Identify the part of speech of the highlighted word.
Smoking is a bad habit and ought to be avoided.

Correct option is B

The correct answer is (b) Noun.
Detailed Explanation (English):
• The highlighted word “Smoking” is an -ing form, but here it is used as the name of an activity.
• It functions as the subject of the sentence: “Smoking is …”
• When an -ing form works as a naming word (subject/object), it is a gerund, and a gerund functions as a noun.
Grammatical Rule Used (English):
• Gerund = Verb + ing used as a noun.
• When a gerund is used as subject/object, its part of speech is noun.
Grammatical Rule Used (Hindi):
• जब verb का -ing रूप कार्य/क्रिया का नाम बनकर subject/object की तरह प्रयोग हो, तो वह Gerund होता है।
• Gerund का कार्य noun (संज्ञा) जैसा होता है, इसलिए “Smoking” यहाँ noun है।
Example:
• Reading is a good habit.
Why other options are incorrect:
• Pronoun replaces a noun (he, she, it), “smoking” replaces nothing
• Adjective describes a noun, but “smoking” is not describing anything here
• Interjection expresses sudden feelings (wow, alas), not applicable