At B2 you master the subtle distinction between general and specific reference, and the rules for when "the" is used with categories, nationalities, and institutions.
Generic (no article)
Music is universal. Cats are independent. (general statements)
Generic (the +singular)
The piano was invented in 1700. (the species/category)
Specific (the)
The music at the party was loud. (this specific music)
The with categories and groups
Inventions/instruments
The telephone, the internet, the guitar, the piano
Nationalities (groups)
The French love bread. The British value tradition.
Adj as plural noun
The rich, the poor, the elderly, the unemployed
Newspapers
The Times, The Guardian (but: magazines often without — Time, Vogue)
Mountain ranges, rivers
The Alps, the Amazon, the Nile (but: Mount Everest, Lake Como)
Zero article: institutions and abstract use
Institutions (general)
go to school / hospital / prison / university / church (no article = as participant)
vs the building
visit the school / the hospital (the = as a building/visitor)
Meals
have breakfast / lunch / dinner (no article in general)
Modes of transport
by car / bus / train / plane
Times of day with prep
at night, at noon, by day
Subtle distinctions
Generic (no article)
Coffee is grown in Brazil.
coffee in general
Children need attention.
Specific (the)
The coffee here is excellent.
this coffee
The children in my class are clever.
Common mistakes
The life is unpredictable.
→
Life is unpredictable.
abstract/generic → no article
She goes to the school by the bus.
→
She goes to school by bus.
institution + transport → no article
The poors need help.
→
The poor need help.
the + adj (no -s) = group
The Mount Everest is the highest.
→
Mount Everest is the highest.
individual mountains → no article
Recap
Generic
no article + plural/uncountable
Cats are independent.
The + group
the + nationality/adjective
the French, the rich
Institutions
to school/hospital (participant) vs the school (building)