This post provides the complete answer key and detailed explanations for the 50 MCQs exercise on Articles, designed specifically for MDCAT and NUMS students. Each explanation is based on the grammar rules commonly tested in MDCAT and NUMS Past Papers, covering the correct use of definite and indefinite articles in real exam contexts. These explanations help students understand the logic behind the correct options, eliminate confusion, and build strong conceptual clarity. Whether you’re revising or learning from your mistakes, this guide is an essential tool for mastering articles and scoring higher in the English section.
Q.1
Correct option: C (a … The)
Explanation: The first blank requires the indefinite article “a” because “headache” is a singular countable noun mentioned for the first time. The second blank uses “the” because it refers back to the same specific headache already introduced.
Q.2
Correct option: C (the)
Explanation: “Changi Beach” is a proper noun referring to a specific beach, so the definite article “the” is used.
Q.3
Correct option: B (the)
Explanation: “Amazon River” is a unique geographical feature, so the definite article “the” is required.
Q.4
Correct option: D (The … a)
Explanation: The first blank uses “the” because it refers to a specific bicycle (at the back of the house). The second blank uses “a” because “old bicycle” is a general description.
Q.5
Correct option: C (The … an)
Explanation: “Rain” is specified (the current rain), so “the” is used. “Umbrella” starts with a vowel sound (/ʌ/), so “an” is correct.
Q.6
Correct option: B (a)
Explanation: “Kimono” is a singular countable noun mentioned for the first time, so the indefinite article “a” is used.
Q.7
Correct option: A (a)
Explanation: “University” starts with a consonant sound (/j/), so “a” is correct. The sentence refers to an unspecified university.
Q.8
Correct option: C (the)
Explanation: The book is specific (the one lent last week), so the definite article “the” is used.
Q.9
Correct option: C (the)
Explanation: Directions (e.g., “south”) take the definite article “the” when referring to a region.
Q.10
Correct option: A (a)
Explanation: “Crocodile” is singular and indefinite, so “a” is used.
Q.11
Correct option: C (the)
Explanation: “Nile” is a unique river, so the definite article “the” is required.
Q.12
Correct option: C (the)
Explanation: Country names with abbreviations (e.g., USA) take the definite article “the.”
Q.13
Correct option: D (No article)
Explanation: Most country names (e.g., Australia) do not take an article.
Q.14
Correct option: C (the)
Explanation: “Top of the stairs” is a specific location, so “the” is used.
Q.15
Correct option: C (the)
Explanation: Superlatives (e.g., “biggest”) always take the definite article “the.”
Q.16
Correct option: C (the)
Explanation: The window is specific (the one in the room), so “the” is correct.
Q.17
Correct option: B (an)
Explanation: “Insurance” starts with a vowel sound (/ɪn/), so “an” is used.
Q.18
Correct option: D (No article)
Explanation: “Hospital” is used in a general sense (for medical treatment), so no article is needed.
Q.19
Correct option: A (a)
Explanation: “University” starts with a consonant sound (/j/), so “a” is correct.
Q.20
Correct option: D (No article)
Explanation: Country names (e.g., Japan) typically do not take an article.
Q.21
Correct option: A (a)
Explanation: “Bank” is singular and indefinite, so “a” is used.
Q.22
Correct option: C (the)
Explanation: Abbreviated country names (e.g., USA) require “the.”
Q.23
Correct option: A (a)
Explanation: “Hospital” is singular and unspecified, so “a” is correct.
Q.24
Correct option: D (No article)
Explanation: “Crime” is an uncountable noun used generally, so no article is needed.
Q.25
Correct option: A (a)
Explanation: “Manager” is a singular countable noun mentioned for the first time, so “a” is used.
Q.26
Correct option: C (the)
Explanation: “Crime” is specified (stealing a car), so “the” is correct.
Q.27
Correct option: C (the)
Explanation: Ordinal numbers (e.g., “thirtieth”) take the definite article “the.”
Q.28
Correct option: A (a)
Explanation: “Manager” is singular and indefinite, so “a” is used.
Q.29
Correct option: D (No article)
Explanation: “Prison” is used in a general sense (as an institution), so no article is needed.
Q.30
Correct option: C (the)
Explanation: Country names with plural forms (e.g., Netherlands) take “the.”
Q.31
Correct option: C (the)
Explanation: “Prison” is specific (the one near the law courts), so “the” is used.
Q.32
Correct option: C (the)
Explanation: “Ironing” refers to a specific household chore, so “the” is correct.
Q.33
Correct option: C (the)
Explanation: “Bank” is specific (to arrange an overdraft), so “the” is used.
Q.34
Correct option: D (No article)
Explanation: “Toothpaste” is an uncountable noun used generally, so no article is needed.
Q.35
Correct option: C (the)
Explanation: “Sand” is specified (on Portugal’s beaches), so “the” is correct.
Q.36
Correct option: D (No article)
Explanation: “Wet weather” is a general term, so no article is used.
Q.37
Correct option: D (No article)
Explanation: Abstract nouns (e.g., “health”) used generally do not take an article.
Q.38
Correct option: D (No article)
Explanation: “Snow” is uncountable and used generally, so no article is needed.
Q.39
Correct option: D (No article)
Explanation: “Flour” is uncountable and indefinite, so no article is used.
Q.40
Correct option: D (No article)
Explanation: “Rice” is an uncountable noun used generally, so no article is needed.
Q.41
Correct option: D (No article)
Explanation: Sports (e.g., tennis) do not take an article when referred to generally.
Q.42
Correct option: C (the)
Explanation: “Wine” is specified (produced in France), so “the” is used.
Q.43
Correct option: D (No article)
Explanation: “Honey” is uncountable and used generally, so no article is needed.
Q.44
Correct option: D (No article)
Explanation: “Gold” is a material used generally, so no article is used.
Q.45
Correct option: A (a)
Explanation: “Butter” is uncountable, but “a” is used here idiomatically to mean “some.”
Q.46
Correct option: D (No article)
Explanation: “Food” is uncountable and used generally, so no article is needed.
Q.47
Correct option: D (No article)
Explanation: “Sleep” is an abstract noun used generally, so no article is used.
Q.48
Correct option: C (the)
Explanation: “Water” is specific (from that tap), so “the” is correct.
Q.49
Correct option: C (the)
Explanation: “Snow” is specified (tonight’s snow), so “the” is used.
Q.50
Correct option: C (the)
Explanation: “Blood” is specific (coming from her thumb), so “the” is correct.
