Question

Fill in the blank from the alternatives given below.
She uses only ____ cooking oil in her cooking.
a- A few
b- A little
c- Much
d- Any

Answer 1

Hint: We use determiners to indicate the quantity or amount of something or someone. For example- a few books, little oil, etc.

Complete answer:
 Let’s look at the functions of different quantifiers and determiners-
A Few- It is a determiner that is used to indicate a scarce number or amount of something. It is also used with plural countable nouns. For example- I have a few coins.
A Little- It is a determiner that is used to a small quantity or amount of something. ‘Little’ is used with uncountable nouns. For example- I have a little time to go to the market.
Much- It is a determiner that is used with uncountable singular nouns. For example- There is so much time left to do it.
Any- It is a determiner that is used to indicate the quantity of something. It is generally used with negative sentences. For example- I don’t have any change.
In the given question- We can conclude that X uses only a little cooking oil in her cooking. Here, we have used ‘a little’ because ‘oil’ is an uncountable noun.
Now, let’s examine the given options-
Option a- ‘a few’ is an incorrect option because it is used with countable plural nouns.
Option b- ‘a little’ is the correct option because ‘oil’ is an uncountable noun.
Option c- ‘much’ is an incorrect option because it is used with uncountable singular nouns.
Option d- ‘any’ is an incorrect option because it is not a negative sentence. The correct answer is Option ‘b’.

Note:
 Keep in mind, the use of a determiner depends upon the type of noun- Plural or Singular. Also, quantifiers and determiners help in modifying the nouns.