Top 100+ Articles in English for Competitive Exams – Complete Practice Guide
General English Grammar Competitive Exams – Articles Practice Questions with Solutions
1. Tea (1)/which I am drinking (2)/ is hot. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC Section officer (Audit), 14. 12. 2003)
2. We were looking forward (1)/to hear news (2)/ about the missing fishermen (3)/ No error (4) (SSC Section officer (Audit), 14. 12. 2003)
3. I know (1)/a doctor (2)/ you are referring to (3)/ No error (4) (SSC Section officer (Audit), 14. 12. 2003)
4. If the worst (1)/comes to worst, (2)/ I will have to bid good bye to my studies and join my family business. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC Statistical Investigator grade, 13. 08. 2006)
5. I went to the temple (1)/with my parents, my aunts (2)/ and my cousins. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC Section officer (Audit), 10. 12. 2006)
6. In the background they could hear John laughing and joking loudly, (1)/John was the life and soul of any party (2)/ and he was cracking a joke every few minutes. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC Section officer (Commercial Audit), 30. 09. 2007)
7. I sat down opposite him (1)/and produced (2)/ the packet of cigarettes. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC Tax assistant), 29. 03. 2009)
8. The doctor advised Mr. Murugan that, (1)/because of his severe cramps, (2)/ he should lay in the bed for a few days. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC Tax assistant), 29. 03. 2009)
9. After knowing truth, (1)/they took the right decision (2)/ in the matter. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC CGL Tier- I, 16. 05. 2010)
10. A cup of coffee (1)/is an excellent complement (2)/ to smoked salmon. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC CGL Tier-I, 16. 5. 2010)
11. Judge in him (1)/prevailed upon the father (2)/ and he sentenced his son to death. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC CGL Tier-I, 16. 5. 2010)
12. I go to the temple (1)/as often as (2)/ I find time. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC SAS, 26. 06. 2010)
13. How to solve the problems (1)/is the main concern of the organiser (2)/ at the moment. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC Statistical Investigator, 12. 09. 2010)
14. The police asked us (1)/about our movements (2)/ on a night of the crime. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC CPO SI, 2. 12. 2010)
15. He always practises (1)/the justice and care (2)/ for moral principles (3)/ No error (4) (SSC stenographer graded LDC, 26. 9. 2010)
16. The Principal and staff (1)/are awaiting (2)/ the chief guest. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC Data Entry operator DEO & LDC Exam, 27. 11. 2010)
17. A member shall be required (1)/to pay interest at such rate (2)/ as is fixed by a committee. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC Data Entry operator DEO & LDC Exam, 28. 11. 2010)
18. A senior doctor (1)/expressed concern (2)/about physicians recommended the vaccine. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC CGL Tier-I, 19. 6. 2011)
19. Children enjoy listening to (1)/ghosts stories (2)/ especially on Halloween night. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC CGL Tier-I, 19. 6. 2011)
20. The way to increase the production of the food (1)/is to bring more land (2)/ under cultivation. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC CPO SI, 16. 08. 2011)
21. We stayed for (1)/a short time (2)/ in the hotel. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC Data Entry operator DEO & LDC Exam, 11. 12. 2011)
22. Unless you are careful, (1)/you are bound to make mistake (2)/ in your work. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC Data Entry operator DEO & LDC Exam, 11. 12. 2011)
23. Death of (1)/his only son (2)/ made Mohan desolate. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC Data Entry operator DEO & LDC Exam, 11. 12. 2011)
24. He fell heavily (1)/and this caused (2)/ him great pain. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC Data Entry operator DEO & LDC Exam, 11. 12. 2011)
25. When I met him (1)/the couple of days back (2)/ he waswriting a new book (3)/ No error (4) (SSC Data Entry operator DEO & LDC Exam, 11. 12. 2011)
26. These poisonous gases (1)/will effect (2)/ our health. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC Data Entry operator DEO & LDC Exam, 11. 12. 2011)
27. I think (1)/he owns an expensive (2)/ painting by Hussain. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC Data Entry operator DEO & LDC Exam, 11. 12. 2011)
28. My Aunt (1)/was first (2)/ to get a degree. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC Data Entry operator DEO & LDC Exam, 11. 12. 2011)
29. All mangoes (1)/ in this basket (2)/ are over ripe (3)/ No error (4) (SSC Level Data Entry operator DEO & LDC Exam, 28. 10. 2012)
30. In world of ours (1)/one has to compete (2)/for almost everything. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC CGL Tier- III, 11. 11. 2012)
31. The Indians are genetically (1)/incapable of (2)/ being good or outstanding sportsmen. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC Multi-tasking staff, 10. 03. 2013)
32. Teachers were instructed (1)/to follow an uniform method (2)/ of evaluation. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC Multi-tasking staff, 17. 03. 2013)
33. He knows (1)/that your muscles (2)/ are not same as his. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC Multi-tasking staff, 17. 03. 2013)
34. UNICEF (1)/is (2)/ an international organisation. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC Multi-tasking staff, 24. 03. 2013)
35. Many overseas students (1)/attend colleges (2)/ in the Great Britain. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC CGL Tier-I, 21. 04. 2013)
36. Could you please give me (1)/a postal address (2)/ of the Indian Embassy in New York. (3)/No error (4) (SSC Constable GD, 12. 05. 2013)
37. If you hear (1)/engaged tone (2)/ replace the receiver and dial again. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC CGL Tier- II, 29. 09. 2013)
38. Raghu came out of the Bathroom (1)/with a towel (2)/ in the hand. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC CGL Tier- II, 29. 09. 2013)
39. Kalidas is (1)/a Shakespeare (2)/ of India. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC Data Entry operator DEO & LDC Exam, 20. 10. 2013)
40. More you (1)/think of it, (2)/ the worse it becomes. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC Data Entry operator DEO & LDC Exam, 20. 10. 2013)
41. I met the gentleman (1)/today morning on my way (2)/ to the market. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC Data Entry operator DEO & LDC Exam, 10. 11. 2013)
42. We must have (1)/sympathy for (2)/ needy and the poor. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC Multi-tasking staff, 23. 02. 2014)
43. In 1906 a earthquake (1)/destroyed much (2)/ of San Francisco. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC CAPFs S. l. CISF ASI Delhi Police, 22. 06. 2014)
44. She had an (1)/miserable existence (2)/ living with him. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC CAPFs S. l. CISF ASI Delhi Police, 22. 06. 2014)
45. The wise father told him (1)/that the mangoes had gone bad as they were (2)/ in contact with the one rotten mango. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC CGL Tier-I, 20. 07. 2014)
46. Pradise Lost (1)/is (2)/ a epic poem. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC CHSL (10+2) DEO & LDC, 02. 11. 2014)
47. Every citizen is (1)/entitled to (2)/ the voting. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC CHSL (10+2) DEO & LDC, 02. 11. 2014)
48. A interesting book (1)/'A Tale of two cities' (2)/ was written by Alexander Dumas. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC CHSL (10+2) DEO & LDC, 09. 11. 2014)
49. Headmaster (1)/has instructed (2)/ the teachers to follow the rules of the school. (3)/ No error (4) (SSC CGL Tier- I, 21. 09. 2014)
50. She gave me details of all the schools she had visited while she was on an official tour.
(a) all the schools she had visited
(b) No error
(c) She gave me details of
(d) While she was on a official tour
(SSC CGL Tier- II, 12. 04. 2015)
51. It is not possible for me (1) / to give you the accurate date (2) / of my departure yet. (3) / No error (4) (SSC CGL Tier- I, 07. 09. 2016)
52. The road from (1) / my house (2) / to temple is full of potholes. (3) / No error (4) (SSC CGL Tier- I, 07. 01. 2017)
53. The student asked me if (1) / I knew that Kalidas was the greater (2) / than any other poet. (3) / No error. (SSC CGL Tier- I, 11. 08. 2017)
54. While an electron (1) / carries a negative electrical (2) / charge, a neutronis neutral. (3) / No error (SSC CGL Tier- I, 20. 08. 2017)
55. If the sun and moon were balanced, which means (1) / if heat and cold are in equilibrium, the (2) / person is healthy. (3) / No error (4) (SSC CGL Tier- II, 20. 02. 2018)
Articles Exercises with Answers – General English Grammar for SSC & Other Exams
1. Tea / which I am drinking / is hot.
Correct option: (1)
Correction: The tea
Explanation:
We are talking about a specific tea (the one being drunk). When a relative pronoun like “which” refers to a specific noun, “the” is required before the noun.
2. We were looking forward / to hear news / about the missing fishermen.
Correct option: (2)
Correction: to hearing news
Explanation:
“Look forward to” is a phrasal verb and is always followed by a gerund (verb + ing), not the base form of the verb.
3. I know / a doctor / you are referring to.
Correct option: (2)
Correction: the doctor
Explanation:
The sentence refers to a particular doctor already known to the speaker and listener. Therefore, the definite article “the” is required.
4. If the worst / comes to worst / I will have to bid goodbye…
Correct option: (1)
Correction: The worst
Explanation:
With superlative degree (worst, best, highest, etc.), the definite article “the” is always used.
5. I went to the temple / with my parents…
Correct option: (1)
Correction: temple
Explanation:
Articles are not used with words like school, temple, church, hospital, prison when they are used for their primary purpose.
6. John was the life and soul of any party…
Correct option: (2)
Correction: the life and soul
Explanation:
“The life and soul” refers to a specific quality.
The word “any” is incorrect here because it gives a general sense, while the sentence demands a definite idea.
7. …produced / the packet of cigarettes.
Correct option: (3)
Correction: a packet of cigarettes
Explanation:
The packet is mentioned for the first time and is not specific, so the indefinite article “a” should be used.
8. …he should lay in the bed for a few days.
Correct option: (3)
Correction: lie in bed
Explanation:
After a modal verb (should), the base form (V1) is used.
Lie = to rest/recline
Lay = to place something
Correct verb: lie
9. After knowing truth, they took the right decision…
Correct option: (1)
Correction: the truth
Explanation:
Although truth is an abstract noun, here it refers to a specific truth, so “the” is required.
10. A cup of coffee is an excellent complement to smoked salmon.
Correct option: (4)
Answer: No error
Explanation:
The sentence is grammatically and contextually correct.
11. Judge in him prevailed upon the father…
Correct option: (1)
Correction: The judge
Explanation:
Here “judge” refers to a quality or role, not a profession.
When a common noun is used abstractly, it is preceded by “the”.
12. I go to the temple as often as I find time.
Correct option: (1)
Correction: The temple
Explanation:
Here, the speaker refers to a particular temple, not temple as an institution. Hence, “the” is necessary.
13. How to solve the problems is the main concern…
Correct option: (1)
Correction: problems
Explanation:
The definite article “the” is not used with plural countable nouns when talking about things in a general sense.
14. …on a night of the crime.
Correct option: (3)
Correction: the night of the crime
Explanation:
The sentence refers to a specific night, so the definite article “the” must be used.
15. He always practises the justice and care…
Correct option: (2)
Correction: justice
Explanation:
Justice is an uncountable abstract noun used in a general sense, so “the” should not be used.
16. The Principal and staff are awaiting the chief guest.
Correct option: (1)
Correction: The Principal and the staff
Explanation:
Both nouns must have articles to form a plural subject, especially since the verb “are” is plural.
17. …to pay interest at such rate…
Correct option: (2)
Correction: at such a rate
Explanation:
The phrase “such a + noun” is grammatically correct, not such rate.
18. …recommended the vaccine.
Correct option: (3)
Correction: vaccine
Explanation:
Here vaccine is used in a general sense, not a specific one, so “the” is not required.
19. …especially on Halloween night.
Correct option: (3)
Correction: the Halloween night
Explanation:
Halloween Night is a specific occasion, so it requires the definite article “the”.
20. The way to increase the production of the food…
Correct option: (1)
Correction: way
Explanation:
When talking about general ideas, “the” is not used before singular abstract nouns like way.
21. …in the hotel.
Correct option: (3)
Correction: in a hotel
Explanation:
The hotel is mentioned for the first time and is not specific, so “a” is correct.
22. …bound to make mistake…
Correct option: (2)
Correction: make a mistake / make mistakes
Explanation:
“Make a mistake” is a fixed phrase.
Without an article, the sentence is incorrect.
23. Death of his only son made Mohan desolate.
Correct option: (1)
Correction: The death
Explanation:
When “death” is followed by “of”, it refers to a specific event, so “the” is required.
24. …this caused him great pain.
Correct option: (3)
Correction: a great pain
Explanation:
When an adjective + noun combination is used, an indefinite article (a/an) is required.
25. When I met him / the couple of days back / he was writing a new book.
Correct option: (2)
Correction: a couple of days back
Explanation:
The phrase “a couple of” means a few.
It always takes the indefinite article “a”, not “the”.
26. These poisonous gases / will effect / our health.
Correct option: (2)
Correction: affect
Explanation:
Affect = verb (to influence)
Effect = noun (result)
After will (modal verb), the base form of the verb is required → affect.
27. I think / he owns an expensive / painting by Hussain.
Correct option: (4)
Answer: No error
Explanation:
The sentence is grammatically correct.
28. My aunt / was first / to get a degree.
Correct option: (2)
Correction: the first
Explanation:
With ordinal numbers (first, second, third, etc.), the definite article “the” is always used.
29. All mangoes / in this basket / are over ripe.
Correct option: (1)
Correction: All the mangoes
Explanation:
When a plural noun is followed by a prepositional phrase (in this basket), it becomes definite, so “the” must be used.
30. In world of ours / one has to compete / for almost everything.
Correct option: (1)
Correction: The world
Explanation:
The noun “world” normally takes the definite article “the”.
31. The Indians are genetically incapable of being good sportsmen.
Correct option: (4)
Answer: No error
Explanation:
The sentence is correct in structure.
32. Teachers were instructed / to follow an uniform method / of evaluation.
Correct option: (2)
Correction: a uniform method
Explanation:
Although “uniform” starts with a vowel letter, it has a consonant sound (/juː/).
Therefore, “a” is used, not “an”.
33. He knows / that your muscles / are not same as his.
Correct option: (3)
Correction: the same
Explanation:
The expression is “the same as”, not same as.
34. UNICEF / is / an international organisation.
Correct option: (1)
Correction: The UNICEF
Explanation:
Names of organizations, committees, institutions generally take the definite article “the”.
35. Many overseas students / attend colleges / in the Great Britain.
Correct option: (3)
Correction: Great Britain
Explanation:
The article “the” is not used with most country names unless words like Kingdom, States, Republic, Union are present.
36. Could you please give me / a postal address / of the Indian Embassy in New York.
Correct option: (2)
Correction: the postal address
Explanation:
The sentence refers to a specific address, so “the” must be used.
37. If you hear / engaged tone / replace the receiver…
Correct option: (2)
Correction: an engaged tone
Explanation:
“Engaged” begins with a vowel sound, so “an” is required.
38. Raghu came out of the bathroom / with a towel / in the hand.
Correct option: (3)
Correction: in hand
Explanation:
Articles are not used with body parts when possession is obvious.
39. Kalidas is / a Shakespeare / of India.
Correct option: (2)
Correction: the Shakespeare
Explanation:
When a proper noun is used to indicate comparison or greatness, the definite article “the” is used.
40. More you / think of it / the worse it becomes.
Correct option: (1)
Correction: The more
Explanation:
In double comparative structures, the definite article “the” is used.
Example: The more you read, the wiser you become.
41. I met the gentleman / today morning / on my way…
Correct option: (1)
Correction: a gentleman
Explanation:
The gentleman is not specific, so “a” is correct.
42. We must have / sympathy for / needy and the poor.
Correct option: (3)
Correction: the needy
Explanation:
Adjectives like needy, rich, poor take “the” when they refer to a group of people.
43. In 1906 / a earthquake / destroyed much of San Francisco.
Correct option: (1)
Correction: an earthquake
Explanation:
“Earthquake” starts with a vowel sound, so “an” is used.
44. She had an / miserable existence / living with him.
Correct option: (1)
Correction: a miserable existence
Explanation:
“Miserable” begins with a consonant sound, so “a” is correct.
45. …in contact with the one rotten mango.
Correct option: (3)
Correction: one rotten mango
Explanation:
Before cardinal numbers (one, two, three), “the” is not used.
46. Paradise Lost / is / a epic poem.
Correct option: (3)
Correction: an epic poem
Explanation:
“Epic” starts with a vowel sound, so “an” is used.
47. Every citizen is / entitled to / the voting.
Correct option: (3)
Correction: voting
Explanation:
“Voting” is used in a general sense, so “the” is not required.
48. A interesting book / ‘A Tale of Two Cities’…
Correct option: (1)
Correction: An interesting book
Explanation:
“Interesting” starts with a vowel sound, so “an” is correct.
49. Headmaster / has instructed / the teachers…
Correct option: (1)
Correction: The headmaster
Explanation:
The sentence refers to a specific headmaster, so “the” is required.
50. She gave me details of all the schools…
Correct option: (c)
Correction: She gave me the details of
Explanation:
“Details” refers to specific information, so it takes “the”.
51. …to give you the accurate date…
Correct option: (2)
Correction: an exact date
Explanation:
The phrase “an exact date” is more appropriate than the accurate date.
52. …from my house / to temple…
Correct option: (3)
Correction: the temple
Explanation:
Here the temple is specific, so “the” is used.
53. …Kalidas was the greater than any other poet.
Correct option: (2)
Correction: greater
Explanation:
The comparative degree does not take “the” unless used in comparison structures.
54. While an electron carries a negative charge…
Correct option: (4)
Answer: No error
55. If the sun and moon were balanced…
Correct option: (1)
Correction: the moon
Explanation:
Names of celestial bodies (sun, moon, earth) generally take “the”.
