The answer is "a" to simplify the main idea

the sentence does not violate the phrase structure second rule (introduced by noam chomsky) because noun phrases consist of a determiner such as a, the or every, and a noun. in the sentence, the noun phrase the cake includes a determiner (the) and a noun (cake).

on the other hand, the first rule indicates that a sentence encloses a noun phrase, followed by a verb phrase. the example sentence can be analysed as follows:

john (n) + ate (v) + the (det) + cake (n).

answer; (d) i believe the best answer is ; ///people said that man could not fly, but in 1903, orville and wilbur wright made the first sustained powered flight in a heavier- than-air machine;