Some advanced issues with article usage

Question

Hello there, a non-native speaker here.

Preparing for the CAE level Cambridge certificate exam, I've recently bumped into three test questions, where I'm not 100% sure, whether I understand correctly why there aren't more correct choices. I am asking more out of curiosity than anything else, really:

The 1st problematic question: (one's supposed to rephrase the sentence using the word given)

My cousins' unexpected visit enabled me to get out of doing my homework.

My cousins' unexpect visit .......... perfect excuse for not doing my homework. (PROVIDED)

My answer: provided me with a

Correct answer: provided me with the

I can but guess that it's because the uniqueness of perfectness (there can't be more than one perfect excuse - something akin to the non-gradable adjectives maybe??? )? Like it would be the ultimate excuse rather than an ultimate excuse? I still would like to know, whether there's some rule for this, though, since I've never encountered any of this kind.

The 2nd problematic question:

... he is quite adamant about it, despite being head sushi chef at one of London's leading Japanese restaurants.

--> My question here would be: Is it possible to say at one of the London's leading Lapanese restaurants? If yes, is there any difference in meaning? What would be the reason for leaving out the article in the first place? These London's leading restaurants seem pretty definite / particular / identifiable, or?

The 3rd problematic question:

Include (in a CV) specific skills such as IT .......... (PACK) or languages, and state whether you're at basic, intermediate or advanced level.

Correct answer: packages
-> How's one supposed to guess that? Also, what's an IT package in the first place? I thought it could be a software bundle / suite / set of apps or services - which doesn't exactly fit in the context?

Thanks in advance for your stimulating answers!

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

WitikoThe 1st problematic question: (one's supposed to rephrase the sentence using the word given)
My cousins' unexpected visit enabled me to get out of doing my homework.
My cousins' unexpect visit .. perfect excuse for not doing my homework. (PROVIDED)
My answer: provided me with a
Correct answer: provided me with the

Perfect is synonymous with best in this example. Being superlative, it is unique, and so the definite article is the best choice.

However, many native speakers use "a perfect excuse."

WitikoThe 2nd problematic question:
... he is quite adamant about it, despite being head sushi chef at one of London's leading Japanese restaurants.
--> My question here would be: Is it possible to say at one of the London's leading Lapanese restaurants? If yes, is there any difference in meaning? What would be the reason for leaving out the article in the first place? These London's leading restaurants seem pretty definite / particular / identifiable, or?

My question here would be: Is it possible to say at one of the London's leading Japanese restaurants? No. Articles are not used before geographical place names. You can say "one of the leading Japanesese restaurants in London."

WitikoThe 3rd problematic question:
Include (in a CV) specific skills such as IT .. (PACK) or languages, and state whether you're at basic, intermediate or advanced level.
Correct answer: packages

Well if the hint is "pack," then it would be "packages." This is a rather old name for an integrated suite of applications, usually installed together For example: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_free_and_open_source_software_packages

Witiko · Answer

AlpheccaStarsPerfect is synonymous with best in this example. Being superlative, it is unique, and so the definite article is the best choice

I thought as much.

AlpheccaStarsNo. Articles are not used before geographical place names. You can say "one of the leading Japanesese restaurants in London."

Oh, I thought the article would apply to the entire "London's leading Japanese restaurants" rather than just to "London's" - "the London" is obviously not correct.

AlpheccaStarsThis is a rather old name for an integrated suite of applications, usually installed together.

That, I would figure out, but the text claims that it's a skill? Include specific skills such as IT packages...

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Witiko
AlpheccaStarsThis is a rather old name for an integrated suite of applications, usually installed together.
That, I would figure out, but the text claims that it's a skill? Include specific skills such as IT packages...

On a CV with bullet-point lists, sometimes people just make a list of computer languages and applications under the heading of "skills." It is assumed that that means that they are skilled in using those applications or languages.

Some advanced issues with article usage

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