Question

Identify the noun:
How many candles are there on that birthday cake?

• A. there
• B. birthday cake
• C. that
• D. candles

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (D)

Options A and B: Nouns are words that name people, things, places, animals, etc. Compound nouns are nouns made up of two or more words.

In the given sentence, 'birthday cake' is a compound noun that names 'a cake made for one's birthday'.

'Candles' names a 'block of wax with a wick that is burnt to produce light'.

Hence these are nouns and options A and B are correct.

Options C and D: 'There' is an adverb of place, since it points towards a direction of place.

'That' is a determiner that refers to a person or thing away from the speaker.

These words are not nouns and hence both options are wrong.