Answer :
To fill in the blanks with indefinite articles ('a', 'an'), we need to follow some rules concerning indefinite articles:
- Use 'a' before words that begin with a consonant sound.
- Use 'an' before words that begin with a vowel sound.
- Use 'X' where no article is needed.
Let's apply these rules to each sentence:
Seema met John just an hour ago.
- 'Hour' starts with a vowel sound ('our'), so we use 'an'.
Please make a list of books to be bought for the library.
- 'List' begins with a consonant sound.
Would you like X sugar in your tea?
- 'Sugar' is uncountable here, so no article is needed.
What a shame that we couldn't help the flood victims on time!
- 'Shame' is singular and countable in this context.
A unique feature of this phone is that it is so light.
- 'Unique' begins with a 'yu' sound, which is a consonant sound.
Anyone with an M.Sc. degree in mathematics can apply for the post.
- 'M' is pronounced 'em', which has a vowel sound.
Plastics are not X eco-friendly.
- 'Eco-friendly' is not preceded by 'a' or 'an'. Often, adjectives like this describe qualities or are used as predicates without articles.
Gaelic is a dying language.
- 'Dying' begins with a consonant sound.
I have met him at a conference.
- 'Conference' begins with a consonant sound.
Man is a social being.
- 'Social being' starts with a consonant sound. Here, 'man' is considered singular and general.
These rules help decide when and where to use 'a', 'an', or no article, allowing for correct and natural English usage.
