Look at the sentence: The children played happily on the swings. What does played do in this sentence?
- It names the place where they are.
- It describes the children.
- It tells the action the children did. (correct answer)
- It replaces the word children.
Explanation: This question tests understanding of verb function in sentences (CCSS.L.3.1.a: Explain the function of parts of speech). Verbs are words that show actions or states of being and tell what happens; every sentence needs one. In this sentence the word played is a verb. Specifically played tells the action the children did, showing what they were doing on the swings. You can identify this because it answers 'what did they do' and is the main action word. Choice C is correct because it accurately explains that played tells the action the children did. This matches the job that verbs do in sentences. Choice B is incorrect because it confuses the verb with an adjective by claiming it describes instead of shows action. Students often mix verbs with descriptive words. To help students: Teach that verbs have specific jobs—showing action. Have students identify verbs by asking what action. Practice with sentence frames: [Noun] [verb] [adverb]. Watch for: students confusing verbs with adverbs that modify them.