Passive Voice practice

Complete each sentence with a passive form of the verb in brackets.

Nothing (see) has been seen of Pauline since her car (find) _____________ abandoned near Newbury last week.

Answer explanation

The correct passive form of 'find' in this context is 'was found', indicating that Pauline's car was discovered abandoned. The sentence structure requires the past simple passive to describe the action done to the subject.

Complete each sentence with a passive form of the verb in brackets.

The boxes (not/pack) _____________ yet.

Answer explanation

The correct passive form is 'have not been packed' or 'haven't been packed'. Both are acceptable, but 'have not been packed' is more formal. The sentence indicates that the action of packing has not occurred yet.

Complete each sentence with a passive form of the verb in brackets.

Your food (still/prepare) _____________ .

Answer explanation

The correct passive form is 'is still being prepared' because it indicates that the action of preparing the food is ongoing and the subject (your food) is receiving the action.

Complete each sentence with a passive form of the verb in brackets.

The new ship (launch) _____________ next week.

Answer explanation

The correct passive form is 'will be launched' because it indicates a future action. The sentence refers to the new ship being launched next week, which aligns with the future tense.

Complete each sentence with a passive form of the verb in brackets.

Luckily by the time we got there the painting (not/sell) _____________ .

Answer explanation

The correct passive form is 'had not been sold' or 'hadn't been sold'. Both indicate that the painting was not sold before we arrived, using the past perfect tense in passive voice.

Rewrite each sentence with the word in brackets. Do NOT change the word given.

We had to go on holiday because they were decorating our house. (being)

We had to go on holiday because _____________ .

Answer explanation

The correct rewrite is 'We had to go on holiday because our house was being decorated.' This maintains the original meaning while using the word 'being' as required.

Rewrite each sentence with the word in brackets. Do NOT change the word given.

I'm afraid they have cancelled the meeting. (has)

I'm afraid that _____________ .

Answer explanation

The correct rewrite is "the meeting has been cancelled". This maintains the original meaning while using the word "has" as required. The alternative "the meeting's been cancelled" is also correct but does not use "has" explicitly.

Rewrite each sentence with the word in brackets. Do NOT change the word given.

They built the cathedral in the fourteenth century. (was)

_____________ in the fourteenth century.

Answer explanation

The correct rewrite is 'The cathedral was built in the fourteenth century.' This maintains the original meaning while incorporating the word 'was' as required.

Rewrite each sentence with the word in brackets. Do NOT change the word given.

We serve all main courses with vegetables or salad. (are)

_____________ with vegetables or salad.

Answer explanation

The sentence can be rewritten as 'All main courses are served with vegetables or salad.' This maintains the original meaning while using the word 'are' as required.

Rewrite each sentence with the word in brackets. Do NOT change the word given.

There's a lot of noise because they are repairing the road. (is)

There is a lot of noise because _____________ .

Answer explanation

The correct rewrite is 'There is a lot of noise because the road is being repaired.' This maintains the original meaning while using the word 'is' as required.