Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[fw]

I�m interested in the article a/the now.The following is what I translated from a Japanese passage.

( ). There was a picture in it of children living in poor countries. Though their clothes were ragged and their feet were bare, they looked lively. Smiles on their faces were so nice that I wondered if we were really happy in this rich country. It seems we rarely see brilliant smiles like those in Japan.

(1) Which, #1 or #2 below, is appropriate for the blank in the passage?
1. I was surprised when I read a book I borrowed from the library last week
2. I was surprised when I read the book I borrowed from the library last week

(2) How about #3 for the blank in the passage? Does it work?
3. The book I borrowed from the library last week surprised me.

[CP]

I would probably choose "a" over "the," unless earlier in the piece you have already mentioned borrowing a book. But I like 3 best of all, assuming you haven't mentioned the book yet. I would revise it a little to read this way:

The book I borrowed from the library last week surprised me. In it was a picture of children living in poor countries. Although their clothes were ragged and their feet bare, they looked lively. Smiles on their faces were so nice that I wondered if we were really happy in this rich country. It seems we rarely see brilliant smiles like those in Japan.
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[Outsider]

[CP]

No, you need the article. Even though we are not specifying which library it is, we say "the library" or sometimes "a library," but never just "library."

We do the same thing referring to other generic places. Examples: I got this hammer from the hardware store. I went to the grocery store to look for apples. I was at the gas station and noticed my tire needed air. I should go to the threater more often, and so should you.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[Outsider]

CP:
Much appreciated.
O.