Participles And Participial Phrases Quiz Questions And Answers

1. Being a good kicker, Carla tried out for the football team.

Being a good kicker

Tried out

For the football team.

The given answer "Being a good kicker." is correct because it is a participial phrase that describes Carla's skill or ability. It indicates that Carla has the skill of being a good kicker. The phrase "tried out" is a verb phrase that shows Carla's action of participating in the tryouts for the football team. And the phrase "for the football team" specifies the purpose or goal of Carla's action, which is to join the football team.

Explanation

The given answer "Being a good kicker." is correct because it is a participial phrase that describes Carla's skill or ability. It indicates that Carla has the skill of being a good kicker. The phrase "tried out" is a verb phrase that shows Carla's action of participating in the tryouts for the football team. And the phrase "for the football team" specifies the purpose or goal of Carla's action, which is to join the football team.

2. Which of the following sentences contains a verb in the past participle form?

She is walking to the store.

He has eaten lunch already.

They will sing at the concert.

I am writing a letter to my friend.

The verb "eaten" in sentence b) is in the past participle form. The past participle is a verb form used to form the perfect tenses (present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect) and the passive voice. In this case, "eaten" is the past participle form of the verb "eat." The auxiliary verb "has" indicates the present perfect tense, and "eaten" follows it to show that the action of eating occurred before the present moment.

Explanation

The verb "eaten" in sentence b) is in the past participle form. The past participle is a verb form used to form the perfect tenses (present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect) and the passive voice. In this case, "eaten" is the past participle form of the verb "eat." The auxiliary verb "has" indicates the present perfect tense, and "eaten" follows it to show that the action of eating occurred before the present moment.

3. They had a contest while the other two girls were waiting in the stands.

Had a contest.

With the other two girls.

Waiting in the stands.

The phrase "waiting in the stands" is the correct answer because it describes what the other two girls were doing during the contest. The sentence implies that “they” were participating in a contest while the two girls were waiting in the stands.

Explanation

The phrase "waiting in the stands" is the correct answer because it describes what the other two girls were doing during the contest. The sentence implies that “they” were participating in a contest while the two girls were waiting in the stands.

4. Running after the football, both girls forgot to be nervous in front of the respected coach.

Running after the football

Forgot

Respected

In the sentence "Running after the football, both girls forgot to be nervous in front of the respected coach," the participle is "Running", and the participle phrase is "Running after the football". The participle "Running" describes the action both girls are performing, and the participle phrase provides context to their activity, explaining what they were doing when they forgot to be nervous.

Explanation

In the sentence "Running after the football, both girls forgot to be nervous in front of the respected coach," the participle is "Running", and the participle phrase is "Running after the football". The participle "Running" describes the action both girls are performing, and the participle phrase provides context to their activity, explaining what they were doing when they forgot to be nervous.

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5. Breathing deeply, Carla began to relax by taking calming breaths.

Breathing deeply

Began

Calming

The given sentence describes Carla's actions of breathing deeply and beginning to relax by taking calming breaths. Both "breathing deeply" and "calming" are participial phrases that modify Carla's actions. "Breathing deeply" indicates how Carla is breathing, suggesting that she is taking deep breaths. "Calming" describes the type of breaths Carla is taking, implying that they are intended to bring a sense of calmness or relaxation. Therefore, the correct answer includes both "breathing deeply" and "calming" as they accurately describe Carla's actions and state of mind.

Explanation

The given sentence describes Carla's actions of breathing deeply and beginning to relax by taking calming breaths. Both "breathing deeply" and "calming" are participial phrases that modify Carla's actions. "Breathing deeply" indicates how Carla is breathing, suggesting that she is taking deep breaths. "Calming" describes the type of breaths Carla is taking, implying that they are intended to bring a sense of calmness or relaxation. Therefore, the correct answer includes both "breathing deeply" and "calming" as they accurately describe Carla's actions and state of mind.

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6. Smiling at Molly, Carla suggested they help each other practice for the cycling contest.

Smiling at Molly

Suggested

Cycling

Carla suggested they help each other practice for the cycling contest while smiling at Molly. This is used as an adjective, and suggests that Carla is friendly and approachable, creating a positive and encouraging atmosphere for practicing together. Additionally, Carla's smile may indicate her enthusiasm and excitement for the upcoming contest, motivating Molly to participate and improve their cycling skills together.

Explanation

Carla suggested they help each other practice for the cycling contest while smiling at Molly. This is used as an adjective, and suggests that Carla is friendly and approachable, creating a positive and encouraging atmosphere for practicing together. Additionally, Carla's smile may indicate her enthusiasm and excitement for the upcoming contest, motivating Molly to participate and improve their cycling skills together.

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7. Holding the little boy's hand, the mother crossed the street.

Holding

Hand

Crossed

In the sentence "Holding the little boy's hand, the mother crossed the street," the participle is "Holding", and the participle phrase is "Holding the little boy's hand". The participle "Holding" describes the action the mother is performing concurrently with crossing the street, and it is part of the phrase that provides additional context about what the mother was doing as she crossed.

Explanation

In the sentence "Holding the little boy's hand, the mother crossed the street," the participle is "Holding", and the participle phrase is "Holding the little boy's hand". The participle "Holding" describes the action the mother is performing concurrently with crossing the street, and it is part of the phrase that provides additional context about what the mother was doing as she crossed.

8. Molly's determined pacing showed that she was nervous despite her smiling face.

Determined

Showed

Smiling

Molly's determined pacing indicates that she was resolute and focused, suggesting that she had a strong sense of purpose or determination. This behavior contradicts her smiling face, which typically conveys happiness or contentment. Therefore, her smiling face is not a true reflection of her emotions, and she is actually nervous. Each of these verbs is used as a description.

Explanation

Molly's determined pacing indicates that she was resolute and focused, suggesting that she had a strong sense of purpose or determination. This behavior contradicts her smiling face, which typically conveys happiness or contentment. Therefore, her smiling face is not a true reflection of her emotions, and she is actually nervous. Each of these verbs is used as a description.

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9. Badly injured, the respected coach insisted that the determined girls try out anyway.

Badly injured

Respected

Determined

The given sentence describes a situation where the coach is badly injured but still insists that the determined girls try out. The phrase "badly injured" emphasizes the coach's physical condition, indicating that they are in a vulnerable state. The word "respected" suggests that the coach holds a high position or reputation, which adds credibility to their insistence. "Determined" highlights the girls' strong will and motivation to try out despite the coach's injury. Overall, these three characteristics contribute to the coach's insistence and the girls' willingness to comply.

Explanation

The given sentence describes a situation where the coach is badly injured but still insists that the determined girls try out. The phrase "badly injured" emphasizes the coach's physical condition, indicating that they are in a vulnerable state. The word "respected" suggests that the coach holds a high position or reputation, which adds credibility to their insistence. "Determined" highlights the girls' strong will and motivation to try out despite the coach's injury. Overall, these three characteristics contribute to the coach's insistence and the girls' willingness to comply.

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10. Glancing at the competitors, she discovered that three of them had on checkered shirts. (Tick the participial phrase)

Glancing at the competitors.

Discovered

Checkered

"Glancing at the competitors" is a participial phrase acting as an introduction to the main action in the sentence. "Discovered" is the main verb that describes the action taken by the subject after glancing at the competitors. "Checkered" is an adjective describing the pattern on the shirts worn by three of the competitors.

Explanation

"Glancing at the competitors" is a participial phrase acting as an introduction to the main action in the sentence. "Discovered" is the main verb that describes the action taken by the subject after glancing at the competitors. "Checkered" is an adjective describing the pattern on the shirts worn by three of the competitors.