Articles

Correct. ‘A realised soul’ is the correct option because the word ‘realised’ begins with a consonant sound. The word ‘Buddha’ – which means ‘an awakened soul’ – is more of a title than the name of a person. Before titles, the definite article (the) is used. Thus, ‘the Buddha’ is correct.

Correct. Though the word ‘unicorn’ begins with a vowel (u), the article used before it is ‘a’ and not ‘an’ because the word begins with a consonant sound (yu sound). Since the word ‘imaginary’ begins with a vowel sound (i sound), the correct option is ‘an imaginary creature’.

Correct. Though the word ‘one’ begins with a vowel (o), the article used before it is ‘a’ and not ‘an’ because the word begins with a consonant sound (w sound). So, the correct answer is – ‘a one rupee coin’. Since the word ‘beggar’ begins with a consonant sound (b sound), the correct option is ‘a beggar’.

Correct. Since ‘major cause’ refers to a singular common noun, and the adjective ‘major’ begins with a consonant sound, the correct option is – ‘a major cause’. Though the word ‘world’ is a singular common noun, it is of a unique kind and thus, the correct option is ‘the world’.

Correct. Though ‘United Nations’ is a proper noun, the correct expression is – ‘the United Nations’ because of the usage of the common noun ‘nations’ in it. A specific ‘matter’ is being referred to in the sentence and therefore, the correct answer is ‘the matter’.

Correct. Though the word ‘European’ begins with a vowel (E), the article used before it is ‘a’ and not ‘an’ because the word begins with a consonant sound (yu sound). As a general rule, the article is omitted before abstract nouns used in a general sense. In the given sentence, the word ‘generosity’ is an abstract noun. So, no article is required. The correct answer is – ‘She was glad to befriend a European lady who was known for her generosity.’

Correct. Though the word ‘union’ begins with a vowel (u), the article used before it is ‘a’ and not ‘an’ because the word begins with a consonant sound (yu sound). ‘Melting pot’, though used figuratively, is a singular common noun. ‘A melting pot of cultures’ is thus the correct usage.

Correct. Since the sentence refers to a specific ‘troupe’, the definite article – ‘the’ – is required. Since ‘impressive show’ begins with a vowel sound (i sound), ‘an impressive show’ is the correct option. So, the correct answer is – ‘The troupe put up an impressive show that was way beyond anyone’s expectations’.

Correct. In the given sentence, the word ‘insatiable’ begins with a vowel sound (i sound) and so, ‘an’ should be placed before the word. As a general rule, the article is omitted before abstract nouns used in a general sense. In the given sentence, the word ‘knowledge’ is an abstract noun used in a general sense. So, no article is required. Thus, the correct answer is – ‘Rahul has an insatiable urge for knowledge’.

Correct. Though the word ‘honourable’ begins with a consonant (h), the initial sound of the word is a vowel sound (o sound) since ‘h’ is silent. So, ‘an honourable officer’ is the correct expression. Though the word ‘betterment’ is an abstract noun, in this sentence, it is being used in a specific sense (betterment of our nation). Thus, the definite article -the- is required. The correct answer is – ‘She is an honourable officer who has dedicated her life for the betterment of our nation’.

Correct. The word ‘marvel’ is a singular common noun beginning with a consonant sound and so, ‘a marvel’ is the correct expression. The definite article (the) is used before words that refer to unique and famous buildings. Since Taj Mahal is a unique structure of historical importance, the correct expression is – ‘the Taj Mahal’. Thus, the correct answer is – ‘What a marvel the Taj Mahal is!’

Correct. The correct answer is - “It was a black Friday for the Indian economy, which experienced a bloodbath on the bourses, a freefall of the rupee to a record low and a surge in gold prices with nervous investors rushing for safe haven cover in a highly volatile and uncertain environment”, reported The Hindu.

Correct. The answer is - “Perhaps fuelled by rumours spread by bear operators, coupled with news of an improvement in the United States economy and a consequent early tapering of quantative easing (QE), nervous investors also harboured fears of a return of capital control measures in the domestic market.”

Correct. Both ‘music’ and ‘peace’ are abstract nouns being used in a general sense. Thus, no article is required in both the places.

Correct. Since the word ‘lapse’ begins with a consonant sound, the correct usage is – ‘a lapse’. Since a specific ‘execution’ and a specific ‘plan’ are being referred to in the sentence, the usage of the definite article (the) is appropriate.

Correct. The answer is - “The Supreme Court declined to entertain a public interest writ petition that sought a direction to quash the order of suspension of and the charge sheet filed against the officer.”

Correct. “An art gallery exhibiting works by foreign artists was vandalised on Friday by local activists. ‘They tore all the paintings and ransacked the furniture’, said an eyewitness. The organisers termed it as a condemnable act of violence.”

Correct. The sentence refers to a specific ‘Board’ and so, ‘the Board’ is the correct usage. The definite article (the) is used with superlatives and so, the correct expression is – ‘the safest solution’. Since a specific ‘issue’ is being referred to, the correct usage is – ‘the burning issue’. Thus, the correct answer is – ‘The Board met to discuss the safest solution to resolve the burning issue at hand’.

Correct. When the abbreviation M.P. is pronounced, the first sound is that of a vowel (em sound). Thus, ‘an M.P.’ is the correct usage. The word ‘humble’ begins with a consonant sound (h sound) and so, ‘a humble background’ is the correct expression. The correct answer is – ‘He is an M.P. from a humble background’.

Correct. As a general rule, the article is omitted before abstract nouns used in a general sense. In the given sentence, the word ‘life’ is an abstract noun. So, no article is required. Though the word ‘unique’ begins with a vowel (u), the first sound of the word is that of a consonant (yu sound). Thus, ‘a unique couple’ is appropriate.The correct answer is – ‘He shared his profound understanding of life with her. Together, they made a unique couple.’

Correct. The answer is - “Despite having an erratic schedule and a heavy workload, I take the time out to be with my family every weekend. Striking a healthy work-life balance is the mantra for a successful career.

Correct. Since the sentence is referring to a particular ‘legendary composer’, the definite article (the) is placed before it. Since the word ‘expansion’ begins with a vowel sound (e sound), the correct expression is – ‘an expansion’. Since the sentence is not referring to a specific interview, the usage of an indefinite article is more appropriate than the definite one – ‘a recent interview’.

Correct. Since the sentence is not referring to a specific news report, ‘a news report’ is the correct usage. ‘Old woman’ refers to a singular common noun beginning with a vowel sound (o sound) and thus, ‘an old woman’ is the correct usage. ‘Horn’ refers to a singular common noun beginning with a consonant sound and so, ‘a horn’ is the correct usage. Thus, the correct answer is – ‘There was a news report about an old woman on whose forehead a horn is growing’.

Correct. . Since the sentence is referring to a specific ‘experience’, the definite article (the) is used. Since ‘self-discovery’ begins with a consonant sound, the article used is ‘a’ (a self-discovery). There is no requirement of an article before the word ‘life’ since it is an abstract noun being used in a general sense. Thus, the correct answer is – ‘The experience set her off on a self-discovery that changed her perspective towards life completely’.

Correct. Both the nouns in the sentence – Municipal Corporation and waste – are definite nouns and thus, the usage of the definite article (the) is justified.