A, an, the or nothing. The floor is lava

1.

Instructions
Please make sure you view this PowerPoint in Presentation mode.
When you start the game, choosing the correct question word on each slide
will enable you to move on to the next. If the wrong word is clicked on,
you'll be unable to progress until you click the correct answer.

2.

3.

Do we use a/an, the or nothing
in these situations?
• When we’re talking about a
unique object, or an object
that’s unique in the context
The (e.g. The moon is very bright
today.)
?
• When we’re talking about one
of many
A/an (e.g. Can you pass me a
spoon?)
?
• When we’re talking about
countable nouns in general
?
Nothing (e.g. I love dogs.)
• When we’re talking about
uncountable nouns in general
Nothing (e.g. Money can’t buy you
happiness.)
?
• When we talk about a singular,
countable noun for the first
time
?
A/an (e.g. Sara bought a new car.)
• When we talk about a singular,
countable noun for the
second/third (etc.) time
The (e.g. Sara bought a new car.
The car is red and very fast.)
?

4.

Do we use a/an, the or
nothing in these situations?
• With rivers
?
The (e.g. the River Nile)
• With lakes
?
Nothing (e.g. Lake Victoria)
• With mountains
?
Nothing (e.g. Mount Kilimanjaro)
• With mountain ranges
?
The (e.g. the Alps)
• With groups of islands
?
The (e.g. the Galapagos Islands)
• With most countries
Nothing (e.g. France, China).
Exceptions are made for countries
with ‘Republic’, ‘Democratic’ or
‘United’ in the name (e.g. the
United States).
?
• With superlatives
The (e.g. You’re the best friend in
the world.)
?
• With dates, days and times
?
Nothing (e.g. See you on Tuesday!)
• With institutions like school,
university, prison or church
Nothing (E.g. I don’t want to go to
school today!)
?

5.

Rules of the Game
This game will help you practice selecting the right article
- a, an, the or nothing.
You must help an alien, Quipple, choose the right verb in the past simple
and step on the right stone to avoid the lava. If you choose the wrong
stone, you must go back to the beginning of the game.
Everyone can join in by shouting ‘The floor is lava!’ If that happens,
everyone must make sure that they aren’t touching the floor by jumping
on a chair or other furniture.

6.

The Floor Is Lava
Quipple the alien needs to get
across the lava. Help him
choose the correct stone to
stand on by selecting the right
article - a, an, the or nothing.
If you get the wrong answer, it’s
bad news… the floor turns to
Start the Game

7.

Step 1
“When is the exam?”
“It’s next
Friday.”
Next step

8.

Step 2
“What’s for dinner?”
“I don’t know. Look in
fridge.”
Next step

9.

Step 3
Where do you go to
school?
Next step

10.

Step 4
I really want
new phone for my birthday.
Next step

11.

Step 5
All you need is
love.
Next step

12.

Step 6
There’s a cat on the roof!
cat looks like it’s lost.
Next step

13.

Step 7
smoking is bad for you.
Next step

14.

Step 8
I don’t like
cheese.
Next step

15.

Step 9
There are river dolphins in
Amazon River.
Next step

16.

Step 10
If you visit Chicago, you’ll see
Lake Michigan.
Next step

17.

Step 11
Mount Everest is the
tallest mountain in the world.
Next step

18.

Step 12
Himalayas are in Bhutan, China,
India, Nepal and Pakistan.
Next step

19.

Step 13
Over 17,000 islands make up
Indonesian Archipelago.
Next step

20.

Step 14
I lived in
Dominican Republic for six years.
Next step

21.

Step 15
We had
amazing time on holiday.
Next step

22.

Step 16
I’m from the north of
Spain.
Next step

23.

Step 17
Most people live in houses but Jim lives in
boat!
Next step

24.

Step 18
I graduated from
university in 2015.
Next step

25.

Step 19
smallest chameleon in the world is
only the size of your fingernail.

26.

Congratulations!
You made it to the
other side!