Question

Choose the correct word (s) that correctly completes the sentence.
I saw a _____ of cows in the field.
a)Group
b)Herd
c)Swarm
d)Flock

Answer 1

Hint: Collective noun refers to a collection of things taken as a whole. It includes a group of people or things.

Complete answer:

As given in the hint, a collective noun is used to indicate the number or collection of people or things.
Let’s look at its usage:
Example- A team of players were eating at the restaurant. Here, ‘a team of players’ refers to a collection of sports players taken as a whole.

Now, let’s examine the given options-
Group- It is the generalized collective noun of any living or non-living thing. Hence, it is an incorrect option.
Example- A group of people entered my shop.

Herd- It is the collective noun of cows, sheep, deer, elephants, etc. Hence, it is the correct option.
Example- A herd of cows was roaming in the fields.

Swarm- It is the collective noun of bees, flies, etc. hence, it is an incorrect option.
Example- There is a swarm of bees in the abandoned house.

Flock- It is the collective noun of birds, sheep, etc. hence, it is an incorrect option.
Example- The old shepherd left his flock of sheep in the field.

The correct answer is Option ‘b’.

Note: Different words are used as a collective noun to describe the collection of different animals and things.