20.05 - 24.05

State whether the –ing forms given in the following sentences are participles or gerunds. In the case of participles, name the noun or pronoun they qualify. In the case of gerunds, state what function they serve in the sentence.

1.    Hearing a loud noise, we ran to the window.
2.    The motorcyclist was fatally injured in the accident and is now fighting for his life.
3.    He ruined his sight by watching TV all day.
4.    We saw a clown standing on his head.
5.    Asking questions is a whole lot easier than answering them.
6.    Waving their hands, the audience cheered the winner.
7.    Plucking flowers is forbidden.
8.    Jumping over the fence, the thief escaped.
9.    I was surprised at John’s being absent.
10.    We spent the whole day playing cards.
11.    A miser hates spending his money.
12.    John was angry at Alice trying to lie to her.
13.    Praising all alike is praising none.
14.    Are you afraid of speaking the truth?
15.    Singing to herself is her chief delight.