Final answer:
Option B). The underlined words in the sentence 'Kaylah started telling jokes and laughing hysterically' function as verbs, with 'started' as the main verb complemented by 'telling' and 'laughing'. The subject of the sentence is 'Kaylah', and the verbs describe what she did.
Step-by-step explanation:
The underlined words "telling jokes and laughing hysterically" in the sentence "Kaylah started telling jokes" reflect the functions of the verbs in the sentence. This is so because the main verb is "started," while the verbs "telling" and "laughing" explain what Kaylah did. Therefore, b) verb is the right response to the query concerning the purpose of the italicized words.
Verbs are words that describe an action, an event, or a state of being in English grammar. The two additional verbs, "telling" and "laughing," which follow the action verb "started" in its basic form, complement the main verb of action. Since 'Kaylah' is the topic and the one carrying out the activity, the phrase does not serve as the subject.