Choose the suitable collective noun to complete the phrase given below:
A .................... of stairs.
Aflight
Bsuite
Cfleet
Dpack
Answer:
A. flight
Read Explanation:
Understanding Collective Nouns: 'Flight of Stairs'
- A collective noun is a word used to refer to a group of individuals or things. In the phrase 'A flight of stairs', 'flight' is the collective noun that denotes a continuous series of steps leading from one landing or floor to another.
- The term 'flight' here implies a complete, unbroken set of stairs. For example, 'He climbed two flights of stairs to reach his apartment.'
Common Collective Nouns for Competitive Exams:
- People/Animals:
- A gang of thieves
- A crew of sailors
- A choir of singers
- A herd of cattle
- A flock of birds/sheep
- A pride of lions
- A school of fish/whales
- A pack of wolves/dogs
- An army of ants
- A swarm of bees
- Objects/Things:
- A bouquet of flowers
- A clump of trees/bushes
- A bundle of sticks/clothes
- A deck of cards
- A fleet of ships/vehicles
- A stack of books/plates
- A string of pearls/events
- A troop of performers/scouts
- A collection of stamps/coins
- A galaxy of stars
- A set of tools/dishes
- Specific Collective Nouns (often tested):
- A peal of bells
- A quiver of arrows
- A gaggle of geese (on the ground)
- A skein of geese (in flight)
- A murder of crows
- A parliament of owls
- A rabble of unruly people
- A convocation of eagles
- A muster of peacocks
- A brood of chickens
Key Points for Mastery:
- Memorizing common collective nouns is crucial for competitive exams, as they frequently appear in 'fill in the blanks', 'error detection', and 'vocabulary' sections.
- Context is important; some collective nouns can be used for different groups (e.g., 'pack' for wolves or cards).
- Pay attention to subtle distinctions, like 'gaggle' vs. 'skein' for geese.