Articles - Class 6 English - Extra Questions

Mumbai is largest cotton textile centre in country.

Mumbai is the largest cotton textile centre in the country.

'The' is used to refer to a specific noun.
'The' in the first instance is used as a definite article with a superlative adjective to define a particular thing. It refers to only one out of the group of textile centres - something definite. In the second instance, it is used before 'country' to refer to a specific country as only one particular country where Mumbai is located is talked about. So, the definite article 'the' will be appropriate.


The river was spanned by iron bridge.

The river was spanned by an  iron bridge.
'A' and 'an' are indefinite articles used before an indefinite person or thing. 
Sometimes an article modifies a noun that is also modified by an adjective.
Here the noun is 'bridge' and 'iron' is acting as an adjective that is modifying the noun 'bridge''. The usual word order is article + adjective + noun.
'iron' starts with the vowel sound 'i', hence 'an' is used before 'iron bridge'.


The musician was old Mussalman.

The musician was an old Mussalman.
'A' and 'an' are indefinite articles used before an indefinite person or thing. 
Sometimes an article modifies a noun that is also modified by an adjective.
Here the noun is 'Mussalman' and 'old' is an adjective that is defining the noun 'Mussalman'. The usual word order is article + adjective + noun, 
'old' starting with the vowel sound 'o', hence 'an' is used before it. 



Time we live ought not to be computed by number of years, but by use that has been made of them.

The time we live ought not to be computed by the number of years, but by use that has been made of them.

'The' is used to describe a specific noun. It determines the definiteness of the noun. Here, "the" is used to refer to one particular time, the time that we live in or the present. 'The' before 'number' also specifies that a particular number of years is being referred to here.


What beautiful scene this is!

What a beautiful scene this is!
'A' and 'an' are indefinite articles used before an indefinite person or thing. 
Sometimes an article modifies a noun that is also modified by an adjective.
Here the noun is 'scene' and 'a beautiful' is an adjective that is defining the noun 'scene''. The usual word order is article + adjective + noun, hence 'a' is used before 'beautiful scene'.


Do not look gift horse in mouth.

Do not look a gift horse in the mouth.
Articles 'a, an and the' are used to determine if a noun is definite or indefinite.
'A' and 'an' are indefinite articles used before an indefinite person or thing.
Here 'gift horse' is an indefinite thing starting with the consonant sound 'g', hence 'a' is used before it.
'The' is used to define definite thing, here 'mouth' is a definite thing hence 'the' is used.


Man, thou art ____ wonderful animal.

Answer: Man, thou art  a wonderful animal.
Explanation: Articles are used to determine whether a noun is definite or indefinite in a sentence. The is used when we want to specify something definite (a particular person or thing). On the other hand, a and an are used when the noun we want to refer is not something specific but a general one.
Here, animal is not something specific. It is generally used. Moreover, article 'a' comes before the word beginning with a consonant sound. So, a is right here. 
Note: Thou art is an Old English phrase, that means "you are".


I have not seen him since he was child.

I have not seen him since he was a child.
Articles 'a, an and the' are used to determine if a noun is definite or indefinite.
'A' and 'an' are indefinite articles used before an indefinite person or thing.
Here 'child' is a general term starting with the consonant sound 'g', hence 'a' is used before it.




FD Roosevelt says in his Inaugural Address in 1933 that 'The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.' Write an article on this topic. You may take ideas from the given lines:

"I used every way I knew to overcome
this fear, but it held me firmly in its grip"

Fear
Fear stifles innovation, erodes creativity and limits exponential growth. It is said that Those who love to be feared, fear to be loved. Some fear them, but they fear everyone. Montaigne wrote that The thing I fear most is fear. Fear is the principal source of superstition, and one of the primary sources of cruelly. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom. Seneca says that ‘If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living. A person who is afraid of something cannot enjoy life in totality. Fear makes us weak, and cowardly. But it does not mean that one should become arrogant. A person of peevish nature cannot be called a brave fellow. Aijuna said that a warrior’s fear always helps him in understanding and analyzing the potential of the opponent. Cervantes wrote in Don Quixote that ‘Fear has many eyes and can see things underground. Man should not have unnecessary fear. It discourages him to achieve lofty aspirations. Fear impedes action and it is a well-known fact that those who do not act lose the battle of life. One has to face the challenges of life. They can never be ignored and neglected. They help us in honing our skills and tapping our untapped potential. Hence, one must shed fear.


Class 6 English Extra Questions