In the following question, a sentence has been given in the active voice (future simple). Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in the passive voice. The old owl will listen to the squirrel's problems patiently.

Introduction / Context:
This question asks you to convert a future simple sentence in active voice into passive voice. The active sentence is "The old owl will listen to the squirrel's problems patiently." The goal is to make "the squirrel's problems" the grammatical subject and to form a correct passive structure that preserves the future time reference and the meaning of the original sentence.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Active sentence: The old owl will listen to the squirrel's problems patiently.
• Subject: the old owl.
• Object of the preposition "to": the squirrel's problems.
• Tense: future simple (will listen).
• Adverb of manner: patiently.
• We must form a passive sentence where the problems become the grammatical subject.

Concept / Approach:
In English, some verbs like "listen" require a preposition before their object. We say "listen to something." When forming the passive, we keep this preposition with the verb. The usual future passive form is: subject + will be + past participle. So "will listen to the squirrel's problems" becomes "the squirrel's problems will be listened to." We then add the agent "by the old owl" and keep the adverb "patiently" at the end to show the manner of listening.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the object phrase: the squirrel's problems.Step 2: Move this phrase into subject position in the passive sentence.Step 3: Use the future passive structure: will be listened to.Step 4: Attach the preposition "to" correctly after "listened" because the verb requires "listen to."Step 5: Add the agent phrase "by the old owl" to show who will be listening.Step 6: Place the adverb "patiently" near the end of the sentence to preserve the meaning: The squirrel's problems will be listened to patiently by the old owl.

Verification / Alternative check:
To check, you can mentally convert the passive sentence back into the active voice. Start with the agent "the old owl" as the subject, use "will listen to," and then place "the squirrel's problems" after the preposition. Finally, keep "patiently" as the adverb. You get "The old owl will listen to the squirrel's problems patiently," which matches the original sentence exactly, confirming the correctness of the passive form.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A uses "shall" instead of "will" and omits the necessary preposition "to," making the verb phrase incomplete. Option C uses "would," changing the certainty and tense from simple future to conditional. Option D has a possessive error ("squirrels problems" without an apostrophe) and uses "should" instead of "will," which again alters the meaning. Option E is in the simple present tense ("are listened to"), not the future, and therefore does not match the tense of the original sentence.

Common Pitfalls:
One common mistake is forgetting to keep the preposition "to" with verbs like listen when forming the passive. Another frequent error is changing the modal verb or the tense unintentionally. Learners may also place the adverb in an awkward position. As a rule, for future simple tense passives, use "will be" plus past participle and preserve necessary prepositions and adverbs in natural positions.

Final Answer:
The squirrel's problems will be listened to patiently by the old owl.