Final answer:
The sentence 'the dog injured his paw' qualifies as a kernel sentence because it is a simple and complete structure that contains a subject, verb, and object, encompassing a full idea on its own.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase “the dog injured his paw” is indeed a kernel sentence. A kernel sentence is a simple, active, declarative construction, which cannot be reduced into smaller units while retaining its grammatical integrity. This sentence fits the criteria as it represents a complete thought, has a clear subject (“the dog”), and verb (“injured”), and an object (“his paw”). Kernel sentences serve as the foundation for more complex sentences and aid in understanding the basic structure of the language.
Considering the provided information, kernel sentences can play crucial roles in setting the tone or conveying critical details in a narrative. For instance, mentioning an event or situation, as in the sentence “The dog is pawing on the door,” effectively instructs someone to action. Similarly, sentences from literature highlight how narrative tone, like the author's disapproval of the dog's behavior, or crucial events, such as the man not being able to hurt the dog due to his frozen hands, shape the reader's understanding and engagement with the text.