You've got to love those adverbs!

Adverbs are words that help describe verbs. They tell how something was done. Like adjectives, adverbs help to paint a more exact picture in the reader's mind. Here are some examples of adverbs: quickly, quietly, gladly, angrily, sheepishly, slowly, and loudly.

Read this sentence and picture it.
Samuel ran down the track.

Have you pictured what that event looked like? Are you sure you were picturing it exactly as I had seen it? Well, without an adverb to describe Samuel's running, you can't be sure that your image is the same as what mine is. To make sure we're thinking of something similar, I'll use an adverb. Now read this sentence. When you're done, ask yourself if you have a better, more exact picture of the event and how it happened.
Samuel ran clumsily down the track.

With the inclusion of that one adverb, your vision of Samuel running is now better!

I want you to help me paint a better, more precise picture of some events. Take a look at the sentences below. In the blank, add an adverb that fits the situation. (It's helpful to remember that adverbs usually end in "-ly.") Pick any one sentence and fill in the missing adverb. It's possible that multiple adverbs could be used in one sentence, so don't feel as though there's only one right answer.

1.) Shenea _____ called her sister.
2.) The jack rabbit _____ ate the carrot in the garden.
3.) Melissa _____ cooked a Thanksgiving turkey.
4.) April's son _____ ran into the office.
5.) Spanky the cat _____ ate his food.