Articles in Academic English: a, an, the and No Article – Teacher Answers

Teacher answer key

1. Because it refers to trees in general.
2. To introduce one new singular countable example.
3. Because the reader now knows which park is meant.
4. Ask whether the noun is general, a new example, or a specific known thing.
5. For example: the environment.
6. Grammar: the / Ø (“the world”; “air quality” in general).
7. Grammar: A.
8. Grammar: Ø nature.
9. Grammar: a park / The park.
10. Listening: general, one new example, specific known thing; a/an; the; “a solution / the solution”.

Listening script

Before choosing an article, ask three questions. Are you talking about something in general? Are you introducing one new example? Or do you mean a specific thing the reader already knows? If it is one new countable example, use “a” or “an”. When you mention that same thing again, “the” is often possible. For example: “A city needs a solution. The solution must be affordable.”

For open-ended speaking and writing tasks, accept different answers when students can explain or support them clearly.