Shouldn't the preposition be 'an' instead of 'a' before euphemism?

[Emmanuil]

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #89 "Verbal Learning", question 9

He has a very refined vocabulary and prefers to use a ......... rather than a more common and vulgar word.

(a) euphemism
(b) delicacy
(c) finery
(d) edition

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #89 "Verbal Learning", answer 9

He has a very refined vocabulary and prefers to use a euphemism rather than a more common and vulgar word.

Correct answer: (a) euphemism

Your answer was: correct
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Shouldn't the preposition be "an" instead of "a" before "euphemism?

Emmanuil

[Mister Micawber]

.
'A' and 'an' are articles, not prepositions. 'A' is correct here because 'euphemism' starts with a /j/ sound. It is the sound, not the spelling, that determines indefinite article choice.

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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Licinio]

I think euphemism is not used in the correct sense here. To my knowledge it should refers to a soft expression used in order to avoid an akward blunter word, and is therefore not a refined word as required by the sentence.

[Mister Micawber]

People with refined vocabularies use euphemisms; it is not the word itself that is or means 'refined'.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's