L'étudiant prépare seize ou dix-sept questions.

From Lesson 28:Numbers 1 to 20·French

Questions & Answers about L'étudiant prépare seize ou dix-sept questions.

Why is seventeen written as dix-sept with a hyphen?
In French, the numbers 17, 18, and 19 are formed by adding 10 to another number. For 17, you combine dix (10) and sept (7). The hyphen is required to show they join together to make a single number.
Since 17 is dix-sept, why isn't 16 dix-six?
French has unique, single-word names for the numbers 11 through 16! You just have to memorize seize for 16. The pattern of combining words (like 10 + 7) only starts when you reach 17.
Why does the sentence use l'étudiant instead of le étudiant?
Whenever the words le (the, masculine) or la (the, feminine) are followed by a word starting with a vowel, you drop the vowel on the article and add an apostrophe. This makes the words flow together smoothly when speaking.
Do I need a word like des before questions?
No! When you use a specific number like seize or dix-sept, it acts as the determiner. It completely replaces words like des (some) or les (the). You just put the number directly in front of the noun.

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