Question

What is the simple predicate in this sentence?

Branches buried in the mud are food for the winter.

a. are
b. buried
c. for

I thought it was buried, but when I submitted the answer for a pre-test it said it was wrong and I'm a little confused.

Answer 1

I understand. In this sentence, buried is a participle. The phrase, "buried in the mud," is a participial phrase and modifies "branches."

Omitting that phrase, you have the independent clause, "Branches are food for the winter."

What is the verb in that clause?