English Grammar and Usage

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What a pity! uses the exclamatory structure with What a... followed by an exclamation mark. It expresses strong emotion or regret, characteristic of exclamatory sentences.

Though 'useful' begins with a vowel letter 'u', it starts with a consonant sound /juː/ (like 'you'). Therefore, 'a useful metal' is correct. Articles are determined by sound, not spelling. 'An' would be incorrect here because the initial sound is consonantal.

The sentence describes the Ganga as one of many sacred rivers, not the only sacred river. When something represents a category, use 'a'.

Use 'a' before consonant sounds. 'Holy' starts with 'h' (a consonant sound), so 'a holy river' is correct. The word 'The' in 'The Ganga' is part of the river's proper name, not the article filling the blank.

'Special' starts with consonant sound 's', so use 'a'. The sentence makes a general statement about rice being a special crop in China, not referring to one specific crop.

With the use of article "the" we always use suprelative.

When comparing one person among a group of eleven, we use the superlative form. "Best" correctly identifies Balu as the superior bowler among all eleven players. "Better" would only work for comparing two players.

Mount Everest has the greatest elevation among Himalayan peaks, so we use the superlative 'highest'. The sentence structure uses 'the ____ peak' which indicates we need a superlative form. 'More beautiful' and 'cooler' don't describe height.

Usage of article 'the' in the sentence demands superlative degree.

Illustrious refers to highly distinguished; renowned; famous. So, it encompasses meanings of all the other options. So, it suits the best here.

Imperial means 'relating to an empire.'  As England was an empire under the queen, it fits here.

‘Its’ should be used.

'Possibility' should be used.