Answer:

Collective Nouns

Collective nouns are words that refer to a group or collection of people, animals, or things. They are singular in form but represent multiple individuals or items. In this question, we need to choose the correct collective noun to fill in the blank.

Options:
a) stack
b) piece
c) basket
d) bowl

Explanation:

To determine the correct collective noun to fill in the blank, we need to consider the context of the sentence. The sentence states that Marina dropped something before it reached the table.

1. Stack: A stack refers to a neat pile of objects placed one on top of the other. However, in this context, dropping a stack of rice implies that the rice was already stacked, which is not mentioned in the sentence. Therefore, option 'A' is not the correct answer.

2. Piece: A piece refers to a single part or portion of something. In this context, dropping a piece of rice does not make sense as rice is typically measured in terms of quantity rather than individual pieces. Therefore, option 'B' is not the correct answer.

3. Basket: A basket is a container used for carrying or storing items. However, dropping a basket of rice implies that the rice was contained in a basket, which is not mentioned in the sentence. Therefore, option 'C' is not the correct answer.

4. Bowl: A bowl is a deep, round dish used for serving or eating food. Dropping a bowl of rice implies that the rice was contained in a bowl, which is a plausible scenario. Therefore, option 'D' is the correct answer.

Conclusion:

The correct option to fill in the blanks with a collective noun is 'D' - bowl. This choice makes sense in the given context as dropping a bowl of rice indicates that the rice was in a bowl before it reached the table.