Select the most appropriate article to fill in the blank. If no article is…
2026
Select the most appropriate article to fill in the blank. If no article is needed, select ‘No article required’. She gave me _____ honest opinion about my research, even though it was critical.
Answer: A. an — ConceptThe choice between “a” and “an” depends on the first sound of the following word, not merely its first written letter. Use “an” before a vowel sound…
- A.
an
- B.
the
- C.
a
- D.
No article required
Attempted by 63 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Concept
The choice between “a” and “an” depends on the first sound of the following word, not merely its first written letter. Use “an” before a vowel sound and “a” before a consonant sound. A singular count noun also normally requires a determiner.
Application
In “honest opinion,” the h in “honest” is silent, so the word begins with the vowel sound /ɒ/. “Opinion” is a singular count noun used non-specifically. The appropriate indefinite article form before that vowel sound is “an,” producing “an honest opinion.”
Contrast
“an” is the indefinite article form used before a vowel sound.
“the” marks a noun phrase as specifically identifiable in the context.
“a” is the indefinite article form used before a consonant sound.
A zero article is typical with plural or uncountable nouns used generally, not with an ordinary singular count noun such as “opinion.”
Cross-check
Compare “an hour” and “a house”: both begin with the letter h, but the article changes with pronunciation. “Honest” patterns with “hour,” confirming “an honest opinion.”
Therefore, the completed sentence is: “She gave me an honest opinion about my research, even though it was critical.”