63.2 Put in a/an or the where necessary in these sentences

1. I saw __a__ snake in __the__ garden.
Explanation: We use "a" before a singular countable noun when we are talking about something for the first time or when it is not specific. In this sentence, the word "snake" is singular and not specific, so we use "a". We use "the" when we are talking about a specific thing or when the thing being referred to is already known to the listener. In this case, "the garden" refers to a specific garden.

2. She has __a__ cat and __a__ dog as pets.
Explanation: Both "cat" and "dog" are singular countable nouns and are not specific, so we use "a" before both of them.

3. I bought __a__ new book yesterday.
Explanation: "Book" is a singular countable noun and not specific, so we use "a" before it.

4. __The__ sun rises in __the__ east.
Explanation: "The" is used before "sun" because it is a unique and specific noun. We also use "the" before directions like "east" because they are specific.

5. Can you pass me __the__ salt, please?
Explanation: "The" is used before "salt" because it is a specific item that the speaker wants.

6. We went to __the__ cinema last night.
Explanation: "The" is used before "cinema" because it refers to a specific cinema that the speaker and listener are aware of.

7. He wants to be __an__ astronaut when he grows up.
Explanation: "Astronaut" starts with a vowel sound, so we use "an" before it.

8. She is __an__ actress in __the__ school play.
Explanation: "Actress" starts with a vowel sound, so we use "an" before it. "The" is used before "school play" because it refers to a specific play happening in the school.

9. They saw __a__ shooting star in __the__ sky.
Explanation: "Shooting star" is a singular countable noun and not specific, so we use "a" before it. "The" is used before "sky" because it refers to the specific sky that they were looking at.

10. We need to buy __some__ milk from __the__ store.
Explanation: "Milk" is an uncountable noun, so we use "some" before it. "The" is used before "store" because it refers to a specific store that they need to buy milk from.