Choose the option that demonstrates the most appropriate use of artic…

The correct answer is Option (2) → The Secretary and the Treasurer are absent

Article with two nouns joined by "and":

• When the article is repeated before each noun, two different persons are meant, and the verb is plural: "The Secretary and the Treasurer are".
• When the article comes only once, one person holding both posts is meant, and the verb is singular: "The Secretary and Treasurer is".
• This sentence has the plural verb "are", so the two posts belong to two people, and each title needs its own "the".
  Example: The principal and the manager have signed the notice.

Why the Other Options are Incorrect?

Option 1: The Secretary and a Treasurer are absent — Incorrect. Both are particular office-bearers of the same body, so both take "the"; "a Treasurer" wrongly suggests any treasurer.

Option 3: Secretary and Treasurer are absent — Incorrect. Particular posts named as the subject of a sentence need the definite article; dropping both articles makes the sentence read like a note or headline.

Option 4: The Secretary and Treasurer are absent — Incorrect. One "the" points to one person holding both posts, which needs the singular verb "is"; with "are" the sentence contradicts itself.