Question

Choose the noun(s) in the following sentence:
The cup is on the table.
a) cup, on
b) the, on
c) the, cup, table
d) cup, table

Answer 1

Hint: A noun is a content word that can be used to refer to a person, place, thing, quality, or action. For example- tiger, chair, blanket, Michael.

Complete answer:
Let us thus analyze the options given to us in this question:
Option (a.), 'cup, on', refers to ‘cup’, which is a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle, and ‘on’, which means ‘positioned at the upper surface of, touching from above.’Therefore, option (a.) is incorrect as ‘cup’ is a noun whereas ‘on’ is a preposition.
Option (b.), ‘the, on', refers to ‘the’, which is a definite article, and ‘on’, which is a preposition. Therefore, option (b.) is incorrect.
Option (c.), ‘the, cup, table', refers to ‘the’, which is a definite article, and ‘cup’ and ‘table’, which are both nouns. Therefore, option (c.) is incorrect as ‘the’ is not a noun.
Option (d.), ‘cup, table', refers to ‘cup’ and ‘table’, which is a piece of furniture having a smooth flat top that is usually supported by one or more vertical legs.
Therefore, option (d.) is correct as both cup and table are nouns.

Note:
In this question, it will be helpful for the students to know that nouns are the word class that can serve as the subject or object of a verb, the object of a preposition, or in apposition. Knowing this will help the students to identify nouns.