What form is the underlined verb in the sentence?

the leaves are falling off the trees earlier this year.

a. present participle
b. present
c. past
d. past participle

You are to write a five paragraph literary essay based on one of the 4 prompts and what you have read and learned in this module. these are your options: 1. how do the events of "the white umbrella" teach the narrator a lesson about shame and acceptance? 2. what role does creativity play in "the bat-poet"? 3. how does the character of squeaky change over the course of "raymond's run"? 4. discuss the influences of older family members on the protagonists and speakers in the stories and poems of this unit. you are to write a five paragraph literary essay based on what you have read and learned in this module. your final submission should meet the following requirements. • submit completed pre-writing and outline documents. • write an essay that contains an introduction with hook and thesis statement, supporting paragraphs with evidence and at least one quotation, and a conclusion that restates the thesis and reviews main points. • use transitions appropriate to the pattern of organization. • use vocabulary to create tone and voice. • cite primary source (quotation). • submit completed revision checklist. • vary sentence structure. • create sentences with parallel structures. • use technology in the writing process.