Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Baboons
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question examines knowledge of collective nouns in English, which often appear in vocabulary and verbal ability sections of competitive exams. Collective nouns are special words used to describe groups of animals, people or things. The term congress has a specific traditional use for a group of certain animals and is different from more common terms such as herd or pride.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
In English, collective nouns can be irregular and must often be memorised. For example, a pride of lions, a flock of sheep and a streak of tigers are common expressions. The word congress is a more unusual collective noun and is traditionally used for a group of baboons. Recognising this pattern allows the learner to select the correct option even if the term sounds more like a political body at first.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall standard collective nouns for each animal in the options.
Step 2: Lions are usually referred to by the collective noun pride.
Step 3: Sheep are most commonly described with the collective noun flock.
Step 4: Tigers may appear as a streak or an ambush of tigers in traditional lists.
Step 5: The word congress is associated with a group of baboons, so baboons is the correct choice.
Verification / Alternative check:
You can cross check by recalling other questions or word lists that mention unusual collective nouns. Congress of baboons is often cited as a humorous or memorable example in vocabulary books and language blogs. In contrast, there are no standard phrases like congress of lions, congress of tigers or congress of sheep used in established English references, which confirms that baboons is the right answer.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Lions: Correctly grouped as a pride of lions, not a congress of lions.
Tigers: Usually referred to as a streak or ambush of tigers, not a congress of tigers.
Sheep: Commonly described as a flock of sheep, not a congress of sheep.
Common Pitfalls:
Many learners focus on the political meaning of congress and may feel that none of the options fit, which can lead to random guessing. Others may think collective nouns are interchangeable across similar animals, such as big cats, which is not correct. Careful study and recall of traditional collective nouns help avoid such confusion in vocabulary questions.
Final Answer:
The collective noun congress is used for a group of baboons.
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