Articles (a/an/the/zero) Exercises PDFSet 10: Advanced Articles: Register, Fixed Expressions & Formal Usage
20 questions·15 min·Answers included·Explanations included
Preview: Questions
Fill in the blank with the correct option.
1.The architect explained the renovation plan in ___, covering everything from materials to projected completion dates.
a) the detailb) detailc) a detaild) details
2.The captain had spent most of his career at ___, sailing between Europe and the Americas.
a) seab) the seac) a sead) seas
3.The senator has been in ___ for three consecutive terms, making her one of the longest-serving members of the legislature.
a) the officeb) an officec) officed) offices
4.The controversial policy is completely out of ___; the board would never approve such a drastic measure.
a) a questionb) questionc) questionsd) the question
5.The night shift workers prefer to sleep by ___ and work during the evening hours.
a) the dayb) dayc) a dayd) days
... and 15 more questions in the PDF
Preview: Answers
1.detail
2.sea
3.office
4.the question
5.day
... and 15 more answers in the PDF
Preview: Explanations
1."detail"(b)
'In detail' is a fixed expression meaning 'thoroughly' or 'comprehensively'. 'In the detail' would refer to one specific detail. 'A detail' means a single piece of information, which doesn't fit with 'covering everything'.
2."sea"(a)
'At sea' is a fixed expression meaning 'on a voyage' or 'sailing'. 'At the sea' means 'near the sea' or 'at the seaside' — a physical location, not the activity of sailing. The context of 'sailing between Europe and the Americas' confirms the voyage meaning.
3."office"(c)
'In office' is a fixed expression meaning 'in a position of political power'. 'In the office' means physically inside an office building. 'Three consecutive terms' clearly refers to political service, not a physical location.
4."the question"(d)
'Out of the question' means 'impossible' or 'not to be considered'. The quite different expression 'out of question' (without 'the') is an archaic form meaning 'beyond doubt'. In modern English, 'out of the question' is the standard idiom for something unacceptable.
5."day"(b)
'By day' is a fixed expression meaning 'during the daytime' as a habitual pattern. 'By the day' means 'per day' (payment rate), as in 'paid by the day'. The context of habitual sleeping patterns requires 'by day'.
... and 15 more explanations in the PDF
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