Our principal has a large … of cows.

Analyze the question: This tests collective nouns, which are words used for groups of animals, people, or things. We need the correct collective noun for cows.

Explain the concept: In English, each type of animal group has its own collective noun:

• Herd: cattle (cows), goats, elephants, deer
• Flock: sheep, birds
• Gang: people (often thieves or criminals), or some animals like elk
• Skein: geese in flight, or a length of yarn

Solution, option by option:

• A. gang: used for groups of people such as thieves or workers, not cows. ✗
• B. herd: the standard collective noun for cattle. ✓
• C. skein: refers to flying geese or wool. ✗
• D. flock: used for sheep or birds, not cows. ✗

The sentence becomes: "Our principal has a large herd of cows."

Tip: Remember the pairing "Herd of Hooved animals" such as cows, goats, and horses. Use "flock" when you think of things that fly or wool-bearing sheep. Collective nouns come up often in WASSCE, JAMB, and NECO English, so make a short list and revise it.