Present Participle Phrases and Gerunds

Which one of the underlined words in the following sentence is a participle?

During the trial, the defendant rejected his signed confession.

• During

• defendant

• rejected

• signed

How is the underlined gerund used in the following sentence?

After Dad and I grew tired of shopping, we went to a movie.

• Subject of a verb

• Direct object of a verb

• Object of a preposition

• Predicate noun

How is the underlined phrase used in the following sentence?

On vacation we stayed at an inn built in the late eighteenth century.

• A participial phrase used as an adjective to describe the noun inn.

• A gerund phrase used as a direct object of the verb stayed.

• A participial phrase used as an adjective to describe the noun vacation.

• A gerund phrase used as the object of the preposition at.

How is the underlined phrase used in the following sentence?

Your mistake was making a promise that you could not keep.

• A participial phrase used as an adjective to describe the noun mistake.

• A gerund phrase used as a predicate noun.

• A participial phrase used as an adjective to describe the pronoun you.

• A gerund phrase used as the subject of the verb was.

Which word does the underlined participial phrase describe in the following sentence?

Everyone working at the archaeological excavation was learning a great deal about the past.

• deal

• Everyone

• past

• None of the above

How is the underlined gerund phrase used in the following sentence?

Finding a good part-time job in these days has been difficult.

• As a subject of the verb has been.

• As a predicate noun of the verb has been.

• As a direct object of the verb has been.

• As an object of the preposition in.

What is the best way to join the following two sentences using a participial phrase?

The gymnasts performed like ballet dancers. They were trained by professionals.

• The gymnasts, performed like ballet dancers, they were trained by professionals.

• They were trained by professionals, the gymnasts performed like ballet dancers.

• The gymnasts, who were trained by professionals, performed like ballet dances.

• The gymnasts, trained by professionals, performed like ballet dancers.

What is the best way to join the following two sentences using a participial phrase?

Mia was speaking very softly. She explained what happened.

• Mia, who was speaking very softly, explained what happened.

• While Mia explained what happened, she was speaking very softly.

• Speaking very softly, Mia explained what happened.

• She explained what happened, and Mia was speaking very softly.

Choose the best gerund phrase to complete the following sentence.

For me, the best way to stay healthy is .................

• driving too fast.

• being kind with others.

• exercising regularly.

• eating sweets.