Final answer:
The only sentence using an intransitive verb is 'The CEO spoke at the small business seminar at the Plaza Hotel on Friday,' which lacks a direct object for the verb 'spoke.'
Step-by-step explanation:
The sentence that uses an intransitive verb, meaning a verb that does not take a direct object, is b. The CEO spoke at the small business seminar at the Plaza Hotel on Friday. In this sentence, 'spoke' is the verb and it does not have a direct object; it is not followed by a noun that receives the action of the verb. The verb just expresses action by the subject (CEO), making it intransitive. This contrasts with transitive verbs which require a direct object. For example:
a. Many students passed the anatomy and physiology exam. ('passed' is transitive with 'exam' as the direct object)c. The customer paid the bill with her credit card. ('paid' is transitive with 'bill' as the direct object)d. none of these
Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is 'b. The CEO spoke at the small business seminar at the Plaza Hotel on Friday.'