Question

Fill in the blank with the most suitable article.
__________ eleven year old boy won _________ National Essay-writing competition.

• A. The, the
• B. An, a
• C. An, the
• D. The, a

Answer 1

The correct option is C An, the

The indefinite articles 'a' and 'an' are used to modify a non-specific or non-particular noun. The article, 'a' precedes a noun which begins with a consonant sound and the article 'an' precedes a noun which begins with a vowel sound. The definite article, 'the' is used to modify a specific or particular noun.

The subject of the sentence is: 'eleven-year-old boy'. This noun phrase does not refer to a specific person. Hence, an indefinite article ('a' or 'an') is to be used before this phrase. The word, 'eleven' starts with a vowel sound. Hence, the article to be used before the said noun phrase is 'an'.

Options A and D are incorrect as they indicate the use of the article, 'the' before the noun phrase, 'eleven-year-old boy'. Hence, these options are incorrect.

The correct answer has to be either option B and C.

'National Essay-writing competition' is the name of a particular national level competition which is well known. Hence, this noun phrase refers to a specific competition and the article to be used before it is: 'the'.

Of the two options B and C, option C uses the article, 'the before the phrase, 'National Essay-writing competition. Hence, option C is correct.

Option B is incorrect as it indicates the use of the article 'a' before the noun phrase, 'National Essay-writing competition.