Question

read the paragraph. select two underlined words or phrases that are gerunds that function as the subject of a sentence in the passage.

colin and priya were viewing the graduation ceremony when they heard a bang at the back of the auditorium. sudden banging was unusual at a time like this, so most of the audience turned around to see what was happening. unfortunately for the graduates, watching the ceremony became more difficult after the distracting sounds.

Explanation:

• "banging" is a gerund that acts as the subject of the sentence "Sudden banging was unusual at a time like this".
• "watching" is a gerund that acts as the subject of the sentence "watching the ceremony became more difficult after the distracting sounds".

The other underlined terms: "were viewing" is a verb phrase, "turned around to see" is a verb phrase, "at a time" is a prepositional phrase, so they do not function as gerund subjects.

Answer:

1. banging
2. watching