"the" vs "that"

[Soma]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #170 "this, that, these, those", question 4

Her eyes shining, the little girl pointed to ......... piece of candy.

(a) that
(b) this
(c) these
(d) those

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #170 "this, that, these, those", answer 4

Her eyes shining, the little girl pointed to that piece of candy.

Correct answer: (a) that
_________________________

It Could Be The Instead Of That?

Soma

[Yankee]

Hi Soma

Yes, the word 'the' would be just fine and would actually sound more natural in this test sentence. You could also use the word 'a'.

Personally, I think the word 'that' sounds unnatural and odd in this particular sentence, but it is the only one of the choices given that is not completely wrong.

If I were the owner of this site, I would consider revising this sentence along with a few others in this test. Some of the usages of the target words (this, that, these, those) are not natural. Some sentences sound contrived and forced, and would not be used in "real life" English, in my opinion.