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Chapter 11
The passive Exercices
EXERCISE 1. Forming the passive. (Chart 11-1)
Directions: Change the active to the passive.
- Tom opens the door. The door is opened by Tom.
- Tom is opening the door. The door ----------------------by Tom.
- Tom has opened the door. The door---------------------- by Tom.
- Tom opened the door. The door ----------------------by Tom.
- Tom was opening the door. The door-----------------------by Tom.
- Tom had opened the door. The door-----------------------by Tom.
- Tom will open the door. The door-----------------------by Tom.
- Tom is going to open the door. The door-----------------------by Tom.
- Tom will have opened the door. The door-----------------------by Tom.
- Is Tom opening the door? --------The door---------------by Tom?
- Did Tom open the door? --------The door---------------by Tom?
- Has Tom opened the door? --------The door---------------by Tom?
EXERCISE 2. Forming the passive. (Chart 11-1)
PART 1. Change the active to passive.
- Shakespeare wrote that play. That play was written by Shakespeare.
- Waitresses and waiters serve customers.
- The teacher is going to explain the lesson.
- Shirley has suggested a new idea.
- Bill will invite Ann to the party.
- Alex is preparing that report.
- Two horses were pulling the farmer's wagon.
- Kathy had returned the book to the library.
- By this time tomorrow, the president will have made the announcement.
- I didn't write that note. Jim wrote it.
- Alice didn't make that pie. Did Mrs. French make it?
- Does Prof. Jackson teach that course? I know that Prof. Adams doesn't teach it.
- Mrs. Andrews hasn't signed those papers yet. Has Mr. Andrews signed them yet?
- Is Mr. Brown painting your house?
- His tricks won't fool me.
PART II. Change the passive to active.
- That sentence was written by Omar.
- Our papers are going to be collected by the teacher.
- Was the electric light bulb invented by Thomas Edison?
- The speed limit on Highway 5 isn't obeyed by most drivers.
- Have you been informed of a proposed increase in our rent by the building superintendent?
EXERCISE 3. Forming the passive. (Chart 11-1)
Directions: Change the active to passive if possible. Some verbs are intransitive and cannot be changed.
- A strange thing happened yesterday. (no change)
- Jackie scored the winning goal. The winning goal was scored by Jackie.
- My cat died.
- I agree with Dr. Ikeda's theory.
- Dr. Ikeda developed that theory.
- Timmy dropped the cup.
- The cup fell to the floor.
- The assistant manager interviewed me.
- It rained hard yesterday.
- A hurricane destroyed the small fishing village.
- Dinosaurs existed millions of years ago.
- A large vase stands in the corner of our front hallway.
- The children seemed happy when they went to the zoo.
- After class, one of the students always erases the chalkboard.
- The solution to my problem appeared to me in a dream.
- Our plan succeeded at last.
- Barbara traveled to Uganda last year.
- Lightning didn't cause the fire.
- A special committee is going to settle the dispute.
- Did the army surround the enemy?
- What happened in class yesterday?
- The Persians invented windmills around 1500 years ago.
- Translators have translated that book into many languages.
- Jim's daughter drew that picture. My son drew this picture.
- The judges will judge the applicants on the basis of their originality.
- My sister's plane will arrive at 10:35.
- Is Professor Rivers teaching that course this semester?
- When did someone invent the radio?
- The mail carrier had already delivered the mail by the time I left for school this morning.
- When is someone going to announce the results of the contest?
- After the concert was over, hundreds of fans mobbed the rock music star outside the theater.
- Ever since I arrived here, I have been living in the dormitory because someone told me that it was cheaper to live there than in an apartment.
- They' are going to build the new hospital next year. They have already built the new elementary school.
- If you' expose a film to light while you are developing it, you will ruin the negative.
*In Item 17) they is an impersonal pronoun; it refers to "some people" but to no people in particular. In Item 18, you is an impersonal pronoun; it refers to any person or people in general. See Chart 8-5, p. 140.
EXERCISE 6. Indirect objects as passive subjects.
(Chart 11-3)
Directions: Find the indirect object in each sentence and make it the focus of attention by using it as the subject of a passive sentence. Use the by-phrase only if necessary.
- Someone handed Ann a menu at the restaurant. (Indirect object = Ann) Ann was handed a menu at the restaurant.
- Indiana University has awarded Peggy a scholarship.
- Some company paid Fred three hundred dollars in consulting fees for a job he did last week.
- Someone has hired Maria as a computer programmer at Microsoft.
- They will send you a bill at the end of the month.
- Someone will give the starving people a week's supply of rice as soon as the food supplies arrive in the famine-stricken area.
EXERCISE 7. Using the passive. (Charts 11-1 11-3) Directions: Change active to passive. Work in pairs, in groups, or as a class.
Example:
SPEAKER A (book open): Someone built that house ten years ago.
SPEAKER B (book closed): That house was built ten years ago.
- Someone invited you to a party.
- People grow rice in many countries.
- Someone is televising the game.
- Teachers teach reading in the first grade.
- Someone told you to be here at ten.
- Someone made that hat in Mexico.
- Someone is going to serve dinner at six.
- Someone will announce the news tomorrow.
- Someone has made a mistake.
- The teacher is giving a test in the next room right now.
EXERCISE 8. Using the passive.(Charts 11-1 11-3)
Directions: Form groups of three.
Speaker A: Your book is open. Give the first cue to Speaker B. Speaker B: Your book is closed. Change the cue to a passive sentence. Speaker A: Give the second cue, a question. Speaker C: Your book is closed. Answer the question, using the passive if possible.
Examples:
SPEAKER A (book open): Someone stole your watch. SPEAKER B (book closed): My watch was stolen.
SPEAKER A (book open): What happened to (………)’s watch? SPEAKER C (book closed): It was stolen.
SPEAKER A (book open): People speak Arabic in many countries.
SPEAKER B (book closed): Arabic is spoken in many countries.
SPEAKER A (book open): Is Arabic a common language?
SPEAKER C (book closed): Yes. It is spoken in many countries.
- 1st cue: Someone stole your pen. 2nd cue: What happened to (…….)’s pen?
- 1st cue: People speak Spanish in many countries. Is 2nd cue: Spanish a common language?
- 1st cue: People play soccer in many countries. 2nd cue: Is soccer a popular sport?
- 1st cue: You wanted to buy a chair, but you needed time to make up your mind. Finally you decided to buy it, but someone had already sold the chair by the time you returned to the store. 2nd cue: Did ( ... ) buy the chair?
EXERCISE 9. Using the passive. (Charts 11-1 11-3)
Directions: Use the words in the list to complete these passive sentences. Use any appropriate tense.
Build Cause Confuse divide expect
frighten invent kill offer order
Report spell surprise surround wear
- The electric light bulb was invented by Thomas Edison.
- An island by water.
- The -ing form of "sit" with a double.
- Even though construction costs are high, a new dormitory next year.
- The class was too large, so it into two sections.
- A bracelet around the wrist.
- The johnsons' house burned down. According to the inspector, the fire by lightning.
- Al got a ticket for reckless driving. When he went to traffic court, he to pay a large fine.
- I read about a hunter who accidently by another hunter.
- The hunter's fatal accident in the newspaper yesterday.
- I didn't expect Lisa to come to the meeting last night, but she was there. I to see her.
- Last week I a job at a local bank, but I didn't accept it.
- The children in the middle of the night when they heard strange noises in the house.
- Could you explain this math problem to me? Yesterday in class I by the teacher's explanation.
- A: Is the plane going to be late? B: No. It to be on time.
EXERCISE 10. Using the passive. (Charts 11-1 11-3) Directions: Use either active or passive, in any appropriate tense, for the verbs in parentheses.
- The Amazon valley is extremely important to the ecology of the earth. Forty percent of the world's oxygen (produce) there.
- Right now Roberto is in the hospital.* He (treat) for a bad burn on his hand and arm.
- The game (win, probably) by the other team tomorrow. They're a lot better than we are.
- There was a terrible accident on a busy downtown street yesterday. Dozens of people (see) it, including my friend, who (interview ) by the police.
- 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.
- Yesterday a purse-snatcher (catch) by a dog. While the thief (chase) by the police, he (jump) over a fence into someone's yard, where he encountered a ferocious dog. The dog (keep) the thief from escaping.
- The first fish (appear) __________on the earth about 500 million years ago. Up to now, more than 20,000 kinds of fish (name) and (describe) by scientists. New species (discover) every year, so the total increases continually.
- Richard Anderson is a former astronaut. Several years ago, when he was 52, Anderson (inform) _____________by his superior at an aircraft corporation that he ____________________________could no longer be a test pilot. He (tell) that he was being relieved of his duties because of his age. Anderson took the corporation to court for age discrimination.
- Frostbite may occur when the skin (expose) cold. It most frequently (affect)** the skin of the cheeks, chin, ears, fingers, nose, and toes.
- In 1877, a network of lines (discover) ___________ on the surface of Mars by an Italian astronomer, Giovanni Schiaparelli. The astronomer (call) these lines "channels," but when the Italian word (translate) into English, it became "canals." As a result, some people thought the lines were waterways that (build) by some unknown creatures. We now know that the lines are not really canals. Canals (exist, not) on Mars.
- Carl Gauss (recognize) as a mathematical genius when he was ten. One day a professor gave him an arithmetic problem. Carl (ask) to add up all the numbers from I to 100 (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5, etc.). It (take) ____ him only eight seconds to solve the problem. How could he do it so quickly? Can you do it quickly? Carl could do it quickly because he (know) _______ that each pair of numbers 1 plus 100, 2 plus 99, 3 plus 98, and so on to 50 plus 51 - equaled 101. So he (multiply) 50 times 101 and (come) up with the answer; 5,050. *in the hospital ::;; American English; in hospital > British English
- A: Ann didn't expect to see her boss at the labor union meeting. B: She (must + surprise) when she saw him. A: She was.
*A midsentence adverb such as already may be placed after the first auxiliary (e.g., might already have come) or after the second auxiliary (e.g., might have already come).
EXERCISE 12. Passive models. (Chart 11-4)
Directions: Use the verb in parentheses with the modal or phrasal modal that sounds best to you. All of the sentences are passive.
- The entire valley (see) from their mountain home.
- He is wearing a gold band on his fourth finger. He (marry).
- According to our teacher, all of our compositions (write) in ink. He won't accept papers written in pencil.
- I found this book on my desk when I came to class. It (leave) by one of the students in the earlier class.
- Five of the committee members will be unable to attend the next meeting. In my opinion, the meeting (postpone).
- A child ( give, not ) everything he or she wants.
- Your daughter has a good voice. Her interest in singing (encourage).
- Try to speak slowly when you give your speech. If you don't, some of your words (misunderstand).
- Some UFO sightings (explain, not) easily. They are inexplicable.
- What? You tripped over a chair at the party and dropped your plate of food into a woman's lap? You (embarrass).
- She is very lazy. If you want her to do anything, she (push).
- The hospital in that small town is very old and can no longer serve the needs of the community. A new hospital (build) years ago.
- Blue whales and other endangered species (save) from extinction. Do you agree?
- We can't wait any longer! Something (do) immediately!
- In my opinion, Ms. Hansen (elect) because she is honest, knowledgeable, and competent.
EXERCISE 13. Passive modo Is. (Chart 11-4)
Directions: Create dialogues that include one (or more) of the given verb phrases. Use other passive modals if you can. Present your dialogues to the class.
1.should have been changed 2.must be submitted 3.ought to have been told 4.could have been damaged 5.will be announced
- may be required
- must have been surprised
- had better be sent
- is/are supposed to be worn 10.can't be estimated
EXERCISE 14. Using the passive. (Charts 11-1 11-4)
Directions: Use active or passive, in any appropriate tense, for the verbs in parentheses.
- It's noon. The mail should be here soon. It (deliver, usually) sometime between noon and one o'clock.
- Only five of us (work) in the laboratory yesterday when the explosion (occur) . Luckily, no one (hurt)
- I was supposed to take a test yesterday, but I (admit, not) to the testing room because the examination (begin, already).
- Before she graduated last May, Susan (offer, already) a position with a law firm.
- Right now a student trip to the planetarium (organize) by Mrs. Hunt. You can sign up for it at her office.
- He is a man whose name will go down in history. He (forget, never).
- A: Yesterday (be) a terrible day. B: What (happen) ____________ _? A: First, I (flunk) a test, or at least I think I did. Then I (drop) my books while I (walk) across campus, and they (fall) into a mud puddle. And finally, my bicycle (steal). B: You should have stayed in bed.
- Yesterday we went to look at an apartment. I really liked it, but by the time we got there, it (rent, already).
- During the family celebration, the little boy was crying because he (ignore) He needed some attention, too.
- A: Where (buy, you) that beautiful necklace? B: I (buy, not) it. It (give) to me for my birthday. (you, like) it?
- The sun is just one of billions of stars in the universe. As it travels through space, it (circle) by many other celestial bodies. The nine known planets (hold) in orbit by the sun's gravitational field. The planets, in turn, (circle) by their own satellites, or moons.
- Early inhabitants of this region (worship*) the sun and the moon. We know this from the jewelry, sculptures, and other artwork archaeologists have found.
- Since the beginning of the modern industrial age, many of the natural habitats of by industrial plants and animals (destroy) development and pollution.
EXERCISE 16. Using the passive. (Charts 11-1 11-4)
Directions: Change the verbs to the passive as appropriate. Discuss why you decide that certain verbs should be in the passive but others should remain active. It is used
- Paper is a common material. People "se it everywhere in the world. Throughout history, people have made it from various plants, such as rice and papyrus, but today wood is the chief source of paper. In the past, people made paper by hand, but now machines do most of the work. * Today people make paper from wood pulp by using either a mechanical or a chemical process.
- In the mechanical process, someone grinds the wood into small chips. During the grinding, someone sprays it with water to keep it from burning from the friction of the grinder. Then someone soaks the chips in water.
- In the chemical process, first someone washes the wood, and then someone cuts it into small pieces in a chipping machine. Then someone cooks the chips in certain chemicals. After someone cooks the wood, someone washes it to get rid of the chemicals.
*Whether or not to use the passive in the second half of this sentence is a stylistic choice. Either the active or the passive can appropriately be used. Some writers might prefer the passive so that both halves of the sentence are parallel in structure.
- The next steps in making paper are the same for both the mechanical and the chemical processes. Someone drains the pulp to form a thick mass, bleaches it with chlorine, and then thoroughly washes it again. Next someone puts the pulp through a large machine that squeezes the water out and forms the pulp into long sheets. After the pulp sheets go through a drier and a press, someone winds them onto rolls. These rolls of paper are then ready for use.
- The next time you use paper, you should think about its origin and how people make it. And you should ask yourself this question: What would the world be like without paper? If you can imagine how different today's world would be without paper, you will immediately understand how essential paper has been in the development of civilization. EXERCISE 17. Writing: the passive. (Charts 11-1 11-
Directions: In writing, describe how something is made. Choose one of the following:
- Use a reference book such as an encyclopedia to find out how something is made, and then summarize this information. It's not necessary to go into technical details. Read about the process and then describe it in your own words. Possible subjects: a candle, a pencil, glass, steel, silk thread, bronze, leather, etc.
- Write about something you know how to make. Possible subjects: a kite, a ceramic pot, a bookcase, a sweater, a head necklace, a special kind of food, etc.
EXERCISE 18. Stative passive. (Chari 11-5)
Directions: Supply the stative passive of the given verbs. Use the SIMPLE PRESENT or the SIMPLE PAST.
- Sarah is wearing a blouse. It (make) of cotton.
- The door to this room (shut).
- The lights in this room (turn) on.
- This room (crowd, not)
- Jim is sitting quietly. His elbows (bend) , and his hands (fold) in front of him.
- We can leave now because class (finish).
- It is hot in this room because the window (close).
- Yesterday it was hot in this room because the window (close).
- We can't go any farther. The car (stick) in the mud.
- We couldn't go any farther. The car (stick) in the mud.
- My room is very neat right now. The bed (make) , the floor (sweep) , and the dishes (wash).
- We are ready to sit down and eat dinner. The table (set) , the meat and rice (do) ,and the candles (light).
- Where's my wallet? It (go)! Did you take it?
- Hmmm. My dress (tear) I wonder how that happened.
- Don't look in the hall closet. Your birthday present (hide) there.
EXERCISE 19. Sialive passive. (Chari 11-5)
Directions: Complete the sentences with an appropriate form of the words in the list.
bear (born) * block confuse crowd divorce do
exhaust go Insure locate lose marry
plug in qualify schedule spoil stick turn off
- Excuse me, sir. Could you give me some directions? I am lost.
- Let's find another restaurant. This one too. We would have to wait at least an hour for a table.
- The meeting for tomorrow at nine.
- That's hard work! I. I need to rest for a while.
- You told me one thing, and John told me another. I don't know what to think. I.
- I can't open the window. It.
- Louise is probably sleeping. The lights in her room.
- Mrs. Wentworth's jewelry for $50,000.
- Carolyn and Joe were married to each other for five years, but now they.
- I thought I had left my book on this desk, but it isn't here. It I wonder where it is.
- I think you're involved too many activities. You don't have enough time to spend with your family.
- Your leg bone is connected your hip bone.
- Their apartment is always messy. It's cluttered newspapers, books, clothes, and dirty dishes.
- Don't leave those seedlings outside tonight. If they're exposed temperatures below freezing, they will die.
- An interior decorator makes certain that the color of the walls is coordinated the color of the carpets and window coverings.
- We finished packing our sleeping bags, tent, first-aid kit, food, and warm clothes. We are finally prepared our camping trip.
- I was very disappointed that movie. The whole first hour was devoted historical background, with a cast of thousands fighting endless battles. I was bored it before the plot took shape.
- A: Are you still associated the International Red Cross and Red Crescent? B: I was, until this year. Are you interested working with them? A: I think I'd like to. They are dedicated helping people in time of crisis, and I admire the work they have done. Can you get me some information?
EXERCISE 21. Stative passive + prepositions. (Chart
Directions: Work in pairs.
Speaker A: Your book is open. Give the cue. Don't lower your intonation. Speaker B: Your book is closed. Supply the correct preposition and finish the sentence with your own words. Example: I'm interested……….. SPEAKER A (book open): I'm interested……… SPEAKER B (book closed): I'm interested in the history of architecture.
Are you related ………. ( ... ) is worried …………. I'm not accustomed ………. ( ... ) is dressed ………. My foot is connected………
Switch roles. The walls of this room are covered……. This class is composed…………. ( ... ) is married…………. I'm opposed…………… Are you acquainted…………
EXERCISE 22. Stative passive + prepositions. (Chart
Directions: Supply the correct form of the verb in parentheses and an appropriate preposition. Use the SIMPLE PRESENT.
- (interest) Carl is interested ancient history.
- (compose) Water hydrogen and oxygen.
3. (accustom) I living here. 4. (terrify) Our son dogs. 5. (finish) Pat her composition_._
- ( addict ) Ann laughingly calls herself a "chocoholic." She says she ___________ chocolate. 7. (c over ) It's winter, and the ground snow.
- ( satisfy ) I the progress I have made.
- (marry) Jack Ruth.
- (divorce ) Elaine Ed.
- ( acquaint) I not that author's work.
- (tire) I sitting here.
- Your name is Mary Smith. you John Smith?
- ( dedicate) Mrs. Robinson works in an orphanage. She her work.
- (disappoint) Jim got a bad grade because he didn't study. He himself.
- ( scare ) Bobby is not very brave. He his own shadow.
- ( commit ) The administration improving the quality of education at our school.
- (devote) Mr. and Mrs. Miller each other.
- (dress) Walter his best suit for his wedding today.
- (do) We this exercise.
EXERCISE 23. The passive with GET. (Chart 11-7)
Directions: Complete the sentences with any appropriate tense of get and an adjective from the list,
Better Busy Dark Full
Hot Hungry Late light
Nervous Sleepy Well wet
- What time are we going to eat? I am getting hungry.
- A: I. B: Why don't you take a nap? A couple of hours of sleep will do you good.
- A: What time is it? B: Almost ten.
19. (disgust) I ____________________ and left because the things they were saying at the meeting were ridiculous. 20. (engage) First, they. (Marry) Then, they. (Divorce) later, they. (Remarry) Finally, they. Today they are very happy.
EXERCISE 25. The passive with GET. (Chart 11-7)
Directions: Create sentences with get and the given words.
Example: dizzy
Possible response: I went on a really great ride at the carnival last summer. It was a lot of fun even though I got dizzy.
- sleepy
- confused
- married
- wet
- done
- full
- mad
- nervous
- excited 10.scared 11.dressed 12.rich
13.finished 14.lost 15.hurt 16.cheated 17.bored 18.elected 19.older 20.worried 21.worse 22.prepared
- wrinkled 24.better and better
EXERCISE 26. Participial adjectives. (Chart 11-8)
Directions: Complete the sentences with the present or past participle of the verbs in italics.
- The class bores the students. It is a boring class.
- The students are bored by the class. They are bored students.
- The game excites the people. It is an game.
- The people are excited by the game. They are people.
- The news surprised the man. It was news.
- The man was surprised by the news. He was a man.
- The child was frightened by the strange noise. The child sought comfort from her father.
- The strange noise frightened the child. It was a sound.
- The work exhausted the men. It was work.
- The men were exhausted. The men sat down to rest under the shade of a tree.
EXERCISE 27. Participial adjectives. (Chart 11-8)
Directions: Respond with a present or a past participle. Switch roles halfway through if you work in pairs.
Example: SPEAKER A (book open): If a book confuses you, how would you describe the book? SPEAKER B (book closed): confusing SPEAKER A (book open): How would you describe yourself? SPEAKER B ( book closed): confused
- If a story amazes you, how would you describe the story? How would you describe yourself?
- If a story depresses you, how would you describe the story? How would you describe yourself?
- If some work tires you, how would you describe yourself? How would you describe the work?
- If a movie bores you, how would you describe the movie? How would you describe yourself?
- If a painting interests you, how would you describe yourself? How would you describe the painting?
- If a situation embarrasses you…………….
- If a book disappoints you……………..…..
- If a person fascinates you …………..…….
- If a situation frustrates you ……………….
- If a noise annoys you ………………….….
- If an event shocks you………………….…
- If an experience thrills you ……….………
