Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: a friends
Explanation:
Given data
Concept/Approach: Number–article agreement
The article 'a' is singular and must modify a singular count noun; 'friends' is plural. Therefore, the phrase must be either 'a friend' (singular) or 'friends' without 'a', or a quantifier like 'few friends'/'many friends'.
Step-by-step diagnosis
1) Locate the noun phrase: 'a friends'.2) Check article–noun agreement: singular article + plural noun → incorrect.3) Correct forms include: 'a friend', 'no friends', 'few friends'.
Verification/Alternative
'She is no longer popular as she has few friends.' is idiomatic and grammatically correct.
Common pitfalls
Mixing singular articles with plural nouns; omitting needed quantifiers.
Final Answer
Part C 'a friends' is erroneous (number–article disagreement).
Discussion & Comments