Ampersand Lab

Foundation grammar · Lesson 72 · A2

I like music, I hate exams

To talk about things in general, use the noun without the: I like music, dogs are friendly, crime is a problem. Use the for a particular thing: the music at the party was loud.

Start the lesson

11Steps · about 18 minutes

In this lesson

In general: no theA2 screens of questions
A particular thing: theB2 screens of questions
Put it together+3 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 2

In general: no the

When you talk about things or people in general, do not use the.

This goes for subjects, sports, food, music, ideas and so on: history, football, chocolate, music, life, crime.

  • I love music. (not the music)
  • Dogs are good company.
  • I'm not interested in politics.
  • Do you like football?
  • Life is complicated.
  • Crime is a big problem in many cities.

Point A · Exercise 72.1 · part 1 of 2

What do you think about these things? Write sentences beginning I like, I don't like, I love, I hate, I don't mind. Choose from: cats, crowded trains, reality TV, early mornings, festivals, galleries, coffee, cycling, board games, jazz, cooking, horror films.

  1. Example

    (early mornings)

    I hate early mornings.

    Example answerI hate early mornings.

  2. (cats)

  3. (crowded trains)

  4. (festivals)

  5. (galleries)

Point A · Exercise 72.1 · part 2 of 2

What do you think about these things? Write sentences beginning I like, I don't like, I love, I hate, I don't mind. Choose from: cats, crowded trains, reality TV, early mornings, festivals, galleries, coffee, cycling, board games, jazz, cooking, horror films.

  1. (coffee)

  2. (jazz)

Point B of 2

A particular thing: the

Use the for a particular thing or person, one we both know about.

  • I love music. The music at the party was too loud.
  • Dogs are friendly. The dog next door barks all night.
  • Do you like tea? The tea in this café is excellent.
  • I'm interested in history. The history of Wales is fascinating.

Point B · Exercise 72.2 · part 1 of 2

Are you interested in these things? Write sentences with I'm (very) interested in, I'm not interested in, I know a lot about, I know a little about, I don't know much about, I don't know anything about.

  1. Example

    (history)

    I'm very interested in history.

    Example answerI'm very interested in history.

  2. (politics)

  3. (sport)

  4. (art)

  5. (astronomy)

Point B · Exercise 72.2 · part 2 of 2

Are you interested in these things? Write sentences with I'm (very) interested in, I'm not interested in, I know a lot about, I know a little about, I don't know much about, I don't know anything about.

  1. (economics)

Put it together · Exercise 72.3 · part 1 of 3

Which is right? Write the correct form.

  1. Example

    My favourite sport is football (football / the football).

    AnswerMy favourite sport is football.

  2. I like this hotel. (Rooms / The rooms) are very nice.

  3. Everybody needs (friends / the friends).

  4. Max doesn't watch (horror films / the horror films). They scare him.

  5. We ate at Luigi's last night. (Pizzas / The pizzas) were delicious.

Put it together · Exercise 72.3 · part 2 of 3

Which is right? Write the correct form.

  1. "Where's (milk / the milk)?" "It's in the fridge."

  2. I can't stand (coffee / the coffee). It's too bitter.

  3. "Do you do any sport?" "Yes, I play (basketball / the basketball)."

  4. Nowadays (most people / the most people) have a smartphone.

Put it together · Exercise 72.3 · part 3 of 3

Which is right? Write the correct form.

  1. We went out for a meal last night. (Food / The food) was lovely.

  2. Some people are afraid of (spiders / the spiders).

  3. Do you think (life / the life) is fair?

Lesson 72 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: the ... (names of places)Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. In general: no the–Not checkedB. A particular thing: the–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked