16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsEasy–MediumNumber versus amount

Standard English Conventions practice question

A large ____ of volunteers turned up to help clear the beach.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. numberCorrect
  2. B. amount
  3. C. quantity
  4. D. deal

Answer: A. number

Volunteers can be counted, so the word is 'number'. 'Amount' is for uncountable things.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. amount
'amount' is for uncountable quantities ('a large amount of sand').
C. quantity
'quantity' is also used for uncountable or measured things, not people.
D. deal
'a large deal of' is not a standard phrase.

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