In IELTS Writing and Speaking, using articles and quantifiers correctly can improve clarity and accuracy. In this activity, you’ll read about food waste and sustainability — a frequent IELTS topic — while practising “a,” “the,” “many,” “some,” “few,” and “much.”
7. Reducing Food Waste at Home
Food waste is __________ (1) major problem in many parts of the world. Households throw away large amounts of food every year, and __________ (2) of this waste could be avoided. When people buy more than they need, they often forget about the extra items until it’s too late.
There are simple ways to reduce food waste. For example, you can plan meals ahead and buy only what you need. This saves money and reduces pressure on the environment. In addition, storing food correctly and using leftovers can make __________ (3) difference.
It’s not about making big changes overnight. Even __________ (4) small steps can lead to long-term results. If __________ (5) people take action, the total impact could be huge.
Check answers at the bottom of the page.
1.
(A) the
(B) a
(C) an
(D) much
2.
(A) some
(B) few
(C) many
(D) much
3.
(A) a
(B) some
(C) any
(D) many
4.
(A) a
(B) the
(C) few
(D) some
5.
(A) much
(B) many
(C) a
(D) little
Grammar Explanations
1. “a major problem”
– “A” is used before singular countable nouns when introducing something general for the first time.
2. “many of this waste”
– “Many” is used for plural countable nouns like “items” or “sources.”
3. “a difference”
– Common expression; "make a difference" always uses “a.”
4. “some small steps”
– “Some” is used with plural countable nouns to mean a few but not all.
5. “many people”
– “Many” is the correct quantifier for countable plural nouns like “people.”
Correct Answers:
- (C) a
- (C) many
- (A) a
- (D) some
- (B) many
