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Question

Each of the following sentences has a word or phrase underlined. Read the sentences carefully and find which part of speech the underlined word is.

There was an exultation in the group.

This question was previously asked in
CDS II 2021 General Knowledge Previous Year Paper (14-Nov-2021)
The correct answer is

Noun

Understanding Parts of Speech: Identifying "Exultation"

The question asks us to identify the part of speech of the underlined word "exultation" in the sentence:

There was an exultation in the group.

To determine the part of speech, let's look at how the word "exultation" is used in the sentence and its form.

Analyzing the Sentence Structure

In the sentence, "exultation" follows the article "an". Articles like 'a', 'an', and 'the' usually come before a noun or an adjective that modifies a noun. Since there is no adjective between "an" and "exultation", "an" is directly modifying "exultation". This strongly suggests that "exultation" is a noun.

Examining the Word Form: Suffixes

Many words have suffixes that indicate their part of speech. The word "exultation" ends with the suffix "-ation". Suffixes like "-ation", "-tion", "-sion", "-ment", "-ness", "-ity", "-ance", "-ence" are common noun endings. The "-ation" suffix is a strong indicator that "exultation" is a noun.

Understanding the Meaning of "Exultation"

The word "exultation" refers to a feeling or state of triumphant joy. Ideas, feelings, states, things, and people are typically represented by nouns.

Definition of a Noun

A noun is a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea.

  • Person: teacher, friend, Mary
  • Place: city, park, London
  • Thing: book, table, computer
  • Idea: happiness, freedom, exultation

Since "exultation" represents an idea or a feeling (triumphant joy), it fits the definition of a noun.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect

  • Adjective: An adjective describes a noun or pronoun. Examples: happy, blue, interesting. "Exultation" does not describe another word in the sentence; it is the subject of the feeling itself.
  • Adverb: An adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. Examples: quickly, very, here. Adverbs often tell how, when, where, or to what extent. "Exultation" does not perform this function in the sentence.
  • Adjectival Noun: An adjectival noun is a word that functions as a noun but has the form of an adjective, often referring to a group of people (e.g., "the poor", "the rich"). "Exultation" is not used in this way; it refers to the state or feeling itself, not a group.

Conclusion

Based on its use in the sentence (following the article "an"), its suffix "-ation", and its meaning (representing a feeling or idea), "exultation" functions as a noun.

Revision Table: Parts of Speech Clues

Part of Speech Role Common Clues/Suffixes Example in Sentence
Noun Names a person, place, thing, or idea Often follows articles (a, an, the); suffixes like -tion, -sion, -ment, -ness There was an exultation in the group.
Adjective Describes a noun Often comes before a noun; suffixes like -ous, -able, -ful a happy child
Adverb Modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb Often ends in -ly; tells how, when, where, to what extent ran quickly
Verb Shows action or state of being Can change tense (past, present, future) They exulted in their victory.

Additional Information: Identifying Nouns

Identifying nouns correctly is a fundamental skill in understanding grammar. Here are some extra tips:

  • Plural Forms: Most nouns can be made plural (e.g., book > books, idea > ideas). Can you have multiple "exultations"? Yes, implying it's a noun.
  • Possessive Form: Nouns can often show possession (e.g., the dog's bone, the group's exultation).
  • Subject or Object: Nouns frequently function as the subject of a sentence (who or what is doing the action) or the object (who or what is receiving the action). In our sentence, "exultation" is part of the subject phrase "an exultation".
  • Common Noun Suffixes: Memorizing common noun suffixes like -ity, -hood, -ship, -ism can be very helpful.

By using these clues and understanding the function of the word in the sentence, you can reliably identify nouns.

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