Parts of Speech

The word 'badger' means to pester or harass someone repeatedly. In this sentence, it describes what reporters are doing to her - an action. Actions are expressed by verbs. Note that 'badger' can also be a noun (the animal), but here it's clearly functioning as a verb.

The word 'bad' modifies 'wanted' by telling HOW she wanted it. When a word describes HOW an action is done, it's an adverb. In informal English, 'bad' is often used as an adverb after verbs like 'want', 'need', 'feel' instead of the formal 'badly'. This colloquial usage is tested here.

'Badly' modifies the verb 'took' by describing HOW the kids reacted to the dog's death. Words that modify verbs are adverbs. The '-ly' ending is a common adverb marker. Distractors: A noun would name a thing, B verb would show action, D adjective would describe a noun.

In this sentence, 'the bad' means 'bad things' or 'bad people'. When an adjective functions like a noun (referring to a group or category), it's called a substantive adjective. Here 'bad' stands alone as the object of 'have' and refers to bad things in general, so it functions as a noun.

'Backbone' is the main support or foundation of something. In this sentence, it's the thing that agriculture forms - the core support of the rural economy. It names a thing (conceptual support), so it's a noun. Distractors: B verb would show action, C adverb would modify a verb, D adjective would describe a noun.

'Bad' describes the quality of 'breath'. When a word describes or modifies a noun, it's an adjective. Here 'bad' tells us what kind of breath - unpleasant breath. Distractors: A noun would name something, B verb would show action, C adverb would modify a verb (not a noun).

'Back benches' refers to the seats occupied by less important members of parliament (backbenchers). In this sentence, he returned TO a place - the back benches. 'Back benches' is the object of the preposition 'to', functioning as a noun phrase naming a location.

'Bad-tempered' describes 'she' - her personality/disposition when tired. When a word describes a person or thing, it's an adjective. The linking verb 'gets' connects the subject 'she' to the adjective 'bad-tempered'. Distractors: A noun would name something, B verb would show action, C adverb would modify a verb.

Behaviour in this case is the noun and baffles is the verb. Baffle means to confuse.

'Bail' means to withdraw or leave a situation (informal: 'bail out'). In this sentence, it's what the speaker HAS TO DO - an action. Words showing actions are verbs. Distractors: A noun would name a thing, C adverb would modify a verb, D adjective would describe a noun.

'Bait' is what the fish took - the food used to attract fish. It names a thing, so it's a noun. Distractors: B verb would show action (the fish 'bit' would be a verb), C adverb would modify a verb, D adjective would describe a noun. Note: 'bait' can be a verb ('to bait a hook'), but here it's the object, so it's a noun.

In the idiom 'not my bag', 'bag' means 'thing I enjoy' or 'my area of interest/expertise'. Here it names the thing (area of interest) that poetry is NOT. It's the object of the verb 'is', functioning as a noun. This is informal idiomatic usage.

Bail is a noun in this legal context referring to the temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, usually conditional on a sum of money being deposited. When someone is 'out on bail,' they have been released from custody while awaiting court proceedings, having provided security (money or property) to ensure their appearance in court.

To 'bag' something in informal English means to secure, obtain, or capture it. When Sabu 'bagged the two best seats,' he successfully obtained or secured them, likely before others could. The word here functions as a verb meaning to capture or get possession of something desirable.