Passive Voice Exercises

 

 PASSIVE VOICE AND THE NEWS

THE PASSIVE VOICE IS GENERALLY USED TO TALK ABOUT THE NEWS ON RADIO, TELEVISION AND IN THE NEWSPAPERS.

PUT THESE TEXTS INTO THE PASSIVE: Remember to use capital letters at the beginning of each sentence, a stop sign (.) at the end and to use the correct apostrophe (') sign".

Remember also that intransitive verbs (arrive, go...) cannot be put into passive, so some verbs will remain active.

TEXT 1:

Some people saw a UFO in the sky above Madrid last Tuesday. They reported it to the police. The army sent a helicopter to have a closer look. The UFO shot the helicopter down and killed the pilot. Some young people have given photographs of the UFO to the police. Experts are investigating them at the moment.

TEXT 2:

Somebody has stolen a lady's bag near a high-school this afternoon. The students saw the robber and told the police. They are looking for him now. They will use the children’s descriptions to catch the man as soon as possible.

TEXT 3:

Someone broke into a clothes shop last week. The owner was locking up the shop when a robber with a gun threatened her. The robber told her to open the door and give him all the money from the till. Then the robber tied the woman up. The police hope they will find him in a few days. Doctors are treating the owner of the shop for shock at the local hospital.

TEXT 4:

Our school has organised a contest. Any student can participate. You have to design an environmental friendly object. All the pupils will vote and they will choose the best idea. The participants can also include pictures and drawings. The school doesn't allow any adult to help the students with the projects. The school will give the winner a set of books about nature.

 

Write a news report in the Passive using the notes below.

 

A small German village- flod- intense rains - last night. Fortunately many people - can- rescue.  However, most houses - destroy- the force of the water. Soldiers -already- send- to the village. The local sports centre- be used - as temporary shelter - for those who - lose their houses. Efforts- still- make to clear the village. Clean water, food and blankets- send- nearby countries in the next few days. Heavy rains -also- predict- next week. Any further news- give- to you as soon as it arrives.