Here's how to tell:
* Linking verb: When "looks" connects the subject to a noun or adjective that describes or identifies the subject.
* Example: "She looks beautiful." ("Beautiful" describes the subject, "She").
* Action verb: When "looks" describes an action the subject performs.
* Example: "He looks at the picture." ("Looks" describes the action of looking).
To determine if "looks" is a linking verb or an action verb, look at what follows it. If it is followed by a description (noun or adjective), it's a linking verb. If it is followed by an action or direction, it's an action verb.