Transitive and Intransitive Verbs Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. Which completion gives “discussed” a direct object in the sentence “The committee discussed ___”?
about the proposed budget
carefully and calmly
the proposed budget
during the afternoon meeting
2. Why is “slept” in “The baby slept peacefully” intransitive?
It appears in the past tense.
It does not act upon a direct object.
Its subject is a person.
It is followed by an adverb.
3. Which sentence uses “flew” transitively?
The birds flew above the lake.
The pilot flew the plane through the storm.
The kite flew high in the wind.
We flew to Madrid in June.
4. Which sentence uses its main verb intransitively?
Sofia carried the groceries.
The storm damaged several roofs.
Daniel answered the question.
The old bridge collapsed suddenly.
5. In “Lena ran a marathon last spring,” which analysis is correct?
“Ran” is intransitive because all verbs of movement are intransitive.
“Ran” is transitive because “last spring” is its direct object.
“Ran” is transitive in this use because “a marathon” is its direct object.
“Ran” is intransitive because “a marathon” describes when she ran.
6. Which explanation correctly analyzes “listened” in “The audience listened attentively”?
It is intransitive because “attentively” is an adverb, not a direct object.
It is transitive because “attentively” receives the action.
It is transitive because “audience” is a collective noun.
It is intransitive because verbs related to hearing never take objects.
7. How does “broke” function in “The glass broke during the move”?
It is intransitive only because the sentence is in the past tense.
It is transitive because “glass” receives the action.
It is transitive because “during the move” follows it.
It is intransitive because no direct object receives the action.
8. In “They arrived at the station before sunset,” why is “arrived” intransitive?
The sentence includes a time expression.
The subject consists of a pronoun.
A verb of movement can never be transitive.
“The station” is the object of “at,” not a direct object of “arrived.”
9. Which sentence contains a transitive verb even though an adverb appears between the subject and the direct object?
The editor worked carefully all morning.
The editor arrived unexpectedly at noon.
The editor carefully checked the figures.
The editor spoke calmly during the meeting.
10. Compare “The bell rang” with “Priya rang the bell.” Which statement is accurate?
“Rang” is intransitive in both because sound verbs cannot take objects.
“Rang” is transitive in the first sentence and intransitive in the second.
“Rang” is transitive in both because a bell is involved.
“Rang” is intransitive in the first sentence and transitive in the second.
11. In “Nora sent her friend a postcard,” which words form the direct object?
a postcard
Nora
her friend
her friend a postcard
12. Which sentence can be naturally changed to passive voice while preserving its core meaning?
The children laughed loudly.
The chef prepared the meal.
The athlete stumbled suddenly.
The train arrived late.
13. In the sentence “Maya opened the heavy door,” what is the direct object of “opened”?
Maya
the heavy door
heavy
There is no direct object.
14. In “They laughed at the joke,” how does the phrase “at the joke” affect the classification of “laughed”?
It makes “laughed” transitive because “joke” is a noun.
It makes “laughed” transitive because it explains the cause of the laughter.
It does not supply a direct object; “the joke” is the object of the preposition “at.”
It turns “laughed” into a passive verb.
15. Compare “The farmer grew tomatoes” with “The tomatoes grew quickly.” Which analysis is correct?
“Grew” is transitive in the first sentence and intransitive in the second.
“Grew” is intransitive in the first sentence and transitive in the second.
“Grew” is transitive in both sentences because growth involves change.
“Grew” is intransitive in both sentences because it is the same verb.
16. Which sentence contains a transitive verb?
The mechanic repaired the engine.
The audience laughed loudly.
The guests arrived after noon.
The child slept peacefully.