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Quizzes > High School Quizzes > English Language Arts

Linking Verbs Practice Quiz

Enhance grammar skills with fun practice questions

Difficulty: Moderate
Grade: Grade 5
Study OutcomesCheat Sheet
Colorful paper art promoting a trivia quiz on Linking Verbs Unleashed for ninth-grade English learners.

In the sentence 'The sky is blue,' which word functions as the linking verb?
sky
is
The
blue
The word 'is' connects the subject 'The sky' to its complement 'blue.' This is a classic example of a linking verb, which does not express action but rather a state of being.
Identify the linking verb in the sentence 'He seems happy.'
seems
happy
he
none
The word 'seems' is the linking verb, connecting the subject 'He' to the predicate adjective 'happy.' It does not denote an action but rather describes a state.
Which of these words is used as a linking verb?
seemed
danced
shouted
sprinted
Among the options provided, 'seemed' serves as a linking verb because it connects the subject with a complement that describes a state. The other words indicate action.
Select the sentence that correctly employs a linking verb.
The dog barked loudly.
The car raced past.
The cake smells delicious.
The rabbit hopped quickly.
The sentence 'The cake smells delicious.' uses the linking verb 'smells' to connect the subject to its descriptive complement. The other sentences use action verbs that show physical activity.
In the sentence 'Her voice remains calm,' which word is the linking verb?
voice
her
remains
calm
The word 'remains' serves as the linking verb by connecting the subject 'Her voice' to the complement 'calm.' It describes the state of the subject without denoting an action.
In the sentence 'The soup tastes spicy,' what role does the linking verb 'tastes' play?
It connects the subject to its complement.
It expresses an action performed by the soup.
It acts as the subject of the sentence.
It introduces a prepositional phrase.
The linking verb 'tastes' links the subject 'soup' to the adjective 'spicy' by describing its quality. It does not indicate an action, but rather a state of being.
Which sentence correctly employs a linking verb in context?
I feel tired after the game.
I run tired after the game.
Tired after the game, I run.
I feel the ball after the game.
In the sentence 'I feel tired after the game,' the verb 'feel' functions as a linking verb that connects the subject to the adjective 'tired.' The other options misuse the verb by pairing it with inappropriate complements or structures.
Identify the linking verb in the sentence: 'They became excited about the trip.'
excited
trip
became
about
The linking verb 'became' connects the subject 'They' with the adjective 'excited', indicating a change of state. This function is distinct from an action verb, which would express a physical activity.
Which sentence shows a proper use of a linking verb connecting the subject to a subject complement?
The bird sings melodiously.
The student writes a letter.
The firefighter runs quickly.
The sky is clear.
In 'The sky is clear,' the linking verb 'is' connects the subject to the complement 'clear,' which describes the subject. The other sentences use action verbs that denote physical actions.
Which linking verb can function as both a linking verb and an action verb depending on context?
remain
feel
seem
become
The verb 'feel' can serve as a linking verb when it connects the subject to a state (as in 'I feel tired') and as an action verb when it involves tactile perception (as in 'I feel the fabric.'). This dual function makes it unique among the options.
In the sentence 'The coffee smells burnt,' what function does the linking verb 'smells' serve?
It replaces the subject with a complement.
It indicates the temperature of the coffee.
It connects the subject to its descriptive adjective.
It shows an action performed by the coffee.
Here, 'smells' links the subject 'coffee' to the adjective 'burnt,' describing the condition of the coffee. It does not convey an action or temperature, but rather a state.
In the sentence 'He appears confused,' what does the linking verb 'appears' imply?
It conveys a physical action.
It connects the subject to a state of being.
It intensifies the adjective used.
It replaces the subject entirely.
The linking verb 'appears' connects the subject 'He' to the state described by 'confused.' It does not indicate an action or modify the adjective, but rather describes the condition of the subject.
Which sentence uses a linking verb to connect a subject with a complement adjective?
The leaves rustle softly.
The leaves float gently.
The leaves fall quickly.
The leaves look green.
In 'The leaves look green,' the linking verb 'look' connects the subject to the adjective 'green.' The other sentences feature action verbs that describe physical motions.
Analyze the sentence 'She feels happy about her results.' Which word is functioning as the linking verb?
'Feels' is the linking verb because it connects the subject to an adjective.
'About' is the linking verb because it brings in the complement.
'Happy' is the linking verb as it describes her state.
'She' is the linking verb because it indicates who is experiencing the state.
The verb 'feels' connects the subject 'She' to the complement 'happy,' thereby describing her state. The other words in the sentence do not serve as linking verbs.
Which sentence demonstrates an incorrect usage of a linking verb by forcing an action interpretation?
The soup tastes warm.
The sky is blue.
They seem ready for the game.
He looks the book.
The sentence 'He looks the book.' is incorrect because the linking verb 'looks' is misused with a direct object, which is not acceptable for linking verbs. The other sentences correctly use linking verbs to connect subjects with their complements.
In a compound sentence containing a linking verb, what primary role does the linking verb perform?
It bridges the subject with its complement in each clause.
It indicates the time when the action occurs.
It modifies the direct object in the sentence.
It shows an action performed exclusively by the subject.
In a compound sentence, a linking verb consistently serves to connect the subject with a subject complement, even across multiple clauses. It does not describe an action or modify objects.
When using a linking verb like 'become,' what type of word typically follows it to complete the sentence's meaning?
An adverb modifying the verb.
A direct object.
A prepositional phrase.
An adjective or a noun serving as a subject complement.
Linking verbs such as 'become' are usually followed by a subject complement, which can be an adjective or a noun that describes or identifies the subject. This structure differs from action verbs that take direct objects.
Identify the error in the sentence: 'The orchestra sound magnificent during the performance.'
The adjective 'magnificent' is not an acceptable complement.
There should be a direct object after 'sound.'
The linking verb is correctly used.
The linking verb 'sound' should be in the singular form 'sounds' to agree with the singular collective noun 'orchestra.'
The error in this sentence is one of subject-verb agreement; the singular collective noun 'orchestra' requires the singular verb form 'sounds.' This correction ensures that the linking verb properly connects the subject with its complement.
What distinguishes linking verbs from helping (auxiliary) verbs in advanced sentence structures?
Linking verbs indicate past actions while helping verbs express future actions.
Linking verbs connect a subject to its complement, while helping verbs assist the main verb in forming tenses or voices.
Linking verbs always precede the subject, whereas helping verbs follow it.
Linking verbs describe actions and helping verbs do not.
The primary distinction is that linking verbs serve to connect subjects with their complements, establishing a state or condition, while helping verbs work with main verbs to form specific tenses and voices. This difference is key in understanding their separate roles in sentence construction.
Evaluate the sentence 'The cake appeared to be delicious, savoring every glance.' What is the error associated with the linking verb?
A direct object should follow the linking verb 'appeared.'
There is no linking verb in the sentence.
The linking verb 'appeared' should be replaced with an action verb.
The participial phrase 'savoring every glance' improperly follows the linking verb, creating an illogical connection with the subject.
The sentence misuses a participial phrase following the linking verb, which disrupts the intended connection between the subject and its complement. Linking verbs are meant to connect to a noun or adjective, not to introduce additional action-oriented phrases.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Analyze sentence structures to identify linking verbs.
  2. Differentiate linking verbs from action verbs in various contexts.
  3. Apply linking verb rules to construct grammatically correct sentences.
  4. Evaluate the impact of linking verbs on the overall meaning of a sentence.
  5. Interpret nuanced examples to reinforce understanding of linking verbs.

Linking Verbs Quiz Review Cheat Sheet

  1. Linking verbs tie subjects to descriptions - Think of linking verbs like bridges: they connect the subject to extra details about its state, rather than showing an action. They work behind the scenes to give your sentences more flavor and clarity. Grammarly: Linking verbs
  2. Spot the classic linking verbs - Words like "be," "become," and "seem" are your go-to linking verbs and almost never perform an action. Spotting them quickly can help you understand sentence structure and avoid confusion. Grammar.com: Linking Verbs
  3. Learn sensory linking verbs - When verbs like "look," "smell," or "sound" describe how something appears or feels, they're linking verbs slipping on a sensory hat. They help paint the scene by connecting the subject to a sensory description. Grammarly: Linking verbs
  4. Switch test for verb type - Try swapping in "seems" or "am/is/are" for your verb; if the sentence still makes sense, you've got a linking verb on your hands. This quick trick helps you dodge mislabeling action verbs and makes editing a breeze. ThoughtCo: What is a linking verb?
  5. Meet subject complements - Right after a linking verb, you'll find the subject complement, which could be a noun (predicate nominative) or an adjective (predicate adjective). This complement is essential because it renames or describes the subject, completing the thought. Writing Explained: Linking verbs
  6. No direct objects here - Unlike action verbs that act on objects, linking verbs don't have direct objects waiting in the wings. They simply hold hands with the subject and lead you straight to its complement. Scribbr: Linking verb guide
  7. Dual-role verbs alert - Some verbs, like "grow" or "feel," can moonlight as linking verbs or action verbs depending on context. Paying attention to what they're doing - showing action or describing a state - keeps you on track. Grammar.com: Linking Verbs
  8. Practice makes perfect - Grab any sentence and ask yourself: does the verb tie the subject to more info or show an action? This simple exercise boosts your grammar detective skills and cements your understanding. Grammarly: Linking verbs practice
  9. Why linking verbs matter - Linking verbs are the backbone of descriptive sentences, helping you express conditions, states, and qualities smoothly. Mastering them allows you to craft vivid, clear statements that pop on the page. ThoughtCo: Linking verb importance
  10. The powerhouse "to be" - Am, is, are, was, were, being, been - you name it, these forms of "to be" are the MVPs of linking verbs. They appear everywhere, so getting comfy with them is non‑negotiable for top‑notch grammar. Grammarly: All about "to be"
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