Question 1

In this Direct and Indirect Speech question, choose the correct Indirect Speech form of the command: "Mother said to my sister, 'Tell him sorry right now.'"

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question examines how to report an imperative or command in indirect speech, particularly when the expression right now is used. The direct sentence is: Mother said to my sister, "Tell him sorry right now." You must convert this into reported speech by using the correct infinitive form and by adjusting the time expression now to then. Given Data / Assumptions: - Speaker: Mother. - Listener: my sister. - Direct command: Tell him sorry right now. - Reporting verb: said to, in the past tense. - Time expression: right now, indicating immediate action. Concept / Approach: Imperatives in direct speech are reported using an infinitive structure, typically to plus the base form of the verb. So Tell him sorry becomes to tell him sorry. When the reporting verb is in the past, the time expression now usually changes to then. The phrase right now therefore becomes right then in indirect speech. We generally keep said to my sister unchanged, although in free writing we might prefer told my sister. The emphasis remains on the command. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Start with the reporting clause: Mother said to my sister ... Step 2: Convert the imperative Tell him sorry to the infinitive structure to tell him sorry. Step 3: Change right now to right then to show that the command is being reported later. Step 4: Join the parts into one sentence: Mother said to my sister to tell him sorry right then. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, imagine going back to direct speech. From Mother said to my sister to tell him sorry right then, you change right then to right now and convert the infinitive to the imperative form Tell him sorry, then add quotation marks. You obtain: Mother said to my sister, "Tell him sorry right now." which is the same as the original sentence, confirming that the indirect version is correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B keeps right now instead of changing it to right then, which is not correct in normal reported speech. Option C and option D both use says, indicating present tense, but the original uses said and is clearly about a past command. Option E changes the structure to should tell, which is more of a suggestion than a direct command and keeps right now unchanged. Option A alone uses the proper infinitive structure and the correct time expression, right then, making it the best answer. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes forget that imperatives are reported with to plus verb or not to plus verb and instead try to use that followed by a finite verb. Another frequent error is leaving now unchanged, which does not fit the shifted time perspective of reported speech. It is also common to overlook the object of the reporting verb and to omit to my sister. Always pay attention to who is being instructed, the form of the command and the time expressions that need adjustment. Final Answer: The correct indirect speech sentence is Mother said to my sister to tell him sorry right then.

Question 2

In this grammar question on reported speech, convert the sentence "I said to him, 'I am too tired now to go out with you.'" into its correct Indirect Speech form.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks your understanding of how to report a statement containing the present continuous form am and the time adverb now. The direct sentence is: I said to him, "I am too tired now to go out with you." You must choose the indirect speech form that correctly shows tense backshift, changes the time word now to then and adjusts the pronoun you appropriately. Given Data / Assumptions: - Direct speech: I am too tired now to go out with you. - Reporting clause: I said to him. - Reporting verb: said, in the past tense. - Time adverb: now, referring to the present moment at the time of speaking. Concept / Approach: When the reporting verb is in the past tense, the present tense am usually changes to was in indirect speech. The time word now becomes then to show that the sentence is being reported later. The pronoun you in the original refers to him, so in indirect speech, when the narrator is the same I, the object pronoun remains him. The phrase to go out with you therefore becomes to go out with him in the reported version. The conjunction that links the reporting clause with the reported clause. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Introduce the reported clause: I said to him that ... Step 2: Keep I as the subject because the narrator is reporting his own words. Step 3: Change am too tired to was too tired, backshifting the present tense to past. Step 4: Replace now with then, indicating the time of tiredness in a reported context. Step 5: Change you to him in the phrase to go out with him, because he is the listener. Step 6: Combine all elements into: I said to him that I was too tired then to go out with him. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, reconstruct the direct speech from the indirect sentence. From I said to him that I was too tired then to go out with him, change was to am, then to now and him to you in the final phrase. Then add quotation marks. The result is: I said to him, "I am too tired now to go out with you." which matches the original sentence, so the indirect form is correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B keeps am in the reported clause and mixes it with then, failing to backshift the tense. Option C uses was but keeps you, which is incorrect because the listener is now referred to in the third person. Option D keeps am and you, with only then changed, and therefore does not follow proper reported speech rules. Option E changes the structure to had been too tired, which introduces a past perfect nuance not present in the original, and is unnecessarily complex. Option A alone handles tense, time expression and pronoun changes correctly. Common Pitfalls: Typical mistakes include forgetting to change now to then or mismanaging the pronoun you when it should change to him or her. Students also sometimes overcomplicate the tense and use past perfect where simple past is sufficient. Remember that for most present continuous or present simple statements, a simple shift to past forms is enough in indirect speech. Always check subject references and time adverbs carefully. Final Answer: The correct indirect speech sentence is I said to him that I was too tired then to go out with him.

Question 3

In this reported speech item, convert the exclamatory praise "The coach said, 'Well done! You have made me proud.'" into the correct Indirect Speech form.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question is about reporting an exclamation of praise that contains the present perfect tense. The direct sentence is: The coach said, "Well done! You have made me proud." In indirect speech, we need to keep the sense of praise and correctly backshift the present perfect have made to past perfect had made, while adjusting pronouns to fit the reported context. Given Data / Assumptions: - Speaker: the coach. - Exclamatory part: Well done! - Statement part: You have made me proud. - Reporting verb: said, in the past tense. - The pronoun you refers to the player or person being praised. Concept / Approach: When changing such sentences into reported speech, we usually convert the exclamation into a verb of praising like applauded or congratulated. The present perfect have made becomes had made after a past reporting verb. The pronoun you is reported as he or she depending on the context; in the options, he is used. The pronoun me, which refers to the coach, becomes him. The phrase well done is represented by the verb applauded in the correct option, which captures the idea of praise in narrative form. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Replace the exclamation Well done with an appropriate verb of praise such as applauded. Step 2: Begin the reported sentence as The coach applauded and said that ... Step 3: Change you to he, standing for the person who is being praised. Step 4: Change have made to had made to apply the tense backshift for present perfect with a past reporting verb. Step 5: Change me to him, because the coach is now referred to in the third person. Step 6: Combine the parts to get: The coach applauded and said that he had made him proud. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, imagine going back to direct speech. From The coach applauded and said that he had made him proud, we change he had made him proud to You have made me proud and reintroduce the exclamation of praise: Well done. This yields: The coach said, "Well done! You have made me proud." The match shows that the indirect version keeps the original sense and tense relationships. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A uses has made instead of had made, failing to backshift the present perfect. Option B mixes present and past in an unnatural way with applauds and says and had made. Option C is confused in structure, mixing applauded, says and has made. Option E uses made in simple past, which does not fully reflect the relationship of completed action before the reporting; the exam standard expects had made. Option D correctly uses applauded to express praise and had made to show the completed action, with the pronouns adjusted appropriately, so it is the best answer. Common Pitfalls: Many learners are unsure how to report exclamations like well done or congratulations and either omit them or leave them in quotation marks. Another common mistake is forgetting that present perfect usually changes to past perfect after a past reporting verb. Pronoun adjustments can also be tricky because there are two persons involved: the coach and the player. Make sure to represent the praise with a suitable reporting verb and to adjust all pronouns and tenses carefully. Final Answer: The correct indirect speech sentence is The coach applauded and said that he had made him proud.

Question 4

In this reported speech question, choose the correct Indirect Speech form of the sentence: "The girl said to her partner, 'You will have to dance better than this tomorrow.'"

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This item tests your ability to convert a sentence with will have to and the time word tomorrow into Indirect Speech. The direct sentence is: The girl said to her partner, "You will have to dance better than this tomorrow." You must correctly express future obligation, change the demonstrative this and replace the time expression tomorrow in the reported form. Given Data / Assumptions: - Speaker: the girl. - Listener: her dance partner. - Direct speech: You will have to dance better than this tomorrow. - Reporting verb: said to, in the past tense. - Time word: tomorrow, referring to the next day after speaking. Concept / Approach: In reported speech, will have to usually changes to would have to when the reporting verb is in the past, to indicate future obligation as seen from the earlier time. The pronoun you refers to the partner and becomes he or she in indirect speech; the options use he. The demonstrative this changes to that, because the performance being referred to is now being talked about from a later point of view. The time word tomorrow typically becomes the next day or the following day in indirect speech. The reporting clause may keep said to her partner in exam style questions. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Begin with the reporting clause: The girl said to her partner that ... Step 2: Change you to he, as the partner is a third person in the reported sentence. Step 3: Backshift will have to to would have to, reflecting the past viewpoint. Step 4: Change this to that in the phrase better than that, indicating a previous standard of dancing. Step 5: Replace tomorrow with the next day, the standard reported speech equivalent. Step 6: Combine all elements to form: The girl said to her partner that he would have to dance better than that the next day. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, convert the indirect sentence back into direct speech. From The girl said to her partner that he would have to dance better than that the next day, change he to you, would have to to will have to, that to this, and the next day to tomorrow. Then add quotation marks. The sentence becomes: The girl said to her partner, "You will have to dance better than this tomorrow." which matches the original, confirming that the reported version is correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A keeps will have to and uses the day after, which is not the most natural equivalent for tomorrow and fails to backshift the tense. Option B uses would have to but keeps this and the phrase the day after, making inconsistent changes. Option D also keeps will have to and this, ignoring both tense backshift and demonstrative change. Option E uses would have to and that the following day; it is grammatically close but uses told instead of said to and is not the exact answer given in the original option set that uses the next day. Option C correctly changes will have to to would have to, this to that and tomorrow to the next day, so it is the best answer. Common Pitfalls: Many students confuse the expressions the next day, the following day and the day after, using them interchangeably without thinking about the original reference point. Another common error is to leave will unchanged after a past reporting verb. Learners also sometimes forget to change this to that, which can sound strange in a narrative context. Always examine modal verbs, demonstratives and time expressions together when turning direct speech into indirect speech. Final Answer: The correct reported speech sentence is The girl said to her partner that he would have to dance better than that the next day.

Question 5

Read the following direct speech sentence and choose the option that correctly converts it into indirect (reported) speech: The agent said, "This is the best house on this street."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests the learner's understanding of how to change a sentence from direct speech to indirect (reported) speech. In particular, it focuses on the correct backshifting of the verb "is" and the change of demonstratives "this" and "this street" to more distant forms that fit reported speech. Such questions are common in English grammar sections of competitive examinations and help assess control over tense, pronouns, and deictic words (words that depend on context like this, that, here, and there). Given Data / Assumptions: Direct speech sentence: The agent said, "This is the best house on this street." The reporting verb "said" is in the simple past tense. The sentence inside quotes is a present simple statement expressing a general opinion or assessment. We must convert the sentence into indirect speech without changing the fundamental meaning. Concept / Approach: When we transform a statement from direct to indirect speech, we usually remove the quotation marks, use a conjunction such as "that," and adjust the tense of the verb in the reported clause if the reporting verb is in the past. Present simple generally changes to past simple. In addition, demonstrative words like "this" and expressions of place such as "this street" often change to "that" and "that street" to match the shift in perspective. The core meaning that the house is considered the best on that specific street must remain intact. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the reporting clause: "The agent said". This will stay mostly the same in indirect speech. Step 2: Replace the comma and quotation marks with the conjunction "that" to introduce the reported clause. Step 3: Change the verb "is" (present simple) in the reported clause to "was" (past simple) because the reporting verb "said" is in the past. Step 4: Change "this" and "this street" to "that" and "that street" to reflect the shift from direct to indirect context, resulting in: "The agent said that that was the best house on that street." Verification / Alternative check: We can verify the correctness by checking whether the reported sentence is grammatically complete, maintains the original message, and follows standard rules. "The agent said that that was the best house on that street" correctly uses "that" as a conjunction, backshifts "is" to "was," and appropriately changes "this" and "this street" to "that" and "that street." The repetition "that that" is acceptable because the first "that" is the conjunction and the second "that" is the demonstrative pronoun. The sentence sounds natural in formal grammar and is a standard textbook answer for this transformation. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: "The agent said that this was the best house on this street." keeps "this" and "this street," which are usually changed to "that" and "that street" in indirect speech when the speaker is removed from the original location or moment. Option C: "The agent said that it was the best house on this street." correctly backshifts the verb but still uses "this street," which should normally become "that street" in reported speech. Option D: "The agent said that that is the best house on that street." does not backshift "is" to "was," which is required because the reporting verb "said" is in the past. Option E: "The agent said that it is the best house on that street." again fails to backshift the verb "is" to "was," making the tense sequence inconsistent. Common Pitfalls: Learners often overlook the need to backshift the verb when the reporting verb is in the past, leaving "is" unchanged. Another common error is forgetting to change demonstratives like "this" to "that" and not adjusting expressions of place or time appropriately. Some students also feel that "that that" sounds wrong and incorrectly avoid it, but grammatically it is acceptable and often necessary in reported speech. Remember that clarity and rule-consistency matter more than avoiding repetition. Final Answer: The correct indirect speech form is The agent said that that was the best house on that street.

Question 6

Read the following direct speech sentence and choose the option that correctly converts it into indirect (reported) speech: My mother said to me, "You will regret your actions."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks understanding of reported speech when the reporting verb has a sense of warning or caution. The original direct speech expresses a future consequence, and the correct indirect form should preserve both the meaning and the tone of warning. Learners must correctly choose tense backshift, pronouns, and the appropriate reporting verb that best matches the attitude of the speaker, in this case the mother warning her child. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct speech: My mother said to me, "You will regret your actions." The reporting verb "said to" can often be replaced by a more expressive verb like "warned" in indirect speech. The clause inside quotes uses "will regret," which is future simple. The sentence implies a warning about future consequences of current behaviour. Concept / Approach: In reported speech, when "said to" expresses a warning, advice, or order, it is common to change it to a more precise verb like "warned," "advised," or "ordered." When the reporting verb is in the past tense, future "will" in the reported clause usually changes to "would." Pronoun "you" must change to "I," because the listener in the direct speech is the speaker of the report. The phrase "your actions" remains unchanged in meaning, but we must keep the tone of warning clear and grammatically consistent. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the reporting part: "My mother said to me". Because the sense is clearly a warning, we can convert "said to" into "warned". Step 2: Introduce the conjunction "that" after the reporting verb to link to the reported clause. Step 3: Change the pronoun "you" to "I" because the report is made by the person who was originally addressed. Step 4: Backshift "will regret" to "would regret" because the reporting verb "warned" is in the past. The final sentence becomes: "My mother warned me that I would regret my actions." Verification / Alternative check: The final sentence "My mother warned me that I would regret my actions" clearly shows the past reporting verb "warned," the conjunction "that," the correct pronoun "me" as indirect object, and "would regret" as the suitably backshifted form of "will regret." The meaning of a warning about future regret remains intact. If we read the sentence aloud, it sounds natural and formal, as expected in exam style English grammar. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: "My mother warned me that I will regret my actions." uses "will" instead of "would," which usually conflicts with the rule of tense backshift because the reporting verb is in the past. Option C: "My mother said to me that I will regret my actions." keeps "said to" and "will," so it loses the clear warning nuance and also fails to backshift the tense. Option D: "My mother said that I would regret my actions someday." backshifts "will" to "would," but it omits "to me" and changes the reporting verb from a specific address form to a more general one. It is less precise than the correct version with "warned me." Option E: "My mother told that I would regret my actions." is grammatically incorrect because "told" needs an object: "told me," "told us," and so on. Common Pitfalls: Many learners forget to change "will" to "would" after a past tense reporting verb. Others either keep the weak reporting verb "said to" or use "told" without an object. It is also common to ignore the implied force of the sentence and not choose a verb like "warned" that better reflects the intention. Remember that sense, tense, and pronouns must all be adjusted together for correct reported speech. Final Answer: The correct reported speech form is My mother warned me that I would regret my actions.

Question 7

Read the following direct speech sentence and choose the option that correctly converts it into indirect (reported) speech: Param said, "I am going to the gym now."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks a candidate's grasp of changing present continuous tense in direct speech to an appropriate tense in indirect speech, while also handling the time expression "now." It is a standard question type in competitive exams and school tests, designed to assess understanding of reported speech, tense backshift, and the correct handling of time and place references in English grammar. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct speech: Param said, "I am going to the gym now." Reporting verb "said" is in the simple past. The quoted clause uses present continuous tense: "am going". Time adverb "now" refers to the time of speaking and usually changes in indirect speech. Concept / Approach: When the reporting verb is in the past tense, the tense of the verb inside the quoted sentence generally shifts one step back in indirect speech. Present continuous ("am going") usually changes to past continuous ("was going"). Pronoun "I" in direct speech refers to Param and becomes "he" in indirect speech. The adverb of time "now" often changes to "then" to indicate that the action is placed in the past relative to the time of reporting. Combining all these changes yields the correct reported speech form. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Keep the reporting part "Param said" as it is, because there is no need to change its tense or structure. Step 2: Replace the comma and quotation marks with the conjunction "that" to join the reporting clause and the reported clause. Step 3: Change the pronoun "I" to "he," because Param is a third person subject when reported by someone else. Step 4: Convert "am going" (present continuous) to "was going" (past continuous), and change "now" to "then," resulting in: "Param said that he was going to the gym then." Verification / Alternative check: The final sentence "Param said that he was going to the gym then" follows the standard rules of reported speech. The tense has been properly backshifted from present continuous to past continuous, the pronoun has been adjusted to match the subject, and the time reference "now" has been changed to "then." The meaning remains that Param reported at some earlier moment that he was in the process of going to the gym at that time. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: "Param said that he has gone to the gym then." uses present perfect "has gone," which does not correspond to the original continuous action "am going" and creates a different meaning. Option C: "Param said that he had gone to the gym then." uses past perfect, which suggests that the action was completed before another past event. This does not match the ongoing nature of the action expressed by "am going." Option D: "Param said that he is going to the gym now." keeps the present continuous and the adverb "now," which is generally incorrect when the reporting verb is in the past tense. Option E: "Param said that he would go to the gym then." changes both the tense and the aspect and suggests a future intention rather than an action already in progress. Common Pitfalls: Learners often struggle with two points: the backshift of the present continuous tense and the change of the adverb "now" to "then." Some students try to keep "now" unchanged, which makes the sentence sound inconsistent in indirect speech. Others incorrectly choose perfect or future forms ("has gone," "had gone," or "would go"), which alter the aspect and timing of the action. Always match the original aspect (continuous) and move the tense one step back when the reporting verb is in the past. Final Answer: The correct reported speech form is Param said that he was going to the gym then.

Question 8

A sentence is given in the active voice: "Children like to play all day long." Choose the option that best expresses the same idea in the passive voice.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question assesses understanding of how to change an active voice sentence into passive voice. The original sentence focuses on the subject "children" performing the action "like to play." In passive voice, the focus should move to the object or action that is liked, while keeping the meaning intact. Such transformations are common in competitive exams and help test a learner's grasp of sentence structure and voice changes. Given Data / Assumptions: Active sentence: Children like to play all day long. Subject: children. Verb phrase: like to play. Idea: children enjoy playing for the whole day. We must express the same idea in passive voice, keeping the core meaning unchanged. Concept / Approach: In English, passive voice is usually formed by making the object or the action the subject of the sentence and using an appropriate form of the verb "to be" plus the past participle of the main verb. Here, the action "playing all day long" can be treated as a gerund phrase functioning as a noun, and it can become the subject in the passive structure. The verb "like" in passive becomes "is liked." Therefore, we focus on "playing all day long" as the thing that is liked by children. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the key components: subject "children," verb "like," and object or action "to play all day long." Step 2: Convert the action "to play all day long" into a gerund phrase "playing all day long" which can act as a noun and subject in the passive sentence. Step 3: Form the passive using "is liked" because "playing all day long" is treated as a singular idea. Step 4: Add the agent phrase "by children" to show who does the liking. The result is: "Playing all day long is liked by children." Verification / Alternative check: The sentence "Playing all day long is liked by children" satisfies the requirements of passive voice: it has the gerund phrase as the subject, the correct verb phrase "is liked," and the agent "by children." The overall meaning remains that children enjoy playing throughout the day. The structure is grammatically correct and would be acceptable in formal written English. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: "All day long children do like to play." remains in active voice and simply adds emphasis with "do"; it is not passive. Option C: "Children play all day long and like it." is active and restates the idea but does not change the voice. Option D: "Liking is done by children of playing all day long." is grammatically awkward and unnatural, and the preposition "of" is wrongly used. Option E: "The children are liking to play all day long." is active voice, and the continuous form of "like" is generally unnatural in this context. Common Pitfalls: Students often forget that not every sentence with an action verb changes neatly into a typical object-subject passive. In such cases, the action can become a gerund phrase that acts as the subject. Another pitfall is trying to use "liking is done" constructions, which sound incorrect and forced. It is important to remember that passive voice should read naturally and clearly, not as a mechanical rearrangement of words. Final Answer: The correct passive form is Playing all day long is liked by children.

Question 9

The active voice sentence is "Once a month we visit the temple." Choose the option that best expresses this idea in the passive voice.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests how well a learner can convert a simple habitual action in the active voice into a grammatically correct and natural sounding passive voice sentence. The original focuses on the subject "we" and the action "visit the temple." In the passive version, the focus should move to "the temple" while preserving the idea that the visit happens once every month. Given Data / Assumptions: Active sentence: Once a month we visit the temple. Subject: we. Verb: visit. Object: the temple. Adverbial phrase of frequency: once a month. Concept / Approach: To change an active voice sentence to passive voice, the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence. We then use an appropriate form of "to be" with the past participle of the main verb, and optionally include the original subject as an agent introduced by "by." Because "visit" is a simple present habitual action, the correct passive auxiliary verb is "is" (for a singular subject "the temple"), resulting in "is visited." The adverbial phrase "once a month" can be placed at the beginning of the sentence for emphasis or at the end. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify object of the active sentence: "the temple". This will become the subject in the passive sentence. Step 2: Decide on the correct auxiliary form. The verb "visit" in the active sentence is in simple present. For a singular subject "the temple," the passive form becomes "is visited". Step 3: Add the agent "by us" to show who performs the action, though it is optional in many real-world sentences. Step 4: Position the frequency phrase "once a month" at the beginning of the sentence for emphasis: "Once a month the temple is visited by us." Verification / Alternative check: Reading the passive sentence "Once a month the temple is visited by us" confirms that the meaning remains the same as the original: the action of visiting the temple happens monthly and is performed by us. The grammar is correct: singular subject "the temple," auxiliary "is," and past participle "visited." The frequency phrase is correctly placed and clearly modifies the entire action. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B: "Visiting the temple is done by us once a month." is grammatically possible but awkward and wordy; exam questions usually prefer the cleaner "is visited" structure. Option C: "We ourselves visited the temple once a month." remains in active voice and also mixes simple past with a frequency phrase that suggests a habit. Option D: "Monthly there is a visit by us to the temple." is unnatural and uses a heavy nominalisation ("a visit") that exam boards typically avoid. Option E: "We visit the temple once a month regularly." is active voice and also redundant, since "once a month" already implies regularity. Common Pitfalls: Candidates sometimes believe they must always use highly complex structures like "is done by" to show passive voice, which leads to awkward sentences. Another mistake is shifting the tense incorrectly, for example turning simple present into simple past while making the transformation. A good rule of thumb is to first identify the tense in the active sentence, then keep the same tense in the passive form, adjusting only for subject number and placing adverbials logically. Final Answer: The correct passive voice sentence is Once a month the temple is visited by us.

Question 10

The active voice sentence is "The servant is keeping my house tidy." Choose the option that best expresses this sentence in the passive voice.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks conversion from present continuous tense in the active voice to the corresponding passive voice form. The sentence describes an ongoing action where the servant is performing the task of keeping the house tidy. In the passive version, the focus should shift from the servant to the house, while preserving the idea that the action is still in progress. Given Data / Assumptions: Active sentence: The servant is keeping my house tidy. Subject: the servant. Object: my house. Verb phrase: is keeping tidy (present continuous form of "keep"). Adjective complement: tidy, describing the condition of the house. Concept / Approach: To convert a present continuous sentence into passive voice, we use the structure: subject (object of the active) + is/am/are + being + past participle of the main verb + by + original subject. The object "my house" becomes the subject in the passive sentence. The verb "is keeping" changes to "is being kept." The adjective "tidy" stays as a complement. We add the agent "by the servant" at the end to indicate who is performing the action. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the object in the active sentence: "my house." This will become the subject in the passive version. Step 2: Recognise the tense and aspect: "is keeping" is present continuous. The passive of present continuous is "is being kept" for a singular subject. Step 3: Keep the adjective complement "tidy" after the past participle because it describes the condition of the house. Step 4: Add "by the servant" to keep the agent. The final passive sentence becomes: "My house is being kept tidy by the servant." Verification / Alternative check: The resulting sentence "My house is being kept tidy by the servant" is grammatically correct and clearly shows present continuous passive voice. The focus is now on "my house," which is appropriate for a passive construction, and the original meaning that the servant is currently engaged in keeping it tidy is preserved. The structure "is being kept tidy" is standard. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B: "Keeping of my house tidy is done by the servant." is clumsy and unnatural, using an unnecessary nominalisation "keeping of" that exam boards usually discourage. Option C: "The servant had kept tidy my house." changes both tense and aspect to past perfect, which is not equivalent to the original present continuous meaning. Option D: "My house the servant keeps tidy." is active voice, not passive, and has an unusual word order more suited to literary style than to standard grammar questions. Option E: "The servant is tidy when keeping my house." changes the meaning, suggesting that the servant is tidy, not necessarily the house. Common Pitfalls: Common errors include forgetting to add "being" in continuous passive forms, which leads to incorrect structures like "is kept" instead of "is being kept" for an action happening right now. Another pitfall is trying to rearrange words without preserving tense and aspect, resulting in sentences that sound active or change the meaning. Learners should always identify the tense first, then apply the appropriate passive formula for that tense. Final Answer: The correct passive sentence is My house is being kept tidy by the servant.

Question 11

The active voice sentence is "The theatre was keeping a seat for you." Choose the option that best expresses this sentence in the passive voice.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question examines the learner's ability to convert a past continuous tense sentence in the active voice into its passive voice equivalent. The original sentence focuses on the theatre performing the ongoing action of keeping a seat for someone. In the passive version, the focus moves to the seat that is being kept, while the tense remains past continuous. Given Data / Assumptions: Active sentence: The theatre was keeping a seat for you. Subject: the theatre. Object: a seat. Indirect object: for you. Verb phrase: was keeping (past continuous). Concept / Approach: The passive form of the past continuous tense uses the structure: subject (former object) + was/were + being + past participle. Here, the object "a seat" becomes the subject of the passive version. The verb "was keeping" changes to "was being kept," and we retain "for you" as part of the sentence. We also keep the agent phrase "by the theatre" to show who was performing the action, although in natural language the agent is sometimes omitted. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the object "a seat," which will become the subject in the passive sentence. Step 2: Recognise that "was keeping" is past continuous; the passive form must therefore be "was being kept." Step 3: Retain the phrase "for you," since it shows the beneficiary of the action. Step 4: Add the agent phrase "by the theatre" to show who was keeping the seat. The complete passive sentence becomes: "A seat was being kept for you by the theatre." Verification / Alternative check: The sentence "A seat was being kept for you by the theatre" maintains the original meaning and correctly reflects past continuous passive. The subject is now "a seat," the form "was being kept" mirrors "was keeping," and the phrases "for you" and "by the theatre" preserve beneficiary and agent. It reads naturally and is grammatically sound. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B: "Keeping of a seat for you has been done by the theatre." changes the tense to present perfect passive ("has been done") and uses an unnatural nominalisation "keeping of a seat." Option C: "The theatre has kept a seat for you." is present perfect active, not passive, and shifts the focus back to the theatre. Option D: "A seat would be kept for you by the theatre." uses "would be kept," which expresses a different time and condition, not a past continuous action. Option E: "You were having a seat kept for you by the theatre." has a different structure and slightly different meaning; it does not follow the standard transformation of the given sentence. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes omit "being" in past continuous passive forms, creating incorrect structures like "was kept" instead of "was being kept." Another error is changing the tense, for example switching to present perfect or simple past, which no longer accurately reflects the original progressive action. Always match the tense and aspect of the original sentence when performing voice transformations. Final Answer: The correct passive voice sentence is A seat was being kept for you by the theatre.

Question 12

The active voice sentence is "I have kept all your old letters." Choose the option that best expresses this sentence in the passive voice.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests how to convert present perfect tense in active voice into present perfect passive voice. The original sentence emphasises the speaker as the person who has preserved all the letters. In the passive version, the emphasis shifts to the letters themselves, while the tense and basic meaning remain the same. Given Data / Assumptions: Active sentence: I have kept all your old letters. Subject: I. Object: all your old letters. Verb phrase: have kept (present perfect). The action of keeping is complete at the time of speaking, and the result is relevant to the present. Concept / Approach: In present perfect passive voice, the structure is: subject (previous object) + has/have been + past participle. Here, "all your old letters" is the object and becomes the subject of the passive sentence. The verb phrase "have kept" then becomes "have been kept." We also keep "by me" as the agent phrase to indicate who has done the action, although this is sometimes omitted in natural language when the agent is obvious or unimportant. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the object "all your old letters." This will become the subject in the passive form. Step 2: Recognise that the verb "have kept" is present perfect with a plural object, so the passive auxiliary must be "have been" plus the past participle "kept." Step 3: Retain the phrase "by me" to show that the speaker is the one who has kept the letters. Step 4: Combine the elements to form the passive sentence: "All your old letters have been kept by me." Verification / Alternative check: The passive sentence "All your old letters have been kept by me" correctly uses present perfect passive for a plural subject. It keeps the same time reference and result meaning as the original active sentence. The focus now rests on the letters, which is appropriate for many formal contexts where the state of the objects is more important than the person acting. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B: "Keeping of all your old letters has been done by me." is grammatically heavy and unnatural; it uses an unnecessary nominalisation and also changes the auxiliary to "has been" with a singular subject "keeping." Option C: "Your letters which have become old would be kept by me." uses "would be kept," which introduces a conditional meaning rather than a completed present result. Option D: "I keep your letters which have become old." is a simple present active sentence and does not reflect present perfect or passive voice. Option E: "All your old letters were being kept by me." uses past continuous passive, suggesting an ongoing past action rather than a completed action relevant to the present. Common Pitfalls: One common error is to forget "been" in perfect passive forms, writing "have kept" instead of "have been kept." Another pitfall is shifting the tense unintentionally to simple past, past continuous, or another form, which changes the time reference. Learners should always check whether the original sentence uses present perfect, and then match it with the correct passive pattern "has/have been + past participle." Final Answer: The correct passive voice sentence is All your old letters have been kept by me.

Question 13

The active voice sentence is "He had kept up his training regimen for a month." Choose the option that best expresses this sentence in the passive voice.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks the learner's ability to convert a past perfect tense sentence in active voice into an appropriate past perfect passive voice form. The original sentence emphasises the subject "he" who consistently maintained his training regimen for a specified period. In the passive, focus moves to "his training regimen," while the time reference and duration are preserved. Given Data / Assumptions: Active sentence: He had kept up his training regimen for a month. Subject: he. Object: his training regimen. Verb phrase: had kept up (past perfect of "keep up"). Time phrase: for a month, indicating duration of the action. Concept / Approach: The passive form of the past perfect tense uses the structure: subject (former object) + had been + past participle. Here, "his training regimen" becomes the subject of the passive sentence. The phrasal verb "had kept up" changes to "had been kept up." We then add "by him" as the agent phrase to indicate who maintained the regimen. The time phrase "for a month" remains unchanged to show duration. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the object "his training regimen" that will become the subject in the passive sentence. Step 2: Note the tense "had kept up," which is past perfect. In passive form, this becomes "had been kept up." Step 3: Insert the agent phrase "by him" after the verb phrase to indicate who performed the action. Step 4: Retain the time phrase "for a month" at the end to show how long the regimen was maintained. The final passive sentence is: "His training regimen had been kept up by him for a month." Verification / Alternative check: The sentence "His training regimen had been kept up by him for a month" keeps the original meaning that the regimen was maintained during a past period before another point in the past. It correctly uses past perfect passive: "had been kept up." The focus has shifted from "he" to "his training regimen," which fulfils the requirement of changing from active to passive voice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B: "Keeping up the training regimen had been done by him for a month." is grammatically heavy and unnatural, using an awkward nominalisation and the phrase "had been done" instead of simply "had been kept up." Option C: "For a month he has been keeping up his training regimen." uses present perfect continuous, which changes the time reference from a completed past period to an ongoing or recent action. Option D: "He is training and this has been kept for a month." does not reflect past perfect and introduces a new clause, thereby changing the meaning. Option E: "His training regimen was kept up by him for one month now." mixes simple past with "now," which is inconsistent and does not match the past perfect nature of the original sentence. Common Pitfalls: Learners may forget to use "been" in perfect passive forms or may change the tense to simple past or present perfect instead of staying with past perfect. Another common mistake is rewriting the sentence in a very clumsy way with "had been done," which is rarely necessary when a direct passive form of the original verb exists. Always keep the original tense and aspect, then apply the correct passive structure "had been + past participle." Final Answer: The correct passive voice sentence is His training regimen had been kept up by him for a month.

Question 14

The active voice sentence is "Meenu will return the book." Choose the option that best expresses this sentence in the passive voice.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests the candidate's ability to transform a simple future tense sentence from active to passive voice. The original sentence focuses on the subject "Meenu" performing the future action "will return the book." In the passive version, the focus moves to "the book" while keeping the future time reference intact. Given Data / Assumptions: Active sentence: Meenu will return the book. Subject: Meenu. Object: the book. Verb phrase: will return (simple future tense). The action has not yet occurred but is expected to happen in the future. Concept / Approach: The passive form of a simple future tense sentence uses the structure: subject (former object) + will be + past participle. Here "the book" becomes the subject in the passive sentence. The verb "will return" changes to "will be returned," and the agent phrase "by Meenu" is added at the end. This structure preserves both the meaning and the future time reference. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the object "the book," which will serve as the new subject in the passive sentence. Step 2: Recognise that the verb phrase "will return" is in the simple future; passive voice requires "will be returned." Step 3: Attach the agent phrase "by Meenu" after the verb phrase to show who will perform the action. Step 4: Combine the elements to form the passive sentence: "The book will be returned by Meenu." Verification / Alternative check: The sentence "The book will be returned by Meenu" correctly reflects the simple future passive structure. The meaning remains unchanged: at some future time, Meenu will perform the action of returning the book. The grammatical elements, including the auxiliary "will be" and the past participle "returned," are correctly used. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B: "Returning of the book will be done by Meenu." is grammatically possible but wordy and unnatural, using unnecessary nominalisation instead of a straightforward passive form. Option C: "The book would have been returned by Meenu." is in conditional perfect, which expresses a hypothetical past action, not a planned future action. Option D: "The book Meenu will be returning." is not a standard passive construction and sounds incomplete; it borders on an active future continuous idea. Option E: "Meenu is returning the book later." remains active voice and uses present continuous with a future time reference, not simple future passive. Common Pitfalls: Some learners try to keep the subject in front and just add "be" somewhere, resulting in incorrect structures. Others shift the tense away from simple future, using forms such as "would have been" or "is going to be," which change the time frame or nuance. To avoid confusion, always identify the tense first, then apply the correct passive formula "will be + past participle" for simple future. Final Answer: The correct passive voice sentence is The book will be returned by Meenu.

Question 15

The active voice sentence is "I will keep your secret." Choose the option that best expresses this sentence in the passive voice.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question focuses on converting a simple future tense sentence in active voice into a clear, natural passive voice sentence. The original statement promises confidentiality, with the speaker ("I") acting as the keeper of a secret. The passive form shifts the focus to "your secret," while keeping the sense of a future promise intact. Given Data / Assumptions: Active sentence: I will keep your secret. Subject: I. Object: your secret. Verb phrase: will keep (simple future). Meaning: the speaker promises to guard the listener's secret in the future. Concept / Approach: To convert simple future active to simple future passive, we follow the pattern: subject (former object) + will be + past participle. The object "your secret" becomes the subject of the passive sentence. The verb "will keep" becomes "will be kept," and the agent phrase "by me" is added. This retains both the promise and the future time reference while changing focus. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify "your secret" as the object that will become the subject in the passive structure. Step 2: Recognise that "will keep" is in simple future tense. The passive equivalent is "will be kept." Step 3: Attach the agent phrase "by me" after the verb phrase to show who will keep the secret. Step 4: Combine these elements to form the passive sentence: "Your secret will be kept by me." Verification / Alternative check: The passive sentence "Your secret will be kept by me" correctly preserves the future promise and the sense of confidentiality. It uses the expected future passive structure "will be kept" and correctly places "your secret" as the subject. Reading it aloud shows that it sounds formal and appropriate for exam style grammar questions. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B: "Keeping of your secret will be done by me." is cumbersome and unnatural, using an unnecessary nominal form "keeping of your secret" instead of a simple passive verb. Option C: "Your secret would be kept by me." uses "would," which introduces a conditional or less definite tone, changing the sense of a firm promise. Option D: "I will be keeping the secret of you." remains in active voice and is also awkward in wording ("secret of you"). Option E: "Your secret is going to be kept by me." uses a "be going to" future form, which is grammatically possible but does not match the simple future structure of the original as closely as "will be kept." Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes confuse "will be kept" with "would be kept" or mix forms like "is going to be kept," thus altering nuance or shifting the tense pattern. Others try to create passive forms using expressions like "keeping will be done," which sound heavy and unnatural. Remember that for simple future, the normal passive pattern is straightforward: "will be + past participle." Final Answer: The correct passive voice sentence is Your secret will be kept by me.

Question 16

The active voice sentence is "I have a feeling that you are keeping a secret." Choose the option that best expresses this sentence in the passive voice.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests the candidate's understanding of how to change an embedded clause from active to passive voice while keeping the main clause intact. The sentence "I have a feeling that you are keeping a secret" contains a main clause ("I have a feeling") and a subordinate clause ("you are keeping a secret"). Only the subordinate clause needs to be transformed into passive voice, while the overall meaning must remain the same. Given Data / Assumptions: Main clause: I have a feeling. Subordinate clause in active voice: you are keeping a secret. Subject of subordinate clause: you. Object of subordinate clause: a secret. Verb phrase in subordinate clause: are keeping (present continuous). Concept / Approach: When converting such a sentence, we usually leave the main clause unchanged and apply the rules of voice change only to the subordinate clause. For present continuous tense, the passive structure is: is/am/are + being + past participle. Here, "a secret" becomes the subject within the subordinate clause, and "are keeping" changes to "is being kept" because "a secret" is singular. The agent "by you" is kept at the end of the clause. The connector "that" continues to introduce the subordinate clause. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Keep the main clause "I have a feeling" unchanged, since it does not require a voice transformation. Step 2: In the subordinate clause, identify "a secret" as the object and "you" as the subject of the active sentence. Step 3: Convert "you are keeping a secret" into passive: "a secret is being kept by you." Step 4: Insert this passive clause after "that," resulting in: "I have a feeling that a secret is being kept by you." Verification / Alternative check: The final sentence "I have a feeling that a secret is being kept by you" keeps the same overall meaning as the original but now expresses the action "keeping" in passive voice. The tense remains present continuous within the clause ("is being kept"), and the main clause still correctly communicates the speaker's feeling. The structure is grammatically sound and typical of exam style transformations. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B: "I have a feeling that keeping of a secret is being done by you." sounds very awkward and uses an unnecessary nominalisation "keeping of a secret," which is not standard in such questions. Option C: "Feeling has been had by me that a secret was kept by you." changes both the main clause and the tense of the subordinate clause to past, distorting the sentence and sounding unnatural. Option D: "I myself had a feeling that a secret had been kept by you." uses past perfect in the subordinate clause and shifts the main clause to past, changing the time reference and nuance. Option E: "A secret is being kept by you, I feel." reorders the sentence and changes its style; while it can be understood, it does not follow the direct, exam style transformation that keeps the main structure the same. Common Pitfalls: Students may mistakenly attempt to change the main clause into passive, which is not required here. Others may alter the tense of the subordinate clause, for example turning present continuous into simple past or past perfect. Some learners also create clumsy structures with "being done" instead of using a simple passive verb. Whenever a sentence has an embedded clause, carefully isolate the part that needs the transformation and apply the correct tense-based passive formula only to that part. Final Answer: The correct transformed sentence is I have a feeling that a secret is being kept by you.

Question 17

The active voice sentence is "We have kept the bird in the cage too long." Choose the option that best expresses this sentence in the passive voice.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks conversion from present perfect tense in active voice to present perfect passive voice. The original sentence expresses regret or criticism that "we" have kept the bird in a cage for a longer time than is appropriate. In the passive version, the focus moves to "the bird" while the sense of extended duration and present relevance remains intact. Given Data / Assumptions: Active sentence: We have kept the bird in the cage too long. Subject: we. Object: the bird. Verb phrase: have kept (present perfect). Additional phrase: in the cage too long, indicating location and excessive duration. Concept / Approach: Present perfect passive voice uses the pattern: subject (former object) + has/have been + past participle. In this case, "the bird" becomes the subject, and "have kept" converts to "has been kept" because "bird" is singular. We maintain the phrase "in the cage" and add "for too long" to express the extended duration clearly. The agent phrase "by us" shows who performed the action, though it could be omitted in ordinary usage. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify "the bird" as the object that will become the subject of the passive sentence. Step 2: Change "have kept" to the singular present perfect passive form "has been kept," because the subject "the bird" is singular. Step 3: Retain the phrase "in the cage" to show the place of confinement and add "for too long" to show excessive duration. Step 4: Add "by us" as the agent phrase. The final passive sentence is: "The bird has been kept in the cage by us for too long." Verification / Alternative check: The sentence "The bird has been kept in the cage by us for too long" matches the required structure and preserves the meaning of the original. It clearly indicates that the bird is still affected by this past action, which is characteristic of present perfect. The phrase "for too long" keeps the sense of excess duration. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B: "Keeping of the bird in the cage has been done by us for too long." is unnecessarily complex and unnatural due to the nominalisation "keeping of the bird." Option C: "We have been keeping for long the bird in the cage." is active and uses an unusual word order; it also weakens the clear sense of "too long." Option D: "The bird would have been kept in the cage by us for too long." uses "would have been kept," changing the meaning to a hypothetical or conditional situation rather than a real completed action. Option E: "The bird is kept in the cage too long by us." uses simple present instead of present perfect, so it does not reflect the same time frame as the original sentence. Common Pitfalls: Some learners forget to switch from "have" to "has" when the new subject is singular, leading to agreement errors. Others drop "been" and create incomplete passive forms like "has kept." There is also a tendency to remove or change the degree of duration (for example, using "for long" instead of "for too long"), which alters the nuance. Always match both tense and idea while forming passive structures. Final Answer: The correct passive voice sentence is The bird has been kept in the cage by us for too long.

Question 18

The active voice sentence is "The agent will take you to the property." Choose the option that best expresses this sentence in the passive voice.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question requires converting a simple future active sentence into simple future passive. The original sentence has "The agent" as the subject performing a future action "will take you to the property." The passive version should place emphasis on "you" as the recipient of the action, while keeping the future time reference and the sense of guidance intact. Given Data / Assumptions: Active sentence: The agent will take you to the property. Subject: the agent. Object: you. Verb phrase: will take (simple future). Additional phrase: to the property, indicating destination. Concept / Approach: Simple future passive voice follows the pattern: subject (former object) + will be + past participle. Here, "you" becomes the subject in the passive sentence. The verb "will take" becomes "will be taken." We keep the phrase "to the property" and add "by the agent" to show who performs the action. This structure captures both the future time and the direction of the action. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify "you" as the object in the active sentence that will become the subject in the passive sentence. Step 2: Recognise that the verb phrase "will take" is in the simple future tense; the passive form is "will be taken." Step 3: Retain the destination phrase "to the property" to maintain the sentence's meaning. Step 4: Add the agent phrase "by the agent" at the end. The final passive sentence is: "You will be taken to the property by the agent." Verification / Alternative check: The passive sentence "You will be taken to the property by the agent" correctly uses the simple future passive structure. It keeps the sense that at a future time, the agent will guide or escort you to the property. The sentence is clear and grammatically typical for exam style questions. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B: "Taking you to the property will be done by the agent." is verbose and unnatural; it uses a nominalised verb "taking" plus "will be done" instead of a direct passive form. Option C: "The agent would be taking you to the property." changes "will" to "would," which introduces conditional or less certain nuance, and remains active voice. Option D: "You were taken to the property by the agent." shifts the tense to simple past, losing the future reference. Option E: "You are taken to the property by the agent." uses simple present passive, which does not match the original future time frame. Common Pitfalls: Students may confuse "will be taken" with "would be taken," inadvertently changing the meaning. Others may retain active voice or shift the tense to present or past. To avoid these mistakes, always identify the tense in the original sentence and apply the correct passive pattern: for simple future, it is "will be + past participle." Final Answer: The correct passive construction is You will be taken to the property by the agent.

Question 19

The active voice sentence is "People drink champagne on New Year’s Eve." Choose the option that best expresses this sentence in the passive voice.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question focuses on converting a habitual action in the simple present tense from active to passive voice. The original sentence "People drink champagne on New Year’s Eve" describes a general custom. In the passive form, the emphasis shifts to "champagne," the thing being drunk, while the idea of a regular practice remains. Given Data / Assumptions: Active sentence: People drink champagne on New Year’s Eve. Subject: people (general, indefinite). Object: champagne. Verb: drink (simple present). Time phrase: on New Year’s Eve, expressing a customary occasion. Concept / Approach: To change simple present active sentences that express general truths or habits into passive, we use the form: subject (former object) + is/am/are + past participle. Because "champagne" is treated as an uncountable singular noun, the correct auxiliary is "is." Thus, "drink" becomes "is drunk." The time phrase "on New Year’s Eve" remains at the end, and the original subject "people" is omitted because it is indefinite and not necessary in the passive sentence. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify "champagne" as the object that will become the subject of the passive sentence. Step 2: Recognise that the verb "drink" is in the simple present tense; the passive form will be "is drunk" for a singular uncountable noun. Step 3: Decide whether to include the agent. Since "people" is generic and not specific, it can be omitted in the passive sentence. Step 4: Attach the time phrase "on New Year’s Eve" at the end. The final sentence is: "Champagne is drunk on New Year’s Eve." Verification / Alternative check: The sentence "Champagne is drunk on New Year’s Eve" is a standard textbook example of a simple present passive sentence that expresses a custom. It preserves the idea that on this particular occasion people commonly drink champagne, but now the focus is on champagne itself. The grammar is clear and correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B: "Drinking of champagne is done on New Year’s Eve." is grammatically possible but heavy and unnatural due to its nominalised structure "drinking of champagne is done." Option C: "New Year’s Eve was the day when people drank champagne." changes the tense to past and also shifts the sentence structure away from a simple passive transformation. Option D: "People on the eve of the New Year drink champagne." is active voice and merely rearranges the words without achieving passive voice. Option E: "Champagne has been drunk on New Year’s Eve by people." uses present perfect passive, which suggests completed events rather than a general custom. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes try to keep the subject "people" in the passive sentence, leading to wordy structures like "Champagne is drunk by people." While not always wrong, it is unnecessary when the agent is general. Another pitfall is changing the tense to past or perfect forms, which alters the meaning from a general habit to a one-time or completed event. Always keep the original tense and aspect unless the question specifically instructs otherwise. Final Answer: The correct passive voice sentence is Champagne is drunk on New Year’s Eve.

Question 20

The active voice sentence is "Chefs use these machines to mix the ingredients." Choose the option that best expresses this sentence in the passive voice.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question examines the process of converting a general present tense active sentence into present tense passive voice. The original sentence describes a typical practice in kitchens: chefs use certain machines to mix ingredients. In the passive version, the emphasis should shift to "these machines" while still expressing a general, habitual action. Given Data / Assumptions: Active sentence: Chefs use these machines to mix the ingredients. Subject: chefs. Object: these machines. Verb: use (simple present). Purpose clause: to mix the ingredients. Concept / Approach: The simple present passive structure is: subject (former object) + is/am/are + past participle. Here, the object "these machines" becomes the subject. Since "machines" is plural, we use "are." The verb "use" changes to the past participle "used." We keep the phrase "to mix the ingredients" to show purpose and add "by chefs" as the agent phrase to indicate who performs the action. This preserves the habitual sense of the original sentence. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify "these machines" as the object that will become the subject in the passive sentence. Step 2: Note that the verb "use" is in the simple present; in passive for a plural subject, this becomes "are used." Step 3: Keep the infinitive phrase "to mix the ingredients" unchanged at the end of the sentence, because it expresses purpose. Step 4: Add "by chefs" as the agent phrase. The complete passive sentence is: "These machines are used by chefs to mix the ingredients." Verification / Alternative check: The passive sentence "These machines are used by chefs to mix the ingredients" accurately reflects the original meaning. It is in simple present, indicates a habitual or general action, and correctly shifts emphasis to "these machines." The grammar is standard and suitable for exam purposes. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B: "Using of these machines is done by chefs to mix the ingredients." is an overly complex and unnatural way to express the idea; the nominalisation "using of these machines" is unnecessary. Option C: "Chefs mix the ingredients using these machines." remains in active voice and does not perform a voice transformation. Option D: "These machines had been used to mix the ingredients by chefs." changes the tense to past perfect, which is not equivalent to the simple present habitual sense. Option E: "These machines will be used by chefs to mix the ingredients." is simple future passive, indicating a future plan rather than a usual practice. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes unnecessarily use perfect or future tenses when changing to passive, thereby changing the time reference. Others create heavy structures with "is done" or "is being done," which may be grammatically possible but are stylistically poor. When the original sentence is simple and expresses a general truth or habit, the passive version should also be simple and in the same tense. Final Answer: The correct passive voice sentence is These machines are used by chefs to mix the ingredients.

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