Demonstratives Worksheet Practice Exercises with Answers

Quick Tip 13.1

There are only four demonstratives in English: this, that, these, and those.

Test Yourself 13.1

Question 1. You can use this book.
Answer: The demonstrative is this.
In simple words: "This" points to the book being talked about.

Exam Tip: Look for the four demonstratives only - this, that, these, those - they point to people or things.

Question 2. Those speeches he gave were impressive.
Answer: The demonstrative is those.
In simple words: "Those" refers to the speeches from a distance or earlier time.

Exam Tip: Use "that" and "those" for things farther away; use "this" and "these" for things closer.

Question 3. They don't speak that language.
Answer: The demonstrative is that.
In simple words: "That" points to a specific language being mentioned.

Exam Tip: Demonstratives always come before a noun or stand alone - watch for these four words only.

Question 4. Kirsten sold all these items.
Answer: The demonstrative is these.
In simple words: "These" points to the items that are nearby or just talked about.

Exam Tip: "These" is plural and close; "those" is plural and far - keep them straight.

Question 5. This side of the Atlantic Ocean is more familiar to me.
Answer: The demonstrative is this.
In simple words: "This" points to the side of the ocean that is near or known to the speaker.

Exam Tip: Demonstratives often help show which specific thing or person you mean.

Test Yourself 13.2

Question 6. On top of the pile of fabrics was a sleeping cat.
Answer: The determiner is a (an article).
In simple words: "A" is an article that shows one cat, not a specific cat.

Exam Tip: Articles (a, an, the) introduce nouns; demonstratives point to specific things.

Question 7. That leader met with the residents of the village.
Answer: The determiners are that (demonstrative) and the (article), appearing twice.
In simple words: "That" points to a specific leader, and "the" points to specific residents and village.

Exam Tip: One sentence can have both articles and demonstratives - underline each type as asked.

Question 8. This taxi is heading toward a large shopping mall.
Answer: The determiners are this (demonstrative) and a (article).
In simple words: "This" points to the taxi right here, and "a" shows one mall (not a specific one).

Exam Tip: Pay attention to the word type before the noun - is it pointing to something or just introducing something?

Question 9. The instructor chose a very informative textbook.
Answer: The determiners are the (article) and a (article).
In simple words: Both words are articles - "the" points to a specific instructor, and "a" shows one textbook.

Exam Tip: Not every sentence has demonstratives - some have only articles.

Question 10. These pants won't fit in those drawers.
Answer: The determiners are these (demonstrative) and those (demonstrative).
In simple words: "These" points to pants that are close, and "those" points to drawers that are far.

Exam Tip: "These" and "those" are both demonstratives - "these" is near, "those" is far.

Test Yourself 13.3

Question 11. Are you looking for a better job?
Answer: The determiner is a (an article).
In simple words: "A" is an article that shows one job without pointing to a specific one.

Exam Tip: Underline with a solid line for demonstratives and a squiggly line for articles.

Question 12. That movie follows a young family after they immigrate to this country.
Answer: The determiners are that (demonstrative), a (article), and this (demonstrative).
In simple words: "That" points to a specific movie, "a" shows one family, and "this" points to the country being discussed.

Exam Tip: Mark each determiner type with the right underlining style as the question asks.

Question 13. Jane met an Englishman there whom she later married.
Answer: The determiner is an (an article).
In simple words: "An" is an article that shows one man, not a specific one.

Exam Tip: "An" is used before vowel sounds, but it is still an article, not a demonstrative.

Question 14. The weather was so wonderful at the beach.
Answer: The determiners are both the (article, appearing twice).
In simple words: "The" points to specific weather and a specific beach.

Exam Tip: The same word can show up more than once in a sentence - mark each one.

Question 15. All those cups of coffee won't help you get a good night's rest.
Answer: The determiners are those (demonstrative) and a (article).
In simple words: "Those" points to specific cups of coffee far away or mentioned before, and "a" shows one night.

Exam Tip: Demonstratives point to specific things; articles just introduce things in a general way.