List A:
1) B, 2) B, 3) A, 4) A, 5) B
The verbs that sound better with the a-prefix are more “verby”; that is, they are action verbs as opposed to gerunds or adjectives.
List B:
1) B, 2) A, 3) B
The a-prefix doesn’t sound as natural after a preposition.
List C:
1) B, 2) B, 3) A, 4) B, 5) A
The -ing word must be an action verb, it must not occur after a preposition, and it must has primary stress on its first syllable.
List D:
1. She kept a-handing me more work.
Yes, because “handing” s a verb, it’s not after a preposition, and it has primary stress on the first syllable.
2. The team was remembering the game.
No, because “remembering” has primary stress is on the second syllable.
3. The team won by playing great defense.
No, because “playing” comes after a preposition.
4. The team was a-playing real hard.
Yes, because “playing” is a verb, it’s not after a preposition, and it has primary stress on the 5. first syllable.
6. The coach was charming.
No, because “charming” is an adjective.