Question

Pick out the collective noun(s) from the following sentence.
There is a colony of ants in the backyard.
A. Colony
B. Ants
C. Backyard
D. Colony, ants

Answer 1

Hint:A collective noun is a noun which is used to refer to a group of people, places, things , animals as a whole. Example:- A bunch of grapes.
Example:- A pack of cards.
We will analyse which of the given options refers to a collective noun.

Complete answer:
Let us analyse each option individually in detail to figure out the correct answer with the help of the above stated hint.
Colony:- The word ‘colony’ means a group of people who share mutual interests and reside in the same locality or a community. This word refers to a group as a whole, therefore, this is a collective noun. This is the correct option.
Ants:- The word ‘ants’ is the plural form of ‘ant’ which refers to one or more ant. This is not a collective noun. Therefore, this is not the correct option.
Backyard:- The word ‘backyard’ means the spare space at the back of a house. This is not a collective noun. Therefore, this is not the correct option.
Colony, ants:- As discussed in the option above, ‘ants’ is not a collective noun. Therefore, this is not the correct option.

Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Note:Collective nouns are words for single entities that are made up of one or more persons, animals, things or ideas. Example:- A class of 8 pointers and above.
Example:- A team of professionals.
Example:- An experienced jury.
Example:- A herd of sheep.