Question

What is the absolute phrase in this sentence?

Their backpacks fully loaded, the mountain climbers listened to the guide's directions before beginning the trek.

Responses

to the guide's directions
to the guide's directions

before beginning the trek
before beginning the trek

the mountain climbers listened
the mountain climbers listened

Their backpacks fully loaded

Answer 1

"Their backpacks fully loaded."

Explanation: it's an absolute phrase (a noun + participial/adjective phrase) that modifies the whole sentence rather than a single noun.