Answer: The correct answer is: [B]: " the art of story telling. "
_____________________________
Explanation:
_____________________________
The given excerpt is as follows:
Since childhood, Jess has been interested in the art of storytelling. She would entertain her little brother and sister with tales of magic and adventure. She started writing stories almost as soon as she learned the alphabet. To write her stories, Jess relies on her colorful imagination.
___________________________
Let us consider the other answer choices:
Choice [A]: "has been interested" ;
Choice [C]: "would entertain" ;
Choice [D]: "started writing" ;
are all "<u>verb phrases</u>" ; that do not contain any "noun"— or subject or object—nor do they function as a "noun" or "subject" in any way.
Choice [E]: "as soon as" ; is an "adverb phrase" that describes "when" something is about to happen —(albeit not very specific about "when"—in this particular explanation.
____________________________
Choice: [B]: " the art of storytelling" ; is the correct answer.
____________________________
This is clearly a "noun phrase" ; since it begins with a noun [athough this is not required to be a "noun phrase"]—and is modified by a "gerund" [i.e. modified by further explanation—by using the words "of storytelling"] ; in which the "gerund" is "storytelling". Gerunds are nouns formed from "verb forms ending in -ing" —which <u>function as a noun</u>.
___________________________
Hope this is helpful to you!
Best wishes to you in your academic endeavors—and within the
"Brainly" community!
___________________________