Explanation: D) What kind of teacher is he?
No article is used after ‘kind of’.

Q40. Select the correct sentence.
(SSC CGL)

A) She has gone for a walk.
B) She has gone on the walk.
C) She has gone for walk.
D) She has gone to a walk.

Answer & Explanation: A) She has gone for a walk.
The idiom is ‘to go for a walk’.

Q41. Choose the right option.
(LT Grade)

A) The gold from Kolar fields is famous.
B) Gold from Kolar fields is famous.
C) A gold from Kolar fields is famous.
D) The gold from a Kolar fields is famous.

Answer & Explanation: A) The gold from Kolar fields is famous.
Refers to specific gold from a particular place, so it requires ‘the’.

Q42. Which sentence is correct?
(PGT Exam)

A) He is an university professor.
B) He is a university professor.
C) He is university professor.
D) He is the university professor.

Answer & Explanation: B) He is a university professor.
‘University’ begins with a consonant ‘y’ sound.

Q43. Which of the following is grammatically sound?
(CDS Exam)

A) We disscused about the matter.
B) We disscused the matter.
C) We discussed on the matter.
D) We had a discuss on the matter.

Answer & Explanation: B) We disscused the matter.
The verb ‘discuss’ is transitive and takes a direct object without a preposition. While not a direct article question, it tests noun-verb relationships often confused with article usage.

Q44. Select the correct sentence.
(CAT)

A) I made him the captain of the team.
B) I made him a captain of the team.
C) I made him captain of the team.
D) All are correct depending on context.

Answer & Explanation: C) I made him captain of the team.
After verbs like ‘make’, ‘appoint’, ‘elect’, no article is used before the title or role.

Q45. Which phrasing is most appropriate?
(Bank PO)

A) It’s never good to be in a debt.
B) It’s never good to be in debt.
C) It’s never good to be in the debt.
D) It’s never good to have a debt.

Answer & Explanation: B) It’s never good to be in debt.
The correct idiom is ‘in debt’, with no article.

Q46. Which is the correct sentence?
(SSC CPO)

A) He died in an harness.
B) He died in the harness.
C) He died harness.
D) He died in harness.

Answer & Explanation: D) He died in harness.
This is a fixed idiom meaning to die while still working; it uses no article.

Q47. Select the correct sentence.
(UP TGT)

A) The winter in Shimla is very cold.
B) A winter in Shimla is very cold.
C) Winter in Shimla is very cold.
D) The winter of Shimla is very cold.

Answer & Explanation: C) Winter in Shimla is very cold.
Seasons in a general sense do not take an article. (A) would be correct if referring to a specific, past winter.

Q48. Which is grammatically correct?
(NDA Exam)

A) A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
B) Little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
C) The little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
D) A little of knowledge is a dangerous thing.

Answer & Explanation: A) A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
This is a famous proverb. ‘A little’ means ‘some’ knowledge, which is what makes it dangerous.

Q49. Which of the following sentences is correct?
(KVS PGT)

A) Sun rises in East.
B) The Sun rises in the East.
C) Sun rises in the East.
D) The Sun rises in East.

Answer & Explanation: B) The Sun rises in the East.
Both unique celestial bodies and cardinal directions require ‘the’.

Q50. Which sentence is correctly written?
(General PYQ)

A) What kind of a person you are?
B) What a kind person you are!
C) What kind of person are you?
D) Both B and C are correct.

Answer & Explanation: D) Both B and C are correct.
(C) is a standard question asking about character type (with no article after ‘kind of’). (B) is a correct exclamatory sentence expressing that the person is very kind.

Q51. The accused was finally sent to ________ gallows.

A) a
B) an
C) the
D) no article

Answer & Explanation: C) the
Phrases like ‘sent to the gallows’ or ‘sent to the chair’ use ‘the’.

Q52. The ship lost at ________ sea.

A) a
B) an
C) the
D) no article

Answer & Explanation: D) no article
The idiom ‘at sea’ (meaning confused, or on the ocean) does not use an article.

Q53. He caught me by ________ arm.

A) a
B) an
C) the
D) my

Answer & Explanation: C) the
When referring to parts of the body in this construction, ‘the’ is used.

Q54. She set ________ foot in her new house for the first time.

A) a
B) her a
C) the
D) no article

Answer & Explanation: D) no article
The idiom is ‘to set foot in/on’, without an article.

Q55. In ________ spring, the flowers bloom.

A) a
B) an
C) the
D) no article

Answer & Explanation: D) no article
Seasons used in a general sense do not take an article.

Q56. What sort of ________ leader do you admire?

A) a
B) the
C) any
D) no article

Answer & Explanation: D) no article
No article is used after ‘sort of’.

Q57. I am ________ in search of a good book.

A) the
B) a
C) no article
D) some

Answer & Explanation: C) no article
The correct idiom is ‘in search of’, with no article.

Q58. I was at ________ loss to understand his motives.

A) the
B) a
C) no article
D) any

Answer & Explanation: B) a
The correct idiom is ‘at a loss’.

Q59. The building is still under ________ construction.

A) a
B) an
C) the
D) no article

Answer & Explanation: D) no article
The idiom ‘under construction’ does not take an article.

Q60. He has given up ________ smoking.

A) the
B) a
C) an
D) no article

Answer & Explanation: D) no article
Habits like smoking or drinking, when referred to as activities (gerunds), do not take an article.

Q61. They fought with ________ tooth and nail.

A) the…the
B) no article…no article
C) a…a
D) some…some

Answer & Explanation: B) no article…no article
The idiom is ‘to fight tooth and nail’.

Q62. It is nothing else than ________ pride.

A) a
B) the
C) no article
D) an

Answer & Explanation: C) no article
‘Pride’ is an abstract noun and does not require an article here.

Q63. ______ nature looks beautiful in the morning.

A) A
B) An
C) The
D) No article

Answer & Explanation: D) No article
‘Nature’ in its general, abstract sense does not take an article.

Q64. They declared him ______ traitor.

A) a
B) the
C) no article
D) an

Answer & Explanation: A) a
After the verb ‘declare’, an article is needed before a singular countable noun complement (‘traitor’). Compare with ‘declare him chairman’.

Q65. She fell into ________ trouble with her boss.

A) a
B) no article
C) the
D) an

Answer & Explanation: B) no article
The idiom is ‘to fall into trouble’.

Q66. The commander gave orders to set ________ sail.

A) a
B) an
C) the
D) no article

Answer & Explanation: D) no article
‘Set sail’ is a fixed idiom for beginning a voyage.

Q67. He takes ________ delight in music.

A) a
B) no article
C) the
D) an

Answer & Explanation: B) no article
‘Take delight in’ is an idiomatic phrase.

Q68. Let’s not make ________ noise in the library.

A) a
B) no article
C) the
D) any

Answer & Explanation: A) a
The idiom is ‘to make a noise’.

Q69. She caught ________ fire while cooking.

A) a
B) the
C) some
D) no article

Answer & Explanation: D) no article
‘Catch fire’ is a fixed idiom.

Q70. By ________ land or by sea, we will get there.

A) a
B) no article
C) the
D) any

Answer & Explanation: B) no article
The phrase ‘by land’ requires no article, similar to ‘by car’.

Q71. We must work hard at ________ school.

A) the
B) a
C) no article
D) our

Answer & Explanation: C) no article
The phrase ‘at school’ refers to the general concept or time of being in school.

Q72. ________ Day breaks, and the shadows flee away.

A) The
B) A
C) Some
D) No article

Answer & Explanation: D) No article
‘Day breaks’ is a standard phrase meaning dawn.

Q73. What a beautiful ________ piece of poetry!

A) a
B) the
C) an
D) no article

Answer & Explanation: D) no article
The ‘a’ at the start of the exclamatory phrase ‘What a beautiful piece…’ already covers the noun. No second article is needed.

Q74. I have no interest in ________ politics.

A) the
B) a
C) no article
D) an

Answer & Explanation: C) no article
‘Politics’ as a subject or field takes no article in a general sense.

Q75. They put him on ________ trial for his crimes.

A) a
B) an
C) the
D) no article

Answer & Explanation: D) no article
‘On trial’ is the correct idiom.

Q76. _______ white and ________ black cow are grazing in the field.

A) The, the
B) A, a
C) The, a
D) A, no article

Answer & Explanation: B) A, a
Using ‘a’ before each adjective indicates two different cows.

Q77. This is ________ historical novel.

A) a
B) an
C) some
D) the

Answer & Explanation: A) a
‘Historical’ has a pronounced ‘h’ and takes ‘a’.

Q78. I spoke to _______ Queen of England.

A) a
B) the
C) some
D) no article

Answer & Explanation: B) the
Specific, unique titles take ‘the’.

Q79. ________ English is a global language.

A) The
B) An
C) A
D) No article

Answer & Explanation: D) No article
Names of languages do not take an article.

Q80. My uncle is ________ orthopaedic surgeon.

A) a
B) some
C) the
D) an

Answer & Explanation: D) an
‘Orthopaedic’ starts with a vowel sound.

Q81. There is ________ huge university in our city.

A) an
B) the
C) a
D) any

Answer & Explanation: C) a
‘Huge’ starts with a pronounced ‘h’.

Q82. Have you ever visited ________ Red Fort?

A) a
B) some
C) the
D) no article

Answer & Explanation: C) the
‘The’ is used before famous monuments.

Q83. She struck _______ match to light the candle.

A) a
B) the
C) some
D) an

Answer & Explanation: A) a
Refers to a single, unspecified match.

Q84. I have ________ little money left in my account.

A) a
B) the
C) no article
D) any

Answer & Explanation: A) a
‘A little’ means a small amount (some).

Q85. ________ boy sitting next to me is from ________ U.K.

A) A, a
B) The, the
C) A, the
D) The, a

Answer & Explanation: B) The, the
The boy is specific (‘sitting next to me’). ‘The U.K.’ takes ‘the’ because of ‘Kingdom’.

Q86. We should help ________ poor and needy.

A) a
B) an
C) no article
D) the

Answer & Explanation: D) the
‘The’ before an adjective represents the whole class of people.

Q87. He works as ________ electrician.

A) the
B) an
C) a
D) some

Answer & Explanation: B) an
‘Electrician’ begins with a vowel sound.

Q88. They fell in ________ love at first sight.

A) the
B) a
C) an
D) no article

Answer & Explanation: D) no article
The idiom is ‘to fall in love’.

Q89. Let us play ________ chess.

A) a
B) an
C) the
D) no article

Answer & Explanation: D) no article
Names of games do not take an article.

Q90. My friend told ________ lie to save himself.

A) a
B) the
C) an
D) some

Answer & Explanation: A) a
The idiom is ‘to tell a lie’.

Q91. What is ________ name of the movie you watched?

A) a
B) any
C) the
D) an

Answer & Explanation: C) the
Referring to the specific name of a specific movie.

Q92. There is ________ lot of work to do today.

A) a
B) the
C) no article
D) some

Answer & Explanation: A) a
The correct phrase is ‘a lot of’.

Q93. ______ USA is a powerful country.

A) An
B) No article
C) A
D) The

Answer & Explanation: D) The
Countries with ‘States’, ‘Republic’, ‘Kingdom’ or abbreviations like USA, UAE take ‘the’.

Q94. You are ______ very good singer.

A) some
B) the
C) a
D) any

Answer & Explanation: C) a
Singular countable noun ‘singer’ requires ‘a’.

Q95. The officer was ________ on fire for his controversial decisions.

A) in
B) over
C) no preposition
D) under

Answer & Explanation: D) under
This tests prepositions often confused with articles. The idiom is ‘under fire’, meaning to be attacked or criticized.

Q96. ______ patience is a great virtue.

A) The
B) A
C) Some
D) No article

Answer & Explanation: D) No article
As an abstract noun in a general sense, ‘patience’ takes no article.

Q97. I read it in _______ Tribune.

A) a
B) some
C) the
D) no article

Answer & Explanation: C) the
Names of newspapers take ‘the’.

Q98. This pen is mightier than ______ sword.

A) the
B) a
C) no article
D) an

Answer & Explanation: A) the
In the proverb ‘The pen is mightier than the sword’, ‘the’ is used to represent the concepts of writing and warfare as whole classes.

Q99. He has come without ______ umbrella.

A) an
B) a
C) some
D) any

Answer & Explanation: A) an
‘Umbrella’ starts with a vowel sound.

Q100. This is ______ best meal I’ve had in a long time.

A) a
B) some
C) an
D) the

Answer & Explanation: D) the
‘Best’ is a superlative adjective and must be preceded by ‘the’.