Let's solve each of these sentences by choosing the correct
participle form (either
-ed or
-ing) that correctly describes the noun in the sentence. The key is understanding whether the adjective describes a
person feeling something (
-ed) or
something causing that feeling (
-ing).
---
1. The ________ boy begged to hear how the trick was done.
- A. amazed
- B. amazing
✔ Answer: A. amazed
👉 "Amazed" describes the
boy, who is feeling surprise.
→ "The *amazed* boy" = the boy who felt amazed.
"Amazing" would describe something that causes amazement, like "an amazing trick."
---
2. My mother admired her ________ tomato plants.
- A. grown
- B. growing
✔ Answer: B. growing
👉 "Growing" describes the
plants that are currently in the process of growing.
→ "growing tomato plants" = plants that are actively growing.
"Grown" is past participle and would mean "already grown," but here it's about current growth.
---
3. Everyone likes the ________ girl.
- A. charmed
- B. charming
✔ Answer: B. charming
👉 "Charming" describes the
girl as someone who causes charm or attraction.
→ "a charming girl" = a girl who charms others.
"Charmed" would mean she was made to feel charmed, which doesn't fit the context.
---
4. When taking the test, I skipped the ________ questions.
- A. confused
- B. confusing
✔ Answer: B. confusing
👉 "Confusing" describes the
questions — they caused confusion.
→ "confusing questions" = questions that are hard to understand.
"Confused" would describe a person who is confused (e.g., "I was confused").
---
5. That was a very ________ meal.
- A. satisfied
- B. satisfying
✔ Answer: B. satisfying
👉 "Satisfying" describes the
meal — it caused satisfaction.
→ "a satisfying meal" = a meal that satisfies.
"Satisfied" would be used for a person: "I was satisfied with the meal."
---
6. We all found her sudden interest in us ________.
- A. puzzled
- B. puzzling
✔ Answer: B. puzzling
👉 "Puzzling" describes the
interest — it caused confusion or curiosity.
→ "her interest... was puzzling" = it made us wonder.
"Puzzled" would describe people who are confused: "We were puzzled."
---
7. Nobody enjoyed the ________ lecture.
- A. tired
- B. tiring
✔ Answer: B. tiring
👉 "Tiring" describes the
lecture — it caused tiredness.
→ "a tiring lecture" = a lecture that makes you tired.
"Tired" would describe a person: "I was tired after the lecture."
---
✔ Final Answers:
1.
A. amazed
2.
B. growing
3.
B. charming
4.
B. confusing
5.
B. satisfying
6.
B. puzzling
7.
B. tiring
---
🔍 Summary Rule:
- Use
-ed adjectives when describing
people or things that feel an emotion.
- e.g., *amazed*, *charmed*, *confused*, *satisfied*, *puzzled*, *tired*
- Use
-ing adjectives when describing
things that cause an emotion.
- e.g., *amazing*, *charming*, *confusing*, *satisfying*, *puzzling*, *tiring*
This distinction helps make your writing more precise!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of verbals worksheet.
