What kind of noun is the underlined word in the following sentence?
The potter in our village shapes wet clay into small diyas for Diwali.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Material noun
Material noun:
- A material noun names a substance that things are made of.
- “Clay” is the soft earth that the diyas are made from. It is a substance, not one single thing.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: Common noun — Incorrect. A common noun is a name for any one thing of a kind, like a diya or a potter. “Clay” here is the substance the diyas are made of. Example: The potter sat at his wheel all day.
Option 2: Abstract noun — Incorrect. An abstract noun names a quality or feeling that we cannot touch. Clay can be seen and touched. Example: It takes courage to speak on the stage.
Option 4: Proper noun — Incorrect. A proper noun is the name of one particular person or place and starts with a capital letter. “Clay” is not the name of anyone. Example: We bought new diyas at Sarojini Nagar.