Question

Fill in blank [8] with a suitable article:

• A. a
• B. an
• C. the
• D. no article required

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

the

Option A: 'The' is a definite article that modifies nouns that are specific. This means that the identity of that noun is made known. In the passage, the noun 'mountain' refers to a specific mountain, 'Mount Everest'. Hence, the noun is made specific and 'the' is the most suitable article.
So, option C is correct.
Options A and B: 'A' and 'an' are both indefinite articles. They refer to nouns that are not specific. This means that we do not know the identity of the noun. For example, 'a book', 'an elephant', etc.
(The only difference between 'a' and 'an' is that 'a' is used for nouns that begin with a consonant, like 'b' in book', and 'an' is used for nouns beginning with a vowel, like 'e' in 'elephant'.)
The noun here 'mountain' is specific. Hence A and B are incorrect.
Option D: An article is not required when the noun is spoken of in general sense, and when the noun is uncountable. The word here is neither, hence D is incorrect.