Question

Use a suitable article:
When was ____ telephone invented?
A) A
B) An
C) The
D) No article.

Answer 1

Hint: The words "a," "an," and "the" are three types of articles. They distinguish between what is specific and what is not. There are two types of articles: The definite article (the), the indefinite articles (a, an).

Complete answer:
Option A) A: "A" is an indefinite article. It is used before a noun to define it as something non-specific (e.g., something generic or something mentioned for the first time). The sentence is not talking about the invention of the unspecific telephone, but the very first telephone in history. Therefore this option is incorrect.

Option B) an: “An” is the form of the indefinite article used before words beginning with a vowel sound. The word "an" indicates that the noun being modified is indefinite and might refer to any member of a group. The above sentence doesn’t refer to something comprehensive but it alludes to the “first telephone” which is specific. Therefore this is the incorrect option.

Option C) The: When a noun is specific or particular, the definite article is used before singular and plural nouns. The indicates that the noun is definite, referring to a specific member of a group. This choice is valid since we're not talking about any telephone; we're talking about the first telephone ever invented. Therefore this is the correct option.

Option D) No article: Option ‘C’ is likewise erroneous because we are referring to a specific telephone, the first one because 'telephone' is a countable noun and a specific one.

Thus the correct answer is option ‘C’ i.e, ‘The’. When was the telephone invented?

Note: Rules regarding articles-
- The article ‘the' is used before a singular or plural noun that is specific, according to the most basic rule of the article. In the case of a common noun, it denotes a specific thing or person.
- When the listener understands what the speaker is talking about, the article ‘the' is employed.
- Before a consonant word or any vowel with a consonant sound, the article ‘a' is used.
- A singular common noun must always have the article ‘a' or ‘an,' although a plural common noun does not and can have ‘the' to particularise it.