What type of noun identifies one or more of a class of people or things that are alike?

The correct answer is common noun. A common noun is a general term that refers to a class of people, places, things, or concepts that share similar characteristics. It is not specific to one individual or entity but rather encompasses a group or category. For example, words like "dog," "city," and "car" are all common nouns because they refer to general categories that can contain many different instances.

In contrast, a collective noun refers to a group of individuals or things considered as a single unit, such as "team" or "flock." A proper noun, on the other hand, is a specific name for an individual person, place, or organization, such as "John," "Paris," or "Microsoft," which are unique and capitalized. Lastly, abstract nouns refer to ideas, qualities, or conditions that cannot be physically touched or seen, such as "freedom," "happiness," or "love." Each of these other types of nouns serves its own distinct purpose, but it is the common noun that is specifically designed to denote a class of similar people or things.