Fill in the blank using suitable articles. When no article is required, select no article among the given options.

Question

Fill in the blank using suitable articles.

When no article is required, select no article among the given options.

John decided to enroll in MBA program at University to enhance his business skills.

1. A. an, the
2. B. No article, the
3. C. an, a (Correct answer)
4. D. No article, a

Correct Answer

Option C — an, a

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is an, a.

Key Points

• MBA begins with the consonant letter M, but is pronounced "em-bee-ay" — a vowel sound — so it takes an.
• The choice of *a* or *an* depends on the sound a word begins with, not its spelling.
• University is spelt with a vowel but pronounced "yoo-ni-versity", beginning with a consonant *y* sound, so it takes a.
• Since no particular university is identified, the indefinite article is required rather than *the*.

Additional Information

• The same sound rule produces some counter-intuitive pairs: an hour, an honest man and an MP all begin with a silent or vowel sound, while a university, a one-rupee note and a European begin with consonant *y* or *w* sounds despite their vowel spellings.
• Abbreviations follow how the letter is *said*: an FIR, an MLA and an SDM take *an* because F, M and S are pronounced "eff", "em" and "ess".