What part of speech is the underlined word in this sentence?

Without talking (underlined), the contestants took their places.

A. participle

B. gerund

C. infinitive

D. appositive

The correct answer is: gerund.

Explanation:

In the English language, the gerund is a non-finite verb form, also known as the "-ing form".

The gerund is composed of verbs, but it always acts as a noun and it can appear as a subject or object of a verb.

We use gerund to form any continuous tense, by using an adequate form of the verb "to be" and the - ing (gerund) form.