Identify the noun clause in the following sentence:
The fact that Kabir had cleared the driving test in his first attempt surprised his father.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → that Kabir had cleared the driving test in his first attempt
Noun clause in apposition:
- A noun clause does the work of a noun. A noun clause in apposition comes right after a noun such as fact, news or idea and tells what that noun is.
- Here the clause tells what the fact was. “That” cannot be changed to “which”, so it is not an adjective clause. The clause runs from “that” to “attempt”.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: The fact that Kabir had cleared the driving test in his first attempt — Incorrect. This part also takes in “The fact”. That noun is the subject of the main clause. The noun clause begins only at “that”.
Option 3: that Kabir had cleared the driving test — Incorrect. This is only part of the clause. It leaves out “in his first attempt”.
Option 4: surprised his father — Incorrect. This is part of the main clause. It is not the noun clause.