No verified paper has been uploaded for AJKPSC-PMS English Literature Set-5 yet.
The MCQs below are drawn from the English Literature subject category.
**Rule: Abstract nouns used in a general sense do not take an article.** 'Love' is an abstract noun being discussed as a general concept. The sentence makes a universal statement about it. Therefore, no article is required. An article would be used if it was specific, e.g., 'The love between them was strong'. Options (a), (b), and (c) are incorrect.
2322
We live in ___ yellow house at the end of the street.
**Rule: Use 'a'/'an' to describe or classify something.** 'A yellow house' describes the type of house. Even though the location 'at the end of the street' makes it specific, when the primary function is description with an adjective, 'a' is often preferred in the initial statement. 'The' would also be possible and correct, emphasizing its unique location, but 'a' is a very common and natural choice for description. 'An' is wrong by sound. 'No article' is incorrect.
**Rule: Article choice is based on the sound of the word immediately following it.** The abbreviation 'UK' is pronounced 'yoo-kay', which starts with a consonant 'y' sound. Therefore, 'a' is the correct article. We use 'the' for the country name ('the UK'), but here the article modifies 'UK citizen', and 'citizen' is a singular countable noun. Option (b) is a common error. Options (c) and (d) are incorrect.
**Rule: Use 'a'/'an' to introduce a singular, countable event or sound.** 'Bang' is used here as a singular countable noun representing the sound of the explosion. 'Loud' begins with a consonant sound, so 'a' is correct. The phrase 'with a loud bang' is a standard expression. Option (b) is wrong by sound. Option (c) would imply a specific, previously mentioned bang. Option (d) is incorrect.
**Rule: Abstract nouns used in a general, universal sense do not take an article.** This is a proverb where 'work' is an abstract noun representing the general concept of labour or effort. It does not refer to a specific job. Therefore, no article is used. Options (a), (b), and (c) are incorrect.
**Rule: 'A'/'An' can be used to mean 'per' in expressions of rate or speed.** 'An hour' means 'per hour' or 'each hour'. The word 'hour' begins with a silent 'h', so it has a vowel sound, requiring 'an'. Option (a) is wrong by sound. Option (c) would mean a specific hour. Option (d) would be ungrammatical.
2327
She has ___ dog and a cat; ___ dog is very friendly.
**Rule: Use 'a'/'an' to introduce a noun for the first time, and 'the' to refer to it subsequently.** In the first clause, 'a dog' is introduced as a new, non-specific pet. In the second clause, we are referring back to that same dog, which is now specific and known to the listener. Therefore, 'the dog' is correct. Option (a) wrongly re-introduces the dog. Option (c) wrongly assumes the dog is known from the start. Option (d) is wrong by sound.
**Rule: The definite article 'the' is used before the names of musical instruments when referring to the skill of playing them.** The question is about the ability to play the instrument. The standard expression is 'play the violin', 'play the piano', etc. Options (a), (b), and (d) are incorrect in this context.
2329
___ death of the president left the nation in shock.
**Rule: An abstract noun takes 'the' when it is made specific by a modifying phrase.** 'Death' is an abstract noun. Here, it is not death in general, but the specific death 'of the president'. This makes it definite, so 'the' is required. Option (a) or (b) would be incorrect. Option (d) would be used for a general statement like 'Death is inevitable'.
**Rule: 'A'/'An' with a singular countable noun can be used to make a general statement about a class of people or things.** 'A writer' means any writer, representing all writers as a group. The sentence describes a quality that is essential for anyone in that profession. 'Writer' begins with a consonant sound, so 'a' is correct. 'The writer' could also be used in a generic sense, but 'a' is very common for this type of generalization. Option (b) is wrong by sound. Option (d) is incorrect.