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Passives – Quiz 1
Passives Quiz 1 (30 MCQs)
This multiple-choice question set evaluates the understanding of passive voice constructions, including infinitive passive forms, future passive voice, and past participles. It assesses the ability to identify and use passive constructions correctly in various contexts, such as active vs. passive voice transformation, subject-verb agreement, and focus on action or object.
Quiz Instructions
Select an option to see the correct answer instantly.
1.
The smartphone was invented by
A) Apple.
B) Nokia.
C) IBM.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The smartphone was not invented by IBM, making option C incorrect. The invention of the first smartphone is often attributed to Apple with their introduction of the iPhone in 2007, although earlier devices like the IBM Simon from 1994 had some smartphone features.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Apple played a significant role in popularizing smartphones with the iPhone.
Option B:
Incorrect. Nokia was known for its mobile phones but not the inventor of the smartphone concept.
Option C:
Incorrect. IBM contributed to early mobile technology but did not invent the smartphone as we know it today.
Option D:
Not applicable since option A is correct and relevant.
2.
Derek's father ..... me to do the shopping.
A) Has.
B) Had.
C) Made.
D) Got.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "Derek's father got me to do the shopping" is in passive voice, where the focus is on the action (getting someone to do something) rather than the subject performing the action (Derek's father). The verb "got" correctly conveys this passive construction.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Has - Active voice; not in passive form.
Option B:
Had - Past perfect tense, not suitable for simple past passive.
Option C:
Made - Could be active or passive but typically used with "to have" (e.g., made me do).
Option D:
Got - Correct passive form in the past tense.
3.
Whats is the correct form of passive voice for this sentence '' The teacher will explain the practice"
A) The practice will be explained by the teacher.
B) The practice will be explain by the teacher.
C) The practice will explained the teacher.
D) The teacher explains the practice.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct form of the passive voice for the sentence "The teacher will explain the practice" is
Option A: The practice will be explained by the teacher.
This option correctly transforms the active voice into passive voice, where the focus shifts from the subject (the teacher) to the object (the practice). In the passive construction, the object becomes the subject and is followed by "be + past participle" ("will be explained"), with the agent (teacher) introduced at the end with "by."
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. The sentence uses the passive voice structure properly.
Option B:
Incorrect. The verb "explain" is not in its past participle form, and it lacks the "be" auxiliary.
Option C:
Incorrect. This option incorrectly places "explained" without "be" and misplaces the agent (teacher).
Option D:
Incorrect. This sentence is not in passive voice; it remains active.
4.
My mom asked me to clean the room.
A) I was asked to clean the room by my mom.
B) I was asked to clean the room.
C) I am asked to clean the room by my mom.
D) I was asked by mom to clean the room.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option A is correct because it uses the passive voice construction "was asked" to indicate that the action of asking was performed on the subject ("I") by someone else (mom). This matches the original sentence where the focus is on the action rather than the doer.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Uses passive voice "was asked" to indicate that mom performed the action.
Option B:
Incorrect. Lacks the agent (mom) and uses active voice, which doesn't match the original sentence's focus on the action rather than the doer.
Option C:
Incorrect. Uses present tense "am asked" instead of past tense "was asked," and lacks the agent (mom).
Option D:
Incorrect. While it uses passive voice, it omits the agent (mom) which is necessary to match the original sentence's structure.
5.
Foreign investments ..... reduced by 20 per cent since the election.
A) Have had.
B) Has been.
C) Have been.
D) Were.
Show Answer
Explanations:
"Foreign investments have been reduced by 20 per cent since the election." is correct because it uses the passive voice properly, where "foreign investments" (the subject) are being acted upon by an implied agent ("have been reduced"). The verb "have been reduced" indicates a change over time and agrees with the plural subject.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
"Have had." This option is incorrect as it does not properly form the passive voice.
Option B:
"Has been." This option incorrectly uses singular verb agreement for a plural subject.
Option C:
"Have been." This option correctly forms the passive voice with proper subject-verb agreement.
Option D:
"Were." This option is in the simple past tense and does not indicate a change over time as required by the context.
6.
By about AD 100 there were many Roman forts ..... the north of Britain. The forts here ..... by a road.
A) On, were linked.
B) Over, are linked.
C) In, were linked.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
"By about AD 100 there were many Roman forts in the north of Britain. The forts here were linked by a road." This sentence uses passive voice, where the focus is on the action (being linked) rather than the subject performing the action. "Were linked" correctly conveys this passive construction.
Option C: In, were linked.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
On, were linked. Incorrect as "on" does not fit grammatically in this context.
Option B:
Over, are linked. Incorrect as "are linked" is active voice and does not match the passive construction of the rest of the sentence.
Option C:
In, were linked. Correct for using passive voice.
Option D:
None of the above. Incorrect as Option C is correct.
7.
The song Jingle Bells ..... by James Pierpont in 1857.
A) Was written.
B) Was wrote.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "The song Jingle Bells was written by James Pierpont in 1857" is in the passive voice, where the focus is on the action (writing) rather than the subject (James Pierpont). This aligns with Option A.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Passive voice emphasizes the action of writing.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Was wrote" is not grammatically correct in standard English.
Option C:
Incorrect. This option suggests both active and passive forms, which is not applicable here.
Option D:
Incorrect. All other options are incorrect.
8.
Just twelve days after co-founding the company, Ronald Wayne ..... only $ 800 for his share of the company. He no longer wanted to be a part of the new company.
A) Accepted.
B) Has accepted.
C) Was accepted.
D) Is accepted.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence uses the passive voice, which is indicated by the structure "was accepted." The subject, Ronald Wayne, is being acted upon by an implied agent who accepted him. Therefore, Option A) "Accepted" is incorrect because it does not use the passive voice.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect as it uses active voice.
Option B:
Incorrect tense and voice.
Option C:
Incorrect tense and voice.
Option D:
Incorrect tense and voice.
9.
She is heavily involved ..... politics.
A) About.
B) For.
C) With.
D) In.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
D) In.
The phrase "She is heavily involved in politics" uses the preposition "in," which correctly indicates participation or engagement with a subject, in this case, politics.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
About - Incorrect. "About" suggests a topic of discussion but does not indicate active involvement.
Option B:
For - Incorrect. "For" is used to indicate purpose or benefit, not engagement in an activity.
Option C:
With - While "with" can be used in some contexts, it is less precise than "in" for indicating active participation in a field like politics.
Option D:
In - Correct. This preposition accurately conveys the idea of being actively engaged or involved in politics.
10.
Choose another passive that means exactly the same'Money for research was promised the scientists'
A) The Government has promised the scientists money for research.
B) Money for research will be given to the scientists.
C) Money for research was given to the scientists.
D) The scientists were promised money for research.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option D is correct because it uses the passive voice structure "were promised" to match the original sentence's passive construction, and it conveys the same meaning: that money for research was offered to the scientists by someone else (implied subject).
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Active voice; changes the subject of the sentence.
Option B:
Uses future tense, which differs from past tense in the original.
Option C:
Changes to active voice and present perfect tense, altering both voice and tense.
Option D:
Correct passive construction matching the original sentence's structure and meaning.
11.
Fair trade jeans are usually made of .....
A) Agricultural crop.
B) Pesticides.
C) Organic cotton.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Fair trade jeans are usually made of organic cotton, which is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. This ensures better working conditions for farmers and a more sustainable production process.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Agricultural crop - Too broad; does not specify the type used in fair trade jeans.
Option B:
Pesticides - Used to grow conventional cotton, but not organic cotton.
Option C:
Organic cotton - Correct answer as it aligns with fair trade principles and sustainable practices.
Option D:
None of the above - Incorrect since Option C is correct.
12.
The royal wedding ..... by millions of people in 2011.
A) Was watched.
B) Is watched.
C) Were watched.
D) Was watched.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence uses the passive voice, where the subject (the royal wedding) is acted upon by an implied agent. The correct form should include a past participle verb ("was watched") and agree with singular subject in number. Option A correctly uses "was watched" for the passive construction.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Uses passive voice with proper agreement.
Option B:
Incorrect. Uses active voice instead of passive.
Option C:
Incorrect. Uses plural verb "were" for singular subject.
Option D:
Incorrect. Uses past participle but is in agreement with the sentence structure.
13.
The song Jingle Bells ..... "One Horse Open Sleigh" and was made for Thanksgiving.
A) Was called.
B) Was call.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "The song Jingle Bells ... 'One Horse Open Sleigh' and was made for Thanksgiving" is in passive voice, where the focus is on the action (being made) rather than the subject (the song). The correct answer uses the past passive form "was called," indicating that the song's title was given a specific name. This aligns with the passive construction.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Uses past passive voice, appropriate for describing how the song received its title.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Was call" is not grammatically correct in this context.
Option C:
Incorrect. "All the above" cannot be true since only one option (A) is correct.
Option D:
Incorrect. None of the options provided are correct, but A is the only valid choice among them.
14.
Somebody accused me of stealing money.
A) I was accused by somebody of stealing money.
B) I was accused of stealing money.
C) I was accused of stealing money by somebody.
D) I was accused stealing money.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option B is correct because it properly uses the passive voice construction "was accused of" followed by the infinitive without "to." This structure emphasizes the action performed on the subject rather than the doer, which aligns with the sentence's focus.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
The preposition "by" is unnecessary and makes the sentence awkward.
Option B:
Correct passive voice construction.
Option C:
While grammatically correct, it includes "by somebody," which is redundant in this context.
Option D:
Missing "of" after "accused," making the sentence incomplete and incorrect.
15.
In my country, certain prices, such as the price of medical supplies, (control) ..... by the government. Other prices (determine) ..... by how much consumers are willing to pay for a product.
A) Are controlled/are determined.
B) Were controlled/were determined.
C) Control/determine.
D) Is controlled/are determined.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence uses the passive voice for "prices" in both clauses, which is appropriate when focusing on the action of control and determination rather than the actors performing these actions. The present tense is used to indicate current practices.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Uses passive voice and present tense appropriately.
Option B:
Incorrect. Past tense does not fit the context of ongoing government control and market determination.
Option C:
Incorrect. Active voice is used instead of passive, which changes the sentence structure.
Option D:
Incorrect. Uses present tense for one part but mixed with a different tense in another part, making it inconsistent.
16.
Complete:Advances in science ..... people live longer and healthier lives.
A) Could be.
B) Will help.
C) Be extended.
D) Will bring.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Option B "Will help" is correct because it uses the future passive voice, which aligns with the context of scientific advancements leading to a positive outcome for people's lives. The sentence structure indicates that science will be the agent performing the action (helping), and its effect on people’s longevity and health is passively received.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
"Could be" suggests possibility rather than a definite outcome, which does not fit the context of scientific advancements.
Option B:
"Will help" correctly uses future passive voice to indicate that science will lead to people living longer and healthier lives.
Option C:
"Be extended" is in present passive form, which does not fit the context of a future outcome.
Option D:
"Will bring" uses active voice instead of passive, indicating that science will cause people to live longer and healthier lives rather than being acted upon.
17.
It was traditional for firstborn boys ..... the family fortune.
A) To be handed.
B) To is handed.
C) To are handed.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence uses a passive construction, where the subject "firstborn boys" is receiving the action of being handed the family fortune. In English grammar, passives are formed with "to be + past participle." Therefore, "To be handed" correctly completes the sentence in its passive form.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Uses passive voice "to be handed."
Option B:
Incorrect. Uses active voice "is handed," which doesn't fit the passive construction.
Option C:
Incorrect. Uses active voice "are handed," which doesn't fit the passive construction.
Option D:
Incorrect. None of the above is not correct since Option A is valid.
18.
I didn't expect to ..... to wait for days for a doctor's appointment.
A) To be made.
B) Being made.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "I didn't expect to ..... to wait for days for a doctor's appointment." requires the use of an infinitive passive form, which is typically introduced by 'to be'. Therefore, option A) To be made is correct. The other options do not fit grammatically in this context.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Uses the infinitive passive form "to be made".
Option B:
Incorrect. "Being made" is a gerund, not an infinitive.
Option C:
Incorrect. Both options in this choice are incorrect for the given context.
Option D:
Incorrect. At least one correct option exists (A).
19.
Active:The staff cleans all the hotel rooms daily.Passive:The hotel rooms ..... daily.
A) Were cleaned.
B) Is cleaned.
C) Are cleaned.
D) Was spoken.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
C) Are cleaned.
In the passive voice, the subject "The hotel rooms" is plural, so the verb must also be in its plural form. The active sentence uses "cleans," which becomes "are cleaned" in the passive construction.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect because "were cleaned" would change the tense to past and make it singular.
Option B:
Incorrect because "is cleaned" is singular, while the subject is plural.
Option C:
Correct as explained above.
Option D:
Incorrect as this option does not relate to the question at hand.
20.
The advantage of high street clothes stores is that the clothes can be ..... on.
A) Introduced.
B) Done.
C) Returned.
D) Tried.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The passive voice is used to emphasize the object of an action rather than the subject performing it. In this context, "the clothes can be tried on" emphasizes that customers are the ones performing the action, not the store or any other entity. This aligns with the passive construction where the focus is on what happens to the clothes.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Introduced - Active voice; doesn't emphasize customer interaction.
Option B:
Done - Active voice; implies an agent performing the action, not suitable for passive construction.
Option C:
Returned - Active voice; focuses on returning clothes rather than trying them on.
Option D:
Tried - Passive voice; correctly emphasizes what happens to the clothes (they are tried on by customers).
21.
Active:Jane flew the kitePassive:The kite ..... by Jane
A) Was flown.
B) Was flyed.
C) Was flew.
D) Was flewn.
Show Answer
Explanations:
Passive voice constructions use the auxiliary verb "be" followed by the past participle of the main verb. In this case, the past participle of "fly" is "flown." Therefore, the correct passive construction is "was flown."
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Uses the proper auxiliary verb and past participle.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Was flyed" is not a standard form in English.
Option C:
Incorrect. "Was flew" is not grammatically correct; it should be "was flown."
Option D:
Incorrect. "Was flewn" is not the proper past participle of "fly." It should be "flown."
22.
The secretary ..... by the manager this morning.
A) Isn't phoned.
B) Wasn't phoned.
C) Hadn't been phoned.
D) Hadn't phoned.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence uses the passive voice structure, where the subject (the secretary) is acted upon by an agent (the manager). The correct form for expressing that the secretary was not the one who received a phone call in the past is "wasn't phoned." This matches Option B.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Isn't phoned. Incorrect; it uses present tense and active voice.
Option B:
Wasn't phoned. Correct; it uses past tense in passive voice, indicating the action was done to the subject (the secretary).
Option C:
Hadn't been phoned. Incorrect; it implies a completed action in the past perfect tense, which is not required here.
Option D:
Hadn't phoned. Incorrect; it uses active voice and refers to an incomplete action in the past perfect tense.
23.
The coffee was .....
A) Made.
B) Maken.
C) Done.
D) Did.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "The coffee was ...." is in the passive voice, indicating that the focus is on the object (the coffee) rather than the subject performing the action. The correct answer, "Made," fits this structure as it can be used passively: "The coffee was made."
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. "Made" in passive voice is appropriate.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Maken" is not a word in English, and even if it were, it would be used actively rather than passively.
Option C:
Incorrect. "Done" can be used passively but does not fit the context as well as "Made." It implies completion more generally.
Option D:
Incorrect. "Did" is an auxiliary verb and cannot be used in this passive construction.
24.
Christmas trees ..... as Yule-trees.
A) Are known.
B) Are knew.
C) All the above.
D) None of the above.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "Christmas trees are known as Yule-trees" is in the passive voice, where the focus is on what is being done to the subject (Christmas trees) rather than who is performing the action. The correct answer A states that Christmas trees are known, which aligns with the passive construction of the sentence.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. The sentence uses a passive voice structure where "are known" indicates that the subject (Christmas trees) is receiving the action.
Option B:
Incorrect. "Are knew" is grammatically incorrect; "knew" should be used in the active form, which does not fit the given sentence's passive construction.
Option C:
Incorrect. This option suggests that all options are correct, but only A fits the passive voice structure of the sentence.
Option D:
Incorrect. The sentence clearly uses a passive construction, making this option incorrect as well.
25.
A:I put some papers on the desk last night and I can't find them now. B:They ..... away.
A) Might be thrown.
B) Might have thrown.
C) Might throw.
D) Might have been thrown.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The correct answer is
D) Might have been thrown.
This option uses the passive voice, which fits better in this context because it emphasizes what happened to the papers rather than who threw them. The phrase "might have been" indicates a past possibility, aligning with the scenario where the papers' whereabouts are unknown.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Might be thrown - This is in active voice and refers to a present or future possibility, not a past one.
Option B:
Might have thrown - Active voice, referring to the subject's action in the past, which doesn't fit the passive context of the sentence.
Option C:
Might throw - This is in active voice and refers to a future possibility, not a past one.
Option D:
Might have been thrown - Correct use of passive voice for a past possibility.
26.
You don't have to finish the report. It ..... by Jennifer.
A) Has already been finished.
B) Is already finished.
C) Had already been finished.
D) Was already finished.
E) Was already being finished.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence requires a passive voice construction to indicate that the report was completed by Jennifer, not the subject of the sentence. "Has already been finished" (Option A) correctly uses the present perfect passive tense, indicating an action completed before now and relevant to the current context.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Uses present perfect passive, indicating a past action with relevance to the present.
Option B:
Incorrect. Active voice does not fit the sentence structure.
Option C:
Incorrect. Past perfect tense is used for actions completed before another in the past; it's not needed here.
Option D:
Incorrect. Simple past tense indicates a completed action but doesn't convey the relevance to the present as well as present perfect does.
Option E:
Incorrect. Passive continuous form is used for ongoing actions and doesn't fit the context of a completed report.
27.
The city of Plovdiv, on the Maritsa River in Bulgaria, ..... considerably in an earthquake in 1928.
A) Damaged.
B) Had damaged.
C) Was damaged.
D) Had been damaged.
E) Has been damaged.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence uses the passive voice to describe an event that occurred in the past and had a significant impact on Plovdiv. "Was damaged" correctly conveys this, indicating that the city received damage as a result of the earthquake without specifying who or what caused it.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. Active voice used; subject performs action.
Option B:
Incorrect. Past perfect tense not appropriate for simple past event.
Option C:
Correct. Simple past passive indicates completed action in the past.
Option D:
Incorrect. Past perfect continuous tense not suitable here.
Option E:
Incorrect. Present perfect continuous tense describes ongoing actions, not a one-time event.
28.
Turn the active voice sentence 'They have completed the task' into passive voice.
A) The task has been completed by they.
B) They has completed the task.
C) The task has been completed by themself.
D) The task has been completed by them.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The passive voice construction of 'They have completed the task' is correctly formed in option D: "The task has been completed by them." In this sentence, the subject ('the task') is receiving the action ('has been completed'), and the agent performing the action ('them') follows the verb phrase.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Incorrect. The pronoun 'they' should be replaced with 'themself', which is not grammatically correct in this context.
Option B:
Incorrect. The subject and auxiliary verbs are incorrectly placed, making the sentence structure wrong.
Option C:
Incorrect. 'Themself' is not a proper pronoun to use as the agent in passive voice construction.
Option D:
Correct. This option accurately transforms the active sentence into passive form using appropriate grammar and structure.
29.
The movie ET was directed ..... Spielberg.
A) FOR.
B) BY.
C) IN.
D) OF.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "The movie ET was directed BY Spielberg" is correct because the verb "directed" in this context requires the preposition "by" to indicate who performed the action. In passive voice constructions, the agent (Spielberg) typically follows a form of "to be" plus the past participle and is introduced by "by."
Option Analysis:
Option A:
FOR - Incorrect; "for" does not introduce the agent in this context.
Option B:
BY - Correct; introduces the agent (Spielberg) performing the action.
Option C:
IN - Incorrect; "in" is used to indicate a state or condition, not an agent.
Option D:
OF - Incorrect; "of" does not introduce the agent in this context and would imply possession rather than action performance.
30.
The first smartphone ..... in 1992 by IBM.
A) Was invented.
B) Invests.
C) Is invented.
D) Were invented.
Show Answer
Explanations:
The sentence "The first smartphone was invented in 1992 by IBM" is passive voice, where the focus is on the action (invention) rather than the subject (IBM). The correct form uses "was invented," making Option A the right choice.
Option Analysis:
Option A:
Correct. Uses passive voice with "was invented."
Option B:
Incorrect. Active voice, not suitable for this context.
Option C:
Incorrect. Active voice, not suitable for this context.
Option D:
Incorrect. Uses plural "were," which doesn't match the singular subject "The first smartphone."
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the passive voice in English?
The passive voice in English is a grammatical construction where the subject of the sentence is acted upon by the verb. It emphasizes the action rather than the doer, often using forms like "is being done," "was done," or "has been done."
How does passive voice differ from active voice?
In contrast to the active voice, where the subject performs the action (e.g., "The dog chased the cat"), the passive voice focuses on what is being done to the subject (e.g., "The cat was chased by the dog").
When might one use a passive construction?
Passive constructions are useful when the focus is on the action rather than the actor, or when the actor is unknown or unimportant. They are commonly used in scientific writing and formal documents to maintain objectivity.
Can passive voice be used in future tense?
Yes, the future passive voice can be formed using "will" or "shall" with the past participle of the main verb (e.g., "The project will be completed next week").
What is a common mistake when forming passive voice?
A frequent error is using the wrong form of the auxiliary verb (e.g., "The book was read by John" instead of "The book was read"). It's important to correctly use forms like "is being," "was," or "has been" with the past participle.