Chapter 2: Determiners

English Grammar and Composition

Chapter 2: Determiners

Textbook: Punjab School Education Board (PSEB), English Grammar and Composition (For Senior Secondary Classes)

Formatting convention: Answers inserted into blanks are shown in bold. Where no article is required, [no article] is used as an explanatory marker; the marker is not part of the sentence.

Exercise 1 (Solved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate article, a, an, or the, or leave the space blank if no article is needed.

  1. I want an apple from that basket.
  2. The church on the corner is progressive.
  3. Miss Lin speaks [no article] Chinese.
  4. I borrowed a pencil from your pile of pencils and pens.
  5. One of the students said, “The professor is late today.”
  6. Ali likes to play [no article] volleyball.
  7. I bought an umbrella to go out in the rain.
  8. My daughter is learning to play the violin at her school.
  9. Please give me the cake that is on the counter.
  10. I lived on [no article] Main Street when I first came to town.

Exercise 2 (Unsolved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate article, a, an, or the, or leave the space blank if no article is needed.

  1. Albany is the capital of [no article] New York State.
  2. My husband’s family speaks [no article] Polish.
  3. An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
  4. The ink in my pen is red.
  5. Our neighbours have a cat and a dog.
  6. He is an idiot.
  7. You are doing a good job.
  8. It is a rotten plum.
  9. This is a used fork.
  10. A historian writes history books.

Exercise 3 (Solved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate article, a, an, or the, or leave the space blank if no article is needed.

  1. He is an honest man.
  2. It was a horrible movie.
  3. We went for an opera show at Sydney Opera House.
  4. Spanish is an easy language.
  5. Their car does 100 miles an hour.
  6. Mathura is a holy city.
  7. Cactus is a thorny plant.
  8. Which is the longest tunnel in the world?
  9. An honourable discharge is every employee’s right.
  10. He is an intelligent man.

Exercise 4 (Unsolved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate article, a, an, or the, or leave the space blank if no article is needed.

  1. It is a big table.
  2. There is a stairway in the lobby.
  3. Give me a paper clip.
  4. Dog is a faithful animal.
  5. I have an unusual feeling.
  6. We saw an interesting movie.
  7. He won an early bird prize in the party.
  8. It was a daring idea.
  9. The sun rises in the east.
  10. We gave away [no article] prizes.

Exercise 5 (Solved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate article, a, an, or the, or leave the space blank if no article is needed.

  1. The brick hit him in the face.
  2. He went [no article] home.
  3. She is going to the cinema.
  4. An idea can change your life.
  5. The higher you go the cooler it is.
  6. Southall is the Punjab of England.
  7. He is the most intelligent child of the family.
  8. An umbrella is a useful thing.
  9. He has a soft corner for the poor.
  10. I gave him a hundred rupee note.

Exercise 6 (Unsolved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate article, a, an, or the, or leave the space blank if no article is needed.

  1. I bought a pair of shoes.
  2. He gave me a beautiful gift.
  3. I have a one-rupee note.
  4. He is a senior teacher.
  5. Have you read the Bible?
  6. P.K. Shinh is an M.A.
  7. It is the best he could do.
  8. She is an N.C.C. officer.
  9. It was a pleasant day.
  10. He is a cowardly person.

Exercise 7 (Solved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate article, a, an, or the, or leave the space blank if no article is needed.

  1. She has a headache.
  2. I have got [no article] cold.
  3. What is on the radio tonight?
  4. This is a historical moment.
  5. He has a few friends in his class.
  6. He is studying in a European university.
  7. He is the worst player of the team.
  8. Rose is the taller of the two sisters.
  9. He is a great comedian.
  10. Wordsworth wrote poems about [no article] nature.

Exercise 8 (Unsolved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate article, a, an, or the, or leave the space blank if no article is needed.

  1. New York is a big city.
  2. A cow is a useful animal.
  3. Honesty is the best policy.
  4. France is a great country.
  5. The sun rises in the east.
  6. I saw him when he was a child.
  7. Who has not seen a tiger?
  8. [No article] milk is very nutritious.
  9. Man is after all an animal.
  10. How beautiful the stars are!

Exercise 9 (Solved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate article, a, an, or the, or leave the space blank if no article is needed.

  1. God has created the universe.
  2. Gold is a precious metal.
  3. Kalidasa is the Shakespeare of India.
  4. This is the best book I have ever read.
  5. The cat killed the rat.
  6. The cat is on the roof.
  7. Mahatma Gandhi was a great leader of India.
  8. The stone hit me on the head.
  9. John is the smallest boy in the class but Peter is the biggest.
  10. I would like to buy a pair of stockings and a couple of shirts.

Exercise 10 (Unsolved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate article, a, an, or the, or leave the space blank if no article is needed.

  1. Many a flower is born to blush unseen.
  2. He is the Newton of his age.
  3. I admire the wisdom of Solomon.
  4. The whole class will participate in the programme.
  5. The Himalayas protect the plains of India from the cold winds of the North.
  6. I watched an interesting film yesterday.
  7. I bought a laptop for my daughter.
  8. The laptop that I bought for my daughter was very expensive.
  9. My daughter didn’t like the laptop I gave her. She said that it was too big for her.
  10. So, I got it exchanged for a smaller model.

Exercise 11 (Solved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate article, a, an, or the, or leave the space blank if no article is needed.

  1. She absolutely loved the new model.
  2. My son has been asking for a smartphone for a while.
  3. He was the only child of his parents.
  4. Siddhartha was a kind-hearted prince.
  5. His parents shielded him from the miseries of the world.
  6. Sri Lanka is an island country in the Indian Ocean.
  7. I prefer the mountains to the seaside.
  8. We went to the same school.
  9. My brother is going out with a Chinese girl.
  10. I am looking forward to being a grandmother.

Exercise 12 (Unsolved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate determiner or leave the space blank if no determiner is needed.

  1. Have they got any matches?
  2. He used his shoe as a hammer.
  3. Harsh fed the dogs.
  4. There are some children in the park.
  5. Who invented the telephone?
  6. He is the oldest in his family.
  7. They met some nice Asian girls on holiday.
  8. I think there is some ice cream in the fridge.
  9. Let us go and bathe in the river.
  10. Have you seen the Red Fort?

Exercise 13 (Solved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate determiner or leave the space blank if no determiner is needed.

  1. Have you got any English friends?
  2. No, I haven’t got any English friends.
  3. But I have some English penfriends.
  4. He has no friends at all.
  5. She has a close friend. They spend all their time together.
  6. Would you like some more orange juice?
  7. I have hardly any money left.
  8. I never have any luck with the lottery.
  9. Have you got any money?
  10. Yes, I’ve got some.

Exercise 14 (Solved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate determiner or leave the space blank if no determiner is needed.

  1. There are many animals in this zoo.
  2. He is a man of a few words.
  3. How much milk do you need?
  4. Much time has passed now.
  5. He is the same boy who cheated me.
  6. Is there any water in the glass?
  7. Both he and his brother passed the exam.
  8. He can write with either hand.
  9. Few people would be cruel the blind.
  10. I shall finish this novel within two days.

Editorial note: Exercise 14, Question 9 appears incomplete in the textbook. In standard English, the likely intended sentence is “Few people would be cruel to the blind.” The inserted answer Few follows the textbook’s hint; the missing preposition should be checked against the printed original before publication.

Exercise 15 (Unsolved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate determiner or leave the space blank if no determiner is needed.

  1. I always keep a pen in my pocket.
  2. He has some good habits.
  3. She wants the advice of a doctor.
  4. She fell to the ground.
  5. The bullet hit on the spot.
  6. The path of duty leads to glory.
  7. He is an author of great versatility.
  8. He gave up his evil ways to attain salvation.
  9. Unemployment has been increasing at an alarming rate.
  10. Keep the enemy at an arm’s length.

Exercise 16 (Solved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate determiner or leave the space blank if no determiner is needed.

  1. He is an Indian Muslim.
  2. She wrote a letter quickly.
  3. She threw her arms round her baby.
  4. I have [no determiner] expectations from anyone.
  5. I think of the Ganges.
  6. A list of new books has been released.
  7. He is an international Grandmaster of Chess.
  8. He tore away his resignation letter.
  9. Singing is my passion.
  10. This road leads to Srinagar.

Exercise 17 (Unsolved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate determiner or leave the space blank if no determiner is needed.

  1. I have some relatives in this town.
  2. An umbrella is a useful thing.
  3. I have got some rice.
  4. You can find many wild animals in Rajaji National Park.
  5. Some of the rare books have been destroyed by foreign invaders.
  6. He has lost all his money in gambling.
  7. I do not have an extra dress for the evening party.
  8. Everybody should respect all religions.
  9. I purchased a new house.
  10. Painting is a profession.

Exercise 18 (Solved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate determiner or leave the space blank if no determiner is needed.

  1. Where shall I send this packet?
  2. He sat on the seat beside his bed.
  3. Sudha knew many languages.
  4. Hassan lost the little sympathy the teacher had for him.
  5. How much money does he need?
  6. All the papers were lying on the floor.
  7. There was hardly any effort by Hassan to overcome his bad habits.
  8. We have many things to finish before we go.
  9. I had to take the responsibility.
  10. The big hall has many windows.

Exercise 19 (Unsolved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate determiner or leave the space blank if no determiner is needed.

  1. How many students were there in the class?
  2. She is proud of her culinary skills.
  3. Philip was a great violinist.
  4. He did not make any mistake in the final match.
  5. Do you need any further information on this issue?
  6. How many cups of tea do you take daily?
  7. No part of the ashes should be retained.
  8. We have some spare cash to be distributed.
  9. He handed the cup to Socrates.
  10. Did you hear a noise?

Exercise 20 (Solved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate determiner or leave the space blank if no determiner is needed.

  1. He always keeps some money in his wallet for emergencies.
  2. The sun sets in the west.
  3. The doctor advised me to eat an apple every morning.
  4. There aren’t many students in the library.
  5. I haven’t got any pictures in my bedroom.
  6. She gave a cookie to each child.
  7. I’ve got to solve some math problems before I go to sleep.
  8. (With a bowl of cherries on your lap) These cherries are delicious!
  9. My mother doesn’t drink much coffee.
  10. Could you bring me the books I left in the garden?

Exercise 21 (Unsolved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate determiner or leave the space blank if no determiner is needed.

  1. I am a man of few words.
  2. A hobby is a must for proper use of time.
  3. An idle man’s mind is a devil’s workshop.
  4. There is hardly any person who doesn’t have a hobby.
  5. You have many pens but none works well.
  6. There are some horses in this stable.
  7. She wasted all the money she had.
  8. Wait for me in the hall.
  9. I want some sugar in my coffee.
  10. The friends he has, love him.

Editorial note: Question 10 is awkwardly worded. “The friends he has love him” is more natural without the comma. The answer The completes the likely intended construction, but the original punctuation should be checked before publication.

Exercise 22 (Solved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate determiner or leave the space blank if no determiner is needed.

  1. I caught the thief by the neck.
  2. I get up early in the morning.
  3. A lot of people are living in slums in Mumbai.
  4. All the dirty linen has been washed.
  5. Some students were absent today.
  6. One must keep one’s promise.
  7. My father is an advocate.
  8. Both Seeta and Geeta ran the race.
  9. Children should respect their elders.
  10. He is a gentleman. I like his behaviour.

Exercise 23 (Unsolved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate determiner or leave the space blank if no determiner is needed.

  1. I have some enemies.
  2. Every person must get the share.
  3. He gave me all the clothes he had.
  4. Rabindra Nath Tagore has written many great poems.
  5. I have done my best.
  6. The police could not find the lost Bike.
  7. He recites the Gita every morning.
  8. He has committed many crimes.
  9. I have made many friends in a short span of time.
  10. Do you have any change in your purse?

Exercise 24 (Solved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate determiner or leave the space blank if no determiner is needed.

  1. I have read many books written by Graham Greene.
  2. Each player was given a medal.
  3. Both the books are not expensive. You can buy either of them.
  4. There is little hope of his survival.
  5. He can take any dress he likes.
  6. We do not expect any mercy from him.
  7. Will you lend me some money?
  8. Miss Keller learnt many new words that day.
  9. How much money do you want?
  10. That plant is dying.

Exercise 25 (Unsolved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate determiner or leave the space blank if no determiner is needed.

  1. He tried to save the boy.
  2. It makes my flesh crawl to hear you.
  3. There is no end to it.
  4. I am not in favour of [no determiner] religious ceremonies.
  5. What is the matter with your tooth?
  6. She toils up the hill.
  7. She sank into a chair.
  8. I waited for him for a while.
  9. The unity and diversity of India is its strength.
  10. Thin men are [no determiner] divers.

Exercise 26 (Solved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate determiner or leave the space blank if no determiner is needed.

  1. Let’s go for a walk.
  2. I must sign the Will.
  3. Why couldn’t you have come a day earlier?
  4. This type of life lasted for ten years.
  5. Pasteur released the saliva into a tube.
  6. I covered my face and wept.
  7. What is this strange outcry?
  8. She asked her friend to lend some money.
  9. It is my opinion that these birds are mad.
  10. In a few seconds she put down her head.

Exercise 27 (Unsolved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate determiner or leave the space blank if no determiner is needed.

  1. This book is useful to me.
  2. There is not much coffee in the mug.
  3. That is a pen.
  4. The police was called to help.
  5. We need some more water today.
  6. They had taken some milk that day.
  7. Which dress do you like?
  8. Give me some curd.
  9. Every child likes chocolates.
  10. He stood first in the class.

Exercise 28 (Solved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate determiner or leave the space blank if no determiner is needed.

  1. He has done you no harm.
  2. His father is an M.P.
  3. English is a universal language.
  4. Do you still get any message from him?
  5. He is an honest officer.
  6. Jack and Jill went up the hill.
  7. All were drowned.
  8. Some milk was spilt.
  9. Anybody can do it if they try.
  10. Either of these roads leads to the airport.

Exercise 29 (Unsolved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate determiner or leave the space blank if no determiner is needed.

  1. Any fool can do that.
  2. They took it in turn.
  3. None of the accusations is true.
  4. It was a festival of spring.
  5. He hurried towards his friends.
  6. Nehru has been attached to the Ganga.
  7. I had left home without any money in my pocket.
  8. May I ask someone to tea?
  9. Then the noise was repeated.
  10. There is some time for Spain to choose from.

Exercise 30 (Unsolved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate determiner or leave the space blank if no determiner is needed.

  1. He returned the books after reading.
  2. They gave the children some toys.
  3. He liked the shirt that I gave him.
  4. It was a bitterly cold night.
  5. We were sitting on the deck of the launch.
  6. They were carrying water on their heads.
  7. I glanced at my watch.
  8. You must take the dog out.
  9. Everyone seemed to be in a hurry.
  10. There were still some questions unanswered.

Exercise 31 (Unsolved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate determiner or leave the space blank if no determiner is needed.

  1. I have an axe.
  2. Please give me some fruit to eat.
  3. He wrote an essay.
  4. There are some people whom I know in this town.
  5. December is the last month of the year.
  6. The Adi Granth is a sacred book of the Sikhs.
  7. She is as pure as an angel.
  8. Children were happy to see an elephant.
  9. Kashi is a holy city.
  10. Failures are the pillars of success.

Exercise 32 (Unsolved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate determiner or leave the space blank if no determiner is needed.

  1. Which team won the Kabbaddi finals in 2014?
  2. He applied for a job.
  3. There were many people at the platform.
  4. The old man gave all the clothes he had.
  5. Only a few friends were invited for my birthday party.
  6. He bought some bananas.
  7. How much butter do you need?
  8. He could take any of the dresses.
  9. There were many children in the ground.
  10. He could not finish his homework.

Exercise 33 (Solved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate determiner or leave the space blank if no determiner is needed.

  1. How much money did he steal?
  2. On Sundays, there is not much traffic on this road.
  3. He has spilt a little ink on his new dress.
  4. There is too much sugar in Coca Cola.
  5. It rained heavily. Only a few students came to school.
  6. She has not given any response so far.
  7. Are you proud of your beauty?
  8. He bought a new car.
  9. Have you drawn any new sketch?
  10. Is there any milk left in the glass?

Exercise 34 (Solved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate determiner or leave the space blank if no determiner is needed.

  1. Can you bring me a glass of water?
  2. How can I help you?
  3. I have not seen any movie in the past one month.
  4. Please show me some new prints.
  5. These shops are newly built.
  6. Dashrath had four sons.
  7. He was second to none.
  8. Do you have any work to do now?
  9. Ravi is the smarter of the two.
  10. All the Kaurvas were killed.

Exercise 35 (Solved)

Fill in the blanks with an appropriate determiner or leave the space blank if no determiner is needed.

  1. He said he would have some milk.
  2. He is leading a group of volunteers.
  3. Have you read any of these books?
  4. Very few politicians are honest these days.
  5. Shiv Batalvi is the Keats of Punjabi poetry.
  6. The Muslims bury their dead.
  7. He removed his hat on entering the main hall.
  8. Is this statement correct?
  9. He takes his medicine thrice a day.
  10. These grapes were a bit too high.

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