All Categories MCQs
Topic Notes: All Categories
General Description
Plato
- Biography: Ancient Greek philosopher (427–347 BCE), student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founder of the Academy in Athens.
- Important Ideas:
- Theory of Forms
- Philosopher-King
- Ideal State
80101
He doesn’t drink . . . . . . . . tea in the evening anymore.
Answer:
When referring to 'tea' as a beverage category, no article is used. The noun is uncountable in this general sense. 'The tea' would signal a specific, identifiable batch, which is not intended. Indefinite articles are not used with uncountable nouns this way.
80102
We visited . . . . . . . . Netherlands during our spring break.
Answer:
Country names that are plural or take a descriptive noun like 'Kingdom' or 'States' require 'the'. 'The Netherlands' follows this rule. Omitting the article would be incorrect. Thus, 'the' is necessary.
80103
She is reading . . . . . . . . interesting article about marine biology.
Answer:
The adjective 'interesting' begins with a vowel sound, so 'an' is appropriate. The reference is non-specific and first-time. 'A' would be phonetically incorrect. 'The' would imply prior identification.
80104
He placed . . . . . . . . order for two laptops and a monitor.
Answer:
The noun 'order' starts with a vowel sound, hence 'an' is correct. The order is first mentioned and non-specific. 'A' would clash with the vowel sound. 'The' would indicate a known order already in the discourse.
80105
They watched . . . . . . . . eclipse from the rooftop last night.
Answer:
The noun 'eclipse' begins with a vowel sound, so 'an' is required. The eclipse is introduced for the first time, supporting the indefinite article. 'A' would be phonetically incorrect. 'The' would suggest a previously mentioned, specific eclipse.
80106
He is . . . . . . . . historian specializing in medieval Europe.
Answer:
a
The word 'historian' begins with an audible 'h', a consonant sound, so 'a' is used. While some 'h' words are silent, 'historian' is not one of them. 'An historian' is archaic and nonstandard in most varieties of contemporary English. Therefore, 'a historian' is preferred.
80107
She emailed . . . . . . . . report that summarizes the findings.
Answer:
The defining relative clause 'that summarizes the findings' identifies a specific report. Definite reference calls for 'the'. Using an indefinite article would not capture the specificity introduced by the clause. Hence, 'the report' is correct.
80108
We need to buy . . . . . . . . dozen pencils for the workshop.
Answer:
a
The fixed expression 'a dozen' requires the article 'a'. It functions as a quantifier phrase meaning twelve. Other articles would be unidiomatic. Therefore, 'a dozen pencils' is correct.
80109
He took . . . . . . . . taxi because the buses were on strike.
Answer:
a
The noun 'taxi' begins with a consonant sound and is introduced for the first time, so 'a' is appropriate. 'An' would be phonetically incorrect. 'The' would imply a specific taxi already known to both parties. Thus, 'a taxi' is correct.
80110
. . . . . . . . patience is essential when learning a new language.
Answer:
Abstract nouns used in a general sense usually omit the article. Here, 'patience' denotes the concept broadly. 'The patience' would imply a specific instance, which is not intended. Indefinite articles are not used with abstract nouns in generic statements.