Bored or Boring? Fix It Fast with This Participial Adjectives Quiz
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The movie was so ______ that I left halfway through.
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Boring
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Bored
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Bore
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Bores
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You’re writing an email or essay, trying to sound polished—and then it hits. Should you say “interested audience” or “interesting audience”? Suddenly your confident tone vanishes, and your cursor blinks like it’s judging you.Welcome to the awkward land of participial adjectives.
This Participial Adjectives Quiz is your escape route. Built for grammar learners, ESL students, and curious overthinkers, this quiz helps you finally crack the code on when to use “amused” vs. “amusing,” “confused” vs. “confusing,” and every other -ed or -ing trap English throws at you.
This Participial Adjectives Quiz doesn’t just test—you’ll learn the logic behind why we say “bored students” and not “boring students” (unless we’re being honest). Every question is crafted with real-life usage in mind, so the next time you speak or write, you’ll sound clear, correct, and a little less anxious.
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- 2.
She looked ______ after studying all night for the exam.
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Exhausted
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Exhausting
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Exhaust
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Exhausts
Correct Answer
A. ExhaustedExplanation
“Exhausted” is correct in the second sentence because it describes how she feels after an intense activity—studying all night. The “-ed” form of participial adjectives is used to show the emotional or physical result of something. In contrast, “exhausting” would describe the subject that causes the feeling. Since the woman is the one affected, not the cause, “exhausted” correctly fits the context. This distinction between internal state (“-ed”) and external source (“-ing”) is essential for clear communication and is especially important in narratives and descriptive writing.Rate this question:
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- 3.
That’s the most ______ book I’ve read all year.
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Interesting
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Interested
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Interest
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Interests
Correct Answer
A. InterestingExplanation
The word “interesting” is the correct choice because it describes a book that stimulates curiosity or holds attention. It’s an “-ing” adjective used to characterize something that causes a feeling in someone else. If we said “interested,” it would incorrectly suggest the book feels interest, which is illogical. The distinction between a subject doing the action versus experiencing it applies again here, where “interesting” affects the reader, and “interested” would incorrectly humanize the object. Recognizing this helps avoid awkward phrasing and ensures more precise descriptions.Rate this question:
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- 4.
He gave us a very ______ update on the project delays.
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Surprising
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Surprised
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Surprise
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Surprises
Correct Answer
A. SurprisingExplanation
“Surprising” is the correct answer because the update delivered unexpected news, thereby causing surprise. The participial adjective “surprising” describes the source of the emotion, which in this case is the update. If “surprised” were used, it would describe someone reacting to the update, not the message itself. This highlights how the “-ing” form is typically associated with the thing or event producing the emotional effect, while “-ed” is reserved for the person receiving or experiencing the emotion. Choosing the right form makes your writing more accurate and less ambiguous.Rate this question:
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- 5.
They were clearly ______ by the magician’s final trick.
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Amazed
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Amazing
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Amaze
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Amazes
Correct Answer
A. AmazedExplanation
“Amazed” is correct because it describes the people’s emotional reaction to the magician’s final trick. The trick itself may be “amazing,” but since the sentence is about the audience’s reaction, “amazed” (the -ed form) is the right participial adjective. This difference again follows the consistent rule: “-ed” forms describe emotional or physical states of people, while “-ing” forms describe what causes those feelings. Mastering this difference helps writers and speakers express actions and reactions clearly, especially when depicting scenes of surprise, wonder, or other strong reactions.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Her job interview was so ______ that she could barely speak.
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Stressful
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Stressed
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Stress
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Stressing
Correct Answer
A. StressfulExplanation
“Stressful” is the appropriate word here because it describes an event or situation that induces stress—in this case, the interview. Unlike typical “-ing” participial adjectives, some -ful words like “stressful” also function similarly by describing what causes an emotional state. Saying “she was stressed” would be grammatically correct in another context, but the sentence focuses on the experience itself rather than her reaction. Knowing the difference between a description of an event versus a person’s response is key for crafting logical, clear statements, particularly in writing with emotional context.Rate this question:
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- 7.
His speech was truly ______—everyone was wide-eyed.
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Inspiring
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Inspired
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Inspiration
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Inspires
Correct Answer
A. InspiringExplanation
“Inspiring” is the correct choice because it describes something (the speech) that evokes inspiration. The “-ing” form of participial adjectives refers to things that generate or provoke a feeling. Saying “His speech was inspired” would mean the speech itself had received inspiration, which doesn’t match the sentence’s intent. “Inspiring” communicates that the audience found the speech motivational and emotionally stirring. Understanding whether the subject is active (doing the inspiring) or passive (feeling inspired) is a key part of participial adjective usage in both spoken and written English.Rate this question:
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- 8.
The instructions were overly ______ and hard to follow.
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Complicated
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Complicating
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Complicates
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Complicate
Correct Answer
A. ComplicatedExplanation
“Complicated” is the correct form because it describes how the instructions are received and understood. The “-ed” participial adjective here implies that the object—the instructions—are inherently difficult or confusing in their final form. This usage conveys the result of something being overly altered or made complex. Using “complicating” would suggest the instructions are in the process of becoming more difficult or are causing other problems, which isn’t the intended meaning. Recognizing this subtle difference allows for better precision in technical and instructional writing.Rate this question:
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- 9.
I’m not ______ in horror movies—they’re just not my thing.
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Interested
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Interesting
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Interest
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Interests
Correct Answer
A. InterestedExplanation
“Interested” is correct because it describes a person’s feeling or lack of engagement. Since the sentence starts with “I’m not,” it’s referring to a personal reaction rather than something external. The opposite, “interesting,” would incorrectly suggest the movies themselves are reacting or feeling emotion. This -ed form is used whenever a person expresses their emotional or mental state. Distinguishing this helps learners and writers maintain clarity in subject-verb relationships and adjective agreement, especially in conversational settings and informal writing.Rate this question:
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- 10.
I’m feeling a little ______ with all these grammar rules.
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Confused
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Confusing
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Confuse
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Confusion
Correct Answer
A. ConfusedExplanation
“Confused” fits best because it describes the speaker’s current emotional state. The sentence communicates that the speaker is overwhelmed by grammar rules, which has led to internal confusion. “Confusing” would refer to something that creates confusion—like a difficult lesson. Since the feeling is within the speaker, the “-ed” participial adjective “confused” is grammatically and semantically appropriate. This structure is common when talking about emotions and mental states in English and is especially important in personal expression and reflective writing.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Jun 03, 2025Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
May 27, 2025Quiz Created by
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