Unit
69 a/an and the
A a/an the
Can you open
the window?
Can you open
a window?
!ere are three windows here. !ere is only one window here –
a window = window 1 or 2 or 3 the window.
I’ve got a car. I’m going to clean the car tomorrow.
(there are many cars and I’ve got one) (= my car)
Can I ask a question? (there are many Can you repeat the question, please?
questions – can I ask one?) (= the question that you asked)
Is there a hotel near here? (there are We enjoyed our holiday. !e hotel
many hotels – is there one near here?) was very nice. (= our hotel)
Paris is an interesting city. (there are Paris is the capital of France.
many interesting cities and Paris is one) (there is only one capital of France)
Lisa is a student. Lisa is the youngest student in her
(there are many students and Lisa class. (there is only one youngest
is one) student in her class)
Compare a and the:
I bought a jacket and a shirt . !e jacket was cheap, but the shirt was expensive.
(= the jacket and the shirt that I bought)
B We say the … when it is clear which thing or person we mean. For example:
the door / the ceiling / the floor / the carpet / the light etc. (of a room)
the roof / the garden / the kitchen / the bathroom etc. (of a house)
the centre / the station / the airport / the town hall etc. (of a town)
‘Where’s Tom?’ ‘In the kitchen.’ the ceiling
(= the kitchen of this house or flat) the light
Turn off the light and close the door. the door
(= the light and the door of the room)
Do you live far from the centre?
(= the centre of your town)
I’d like to speak to the manager, please.
(= the manager of this shop etc.)
the floor
a/an ➜ Unit 65 the ➜ Units 70–73
Exercises Unit
Write a/an or the.
69
1 We enjoyed our trip. The hotel was very nice.
2 ‘Can I ask a question?’ ‘Sure. What do you want to know?’
3 You look very tired. You need holiday.
4 ‘Where’s Tom?’ ‘He’s in garden.’
5 Eve is interesting person. You should meet her.
6 A: Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to city centre?
B: Yes, go straight on and then take next turning left.
7 A: Shall we go out for meal this evening?
B: Yes, that’s good idea.
8 It’s nice morning. Let’s go for walk.
9 Amanda is student. When she finishes her studies, she wants to be journalist. She
lives with two friends in apartment near college where she is studying.
apartment is small, but she likes it.
10 Peter and Mary have two children, boy and girl. boy is seven years old, and
girl is three. Peter works in factory. Mary doesn’t have job at the moment.
Complete the sentences. Use a or the + these words:
airport cup dictionary door floor picture
1 2 3
Can you open How far is it to Can I have
the door , please? ? of coffee, please?
4 5 6
Can you pass me
, please?
"at’s nice Why are you sitting
– I like it. on ?
!ese sentences are not correct. Put in a /an or the where necessary.
1 Don’t forget to turn off light when you go out. turn off the light
2 Enjoy your trip, and don’t forget to send me postcard.
3 What is name of this village?
4 Canada is very big country.
5 What is largest city in Canada?
6 I like this room, but I don’t like colour of carpet.
7 ‘Are you OK?’ ‘No, I’ve got headache.’
8 We live in old house near station.
9 What is name of director of film we saw last night?
