Which fork is smaller and located to the right of the main course fork, on the left side of the plate?

The salad fork is specifically designed for use with salad courses and is smaller than the main course fork, which makes it ideal for the lighter, more delicate nature of salads. Placed to the left of the plate, it aligns with formal dining etiquette, where utensils are arranged according to the order of use. The positioning to the left indicates that it should be the first utensil used for the initial course served.

In contrast, other forks such as the tea fork, main course fork, and appetizer fork have different purposes and sizes that do not fit the specific placement and context in question. The tea fork is typically smaller and has a different use, mainly for desserts or light snacks. The main course fork is larger and meant for the main dish, while the appetizer fork is specifically intended for appetizers. Thus, the salad fork's characteristics and positioning on the dining table clearly identify it as the correct response.