Dear teachers,

A/ Which article should I choose here?

“Where are we?” asked Parry. “In 1a) a / b) the tunnel leading to the 2a) the b) X Golden Gate Bridge,” the woman said.

In my view we can choose :

1a) if there are many tunnels which lead the bridge; and
1b) if there is only one. Now, in reality, how many tunnels lead to the bridge, just one I suppose.

2a) if we’re talking about the famous bridge in San Francisco,
2b) if we’re talking about a place in the city like “London Bridge”.

Correct ?

B/ I know that we can’t say “I saw him the last/next week” or “when I saw him the last time…” but we can say “this is the last week of my summer holidays” or “the next time I see you…”

But what’s the rule for that? When can't we use "the" in front of "last" or "next"?

Thank you again,
Hela

Dear Teachers,

Now, how would you justify the use of the second indefinite article in the following sentence?

1a) A figure in a uniform appeared in the mist.

b) A man in a uniform appeared in the mist.

a = indifinite because the figure itself (or the man himself) is not defined, is unknown.

a = indefinite because... ?? Does this use of "a" have a paticular name in syntax?

the = definite because we are talking about a specific type of weather (?)

2) The woman in a blue dress was standing behind the door.

3) The woman, a physician, was standing behind the door. 

Are the 3 indefinite articles "a" the same in all 3 sentences?

Many thanks,

Hela