India's #1 AI Tutorimportant questions · Spanish · Chapter 3हिंदी में पढ़ें →

Class 9 Spanish Chapter 3: Artículos y Género de Sustantivos — Complete Important Questions with Answers

Artículos y Género de Sustantivos (Articles and Gender of Nouns) is a foundational chapter in Class 9 Spanish that tests your mastery of Spanish grammar fundamentals. Understanding definite articles (el, la, los, las), indefinite articles (un, una, unos, unas), masculine vs. feminine, and singular vs. plural forms is essential for CBSE board exams and daily Spanish communication. This page compiles all exam-pattern questions—from 1-mark MCQs to 5-mark long answers—sourced from NCERT guidelines and board expectations. You'll find worked solutions, common mistakes, and strategic tips to secure full marks. Practice these questions systematically, and you'll gain the confidence to handle any grammar-based question in your 2026-27 CBSE board exam.

Your child's private AI tutor — trained on NCERT.
3-day free trial · ₹1 to start · Cancel anytime.
Start 3-day free trial →

Why Artículos y Género de Sustantivos Matters in the CBSE Board Pattern

In the 2025-26 and 2026-27 CBSE board patterns, Spanish grammar—especially articles and gender agreement—accounts for 30–40% of total marks. Examiners test this chapter through MCQs (1-mark), short-answer grammatical corrections (2-mark), sentence transformation exercises (3-mark), and paragraph-based comprehension with article/gender application (5-mark). Mastery here is non-negotiable because: (1) **Foundation for Advanced Grammar**: Every Spanish noun requires an article. Mistakes in gender (e.g., writing 'la problema' instead of 'el problema') are heavily penalised in board exams. (2) **High-Frequency in All Question Types**: Whether you're writing an email, translating a passage, or answering conversation-based questions, articles and gender agreement appear everywhere. (3) **Builds Speaking Confidence**: Correct article and gender usage improves your fluency and native-like pronunciation, which directly impacts your performance in oral/listening sections. Expect 8–12 questions on this chapter alone across all five sections (MCQ, short-answer, long-answer, and HOTS) in your final board exam. The difficulty ranges from recognizing basic rules (1-mark) to applying exceptions and justifying choices in context (5-mark).

1-Mark MCQs: Articles and Gender Fundamentals

**Question 1:** ¿Cuál es el artículo definido correcto para 'problema'? A) la problema B) el problema C) los problema D) la problemas **Answer:** B) el problema **Explanation:** Even though 'problema' ends in '-a', it is a masculine noun (from Greek origin). The definite article for masculine singular is 'el'. --- **Question 2:** ¿Cuál es el plural de 'una casa'? A) un casas B) unas casas C) los casas D) una casas **Answer:** B) unas casas **Explanation:** 'Casa' is feminine singular. The indefinite article for feminine plural is 'unas'. Plural forms of both definite and indefinite articles must agree with noun gender and number. --- **Question 3:** ¿Cuál de estos sustantivos es femenino? A) el día B) la mano C) el mapa D) el problema **Answer:** B) la mano **Explanation:** 'Mano' (hand) is an exception—it ends in '-o' but is feminine. It requires the feminine article 'la'. --- **Question 4:** ¿Cuál es el artículo indefinido correcto para 'unos libros'? A) un libros B) una libros C) unos libros D) unas libros **Answer:** C) unos libros **Explanation:** 'Libros' is masculine plural. The indefinite article for masculine plural is 'unos'. --- **Question 5:** ¿Qué opción muestra la concordancia correcta (correct agreement)? A) los actriz talentosa B) la actriz talentosa C) el actriz talentosa D) los actriz talentosos **Answer:** B) la actriz talentosa **Explanation:** 'Actriz' is feminine singular. Both the article and adjective must be feminine singular: 'la actriz talentosa'.

2-Mark Short-Answer Questions: Gender and Number Agreement

**Question 1:** Corrige el error de artículo/género en la oración: 'El mano de mi hermana es grande.' (Correct the article/gender error: 'The hand of my sister is big.') **Answer:** La mano de mi hermana es grande. **Explanation:** 'Mano' is feminine despite ending in '-o'. The correct article is 'la', not 'el'. This is a common exception that must be memorized. --- **Question 2:** Completa con el artículo definido correcto: '_____ problemas en la clase son difíciles.' (Complete with the correct definite article: '___ problems in the class are difficult.') **Answer:** Los problemas en la clase son difíciles. **Explanation:** 'Problemas' is masculine plural (even though it ends in '-a', it follows the masculine 'problema'). The plural definite article for masculine is 'los'. --- **Question 3:** Escribe el singular y plural de 'un día' y 'una noche' con sus artículos indefinidos. (Write singular and plural of 'a day' and 'a night' with their indefinite articles.) **Answer:** Singular: un día, una noche Plural: unos días, unas noches **Explanation:** Gender and number must be maintained when converting. Masculine singular 'un' → masculine plural 'unos'. Feminine singular 'una' → feminine plural 'unas'. --- **Question 4:** ¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'el' y 'un'? Da un ejemplo en una oración. (What is the difference between 'el' and 'un'? Give an example in a sentence.) **Answer:** 'El' es artículo definido (especifico/known), 'un' es artículo indefinido (no especifico/unknown). Ejemplo: 'Veo un gato en la calle' (I see a cat on the street—any cat). 'El gato es mío' (The cat is mine—specific cat). **Explanation:** Definite articles specify a known noun; indefinite articles introduce new or unspecified nouns. --- **Question 5:** Completa la oración con artículos definidos: '_____ profesores y _____ directora están en _____ reunión.' (Complete with definite articles: '___ teachers and ___ principal are in ___ meeting.') **Answer:** Los profesores y la directora están en la reunión. **Explanation:** 'Profesores' (masculine plural) → 'los'; 'directora' (feminine singular) → 'la'; 'reunión' (feminine singular) → 'la'.

3-Mark Questions: Application and Transformation Exercises

**Question 1:** Transforma las siguientes frases al plural, manteniendo el artículo correcto: (Transform the following sentences to plural, maintaining the correct article:) (a) El niño juega con un juguete. (b) La niña lee una revista. (c) El libro está en la mesa. **Answer:** (a) Los niños juegan con unos juguetes. (b) Las niñas leen unas revistas. (c) Los libros están en las mesas. **Explanation:** When converting to plural, both the article and noun must change: masculine singular 'el' → 'los'; feminine singular 'la' → 'las'; indefinite 'un' → 'unos', 'una' → 'unas'. Adjectives and verbs also adjust for plural number. --- **Question 2:** Identifica el error de género/artículo en cada oración y corrígelo: (Identify and correct the gender/article error:) (a) El problema es muy complejo. → Correcto/Incorrecto (b) La día es soleado. → Correcto/Incorrecto (c) Un mano está levantada. → Correcto/Incorrecto **Answer:** (a) Correcto. 'El problema' is correct (masculine despite '-a' ending). (b) Incorrecto. Corrección: El día es soleado. ('Día' is masculine; article should be 'el' and adjective should be 'soleado'—masculine singular.) (c) Incorrecto. Corrección: Una mano está levantada. ('Mano' is feminine despite '-o' ending; article should be 'una'.) **Explanation:** Gender agreement requires matching article, noun, and adjective in gender and number. These three exceptions—'problema' (masculine despite '-a'), 'día' (masculine despite '-a'), 'mano' (feminine despite '-o')—are frequently tested. --- **Question 3:** Completa el párrafo con artículos definidos e indefinidos según corresponda: (Complete the paragraph with appropriate definite and indefinite articles:) '_____ mañana, _____ estudiante entra en _____ escuela. Saluda a _____ profesor y a _____ amigos. Luego, encuentra _____ libro en _____ sala de clases y comienza a leer _____ historia interesante.' **Answer:** 'La mañana, un estudiante entra en la escuela. Saluda al profesor y a unos amigos. Luego, encuentra un libro en la sala de clases y comienza a leer una historia interesante.' **Explanation:** 'Mañana' (feminine) needs 'la'; 'estudiante' (new, unspecified) needs 'un'; 'escuela' (feminine, known) needs 'la'; 'profesor' (known/specific in context) needs 'el' or 'al' (contraction); 'amigos' (plural, unspecified) needs 'unos'; 'libro' (new) needs 'un'; 'sala de clases' (known place) needs 'la'; 'historia' (feminine, unspecified) needs 'una'. --- **Question 4:** ¿Cuáles son las dos reglas principales para determinar el género de un sustantivo en español? Explica con ejemplos. (What are the two main rules to determine noun gender in Spanish? Explain with examples.) **Answer:** Regla 1 (Ending Rule): Most nouns ending in '-o' are masculine (el libro, el gato); most ending in '-a' are feminine (la casa, la mesa). Regla 2 (Exception/Context Rule): Some nouns don't follow the ending rule and must be memorized—e.g., 'problema' (masculine), 'mano' (feminine), 'día' (masculine despite '-a'). Context and article usage are clues. **Explanation:** Spanish gender is largely predictable but has common exceptions. Always pair nouns with their correct article when learning vocabulary to internalize gender naturally.

5-Mark Long-Answer Questions: Comprehensive Grammar Analysis

**Question 1:** Explica la diferencia entre artículos definidos e indefinidos. ¿Cuándo usamos cada uno? Proporciona 3 ejemplos en español con traducción al inglés. (Explain the difference between definite and indefinite articles. When do we use each? Provide 3 examples in Spanish with English translation.) **Answer:** Definite articles (el, la, los, las) refer to specific, known nouns. They are used when the speaker and listener both know which noun is being discussed. Indefinite articles (un, una, unos, unas) refer to general, unknown, or newly introduced nouns. They are used when the noun is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. **Ejemplos / Examples:** 1. Definite: 'La casa de mi tío es grande.' (The uncle's house is big.) → We know which house—the uncle's. Indefinite: 'Busco una casa en Madrid.' (I'm looking for a house in Madrid.) → Any house; not specific. 2. Definite: 'Los niños están en la escuela.' (The children are at school.) → Specific children, known context. Indefinite: 'Veo unos pájaros en el árbol.' (I see some birds in the tree.) → General birds; no prior mention. 3. Definite: 'El profesor explica la lección.' (The teacher explains the lesson.) → The specific teacher and lesson of the class. Indefinite: 'Necesito un bolígrafo para escribir.' (I need a pen to write.) → Any pen; first mention. **Explanation:** The choice between definite and indefinite articles is crucial for clear communication. Definite implies familiarity or uniqueness; indefinite implies novelty or generality. This distinction must be internalized for accurate Spanish writing. --- **Question 2:** Completa el texto siguiente con los artículos definidos e indefinidos correctos y explica cada decisión. (Complete the text with correct articles and explain each decision.) '_____ (1) domingo pasado, mi familia y yo visitamos _____ (2) museo de arte. Vimos _____ (3) exposición muy interesante con _____ (4) cuadros famosos. Mi hermana encontró _____ (5) catálogo en _____ (6) entrada y lo compró. Luego, tomamos _____ (7) café en _____ (8) cafetería del museo. Fue _____ (9) día muy especial.' **Answer:** (1) El – Definite (specific past Sunday, known to speaker and listener) (2) al (contraction of 'a + el') – Definite + preposition (specific museum) (3) una – Indefinite (new, unspecified exhibition being introduced) (4) unos – Indefinite plural (new, unspecified famous paintings) (5) un – Indefinite (new catalog being introduced) (6) la – Definite (specific, known entrance of the museum) (7) un – Indefinite (any coffee; first mention in context) (8) la – Definite (specific cafeteria of the museum, known from context) (9) un – Indefinite (describing 'día' as a type of day, singular masculine) **Explanation:** Each choice reflects whether the noun is already established (definite) or newly introduced (indefinite). Context is key—once a noun is mentioned with an indefinite article, subsequent references use the definite article. --- **Question 3:** Escribe un párrafo de 8-10 oraciones sobre tu día escolar, usando correctamente al menos 6 artículos definidos y 6 artículos indefinidos. Luego, subraya los artículos definidos en azul y los indefinidos en rojo. (Write an 8-10 sentence paragraph about your school day using at least 6 definite and 6 indefinite articles. Underline definite articles in blue and indefinite in red.) **Answer:** '(Definite in blue, Indefinite in red—marked with [D] and [I] below for clarity) [D]La mañana comienza cuando [I]un despertador suena a las 6:30. [D]Los estudiantes nos levantamos y preparamos para [I]una jornada escolar. [D]El desayuno es importante, así que tomo [I]un jugo de naranja y [I]una tostada. Luego, me pongo [D]la uniforme y tomo [I]un autobús a [D]la escuela. [D]Los profesores nos saludan en [D]la entrada, y comenzamos con [I]una clase de Español. En [D]el recreo, juego con [I]unos amigos en [D]el patio. [D]La tarde termina con [I]un seminario de ciencia donde hago [I]un experimento interesante. Finalmente, regreso a casa a las 4 p.m., cansado pero feliz.' **Explanation:** This exercise reinforces the natural alternation between indefinite (introducing new ideas) and definite (referring to known, established nouns) articles in narrative context. Proper usage ensures fluid, native-like Spanish expression.

HOTS / Case-Study Question: Real-World Grammar Analysis

**Question:** Lee el siguiente diálogo entre dos amigos. Identifica TODOS los errores de artículo/género, corrige cada uno, y explica la regla gramatical que fue violada. (Read the dialogue. Identify ALL article/gender errors, correct them, and explain the rule violated.) **Diálogo Original:** 'Ana: ¡Hola! ¿Cómo está el mano? Juan: Muy mal. Me duele un brazo. Visité al médico esta mañana. Ana: ¿Cuál fue el diagnóstico? Juan: El médico dijo que tengo un problema en la sistema nervioso. Me recetó unos medicinas. Ana: ¡Qué malo! ¿Y el día de hoy? ¿Mejor? Juan: Sí, un poco. Tomé la medicinas esta noche, y ya me siento mejor.' **Solución con Análisis:** **Error 1:** 'el mano' → Corrección: 'la mano' **Regla Violada:** 'Mano' es una excepción gramatical—a pesar de terminar en '-o', es un sustantivo femenino. Requiere el artículo 'la', no 'el'. **Error 2:** 'la sistema' → Corrección: 'el sistema' **Regla Violada:** 'Sistema' es masculino, a pesar de terminar en '-a'. Palabras de origen griego que terminan en '-ma' suelen ser masculinas (tema, problema, sistema, etc.). Requiere 'el'. **Error 3:** 'unos medicinas' → Corrección: 'unos medicamentos' o 'unas medicinas' **Regla Violada:** 'Medicina' es femenino, pero 'medicinas' (plural femenino) requiere 'unas', no 'unos'. Alternativamente, usar 'medicamentos' (masculino plural) con 'unos'. **Error 4:** 'el día de hoy' → Corrección: 'el día de hoy' (Correcto—sin error) **Nota:** Este está correcto. 'Día' es masculino singular, requiere 'el'. **Error 5:** 'la medicinas' → Corrección: 'las medicinas' **Regla Violada:** 'Medicinas' es plural femenino. El artículo definido plural femenino es 'las', no 'la' (singular). **Diálogo Corregido:** 'Ana: ¡Hola! ¿Cómo está la mano? Juan: Muy mal. Me duele un brazo. Visité al médico esta mañana. Ana: ¿Cuál fue el diagnóstico? Juan: El médico dijo que tengo un problema en el sistema nervioso. Me recetó unos medicamentos. Ana: ¡Qué malo! ¿Y el día de hoy? ¿Mejor? Juan: Sí, un poco. Tomé las medicinas esta noche, y ya me siento mejor.' **Pasos para Resolver Preguntas Similares:** 1. Leer cuidadosamente cada sustantivo y su artículo. 2. Verificar si el artículo concuerda en género (masculino/femenino) y número (singular/plural). 3. Recordar excepciones comunes: 'problema', 'sistema', 'tema', 'mano', 'día' (todos presentan desviaciones de la regla de terminación). 4. Corregir el artículo, no el sustantivo, a menos que sea un error de conjugación verbal. 5. Explicar la regla específica (terminación, excepción, concordancia).

How CBSETUTOR.ai's AI Tutor Drills These Patterns Daily

At cbsetutor.ai, we understand that mastering Artículos y Género de Sustantivos requires daily, targeted practice—not one-time cramming. Our AI tutor uses a proven methodology: **Adaptive Learning Paths:** Every student gets a personalized drill sequence. If you struggle with exceptions like 'mano' or 'problema', our AI detects this and serves you 10+ variations until mastery is confirmed. If you excel at basic definite articles, the system immediately escalates to plural transformations and context-based exercises. **Spaced Repetition Algorithm:** Research shows that grammar rules stick only when repeated at optimal intervals. Our AI schedules your Artículos questions across Days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 30—ensuring long-term retention before your board exam. **Real-Time Feedback with Explanations:** Every answer generates instant, detailed feedback. If you choose 'el mano' instead of 'la mano', you don't just see 'Wrong'—you see: 'Mano is a feminine noun (Greek origin exception). Correct article: la. Example: la mano derecha (the right hand).' **Grammar-to-Communication Bridge:** We don't isolate articles from real usage. Drills progress from MCQs (1-mark level) → grammatical corrections → mini-dialogues → full paragraphs (5-mark level). By the time your board exam arrives, article and gender choices feel automatic, not mechanical. **Board-Pattern Question Simulation:** Every 10 days, our AI generates a mock test with 15 questions across all patterns covered here—1-mark MCQs, 2-mark short answers, 3-mark transformations, 5-mark essays, and 1 HOTS question. You get a detailed score breakdown and targeted remediation. **Verb Conjugation Sync:** Since articles change with nouns across tenses, our AI tutor also synchronizes verb practice. You practice 'El gato come' → 'Los gatos comen' together, reinforcing both gender/number agreement and verb conjugation simultaneously. Start a 3-day free trial at cbsetutor.ai and experience how structured, AI-driven practice transforms grammar anxiety into exam confidence. Your first three days include unlimited access to Chapter 3 drills, sample board papers, and 1-on-1 doubt resolution with live tutors.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between 'el' and 'la' in Spanish?+
'El' is the definite article for masculine singular nouns; 'la' is for feminine singular. Both mean 'the'. Example: 'el libro' (the book—masculine), 'la casa' (the house—feminine). Gender is often signaled by word ending, but exceptions exist (e.g., 'la mano' is feminine despite ending in '-o').
How do I know if a Spanish noun is masculine or feminine?+
General rules: nouns ending in '-o' are usually masculine (libro, gato), and those ending in '-a' are usually feminine (casa, mesa). However, always memorize exceptions like 'problema' (masculine), 'mano' (feminine), and 'día' (masculine). When learning vocabulary, always learn the noun with its article.
What is the plural of 'un libro' and 'una casa'?+
'Un libro' becomes 'unos libros' (some books—masculine plural). 'Una casa' becomes 'unas casas' (some houses—feminine plural). The indefinite article plural 'unos' and 'unas' agrees in gender and number with the noun.
Why is 'problema' masculine if it ends in '-a'?+
'Problema' is a Greek-origin noun (from 'problema'). Words of Greek origin ending in '-ma' are typically masculine in Spanish—e.g., 'problema', 'tema', 'sistema'. This is a frequent exception tested on CBSE boards and must be memorized explicitly.
When do I use indefinite articles (un, una, unos, unas)?+
Use indefinite articles when introducing a noun for the first time or when it's not specific/known. Example: 'Veo un gato' (I see a cat—any cat). Once established, switch to the definite article: 'El gato es blanco' (The cat is white—that specific cat).
What are the four definite articles in Spanish?+
The four definite articles are: 'el' (masculine singular), 'la' (feminine singular), 'los' (masculine plural), 'las' (feminine plural). All mean 'the' in English and are used for specific, known nouns. Example: 'los niños y las niñas' (the boys and girls).
How do I remember exceptions like 'la mano', 'el día', and 'el problema'?+
Memorize them as part of active vocabulary. Use flashcards pairing the noun + correct article: 'la mano', 'el día', 'el problema'. Review these weekly. Many students create mnemonic groups: 'masculine despite -a ending' and 'feminine despite -o ending'. Repetition and context usage are key.
Is article-gender agreement tested on CBSE Class 9 Spanish board exams?+
Yes, heavily. Expect 8–12 questions across all sections: MCQs on gender identification, correction exercises, paragraph completion, and essay writing with grammatical accuracy. Errors in article-gender agreement result in direct mark deductions, especially in long-answer sections.

Ready to give your Class 9 child the tutor that never sleeps?

CBSETUTOR.ai covers every chapter in the Class 9 NCERT syllabus — Maths, Science, Social Science, English, Hindi and more. 24×7. Patient. Unlimited. 3-day free trial.

Start your child's 3-day free trial →