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Past Questions — 2025
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: 'He received a summons today.'
A)
Adverb
B)
Pronoun
C)
Noun
D)
Verb
In the sentence 'He received a summons today,' the word 'summons' is functioning as a noun. Here is the step-by-step reasoning: 1. Syntactic Position: The word 'summons' follows the indefinite article 'a'. In English grammar, articles (a, an, the) precede nouns or noun phrases. 2. Function: It serves as the direct object of the transitive verb 'received' (He received what? -> a summons). 3. Meaning: In this context, 'summons' refers to an official order to appear in a court of law, which is a person, place, thing, or idea. Note: While 'summons' looks like a plural word because it ends in 's', it is actually a singular count noun (the plural is 'summonses').
Why other options are incorrect:
- Adverb: It does not modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb.
- Pronoun: It does not replace a noun; it is the noun itself.
- Verb: The verb in the sentence is 'received'. 'Summons' is not the action being performed here.
His birthday is ___ next Sunday.
A)
in
B)
at
C)
on
D)
for
Option C is correct: on.
Identify the correct notion expressed: 'May you be blessed with long life.'
A)
Assertive
B)
Declarative
C)
Optative
D)
Imperative
The sentence 'May you be blessed with long life' expresses a wish, prayer, or desire for someone's well-being. In English grammar, sentences that express wishes, hopes, or prayers are categorized as Optative sentences. They typically begin with 'May' or 'Wish'.
Breakdown of other options:
- a. Assertive: These are sentences that state a fact or a claim (e.g., 'You have a long life').
- b. Declarative: This is another term for assertive sentences; they simply declare information.
- d. Imperative: These sentences give a command, request, or advice (e.g., 'Live a long life').
He is too ___ to be deceived easily.
A)
strong
B)
honest
C)
intelligent
D)
kind
The sentence uses the 'too [adjective] to [verb]' structure, which implies that a certain quality is so high that it prevents a specific outcome from happening. In this context, the outcome is 'being deceived easily.' To be 'deceived' means to be tricked or misled. Therefore, the missing adjective must be a quality that prevents someone from being tricked.
1. 'Strong' (a) refers to physical or mental power, but strength alone does not prevent deception.
2. 'Honest' (b) refers to truthfulness; an honest person can still be naive and easily deceived.
3. 'Intelligent' (c) refers to the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills. A person with high intelligence is capable of critical thinking and discernment, making them difficult to deceive. This fits the logic of the sentence perfectly.
4. 'Kind' (d) refers to being friendly or generous; kindness often makes a person more susceptible to deception, not less.
Choose the best expression in Direct/Indirect Speech: 'She asked George to go shopping with her.'
A)
She said to George, “Come shopping with me.”
B)
She asked George, “Please come shopping with me.”
C)
“Will you go shopping with me?”, she said to George.
D)
She asked George please go shopping with me.
The given sentence 'She asked George to go shopping with her' is in Indirect Speech. It represents a request or an invitation. To convert this back into Direct Speech, we need to find the expression that most accurately reflects the intent and grammatical structure of the original statement.
1. Analysis of the Indirect Speech: The verb 'asked' followed by an infinitive ('to go') indicates that the original direct speech was likely a question (interrogative) or a request.
2. Evaluating Option (a): 'She said to George, “Come shopping with me.”' This is an imperative sentence (a command or strong suggestion). While it conveys the meaning, 'asked' in indirect speech usually maps to a question or a polite request in direct speech.
3. Evaluating Option (b): 'She asked George, “Please come shopping with me.”' This is grammatically awkward because 'asked' is used as the reporting verb for a direct quote that is already a request. Usually, we use 'said to' or 'requested' in the reporting clause for direct speech.
4. Evaluating Option (c): '“Will you go shopping with me?”, she said to George.' This is the most accurate transformation. A question starting with 'Will you...?' is the standard way to form a request or invitation that is reported as 'asked [someone] to [do something]' in indirect speech. It maintains the polite nature of the request and follows standard punctuation and grammar rules for direct speech.
5. Evaluating Option (d): 'She asked George please go shopping with me.' This is grammatically incorrect as it lacks quotation marks and proper punctuation for direct speech.
Therefore, option (c) is the best expression.
Choose the best expression in Direct/Indirect Speech: 'My mother said to me, “Are you going to school today?”'
A)
My mother asked me are you going to school today.
B)
My mother asked me if I was going to school that day.
C)
My mother asked me if I was going to school today.
D)
My mother asked me if I am going to school today.
To convert the direct speech 'My mother said to me, “Are you going to school today?”' into indirect speech, the following grammatical rules must be applied:
1. **Reporting Verb**: Since the direct speech is a question, 'said to' changes to 'asked'.
2. **Connector**: For Yes/No questions (questions starting with an auxiliary verb like 'Are'), we use 'if' or 'whether' as the connector.
3. **Pronoun Change**: The second-person pronoun 'you' refers to the object of the reporting verb ('me'), so it changes to 'I'.
4. **Tense Change (Backshifting)**: The reporting verb 'said' is in the past tense, so the present continuous 'are going' must change to the past continuous 'was going'.
5. **Time Expression**: The word 'today' must be changed to 'that day' to reflect the shift in perspective from the time of speaking to the time of reporting.
Evaluating the options:
- **Option a**: Incorrect. It fails to use a connector ('if'), fails to change the tense, and fails to change the time expression.
- **Option b**: Correct. It correctly applies all rules: 'asked', 'if', 'I was going', and 'that day'.
- **Option c**: Incorrect. It fails to change 'today' to 'that day'.
- **Option d**: Incorrect. It fails to change the tense ('am' instead of 'was') and fails to change 'today' to 'that day'.
Choose the kind of clause of the underlined word/phrase: 'Youth is the time when seeds of character are sown.'
A)
Noun clause
B)
Adjective phrase
C)
Adverb clause
D)
Adjective clause
Step-by-step analysis:
1. **Identify the underlined part**: The phrase 'when seeds of character are sown' is the clause in question.
2. **Analyze the structure**: The clause begins with the relative adverb 'when', contains a subject ('seeds of character') and a verb ('are sown'), making it a dependent clause.
3. **Determine the function**: The clause follows the noun 'time'. It describes or modifies the noun 'time' by specifying which time is being referred to.
4. **Classify the clause**: A clause that modifies a noun or pronoun is called an Adjective Clause (also known as a Relative Clause).
Why other options are incorrect:
- **Noun clause**: A noun clause functions as a subject or object (e.g., 'I know when he will come'). Here, the clause describes 'time' rather than acting as the object of the sentence.
- **Adjective phrase**: A phrase lacks a subject-predicate relationship. Since this contains both a subject and a verb, it is a clause, not a phrase.
- **Adverb clause**: An adverb clause modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, usually indicating time, place, or condition (e.g., 'I will leave when the rain stops'). In this sentence, 'when' is modifying the noun 'time', not the verb 'is'.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: 'What is this box for?'
A)
Preposition
B)
Verb
C)
Adjective
D)
Adverb
In the sentence 'What is this box for?', the word 'for' is used as a preposition. A preposition is a word used to link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words within a sentence. In this specific structure, 'for' indicates purpose or intention. Although it appears at the end of the sentence (a common occurrence in natural English called 'preposition stranding'), it still functions as a preposition governing the implied object 'what'.
Why other options are incorrect:
- b. Verb: A verb expresses an action or state of being (e.g., 'is' in this sentence). 'For' does not express an action.
- c. Adjective: An adjective modifies a noun (e.g., 'this' acting as a determiner/adjective for 'box'). 'For' does not describe the qualities of a noun.
- d. Adverb: An adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. While some prepositions can function as adverbs (particle usage), in this context, 'for' is specifically asking about the purpose/object, maintaining its prepositional nature.
Identify the correct notion expressed: 'He told us not to make so much noise.'
A)
Affirmative
B)
Imperative
C)
Negation
D)
Optative
Step-by-step analysis:
1. **Analyze the sentence structure**: The sentence 'He told us not to make so much noise' is a declarative sentence reporting an indirect command.
2. **Identify the core notion**: The key element in the phrase 'not to make' is the word 'not'. In linguistics and grammar, the expression of a negative meaning or the denial of an action is referred to as 'Negation'.
3. **Evaluate the options**:
- **a. Affirmative**: An affirmative sentence asserts that something is true or should happen. This sentence does the opposite by forbidding noise.
- **b. Imperative**: While the original spoken command ('Don't make so much noise!') was imperative, the sentence provided is an *indirect report* of that command. The sentence itself is grammatically a declarative statement, not an imperative one (it doesn't start with a verb and lacks a direct command structure).
- **c. Negation**: This is the correct notion. The use of 'not' explicitly negates the action of making noise.
- **d. Optative**: Optative sentences express a wish, hope, or prayer (e.g., 'May you live long'). This sentence does not express a wish.
Therefore, the notion expressed in the sentence is Negation.
As a little boy, Mawia loved the book Charlotte’s Web. (Identify the notion expressed)
A)
Assertive
B)
Declarative
C)
Optative
D)
Imperative
Step-by-step analysis: 1. Analyze the sentence: 'As a little boy, Mawia loved the book Charlotte’s Web.' This sentence makes a statement of fact and provides information about Mawia's past preference. 2. Evaluate the options: (a) Assertive: While 'assertive' is often used interchangeably with 'declarative' in some grammar contexts, in formal linguistic classification of sentence types, 'Declarative' is the standard term for a sentence that states a fact or argument. (b) Declarative: A declarative sentence is one that declares or states a fact, opinion, or piece of information. It ends with a period. This perfectly matches the given sentence. (c) Optative: An optative sentence expresses a wish, prayer, or desire (e.g., 'May you live long!'). The given sentence does not express a wish. (d) Imperative: An imperative sentence gives a command, request, or instruction (e.g., 'Close the door'). The given sentence is not a command. 3. Conclusion: Since the sentence simply states a fact, it is a Declarative sentence.
I am better acquainted with the country than you are. (Identify the notion/concept expressed)
A)
result
B)
reason
C)
purpose
D)
comparison
The sentence 'I am better acquainted with the country than you are' uses a comparative structure to evaluate the degree of knowledge between two subjects ('I' and 'you').
1. **Analysis of the sentence**: The word 'better' is the comparative form of the adjective 'well' (or 'good'), and the word 'than' is a conjunction specifically used to introduce the second element in a comparison.
2. **Why 'comparison' is correct**: The sentence compares the level of acquaintance one person has with a country relative to another person.
3. **Why other options are incorrect**:
- **Result**: A result sentence typically uses connectors like 'therefore', 'so', or 'consequently' to show the outcome of an action.
- **Reason**: A reason sentence explains 'why' something happened, typically using 'because', 'since', or 'as'.
- **Purpose**: A purpose sentence explains the goal of an action, typically using 'so that', 'in order to', or 'for'.
I seldom go out these days. (Identify the part of speech of 'seldom')
A)
Verb
B)
Adverb
C)
Preposition
D)
Adjective
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Analyze the sentence: 'I seldom go out these days.'
2. Identify the word in question: 'seldom'.
3. Determine what 'seldom' is modifying: The word 'seldom' describes the frequency of the action 'go out' (the verb).
4. Apply grammatical rules: A word that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb—specifically one that answers the question 'How often?'—is classified as an Adverb of Frequency.
5. Evaluate options:
- (a) Verb: 'Seldom' does not express an action or state of being.
- (b) Adverb: Correct. It modifies the verb 'go' by indicating frequency.
- (c) Preposition: It does not show a relationship (like direction, time, or location) between a noun/pronoun and another part of the sentence.
- (d) Adjective: It does not describe a noun or pronoun; it describes the action.
Youth is the time when seeds of character are sown. (Identify the kind of clause for the underlined phrase 'when seeds of character are sown')
A)
Noun clause
B)
Adjective clause
C)
Adverb clause
D)
Adjective phrase
Step-by-step analysis:
1. **Identify the structure**: The phrase 'when seeds of character are sown' contains a subject ('seeds of character') and a verb ('are sown'), making it a clause, not a phrase. This immediately eliminates option (d).
2. **Analyze the function**: The clause begins with the relative adverb 'when'. It follows the noun 'time'.
3. **Determine the relationship**: The clause 'when seeds of character are sown' describes or qualifies the noun 'time'. In English grammar, a clause that modifies a noun or pronoun is called an Adjective Clause (also known as a Relative Clause).
4. **Eliminate other options**:
- It is not a **Noun Clause** because it does not function as a subject or object of the sentence (e.g., it doesn't answer 'what?').
- It is not an **Adverb Clause** because it is not modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb to indicate time, place, or manner for the whole sentence; rather, it is specifically defining the noun 'time'.
He felled the tree ________ an axe.
A)
by
B)
with
C)
of
D)
in
The sentence requires a preposition to indicate the instrument used to perform an action. In English grammar, the preposition 'with' is used to denote the tool, instrument, or means used to achieve a result (e.g., 'cut with a knife', 'write with a pen').
Analysis of options:
- 'with' (Correct): Used for the instrument/tool (the axe).
- 'by' (Incorrect): 'By' is typically used to indicate the agent (the person doing the action) or the method/mode of transport (e.g., 'by car', 'by hand'). While 'by' can sometimes mean 'through the means of', when a specific physical tool is mentioned, 'with' is the standard preposition.
- 'of' (Incorrect): Used to show possession, origin, or composition.
- 'in' (Incorrect): Used to indicate location, time, or state.
He told us not to make so much noise. (Identify the notion expressed)
A)
Affirmative
B)
Imperative
C)
Negation
D)
Optative
Step-by-step analysis: 1. Analyze the sentence structure: 'He told us not to make so much noise.' This is an indirect speech sentence reporting a command or request. 2. Identify the core notion: The sentence contains the word 'not', which is used to deny or forbid an action. In linguistics and grammar, the expression of a 'no' or the denial of a proposition is termed 'Negation'. 3. Evaluate options: (a) Affirmative: Incorrect, as the sentence is not stating a positive fact but a prohibition. (b) Imperative: While the original direct speech ('Do not make so much noise!') was an imperative sentence, the sentence provided is a declarative sentence reporting that imperative. The 'notion' expressed within the reported clause is negative. (c) Negation: Correct, as the primary semantic function of 'not to make' is to express negation/prohibition. (d) Optative: Incorrect, as optative sentences express wishes or prayers (e.g., 'May you live long').
A plane is hovering ________ the field.
A)
on
B)
above
C)
after
D)
among
Step-by-step reasoning: 1. Analyze the verb 'hovering': To hover means to remain poised suspended in one place in the air. 2. Evaluate the spatial relationship: Since a plane is in the air and the field is on the ground, the plane is at a higher level than the field without touching it. 3. Test the options: (a) 'on' implies physical contact with the surface, which contradicts 'hovering'. (b) 'above' is used to describe something at a higher level than something else, which perfectly fits the context of a plane in the air. (c) 'after' is a preposition of time or sequence, not spatial position. (d) 'among' is used when something is surrounded by three or more distinct items, which does not apply to a single field. Therefore, 'above' is the only grammatically and logically correct choice.
I don’t think I ________ be able to go.
A)
shall
B)
should
C)
can
D)
could
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. **Analyze the sentence structure**: The sentence 'I don’t think I ________ be able to go' expresses a prediction or a statement of future possibility regarding the speaker's ability.
2. **Evaluate the options**:
- **(a) shall**: In traditional English grammar, 'shall' is used with the first person (I, we) to indicate the simple future. In this context, 'I shall be able to go' is the grammatically correct way to express future ability.
- **(b) should**: 'Should' typically expresses obligation, advice, or expectation. 'I don't think I should be able to go' would imply a moral or logical contradiction that doesn't fit the standard meaning of this sentence.
- **(c) can**: 'Can' expresses present ability. However, the phrase 'be able to' already expresses ability. Using 'can be able to' is redundant (pleonasm) and grammatically incorrect in English.
- **(d) could**: 'Could' is the past tense of 'can' or used for conditional possibilities. While 'could' is sometimes used in spoken English, 'shall' (or 'will') is the standard choice for a future prediction following 'I don't think...'.
3. **Conclusion**: Since the sentence refers to a future state of ability, 'shall' is the most appropriate modal verb to pair with 'be able to' for the first-person subject 'I'.
Yesterday, she ________ for her lost dog since morning.
A)
searched
B)
had search
C)
had searched
D)
was searching
Step-by-step reasoning: 1. Analyze the time markers: The sentence contains 'Yesterday' (indicating a past timeframe) and 'since morning' (indicating a duration of time leading up to a specific point). 2. Determine the tense: When an action started in the past and continued up until another point in the past, the Past Perfect tense (or Past Perfect Continuous) is required. 3. Evaluate the options: (a) 'searched' is Simple Past; it doesn't account for the duration indicated by 'since morning'. (b) 'had search' is grammatically incorrect as 'had' must be followed by a past participle. (c) 'had searched' is the Past Perfect form, which correctly links the duration ('since morning') to the past reference point ('Yesterday'). (d) 'was searching' is Past Continuous; while it describes an ongoing action, it is typically not used with 'since' to denote a period of time leading up to a point; 'had been searching' would be the correct continuous form. Therefore, 'had searched' is the most grammatically accurate choice among the options provided.
That is my opinion on the matter. (Identify the part of speech of 'That')
A)
Pronoun
B)
Preposition
C)
Adverb
D)
Conjunction
Step-by-step analysis:
1. Analyze the sentence: 'That is my opinion on the matter.'
2. Identify the role of 'That': In this sentence, 'That' stands alone as the subject of the verb 'is'. It refers to a previously mentioned idea or statement.
3. Categorize the part of speech: A word that takes the place of a noun or noun phrase is a pronoun. Specifically, 'That' here is a 'Demonstrative Pronoun' because it points to a specific thing.
4. Evaluate other options:
- (b) Preposition: Prepositions show relationship (e.g., in, on, at) and are followed by a noun phrase. 'That' is not functioning as a relationship marker here.
- (c) Adverb: Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. 'That' is not modifying any of these.
- (d) Conjunction: Conjunctions connect words, phrases, or clauses (e.g., and, but, because). 'That' is not connecting two clauses in this sentence; it is the subject of the clause.
He said that though he had come, it was against his will. (Choose the correct Direct/Indirect Speech conversion)
A)
He said, “Though I came, it is against my will.”
B)
He said, “Though I had come, it was against my will.”
C)
He said, “Though I have come, it is against my will.”
D)
He said, “I have come, but it is against my will.”
To convert the given Indirect Speech sentence back into Direct Speech, we must reverse the tense changes and pronoun shifts:
1. **Analyze the Indirect Speech:** 'He said that though he had come, it was against his will.'
2. **Tense Reversal (Past Perfect to Present Perfect):** In indirect speech, the 'Past Perfect' (had come) usually represents either the 'Simple Past' or the 'Present Perfect' from the original direct speech. However, looking at the second clause 'it was against his will' (Simple Past), this typically converts back to 'it is against my will' (Simple Present).
3. **Tense Reversal (Simple Past to Simple Present):** 'it was' becomes 'it is'.
4. **Pronoun Shift:** 'he' becomes 'I' and 'his' becomes 'my'.
Evaluating the options:
- **Option a:** 'Though I came, it is against my will.' (While 'came' is possible, the combination of 'came' and 'is' is less standard for this specific transformation than the Present Perfect).
- **Option b:** 'Though I had come, it was against my will.' (Incorrect; this keeps the past tenses, which is not how direct speech is typically structured unless the event was already in the past relative to the speaking time).
- **Option c:** 'Though I have come, it is against my will.' (Correct. 'Have come' [Present Perfect] shifts to 'had come' [Past Perfect], and 'is' [Simple Present] shifts to 'was' [Simple Past] in indirect speech).
- **Option d:** 'I have come, but it is against my will.' (Incorrect; it changes the conjunction 'though' to 'but', altering the sentence structure).
Therefore, option (c) is the most accurate conversion.
He ________ be at least sixty.
A)
should
B)
ought to
C)
must
D)
used to
The sentence 'He ________ be at least sixty' is expressing a logical deduction or a strong probability based on evidence (such as the person's appearance).
1. **'Must' (Option c):** In this context, 'must' is used to express a strong belief or a logical conclusion. When we see someone who looks old, we say 'He must be sixty,' meaning 'I am almost certain that he is sixty.' This is the correct usage for logical necessity/deduction.
2. **'Should' (Option a):** While 'should' can be used for expectation (e.g., 'The mail should be here by now'), it is less common than 'must' when making a strong deduction about a person's age based on observation.
3. **'Ought to' (Option b):** This is primarily used to express moral obligation or duty, or a strong expectation. It does not fit the context of making a logical guess about age as well as 'must' does.
4. **'Used to' (Option d):** This is used to describe past habits or states that are no longer true. It cannot be followed directly by 'be at least sixty' in this grammatical structure to express a current state.
They will go to Bangalore ________ plane.
A)
on
B)
in
C)
by
D)
from
In English grammar, when referring to the mode of transport or the means of travel, the preposition 'by' is used before the noun representing the vehicle (e.g., by plane, by car, by train, by bus, by ship). In this sentence, 'plane' is the means of transport, making 'by' the correct choice.
Why other options are incorrect:
- 'on' is used for specific surfaces or certain types of transport where you stand or sit on top (e.g., on a bike, on a horse) or when referring to a specific flight (e.g., on flight AI101), but not for the general mode of transport 'plane'.
- 'in' is used when referring to being inside a vehicle (e.g., in a car, in a taxi), but it is not used to describe the general method of travel to a destination.
- 'from' indicates a starting point or origin, which does not fit the context of the method of travel.
She asked George to go shopping with her. (Choose the correct Direct/Indirect Speech conversion)
A)
She said to George, “Come shopping with me.”
B)
She asked George, “Please come shopping with me.”
C)
“Will you go shopping with me?”, she said to George.
D)
She asked George please go shopping with me.
Step-by-step analysis:
1. **Analyze the Indirect Speech**: 'She asked George to go shopping with her.' This is an indirect request or invitation. The reporting verb 'asked' combined with the infinitive 'to go' indicates that the original direct speech was likely a question or a request.
2. **Evaluate Option (a)**: 'She said to George, “Come shopping with me.”' This is an imperative sentence (a command or strong suggestion). While it can be converted to 'She told George to come shopping', the use of 'asked' in the prompt suggests a request/question format.
3. **Evaluate Option (b)**: 'She asked George, “Please come shopping with me.”' This is grammatically incorrect because 'asked' is used as the reporting verb for the direct quote, but the quote itself is an imperative. Usually, we use 'said to' or 'requested' for direct quotes of this nature.
4. **Evaluate Option (c)**: '“Will you go shopping with me?”, she said to George.' This is a polite request in the form of a question. When converted to indirect speech, 'Will you...?' becomes 'asked [someone] to [do something]'. This perfectly matches the structure and tone of the prompt.
5. **Evaluate Option (d)**: 'She asked George please go shopping with me.' This is grammatically incorrect as it lacks quotation marks and proper punctuation for direct speech, and it mixes indirect and direct forms.
Conclusion: Option (c) is the most accurate direct speech equivalent for the indirect statement provided.
You can’t get a job unless you have experience. (Identify the notion/concept expressed)
A)
comparison
B)
condition
C)
possibility
D)
reason
The sentence 'You can’t get a job unless you have experience' expresses a requirement that must be met for a specific outcome to occur. The keyword 'unless' is a conditional conjunction meaning 'except if' or 'if... not'. In this context, having experience is the necessary condition for getting a job.
Breakdown of options:
- a. Comparison: Incorrect, as the sentence does not compare two different entities or qualities.
- b. Condition: Correct, as it sets a prerequisite (experience) for the result (getting a job).
- c. Possibility: Incorrect, while the outcome is possible, the primary grammatical structure is focused on the requirement, not the likelihood.
- d. Reason: Incorrect, while lack of experience might be the reason one doesn't have a job, the sentence is structured as a conditional statement ('unless'), not a causal statement (e.g., 'You can't get a job because you lack experience').
He received a summons today. (Identify the part of speech of 'summons')
A)
Adverb
B)
Pronoun
C)
Noun
D)
Verb
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. **Analyze the sentence structure**: 'He' is the subject, 'received' is the transitive verb, and 'a summons today' is the object phrase.
2. **Identify the role of 'summons'**: In this sentence, 'summons' follows the indefinite article 'a'. In English grammar, articles (a, an, the) precede nouns or noun phrases.
3. **Define the word**: While 'summons' can be used as a verb (e.g., 'The judge summons the witness'), in this specific context, it refers to an official order to appear in a court of law. This makes it a thing/document, which is the definition of a noun.
4. **Evaluate other options**:
- **Adverb**: It does not modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb.
- **Pronoun**: It does not replace a noun; it is the name of the object itself.
- **Verb**: Although 'summons' can be a verb, it cannot be the verb here because 'received' is already the main verb of the sentence, and 'summons' is preceded by an article.