The student was asleep What part of speech is in the following sentence?

The word "asleep" in the sentence "The student was asleep" is an adjective.

Here's why:

* Adjectives modify nouns. In this sentence, "asleep" describes the state of the noun "student".

* Adjectives answer the questions "what kind?" or "which one?" In this case, "asleep" tells us what kind of student (a sleeping student).