Demonstratives — Practice

1. "_______ libro" (this book, near me):

Answer: Este

Explanation: "Libro" is masculine singular and the thing is near the speaker: ESTE libro. "Esto" is the neuter form and never goes before a noun.

2. Complete: "_______ casa es bonita." (this house)

Answer: esta

Explanation: "Casa" is feminine singular and near the speaker: ESTA casa.

3. "¿Me pasas _______ tijeras?" (those scissors, near you)

Answer: esas

Explanation: "Tijeras" is feminine plural and near the listener: ESAS tijeras. "Aquellas" would mean far from both people.

4. Complete: "¿Ves _______ montañas a lo lejos?" (those mountains far away)

Answer: aquellas

Explanation: Far from both speakers + feminine plural noun = AQUELLAS montañas.

5. You pick up a strange object: "¿Qué es _______?"

Answer: esto

Explanation: Unknown object, no noun mentioned: use the neuter ESTO. ¿Qué es esto?

6. "_______ zapatos son caros." (these shoes)

Answer: Estos

Explanation: "Zapatos" is masculine plural: ESTOS zapatos.

7. Complete: "_______ no es verdad." (that = that idea)

Answer: eso

Explanation: Referring to a statement or idea, not a specific noun: the neuter ESO. Eso no es verdad.

8. "_______ edificio de allí" (that building over there):

Answer: Aquel

Explanation: "De allí" signals distance from both speakers, and "edificio" is masculine singular: AQUEL edificio.