___ the rules to everyone, the boys started to play a game.a) Explainingb) Having explainedc) Have explainedd) Explained

To solve the question regarding the correct form of the verb to complete the sentence, we need to analyze the options based on grammatical structure.

Step 1: Identify the Function of the Verb

The blank in the sentence requires a verb form that indicates the action completed before the boys started playing the game.

Step 2: Evaluate the Options

1. Explaining - This is a present participle. It does not fit the context because it suggests an ongoing action.
2. Having explained - This is a perfect participle. It suggests that the explanation has been completed before the next action (boys starting the game), which fits well contextually.
3. Have explained - This is present perfect but does not indicate the sequence needed here (that the explaining happened before the action of playing).
4. Explained - This is the simple past form, which could work, but it doesn’t convey the same emphasis on the completion of the explanation before the game starts.

Step 3: Conclusion

Based on the evaluation, "Having explained" clearly communicates that the explanation occurred prior to the boys starting the game.

Final Answer

b) Having explained