PASSIVE VOICE

EXERCISES

A. PRESENT SIMPLE (to be + 3rd form of the verb)

I. Rewrite the sentences, putting the verbs in the passive:

Model: They take the cars abroad
The cars are taken abroad.

1. We clean the garages every day.

The garages………………………
2. We check every car engine very carefully.
Every car engine…………………………
3. We export this computer to 70 different countries.
This computer…………………………………
4. They send 2 million books to America every year.
2 million books…………………………..
5. The machine wraps the bread automatically.
The bread……………………….

II. Rewrite the sentences, putting the verbs in the passive:

1. We send the newspapers to Scotland by train.

2. Someone checks the water level every day.

3. He watches the palace 24 hours a day.

4. Millions of people watch this programme.

5. Students write most of this magazine.

III. Rewrite the sentences, putting the verbs in the passive:

Model: This computer / make / in the USA.
This computer is made in the USA.
1. The machines / make /in Scotland.

2. The money / change into dollars / at the bank.

3. Cheese / make / from milk.

4. The house / paint / every year.

5. Hundreds of houses / build / every year.

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B. PAST SIMPLE (was / were + 3rd form of the verb)

I. Rewrite the sentences, putting the verbs in the passive:

Model: They took the cars abroad.
The cars were taken abroad.

1. The police arrested 200 people.

200 people…………………………
2. We opened the factory at 9 o’clock.
The factory…………………………..
3. They posted all the letters yesterday.
All the letters…………………………
4. They paid a lot of money to do the job.
A lot of money……………………
5. Fortunately, they didn’t damage the machinery.
Fortunately, the machinery………………………..

II. Rewrite the sentences, putting the verbs in the passive:

1. The police questioned George.

2. A burglar stole my television.

3. United won the cup last year.

4. They ate all the food at the party.

5. Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928.

III. Rewrite the sentences, putting the verbs in the passive:

Model: My car / damage / last night.
My car was damaged last night.

1. The President / kill / last night.

2. The parcel / post / yesterday.

3. The children / give / some food.

4. Several people / hurt / in the accident last night.

5. The meal / serve / by a waiter in a red coat.