Learning Support Key Stage 3

Misuse of articles

Indefinite articles are used for nouns whose specific identity is unknown. “A” is used before a singular noun that begins with a consonant sound. “An” is used before a singular noun that begins with a vowel sound. “The” is a definite article and is used in front of singular or plural nouns and adjectives to refer to something with which both the writer and reader are familiar. “A duck” refers to a single unspecified duck whereas “the duck”refers to a specific duck. There is only one definite article in English Language this means you don’t have to worry about listening for vowel sounds.

WHICH ARTICLE?

Fill in the blanks with either “a”, “an”, or “the”.

I went to 1)______ airport at 6:00 AM yesterday. I had to catch 2)______ flight to Paris. The lines at 3)______ airport were very long, so I had to wait 4) ______ long time. Once 5) ______ plane took off, I tried to get some sleep but I couldn't. Then I ate 6) ______ pretty good meal, 7)______ rare occurrence on airplanes! Later, I spoke to one of 8) ______ flight attendants for 9) _____ while. She was pretty. She told me that 10) ______ pilot of 11) ______ airplane was French. I managed to fall asleep for about 12) ______ hour. After I woke up, I felt refreshed. I ordered 13) _____ drink, then another. Generally, it was 14) ______ pretty smooth flight.

Some more?

Fill in the blanks with either “a”, “an”, or “the”.

Jim, 1) ______ old friend of mine, used to work in downtown Los Angeles. He had 2) ______ good job in one of 3) ______ biggest law firms in 4) ______ city. He was 5) ______ honest, hard-working lawyer, but he hated his job. So he decided to leave, and become 6) ______ surfer instead. Now Jim spends his days surfing 7) ______ waves of Malibu. It isn't 8) ______ easy life, but it makes him happy.

Article or no article?

Choose the correct article:

1. How much money do you want? Give me ________ 10 dollars. a) NO ARTICLE b) the

2. I gave him ________ money that I found. a) NO ARTICLE b) the

3. She is ________ only person here that speaks Japanese. a) NO ARTICLE b) the

4. I live in ________ London. a) NO ARTICLE b) the

5. This kind of ________ weather makes me happy. a) NO ARTICLE b) a

6. He bought ________ new car. a) NO ARTICLE b) a

7. What does he do? He sells ________ cars. a) NO ARTICLE b) the

8. I live on ________ Washington Street. a) NO ARTICLE b) the

9. I drank ________ glass of milk. a) NO ARTICLE b) a

10. Two of my classmates come from ________ Vietnam. a) NO ARTICLE b) the

(learnenglishfeelgood.com)

Tenses

To know your tenses go to this website.

http://www.elihinkel.org/tips/tenses.htm

MIXED VERB TENSES ACTIVITY 1

For each sentence, choose the correct tense of the verb.

1. John ________ in San Diego for the past 3 years (and he still lives there).

    a) lived             b) was lived       c) has lived

2. My brother ________ in San Diego up until last year.

   a) was lived   b) was living c) has lived

3. I worked as a graphic designer before I ________ to England.

   a) came    b) have come    c) did come

4. ________ reading the paper yet?

   a) Were you finished    b) Have you finished    c) Are you finishing

5. I ________ in love three times in my life.

   a) was being    b) was   c) have been

6. I ________ in love with Mary, but she left me for another man.

   a) have been    b) was being    c) was

7. Frank ________ tennis for three years when he was at school.

   a) played   b) has played    c) was play

8. _________ me last night?

   a) Have you called    b) Did you call c) Were you called

9. I was at the club yesterday, but I _________ you.

   a) haven't seen    b) did not saw c) did not see

10. I ________ this upset in many years!

   a) haven't been    b) was not   c) was not being

MIXED VERB TENSES ACTIVITY 2

For each sentence, choose the correct form of the verb.

1. I never ________ you that I loved her. I only said that I liked her. (to tell)

  a) told     b) have told      c) was telling

2. I ________ to Greece until Sally and I went there last summer. (to be)

a) have never been         b) had never been        c) was never being

3. By the time I'm 50, I ________ a million dollars. (to make)

a) will make      b) would make         c) will have made

4. I want ________ the exercises for advanced students. (to try)

a) try    b) to try     c) to have tried

5. Hey, you ________ at the computer all day. You should really take a break. (to sit)

a) have been sitting       b) were sitting      c) did sit

6. He claimed that he had never seen that man, but I know that ________. (to see)

a) he did     b) he had       c) he was

7. What ________ to her about last night? (to speak)

a) have you spoken         b) you spoke       c) did you speak

8. What have you been doing all day? _________ TV? (to watch)

a) watch      b) watching       c) have watched

9. She ________ lunch when someone rang the doorbell. (to prepare)

a) was preparing        b) prepared       c) has been preparing

10. She never ________ when someone leaves her a message. (to call back)

a) has called back       b) calls back      c) will call back

If you like to try some more you can visit:

http://www.learnenglishfeelgood.com/esl-printables-worksheets.html

Have fun with some Tenses:

http://www.eslgamesworld.com/members/games/ClassroomGames/Quizshow/Verb%20Tenses%20Past,%20Future,%20Perfect%20Present/

http://www.eslgamesworld.com/members/games/grammar/perfectpast/present%20vs%20past%20tenses.html

Opinion Poll

What makes you happy?

	Spending time with Family
	Spending time with friends
	Having lots of money
	Doing well at school
	Helping others

Opinion Poll

Dates to Remember

School Timetable