1) Passive verb tenses

Complete the information about Barford Hall. Put in the correct form of these verbs.
► build (past simple)
1) own (present simple), 2) use (past continuous), 3) buy (past simple), 4) not look (past
perfect), 5) do (present perfect), 6) use (present simple)

The building at the end of the High Street is Barford Hall, which (►) was built in 1827.
Today the Hall (1) ______________ by Bardale Council. It (2) _______________as a
warehouse when it (3) _____________ by the Council in 1952, and it (4) _______________
after very well. Since then a lot of work (5) _______________ on it, and these days the Hall
(6) _________________ as an arts centre.

2) The future and modal verbs in the passive

A press conference is being held. Put in the correct form of the verbs.

Reporter: Can this new drug prolong human life?

Professor: Yes, we believe that human life ________________ by the drug.
Reporter: Are you going to do any more tests on the drug?
Professor: Yes, further tests __________________ soon.
Reporter: What _________ the drug ___________________ ?
Professor: It will be called Bio-Meg.
Reporter: Can people buy the drug now?
Professor: No, it __________________ by the public yet.
Reporter: Do you think the company should sell this drug?
Professor: Yes, I think Bio-Meg _________________to anyone who wants it.

3) Reply to what people say. Use the subject in brackets.

► Daniel: The bus fares have been increased, (they)
Vicky: What? You mean they've increased the bus fares again!

1) Melanie: Bicycles should be used for short journeys, (people)

David: Yes, I agree...................
2) Emma: A new source of energy has been discovered, (someone)
Daniel: What? Did you say that ......................................................
3) Rachel: This building is going to be knocked down, (they)
Vicky: Well, no one told me that ……………………………
4) David: Eggs shouldn't be kept in a freezer, (you)
Tom: Really? I didn't know ..........................................................
5) Vicky: Why isn't litter put in the bin? (people)
Emma: Exactly. Why don't ..........................................................

(Oxford Practice Grammar, pp. 131, 135)

Answers:

1) 1 is owned 2 was being used 3 was bought 4 hadn't been looked 5 has been done 6
is used

2) 1 can be prolonged 2 will be done/are going to be done 3 will ... be called 4 can't
be bought 5 should be sold

3) 1 People should use them/bicycles for short journeys. 2 someone has discovered a
new source of energy? 3 they're/they are going to knock it down/knock down this
building. 4 you shouldn't keep them/eggs in a freezer. 5 people put it/litter in the
bin?

Eastwood, J. (1992) Oxford Practice Grammar. Oxford: OUP.

Additional exercises:
1) You should open the wine about three hours before you use it.
2) Previous climbers had cut steps in the ice.
3) Somebody had cleaned my shoes and brushed my suit.
4) We use this room only on special occasions.
5) You must not hammer nails into the walls without permission.
6) In some districts farmers use pigs to find truffles.
7) Someone switched on a light and opened the door.
8) Somebody had slashed the picture with a knife.
9) They are pulling down the old theatre.
10) Why didn't they mend the roof before it fell in?
11) The mob broke all the shop windows in recent riots.
12) The librarian said that they were starting a new system because people were not returning
books.
13) The police asked each of us about his movements on the night of the crime.
14) Someone will serve refreshments.
15) People must not leave bicycles in the hall.
16) Members may keep books for three weeks. After that they must return them.
17) The burglars had cut an enormous hole in the steel door.
18) I've bought a harp. They are delivering it this afternoon.
(Do not change the first sentence.)
19) Someone has already told him to report for duty at six.
20) They rang the church bells as a flood warning.
21) No one can do anything unless someone gives us more information.
22) People are spending far more money on food now than they spent ten years ago.
23) The organizers will exhibit the paintings till the end of the month.
24) They will say nothing more about the matter if someone returns the stolen gun.
25) It is high time someone told him to stop behaving like a child.
26) A thief stole my dog and brought him back only when I offered a reward for him.
27) The judge gave him two weeks in which to pay the fine.
28) They make these artificial flowers of silk.
(A Practical English Grammar, Exercises 1, p. 123)
Answers:
1 wine should be opened . . . before it is used 2 steps had been cut 3 my shoes had been
cleaned and my suit brushed 4 room is used 5 nails must not be hammered 6 pigs are used 7 a
light was switched on and the door opened 8 picture had been slashed 9 theatre is being
pulled down 10 wasn't the roof mended 11 All the shop windows were broken 12 system was
being started because books were not being returned 13 each of us was asked 14 refreshments
will be served 15 bicycles must not be left 16 books may be kept . . . they must be returned 17
hole had been cut 18 it is being delivered 19 he has already been told 20 bells were rung 21
nothing can be done unless we are given more 22 far more is being spent on food now than
was spent 23 paintings will be exhibited 24 nothing more will be said . . . if the . - . gun is
returned 25 he was told 26 My dog was stolen and brought back only when a Ј20 reward was
offered. 27 he was given two weeks 28 flowers are made

Thomson, A. J. &Martinet, A. V. (1986) A Practical English Grammar: Exercises 1. (3rd ed.)

Oxford: OUP.