Question

Identify the italicized word as gerund or participle.

Answer 1

gerund is the correct answer. have a good day c:

Answer 2

A participle refers to an action in progress before the verb be in its different forms. In the sentence provided, although the itlicized word contains the "ing" ending, it doesn't function as a verb. The action relies on the fact that the man  had acquired a good credit rating. By paying his bills promptly is that he got it. Accordingly, it is a gerund which indicates how the action takes place.