A sentence is given in the active voice: “The officer cuts down the tree.” Select the option that best expresses the same idea in the passive voice.

Introduction:
Voice transformation questions check understanding of how to shift a sentence from active voice to passive voice without changing its basic meaning or tense. The given sentence, The officer cuts down the tree, is in the simple present tense and active voice, where the subject the officer performs the action. In the passive version, the focus moves to the object, the tree, while preserving the simple present tense and the phrasal verb cuts down.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- Active sentence: The officer cuts down the tree. - Subject: the officer. - Object: the tree. - Verb phrase: cuts down, in simple present. - We must select the correct passive form from the options.

Concept / Approach:
To change active voice to passive voice in simple present tense, the pattern is: object plus is or are plus past participle plus by plus subject. The phrasal verb cuts down must remain together as cut down in the past participle form. Therefore, The tree becomes the subject, is is used as the auxiliary because tree is singular, and cut down is the past participle phrase. Finally, by the officer identifies the doer of the action in the passive sentence.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Move the object the tree to the subject position of the new sentence. Step 2: Choose the correct auxiliary for simple present passive with a singular subject, which is is. Step 3: Use the past participle of the phrasal verb cut down, which remains cut down. Step 4: Add by the officer at the end to indicate the agent of the action. Step 5: The final sentence is The tree is cut down by the officer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Check tense consistency by comparing frequency. The officer cuts down the tree implies a regular or general action in simple present. The tree is cut down by the officer also expresses a general truth or repeated action. The agent, verb, and object all match between the two forms, confirming correct transformation.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B, The tree got cut down by the officer, uses the past form got, which changes the tense from simple present to simple past. Option C, The tree is cut by the officer, drops the particle down and changes the meaning slightly, as cut and cut down are not always identical. Option D, The tree cut by the officer, lacks a helping verb and is therefore grammatically incomplete as a sentence in standard English.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates often forget to keep phrasal verbs intact when changing voice, leading to partial or incorrect meanings. Another typical error is altering the tense unintentionally by replacing cuts with got or was. Always identify the main tense, keep the main verb phrase together, and carefully apply the passive pattern for that tense.

Final Answer:
The tree is cut down by the officer. is the correct passive voice form of the given sentence.