1. How much is it to take the subway?
2. Answer:________________________.
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Q1: In #1 what does 'it' refer to?
Q2: What does 'to take the subway' modify? Is 'to take the subway' a noun phrase or an adverbial phrase?
Q3: What is the suitable answer to the question 1?
Q1 -- "it" is that indefinite pronoun that's often used in English (without an antecedent).
Q2 -- Let's rephrase so it's a sentence instead of a question:
It is how much to take the subway.
I'd say "to take the subway" is an infinitive phrase that is adverbial, modifying "much."
I'm not 100% sure, though. These colloquial phrasings aren't always able to be analyzed well!
Q3 -- Possible answers:
"It's fifty cents."
"Fifty cents"
"A monthly pass costs $30."
I don't know if you'll come back to see this, but I'll post the explanation anyway. I asked a friend of mine what she thought the infinitive phrase is doing in this question:
How much is it to take the subway?
She says she believes "to take the subway" is serving as an appositive to "it" -- and that makes it a noun phrase.
I believe she's right!
A1: In #1, 'it' refers to the cost or fare required to use the subway.
A2: 'To take the subway' is an infinitive phrase that functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action or purpose of using the subway.
A3: The suitable answer to question 1 depends on the specific location and subway system you are referring to. The fare for taking the subway varies in different cities and can also depend on factors such as distance traveled and time of travel. To determine the cost, you would typically need to refer to the official website or contact the transportation authority responsible for the subway system in the specific city you are interested in.