The answer is: [B]: gerund used as a direct object.
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<span> A participle acts as an adjective, while a gerund acts as a noun.
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In the particular sentence given:
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"<span>Carmen enjoys learning about different cultures in South America." ;
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the gerund is "learning".</span>
It is very degrading. Feeling you are not as good as someone else just because you were born the way you were born. I am sure she felt very, very degraded when she was shamed and treated unequally due to her gender.
Hope this helps! Just sharing my thoughts.