Gerund Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. A writer wants to say that Lena ended the activity of talking when the lights dimmed. Which sentence expresses that meaning?
Lena stopped to talk when the lights dimmed.
Lena stopped talking when the lights dimmed.
Lena was stopping to talk when the lights dimmed.
Lena stopped for a talk when the lights dimmed.
2. Which sentence uses gerunds consistently to create correct parallel structure?
Nora likes hike, swim, and cycling.
Nora likes hiking, to swim, and cycling.
Nora likes to hike, swimming, and to cycle.
Nora likes hiking, swimming, and cycling.
3. In “Maya enjoys reading historical novels on rainy afternoons,” which words form the complete gerund phrase serving as the direct object?
reading
historical novels
reading historical novels on rainy afternoons
on rainy afternoons
4. In which sentence is the -ing form part of a progressive verb phrase rather than a gerund?
Painting landscapes helps Mara relax.
Mara enjoys painting the hallway.
They talked about painting the hallway.
They are painting the hallway today.
5. In which sentence is the -ing word functioning as an adjective rather than a gerund?
The barking dog woke the neighbors.
We discussed moving to a smaller apartment.
She left without saying goodbye.
Barking loudly can annoy the neighbors.
6. In “Solving difficult puzzles quickly builds patience,” what is the direct object within the gerund phrase?
Solving
difficult puzzles
quickly
patience
7. Which sentence contains two gerund phrases—one acting as the subject and another acting as the object of a preposition?
The smiling child enjoys bedtime stories.
We are planning the trip after lunch.
Cooking dinner takes patience.
Reading before bed helps with falling asleep.
8. Which option correctly completes the sentence “The students are interested in ___ how the machine works”?
learn
to learn
learned
learning
9. Why does “Running every morning improves his mood” use the singular verb “improves”?
The noun “morning” determines the verb form.
Any sentence beginning with an -ing word requires a singular verb.
The gerund phrase acts as a singular subject.
The verb agrees with the singular pronoun “his.”
10. Which sentence uses a gerund phrase as the object of a preposition?
Practicing aloud each day improves her pronunciation.
She enjoys practicing aloud each day.
She improves her pronunciation by practicing aloud each day.
Her daily routine is practicing aloud.
11. What is the function of the gerund phrase in “His favorite hobby is restoring old radios”?
It is the object of a preposition.
It is the direct object of the verb “is.”
It is a subject complement that identifies the hobby.
It modifies the noun “radios.”
12. In which sentence does a gerund phrase function as the subject?
Crossing the narrow bridge requires patience.
The hikers are crossing the narrow bridge.
We enjoy crossing the narrow bridge.
The crossing guard raised her hand.
13. In “Speaking softly during the presentation calmed the audience,” which word directly modifies the gerund “Speaking”?
softly
presentation
during
audience
14. Which option correctly completes the sentence “Because of the icy roads, we avoided ___ after dark”?
driving
drive
to drive
driven
15. Which words form the complete gerund phrase acting as the subject in “Not checking the map before leaving caused our delay”?
checking the map
Not checking the map before leaving
before leaving
caused our delay
16. Which statement best defines a gerund?
Any -ing form that follows a helping verb
An -ing form of a verb that functions as a noun
An adjective formed by adding -ing to a verb
A base-form verb used without the word “to”