Select the most appropriate article to fill in the blank. If no article is…
2026
Select the most appropriate article to fill in the blank. If no article is needed, select ‘No article required’.
He is studying how pollution affects _____ atmosphere and human health.
Answer: A. the — ConceptThe definite article “the” marks a noun whose reference is specific or uniquely understood in context. The indefinite articles “a/an” introduce one…
- A.
the
- B.
No article required
- C.
an
- D.
a
Attempted by 129 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Concept
The definite article “the” marks a noun whose reference is specific or uniquely understood in context.
The indefinite articles “a/an” introduce one non-specific singular countable noun; a zero article is usual for plural or uncountable nouns used in a general sense.
Application
Here “atmosphere” means Earth’s atmosphere, a unique and specific entity. Therefore the sentence takes “the”: He is studying how pollution affects the atmosphere and human health.
Contrast
No article required: The zero-article pattern would present “atmosphere” in a general or abstract sense, whereas this sentence refers to Earth’s unique atmosphere.
“an”: This indefinite article is used before a vowel sound with a singular countable noun, not for a uniquely identified entity.
“a”: This indefinite article is used before a consonant sound with a singular countable noun; “atmosphere” begins with a vowel sound and is uniquely identified here.
Cross-check
Substitution gives the standard expression “the atmosphere”. The completed sentence is grammatically natural and preserves the intended reference to Earth’s atmosphere.