Passive forms
Form passive clauses in a range of tenses; Choose the passive when the receiver or action is central; Use passive infinitives, agents and two-object alternatives.
1. Which sentence is a correctly formed present continuous passive?
Multiple Choice20sAThe main hall is being decorated.✓BThe main hall is decorating.CThe main hall has being decorated.DThe main hall is been decorating.💡 A present continuous passive uses am/is/are + being + past participle.
2. A passive verb is formed with an appropriate form of be followed by a past participle.
True / False20sTrue ✓False💡 The tense appears on be, while the lexical verb is a past participle.
3. The bridge is _____ inspected at the moment.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedbeing💡 Is being inspected is the present continuous passive.
4. When is a by-phrase most useful?
Multiple Choice20sAWhen the identity of the agent adds relevant information✓BWhenever the agent is unknownCIn every passive sentence without exceptionDOnly after future passive forms💡 A by-phrase is added when naming the agent contributes useful information.
5. Match each passive tense or pattern to its example.
Matching30sPresent simple passive→Millions of messages are sent daily.Past continuous passive→The rooms were being cleaned.Present perfect passive→The date has been changed.Modal passive→Tickets can be booked online.💡 Each example contains the correct form of be for the named pattern plus a past participle.
6. The proposal has _____ revised several times.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedbeen💡 The present perfect passive is has/have + been + past participle.
7. Put the chunks in order to make a past simple passive sentence.
Put in Order30s- 1.The original logo
- 2.was designed
- 3.in
- 4.the 1980s
- 5.by a local artist.
💡 Was designed forms the past simple passive; by introduces the named agent.
8. Which pair gives two possible passives of 'They sent Maya the contract'?
Multiple Choice20sAMaya was sent the contract. / The contract was sent to Maya.✓BMaya sent the contract. / The contract sent Maya.CMaya was sent to the contract. / The contract was sent Maya to.DMaya is sending the contract. / The contract has Maya.💡 With two objects, either the recipient or the thing can become passive subject.
9. The sentence 'The equipment must repaired before use' is a complete modal passive.
True / False20sTrueFalse ✓💡 A modal passive requires modal + be + past participle.
10. All applications must _____ submitted electronically.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedbe💡 The passive infinitive after must is be + past participle.
11. Which sentence uses the idiomatic passive form correctly?
Multiple Choice20sAMy grandmother was born in Cardiff.✓BMy grandmother was been born in Cardiff.CMy grandmother borned in Cardiff.DMy grandmother is bore in Cardiff.💡 The fixed passive expression for place of birth is was/were born.
12. Match each active idea to its passive equivalent.
Matching30sSomeone has postponed the conference.→The conference has been postponed.They were interviewing the candidates.→The candidates were being interviewed.A specialist will update the software.→The software will be updated.Douglas Engelbart invented the device.→The device was invented by Douglas Engelbart.💡 The object becomes subject while tense is preserved through the form of be.
13. The first practical version of the device _____ developed in 1998.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedwas💡 Was developed is the past simple passive for a singular subject.
14. The passive is useful when the agent is unknown, obvious or unimportant.
True / False20sTrue ✓False💡 These are the central reasons for omitting an agent in a passive clause.
15. Which sentence correctly preserves the past continuous meaning?
Multiple Choice20sAThe road was being widened when we visited.✓BThe road was widened when we visited all afternoon.CThe road had being widened when we visited.DThe road was been widening when we visited.💡 Was being + past participle forms a past continuous passive.
16. Put the chunks in order to make a future passive.
Put in Order30s- 1.The new gallery
- 2.is going to
- 3.be opened
- 4.to the public
- 5.next spring.
💡 After going to, a passive infinitive uses be + past participle.
17. The software needs _____ be updated before installation.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedto💡 Need is followed here by the passive to-infinitive to be updated.
18. Which sentence appropriately includes the agent?
Multiple Choice20sAThe portrait was painted by a little-known Dutch artist.✓BThe portrait was painted by because nobody knows.CThe portrait by painted a Dutch artist.DBy a Dutch artist the portrait was painting.💡 The by-phrase identifies the artist and adds relevant information.
19. In every passive sentence, the person who performs the action must be stated with by.
True / False20sTrueFalse ✓💡 Omission of the agent is one of the main reasons to choose a passive.
20. Why _____ the invitations sent to the wrong address?
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedwere💡 A past simple passive question with plural invitations begins with were.