The passive
present passive with am/is/are + past participle; past passive with was/were + past participle; active versus passive focus; optional by + agent; passive negatives, questions and prepositions.
1. Fresh bread _____ to the cafe every morning.
Multiple Choice20sAis delivered✓BdeliversCis deliverDwas delivering💡 A singular subject in the present passive takes is + past participle.
2. Use the passive when the receiver of the action is more important than the person who performs it.
True / False20sTrue ✓False💡 The passive changes the focus from the agent to the person or thing affected.
3. These houses _____ in the 1920s. (build, past passive)
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedwere built💡 The plural past passive uses were + the past participle built.
4. Choose the correct passive version of 'A local artist painted the mural.'
Multiple Choice20sAThe mural was painted by a local artist.✓BThe mural painted by a local artist.CThe mural was paint by a local artist.DThe mural is painted yesterday by a local artist.💡 The past passive is was + past participle, with by introducing the agent.
5. Match each active sentence to its equivalent passive sentence.
Matching30sLocal farmers grow these apples.→These apples are grown by local farmers.A designer created the logo.→The logo was created by a designer.People don't use this room.→This room isn't used.The storm damaged several roofs.→Several roofs were damaged by the storm.💡 The active object becomes the passive subject, followed by the correct form of be and a past participle.
6. This cheese _____ from sheep's milk. (make, present passive)
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedis made💡 The present passive for singular cheese is is made.
7. Put the chunks in order to form a present passive production sentence.
Put in Order30s- 1.These bags
- 2.are produced
- 3.in a small factory
- 4.near Leeds
- 5.every year.
💡 The plural present passive uses are + past participle.
8. Which passive question asks about the place of manufacture?
Multiple Choice20sAWhere are these phones made?✓BWhere do these phones made?CWhere these phones are make?DWhere were made these phones every day?💡 A present passive question uses question word + are + subject + past participle.
9. Every passive sentence must include by + the person who did the action.
True / False20sTrueFalse ✓💡 The passive often focuses on the receiver or process rather than the agent.
10. The new station _____ by an award-winning architect. (design, past passive)
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedwas designed💡 The singular past passive uses was designed, and by introduces the agent.
11. None of the invited guests came because they _____ about the change of date.
Multiple Choice20sAweren't informed✓Bdidn't informedCwasn't informDaren't informing yesterday💡 A plural negative past passive uses weren't + past participle.
12. Match each passive participle to its natural following preposition phrase.
Matching30sare grown→in southern Spainis served→with steamed riceare found→on the top shelveswas designed→by a young architect💡 Passive participles are often followed by place, accompaniment or agent preposition phrases.
13. All passports _____ at the gate before boarding. (check, present passive)
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedare checked💡 The plural present passive uses are checked.
14. A plural subject in the present passive can use are + past participle.
True / False20sTrue ✓False💡 For example, 'The windows are cleaned every week' uses are cleaned.
15. The article is about Chef Bowen's personal work. Which sentence keeps the focus on the agent?
Multiple Choice20sAChef Bowen prepares every sauce by hand.✓BEvery sauce is prepared by hand.CThe sauces are prepared in the kitchen.DEvery sauce was prepared yesterday.💡 The active voice is appropriate when the person doing the action is the focus.
16. Reorder the chunks to form a past passive sentence with an agent.
Put in Order30s- 1.The new library
- 2.was opened
- 3.by the mayor
- 4.last Saturday
- 5.morning.
💡 The singular past passive uses was opened, followed by an optional by-agent.
17. The service charge _____ in the price, so we paid it separately. (not/include, past passive)
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedwasn't included · was not included💡 The singular negative past passive uses wasn't included.
18. Which sentence is active rather than passive?
Multiple Choice20sAThe chef prepares the soup each morning.✓BThe soup is prepared each morning.CThe vegetables were washed carefully.DThe menu was changed last week.💡 The active sentence begins with the agent and uses an active present-simple verb.
19. The past passive is formed with did + past participle.
True / False20sTrueFalse ✓💡 Did forms active past questions and negatives; passive forms require be.
20. Fortunately, the paintings _____ during the move. (not/damage, past passive)
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedweren't damaged · were not damaged💡 The plural negative past passive uses weren't damaged.