Question

Which of the following statements correctly explains the use of articles in the following sentence? After earning an MBA, Srinivas was able to approach a mathematical problem from both a business and analytical perspective.

• A. "An MBA" uses a because MBA is an acronym, and "a mathematical problem" should use the since it is referring to a unique or previously mentioned problem.
• B. "An MBA" should use a instead, because it refers to a specific degree, and "a mathematical problem" should use the to refer to a specific problem.
• C. "An MBA" uses the indefinite article an because it begins with a vowel sound, and "a mathematical problem" uses a because "mathematical" begins with a consonant sound.
• D. Both articles are used incorrectly because "an MBA" should use a and "a mathematical problem" should use the.

Hint:

The article "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound, while "a" is used before words that begin with a consonant sound.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: "An MBA" is correct because "MBA" begins with a vowel sound ("em"). The indefinite article "an" is used before words starting with a vowel sound. Step 2: "A mathematical problem" uses the article "a" because "mathematical" begins with a consonant sound ("m"). Thus, option (c) is the correct explanation for the use of articles in the sentence.