MTEL Communication Literacy Skills : Writing Practice Test

What part of speech is "good" classified as?

1. Adverb

2. Verb

3. Adjective

4. Noun

The correct answer is: Adjective

The word "good" is classified as an adjective because it is used to describe or modify a noun. Adjectives provide information about the quality, quantity, or state of a noun, and "good" specifically denotes a positive quality or attribute. For instance, in a sentence like "She is a good student," "good" describes the noun "student," indicating that she possesses favorable qualities associated with being a student. This role of enhancing our understanding of a noun’s characteristics is what firmly places "good" in the category of adjectives. In contrast, adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, which does not apply to "good." Similarly, "good" does not represent an action, which rules out the possibility of it being a verb, nor does it function as a person, place, thing, or idea, thus excluding it from being a noun. Therefore, its correct classification as an adjective aligns with its function in language.