Lesson 08: The Specifics

Focus: Articles (A, An, The, Zero)
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Vocabulary: Office & Geography

Articles often depend on whether something is unique or general.

Office Items (Countable)

Document /ˈdɒk.jə.mənt/ Документ (An/The)
Envelope /ˈen.və.ləʊp/ Плик (An/The)
Employee /ɪmˈplɔɪ.iː/ Служител (An/The)
Accountant /əˈkaʊn.tənt/ Счетоводител (An/The)
Uniform /ˈjuː.nɪ.fɔːm/ Униформа (A uniform - 'yu' sound)
Hour /aʊər/ Час (An hour - silent H)

Unique Things (Always 'The')

The Sun /sʌn/ Слънцето
The Moon /muːn/ Луната
The Internet /ˈɪn.tə.net/ Интернет
The CEO /ˌsiː.iːˈəʊ/ Изпълнителният директор (Specific title)
The Sky /skaɪ/ Небето

No Article (Zero)

Lunch /lʌntʃ/ Обяд (Meals)
Music /ˈmjuː.zɪk/ Музика (General Abstract)
Work /wɜːk/ Работа (Place/Concept)

Grammar Lab: Articles

1. Indefinite Articles (A / An)

Use for Singular Countable nouns when talking about them for the first time or in general.

  • A + Consonant Sound: A car, A book, A university ('yu' sound).
  • An + Vowel Sound: An apple, An egg, An hour (silent H).
  • Jobs: I am a doctor. She is an engineer.

2. Definite Article (The)

Specific / Second Mention

When we know WHICH one.

  • I bought a shirt. The shirt is blue.
  • Can you close the door? (That specific door).

Unique Things

There is only one in the world.

  • The Sun, The Earth, The Internet.
  • The President, The CEO.

Geography

Rivers, Oceans, Seas.

  • The Danube, The Black Sea.
  • The Pacific Ocean.
3. Zero Article (No Article / - )
CategoryRuleExample
General PluralsTalking about all of them generally.Cats are cute. (Not 'The cats')
I like cars.
Proper NamesMost Cities, Countries, People.I live in Sofia.
He is John.
MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner.I had lunch at 12:00.
Abstract/UncountableGeneral concepts.Love is important.
I need information.
4. Special Cases (Work / Home / Bed)
We usually do not use "The" with these routine places:
  • Go to work / Be at work.
  • Go home / Be at home.
  • Go to bed.

Reading: The New Office

The team is moving to a new building. Read their messages.
🏢

1. The Announcement

From: Mr. Smith
Team, we are moving to a new office next week. The office is in the city center, near the river. It is a modern building with a large kitchen. Please pack your things into boxes. Don't forget to label the boxes with your name.

Questions:

1. Are they moving to a new office?
2. Where is the office?
3. What must they label?
🪑

2. Jake's Request

Mr. Smith,
I need a new chair. The chair I have now is broken. Also, I need an extra monitor for my computer. I saw a cheap monitor on the Internet. Can I buy it? I promise to work hard in the new location.

Questions:

1. What does Jake need?
2. Is his current chair okay?
3. Where did he see the monitor?
🥪

3. Lunch Time

Emma,
Do you want to have lunch with me? There is an Italian restaurant next to the bank. I heard the pizza there is amazing. After lunch, we can go to a shop to buy some pens for the team.

Questions:

1. What meal are they talking about?
2. Where is the restaurant?
3. What is amazing there?
🌍

4. Sarah's Holiday

Hi everyone,
Before we move, I am going on a holiday. I am flying to France on Friday. I will visit Paris and see the Eiffel Tower. I love French food. I will be back in the office on Monday morning.

Questions:

1. Where is Sarah going?
2. What will she see?
3. When will she be back?
🔑

5. The Keys

Mr. Smith,
I have lost the keys to the old office. I think I left them in a taxi. I called the taxi company, but they couldn't find them. Do you have a spare key? I am very sorry.

Questions:

1. What has he lost?
2. Where did he leave them?
3. Does he need a spare key?
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Exercises (15 Sets)

Choose: A, An, The, or - (Zero Article).

The Special Item

Characters: Mr. Smith, Jake, Sarah.
Context: They are looking for specific items in the messy office.
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Game: The Archive Sorter

Role: You are the Archive Manager.

Mission: Sort the incoming files into the correct bin before the timer runs out!

A / AN / THE / X (No Article)

Score: 0 Time Left: 5.0s
___ Apple