Here is the completed worksheet with explanations for each sentence:
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1. The boy arrived.
✔ Intransitive
*Explanation:* “Arrived” does not take an object. You can’t ask “arrived what?” — it makes no sense. The verb describes an action that doesn’t affect anything else.
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2. The player threw the ball.
✔ Transitive — underline
threw, circle
the ball
*Explanation:* “Threw” is followed by “the ball,” which is the object receiving the action. You can ask: “Threw what?” → “the ball.” So it’s transitive.
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3. The man sat.
✔ Intransitive
*Explanation:* “Sat” doesn’t have an object. You can’t say “sat what?” — it doesn’t work. Sitting is an action done by the subject alone.
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4. The defense held.
✔ Intransitive *(Note: This could be tricky, but in this context, it’s likely intransitive)*
*Explanation:* Without additional context (like “held the line” or “held the ball”), “held” here is used intransitively — meaning the defense maintained their position or resisted pressure. No direct object is stated or implied.
> ⚠️ *Important note:* “Held” can be transitive (“He held the cup”) or intransitive (“The team held”). Since the sentence says only “The defense held,” and no object is given, we treat it as intransitive per instructions.
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5. The quarterback threw the football.
✔ Transitive — underline
threw, circle
the football
*Explanation:* “Threw” has a clear object: “the football.” You can ask “threw what?” → “the football.” Transitive verb.
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6. The chorus sang.
✔ Intransitive
*Explanation:* “Sang” is not followed by an object. While you might think of “sang a song,” the sentence as written doesn’t include one. So according to the rule, it’s intransitive.
> 💡 *Note:* If the sentence were “The chorus sang a song,” then “sang” would be transitive. But here, it stands alone → intransitive.
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7. The happy cheerleaders yelled.
✔ Intransitive
*Explanation:* “Yelled” has no object. You can’t ask “yelled what?” — it doesn’t make sense. Yelling is an action that doesn’t require a receiver.
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8. The play surprised the opposing team.
✔ Transitive — underline
surprised, circle
the opposing team
*Explanation:* “Surprised” takes an object — “the opposing team” is the one being affected by the surprise. Ask: “Surprised who?” → “the opposing team.” Definitely transitive.
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✔ Final Answer Summary:
1. Intransitive
2. Transitive —
threw, object:
the ball
3. Intransitive
4. Intransitive
5. Transitive —
threw, object:
the football
6. Intransitive
7. Intransitive
8. Transitive —
surprised, object:
the opposing team
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Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of transitive and intransitive verbs worksheet grade 6.
