（13）冠詞（The Articles）

1. a 和 an 的用途：

（1）a 用于輔音之前（所謂輔音系指該詞的實際讀音而言）。

例：a b ox，a u seful thing（因 u = 〔ju：〕），a ew e lamb（因 ew = 〔ju：〕），a o ne-eyed man（因 o = 〔w?〕）

（2）an 用于元音之前（所謂元音指實際的讀音而言）。

例：an o x，an h ou r，an h ei r，an h o nest man（因 h 不發音）

練習題（22）

下列舉句中的不定冠詞（a、an），如有用錯者改正之。

1. There is a inkspot on that paper. Ink is an useful article.

2. He was shot by a arrow while riding an horse.

3. I never allow a organ to be played in front of my window.

4. A box of tools would be an useful present to him.

5. He gave a apple to one of them，and a orange to the other.

6. He is a untidy man，both in his work and in his dress.

7. Have you an history of America to lend me？

8. He was a African by birth，not an European.

9. He was kept two months laid up in an hospital.

10. I never saw such a thing before，it was an unique sight.

11. He was looked upon as an hero by all who knew him.

12. He was cheered with an universal shout of applause.

13. Have you a umbrella that you could lend me？

2. 關于冠詞特別注意事項：

（1）冠詞之反復：

a. 兩個名詞之前各別用冠詞時，表示所指者為各別的兩物（人）。

例：The poet and the statesman are dead.（兩個不同的人）

The poet and statesman is dead.（同一人）

b. 修飾同一名詞的兩個形容詞之前，各有冠詞時，則指兩個不同之物（人）。

例：I have a black and a white cat.（黑貓和白貓各一）

I have a black and white cat.（黑白花紋的一貓）

c. 但只用一次冠詞，亦可指不同之二物（人），但名詞須變為復數。

例：1. Bring me the black and the white cat.（兩貓）

2. Bring me the black and white cats.（兩貓）

3. Bring me the black and white cat.（一貓）

　　上例中1和2同表示黑和白的兩只貓，3則為黑白花的一只貓。

（2）不定冠詞之用法：凡指一般者而非特殊者時：

公式：A（n）+ 單數名詞 = 復數名詞

例：A man cannot live long without food and drink.

Men cannot live long without food and drink.

（3）定冠詞之用法：指特定者用之，名詞單復數皆可：

例：The book on the table is a dictionary.（特指在桌上的那本書）

The honesty of my servant is doubtful.（專指我的仆人的忠實）

The waves at that time were very rough.（專指那個時候的浪）

但“定冠詞 + 單數名詞”有時表示該種類全體，此時則在意義上與“不定冠詞 + 單數名詞”沒有多大分別。

例：The horse is a noble animal.（馬這種動物）

此時 The horse 改為 A horse 亦未嘗不可。

練習題（23）

A. 用適當的冠詞填入空白處：

1. ____chair on which you are sitting is not comfortable.

2. There is____pencil on the desk.

3. ____customer whom Mr. Smith telephoned this morning is here now，waiting to see him.

4. There is____customer waiting to see Mr. Smith.

5. I should like to find____good book to read tonight.

6. ____book which I am reading now is a very good one.

7. ____book which gave me the greatest pleasure was“Les Miserable”.

8. ____good book is always a pleasure to me.

9. Have you____cigarette？

10. John angrily threw away____cigarette he was smoking.

B. 下列句子的空白處，若需要冠詞時，用適當者填入之。

1. ____coal is mined in____many countries.

2. ____fresh air is necessary for____health.

3. ____water must be pure when used for drinking purposes.

4. ____water in the ocean is very salty.

5. Plenty of____rain and____sun are necessary for the raising of cotton.

6. ____tea will not keep you awake at night.

7. ____tea which is imported from____China is of good quality.

8. ____tea in this pot is weak.

9. ____cotton is one of____important products of____South.

10. ____tea，____cotton，and____rice come from____India.

11. ____steel in this building came from____Pittsburgh.

12. ____copper is a good conductor of____electricity.

13. New York city is____largest city in____United States.

C. 將下列句中的冠詞補出：

1. Rhone River flows through Lake Geneva，which acts as filter for river.

2. Most of Chinese live on plain of Yang-tse Kiang. Many live on plain of Hwan Ho.

3. Mt. Everest is highest mountain in world.

4. In order to reach Philippine Islands from Hong Kong one must cross China Sea.

5. Mississippi is longest river in north America.

6. Panama Canal joins Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

7. First World War began in month of August，1914.

8. President of United States is elected every four years.

9. Himalayas are greatest mountain range.

10. Wolf is animal of same family as dog.

D. 將下列句子變為單數，注意加上適當的冠詞：

1. Camels travel across the desert.

2. Coolies work very hard.

3. Sharks are dangerous creatures.

4. Cows do not eat flesh.

5. Monkeys have long tails.

6. Footballs are filled with air.

7. Rats are larger than mice.

8. Bicycles have two wheels.

9. Kangaroos do not lay eggs.

10. Fire engines carry ladders.

練習題（24）

補出必需的冠詞，或劃去多余的冠詞，或依冠詞之必要而變更名詞之數。

1. I have just bought a fresh copy of the Old and New Testament.

2. The five elements，according to the Hindoos，are the earth，the air，the fire，the water，and

the ether.

3. Burnt child shunts the fire.

4. The old and new method of cure failed equally with him.

5. A cool and a bracing air suits me better than anything.

6. The black and the white horse that he rides fell with him.

7. I have to keep two servant-maids for this house，a cook and housemaid.

8. The just and the merciful general spared the conquered.

9. A live ass is better than dead lion.

10. The men have a higher degree of reason than the brutes.

11. He was much respected both by the civil and military officers.

12. The greatest traders in Europe are the English，Germans，and Dutch.

13. The loyal and disloyal members were agreed on this point.

14. The two parties，the Whig and Tory，were nearly equally balanced.

15. There are in this town a club，public library，and swimming bath.

16. This book is the work of a patient and an acute observer.