Answer:
1. The verb phrase is: had read
2. The linking verb is: was
Explanation:
Helping verbs or auxiliary verbs that help the verb (main) to express its mood, tense and voice. There are three types of helping verbs and these are: To Be, To Have and To Do.
"Had" is an example of a "To Have" helping verb. It is combined with read, which is the main verb in the sentence. Therefore, the verb phrase in the first sentence is "had read."
This clearly shows that the linking verb for the second sentence above is "was." It describes Andy as being busy.