Question

Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate words.
If ______ guest has to leave ______ table during ______ meal he always asks his hostess, "Will you please excuse me for ______ minute".

• A. a/the/a/a
• B. no article/the/a/no article
• C. the/the/no article/the
• D. an/the/a/a
• E. no article/no article/no article/a

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

a/the/a/a

Option (A) is the correct answer.

EXPLANATION:

There are two types of articles:

DEFINITE ARTICLE (THE) : Article 'the' is used to refer to a DEFINITE thing or person.

INDEFINITE ARTICLE(A/AN): Article 'a/an' is used to refer to a thing or person in general. For instance: man, door etc.

Article 'a' is used with consonant sounds whereas article 'an' is used with vowel sounds.

In the first blank, article "a" will be used because article "a" is used to describe a general noun ( guest is not specified, therefore article "the" is incorrect.)

In the second blank, table is specifically mentioned where the guest is sitting(DEFINITE). Therefore, article "the" will be used.

In the third blank, meal is a general noun, therefore article "a" will be used.

In the fourth blank, article "a" will be used because article "a" is used when the speaker is mentioning something for the first time or making a general statement.