For many people it is an 'article of faith' [=something that is believed without being questioned or doubted] that the economy will begin to improve soon.
In “I gave a book to the boy” the word “a” is an 'indefinite article' and the word “the” is a definite article.
A lot of people pretend to be cowboys, but he's 'the genuine article'. [=he's a real cowboy]
(..) - I'm wearing it to dinner. - No, you're not! Here you go. How'd it go? Oh, I think he may write a positive article. Ooh, a non-skeptic. That's a pleasant change. Yeah. Stop blaming yourself. No sugar. (..)2013 The Conjuring