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CBSE Class 9 French Chapter 3 Les Articles et le Genre des Noms Worksheet with Answers

Mastering French gender and articles is a foundation of CBSE Class 9 French grammar. Every noun in French carries a gender — masculine or feminine — and this determines which article (le, la, un, une) you must use. This worksheet provides structured practice across multiple question types, from quick MCQs to higher-order thinking scenarios, ensuring you internalize the rules of Les Articles et le Genre des Noms before your next CBSE term exam.

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Key takeaways

✓Every French noun is either masculine or feminine; this gender determines the article and adjective forms used with it.
✓Definite articles (le, la, les) mean 'the' and change according to gender and number; le and la become l' before vowels or silent h.
✓Indefinite articles (un, une, des) mean 'a', 'an', or 'some'; un is masculine, une is feminine, and des is plural for both genders.
✓Common masculine endings include -age, -ment, -eau, -oir; common feminine endings include -tion, -sion, -ée, -té, -ure.
✓Contractions occur when prepositions à and de meet le: à + le = au, de + le = du; à la and de la do not contract.
✓Memorizing gender with each new noun is essential, as many high-frequency words are exceptions to pattern rules.
✓CBSETUTOR.ai offers 24×7 AI tutoring for Class 9 French with photo-upload doubt solving at ₹999/month across all subjects, with a 3-day free trial.

Quick Chapter Recap: Les Articles et le Genre des Noms

In French, every noun is classified as masculine (masculin) or feminine (féminin). This gender affects the article that precedes the noun: definite articles le (masculine), la (feminine), and les (plural for both); indefinite articles un (masculine), une (feminine), and des (plural for both). When a noun begins with a vowel or silent h, le and la contract to l'. Prepositions à and de also contract with le: à + le becomes au, and de + le becomes du. Recognizing gender patterns — such as -tion and -sion endings being feminine, or -age and -ment being masculine — speeds up learning, but many common words are exceptions and must be memorized with their article. This chapter builds the foundation for all future French grammar, as articles and gender agreement appear in every sentence you write or speak.

Gender (masculine/feminine) is inherent to every French noun and must be learned with the word.
Definite articles: le (m.), la (f.), les (pl.); indefinite articles: un (m.), une (f.), des (pl.).
Elision: le and la become l' before vowels or silent h (e.g. l'arbre, l'école).
Contractions: à + le = au; de + le = du; à la and de la remain unchanged.
Common patterns: -tion, -sion, -ée, -té are usually feminine; -age, -ment, -eau are usually masculine.
Exceptions exist for high-frequency words like un problème (m.), la main (f.), requiring memorization.

Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

This section tests your ability to identify correct articles and gender in context. Each question presents a sentence or phrase where you must choose the right article form. Read the noun carefully, determine its gender, check if it starts with a vowel, and apply contraction rules where needed. Six questions cover definite articles, indefinite articles, elision, and contractions. Aim for accuracy; review the chapter recap if any rule feels unclear before attempting these.

Section B: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in each blank with the correct article (definite or indefinite) or contraction. Pay close attention to the gender and number of the noun provided in parentheses. If the noun starts with a vowel or silent h, remember elision rules. If a preposition precedes the article, apply contraction rules. Write your answers neatly. This section reinforces your quick recall of article forms and your ability to apply grammar rules in sentence context. Five questions test a range of article types and contraction scenarios.

Section C: Match the Following / True or False

This section contains two types of exercises. Part 1 is a matching exercise where you pair each noun with its correct article form, testing your memory of gender and article choice. Part 2 presents five true/false statements about French gender and article rules; mark each statement T (true) or F (false). These exercises consolidate your understanding of patterns, exceptions, and grammatical structures. They are designed to be quick checks — ideal for last-minute revision before a test or to confirm that you have absorbed the key rules from the chapter.

Section D: Short Answer Questions (5 Marks Each)

Answer each question in 2-3 sentences. These questions test your conceptual understanding and ability to explain rules, give examples, and identify errors. Write clearly and use correct terminology (masculine, feminine, definite article, indefinite article, contraction, elision). Each answer should demonstrate that you understand not just the 'what' but also the 'why' behind French article and gender rules. Refer to specific examples where possible. Allocate about 3 minutes per question. Total: 5 questions, 25 marks.

Section E: Long Answer / Higher Order Thinking Questions (5 Marks Each)

These three questions require deeper analysis, application of multiple rules, and critical thinking. You may need to compare and contrast, create original sentences, or solve a multi-step grammar problem. Write 5-7 sentences per answer, showing your reasoning step-by-step. Use examples to support your explanations. These HOTS questions mirror the kind of application-based and reasoning questions that appear in CBSE term exams. Allocate about 5 minutes per question. Total: 3 questions, 15 marks. Demonstrating logical thinking and rule application will earn you full marks.

Section F: Case Study Question

Read the short passage below and answer the questions that follow. This case study integrates grammar rules into a realistic scenario, testing your ability to identify articles, determine gender, spot errors, and apply rules in extended text. Read carefully; some sentences may contain intentional mistakes that you must correct. Answer all parts of the question clearly, referring to line numbers or specific phrases from the passage. Allocate about 8-10 minutes for this section. Total: 10 marks. This type of question is increasingly common in CBSE French exams to assess comprehension and application together.

Answer Key: Section A (MCQs)

Each MCQ answer is provided with a brief explanation to reinforce learning. Review these carefully if you made any mistakes; understanding why an answer is correct is more valuable than memorizing the answer itself. These explanations clarify gender identification, article selection, elision rules, and contraction mechanics. Use this key as a self-assessment tool. If you scored below 4 out of 6, revisit the chapter recap and practice additional sentences before attempting similar exercises.

Q1. (a) le — 'garçon' is masculine singular, so use 'le'.
Q2. (b) une — 'pomme' is feminine singular, so use 'une'.
Q3. (c) à l' — 'école' is feminine and starts with a vowel, so 'à la' becomes 'à l''.
Q4. (c) les — 'livres' is plural, so use 'les' regardless of gender.
Q5. (a) un — 'stylo' is masculine singular, so use 'un'.
Q6. (b) du — 'de + le' contracts to 'du'; 'professeur' is masculine singular.

Answer Key: Section B (Fill in the Blanks)

Correct answers with explanations are provided for each blank. These answers show proper application of gender recognition, article choice, and contraction rules in sentence context. If your answer differs, check whether you identified the noun's gender correctly and whether you applied elision or contraction where required. Mistakes here often stem from forgetting that a noun starts with a vowel or overlooking the preposition before the article. Reviewing these answers will sharpen your accuracy for similar exercises in exams.

1. La fille — 'fille' is feminine singular, definite article is 'la'.
2. des amis — 'amis' is plural, indefinite article is 'des'.
3. au parc — 'à + le parc' contracts to 'au parc'; 'parc' is masculine.
4. du professeur — 'de + le professeur' contracts to 'du professeur'.
5. L'école — 'école' is feminine and starts with a vowel, so 'la' becomes 'l''.

Answer Key: Section C (Match the Following / True or False)

Part 1 — Matching Answers: 1-b (la maison), 2-a (le livre), 3-d (des amis), 4-c (l'école). Each pairing reflects correct gender and article form. Part 2 — True/False Answers: 1. True (almost all -tion words are feminine). 2. False (the plural definite article is 'les' for both genders, not separate forms). 3. True (à + le = au). 4. False ('une' is for feminine singular, not masculine). 5. True (elision rule applies before vowels and silent h). These answers confirm your grasp of patterns, exceptions, and rule mechanics. If you missed any, note the rule and create your own example sentences for practice.

Answer Key: Section D (Short Answer Questions)

Q1. Definite articles (le, la, les) mean 'the' and refer to specific nouns; indefinite articles (un, une, des) mean 'a/an/some' and introduce non-specific nouns. Example: 'le chat' (the cat, specific) vs 'un chat' (a cat, any cat). Q2. Elision occurs when le or la precedes a vowel or silent h; they contract to l'. Examples: 'l'arbre' (m.), 'l'école' (f.). Q3. Contractions: à + le = au ('Je vais au cinéma'); de + le = du ('Il vient du marché'). Q4. Feminine endings: -tion ('une nation'), -sion ('une passion'), -ée ('une journée'). Q5. Error: 'à le' must contract. Correct: 'Je vais au marché.' Because à + le = au.

Answer Key: Section E (Long Answer / HOTS Questions)

Q1. Gender affects articles (le/la), adjectives (agreement in gender/number), and past participles in compound tenses. For example, 'le garçon intelligent' (m.) vs 'la fille intelligente' (f.). Gender determines sentence structure and meaning clarity. Without correct gender, sentences become grammatically incorrect and confusing. Q2. Indefinite articles introduce new or unspecified nouns ('un livre' = a book); definite articles refer to known or specific nouns ('le livre' = the book). Use 'un/une/des' when mentioning something for the first time; use 'le/la/les' when it is already known. Examples: 'J'ai un chat. Le chat est noir.' Q3. Errors: 'La arbre' should be 'L'arbre' (elision before vowel, and 'arbre' is masculine, so 'l'arbre'); 'grand' should agree with the gender of 'arbre', which is masculine, so 'grand' is correct, but the article is wrong. Correct sentence: 'L'arbre est grand.' Explanation: 'arbre' is masculine and starts with a vowel, requiring 'l''; adjective 'grand' is already masculine singular, so no change needed there.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if a French noun is masculine or feminine?+

Learn each noun with its article (e.g. 'un livre', 'une table'). Common patterns help: -tion, -sion, -ée, -té are usually feminine; -age, -ment, -eau are usually masculine. However, many common words are exceptions, so memorization is essential.

What is the difference between 'le', 'la', and 'les'?+

'Le' is the masculine singular definite article, 'la' is the feminine singular, and 'les' is the plural for both genders. Use 'le' before masculine nouns (le garçon), 'la' before feminine nouns (la fille), and 'les' before any plural noun (les garçons, les filles).

When do I use 'l'' instead of 'le' or 'la'?+

Use 'l'' (elision) before any noun that starts with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u) or a silent h. For example, 'l'arbre' (the tree, masculine) and 'l'école' (the school, feminine). This rule applies to both definite articles 'le' and 'la'.

What are the contraction rules for 'à' and 'de' with articles?+

When 'à' meets 'le', it contracts to 'au' (à + le = au). When 'de' meets 'le', it contracts to 'du' (de + le = du). However, 'à la', 'de la', 'à l'', and 'de l'' do not contract. Example: 'Je vais au parc' (à + le parc).

Why is gender important in French grammar?+

Gender affects articles, adjectives, pronouns, and past participles. Every word that describes or refers to a noun must agree with its gender and number. Incorrect gender leads to grammatical errors and confusion, so learning gender with each noun is essential.

What is the difference between 'un', 'une', and 'des'?+

'Un' is the masculine singular indefinite article (a/an), 'une' is the feminine singular, and 'des' is the plural for both genders (some). Use 'un' with masculine nouns (un chat), 'une' with feminine nouns (une maison), and 'des' with plurals (des chats, des maisons).

How can I remember which nouns are masculine and which are feminine?+

Always learn the article with the noun. Use flashcards, group nouns by gender patterns, and practice daily. Repeated exposure and active recall are the best strategies. Mnemonics and visual associations (e.g. 'la France' is feminine, like a lady) can also help.

What should I do if I am confused by exceptions to gender rules?+

Accept that exceptions exist and prioritize memorizing high-frequency words with their articles. Use them in sentences often. CBSETUTOR.ai offers 24×7 AI tutoring with instant doubt-solving at ₹999/month for all subjects (Classes 6-12), including French grammar, with a 3-day free trial.

How many marks does this chapter carry in CBSE Class 9 French term exams?+

French grammar (including articles and gender) typically carries 10-15 marks across sections — MCQs, short answers, and error correction. Mastering Les Articles et le Genre des Noms is foundational for all other grammar topics, so it is heavily weighted.

Can I use this worksheet for self-study before my French exam?+

Yes, this worksheet is designed for independent practice. Complete all sections under timed conditions (60 minutes), then check your answers against the answer key. Review explanations for any mistakes, then create additional practice sentences on your own.

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