Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question requires us to identify the part of speech of the bolded word 'Last' exactly as it is used in the given sentence.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
First, let's break down the overall sentence structure.
"Our" is a possessive pronoun indicating ownership.
"encounter" is a noun meaning a meeting or confrontation.
"was" is the main linking verb of the sentence.
"chaotic" is a predicate adjective describing the state of the encounter.
Now let us look at the function of the word "Last".
It is placed directly before the noun "encounter".
In English grammar, words that modify, describe, quantify, or limit a noun are classified as adjectives.
Here, "Last" specifies exactly *which* encounter is being talked about, indicating its chronological sequence.
Let us evaluate the incorrect options:
(A) adverb: an adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. "Last" does not modify the verb "was". (e.g., "He came last" uses 'last' as an adverb).
(B) noun: a noun is a naming word. "Last" is not acting as the subject or object here.
(D) pronoun: a pronoun replaces a noun. "Last" is not replacing anything here.
(E) verb: a verb shows action. "Last" is not an action word here, though it can be in other contexts (e.g., "The movie will last two hours").
Therefore, it functions purely as an adjective.