Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option:
Here is a picture of ______ village where I was born. It is about ten minutes by _____ car from Wellington, _______ big town.

• A. the / _ / a
• B. _ / the / _
• C. the / the / the
• D. the / _ / _

Answer 1

The correct option is A the / _ / a

The articles 'the', 'an' and 'a' are mainly divided into definite and indefinite. 'The' is a definite article used when the noun is specific (or when the noun is made known to the speaker), whereas 'a' and 'an' are used when the noun is non specific.

The noun 'village' is made specific by the words 'where I was born'. Hence we use the article 'the' and option B is wrong.

When the noun is spoken of in general sense, we omit the article. 'By car' is an expression that indicates the mode of travel. It does not talk about a car. Hence this blank won't require an article. So, options B and C are incorrect.

'Town' is a non-specific noun. The phrase 'a big town' describes 'Wellington' and is not specific on its own. Hence we use the article 'a' and option D is wrong.

This combination can only be seen in option A, which is the right answer.