Basics. The Passive Voice: Present and Past: correct answers
Jump to answers ↓The Passive Voice: Present and Past
We use the passive voice when the focus is on the action itself or the receiver of the action, rather than who performed it. It is formed using the appropriate tense of the verb to be followed by a past participle. For example, instead of saying "A thief stole the diamond," we use the past simple passive: "The diamond was stolen." For ongoing past actions, we use the continuous form: "The cameras were being repaired."
In this challenge, you will help a detective report on a dramatic museum heist, read scathing food reviews about soup served in shoes, and navigate chaotic office renovations involving aggressive raccoons. Through these humorous scenarios, you will practice forming the present simple passive, past simple passive, and past continuous passive, while keeping an eye out for irregular past participles.
You will work through 12 questions presented in a fun mix of single-choice, multi-choice, drop-down, and drag-and-drop formats.
Try the quiz to check your knowledge!
Correct answers
Question 1
Complete the detective's dramatic report about the great museum heist by selecting the grammatically correct phrase.
When the security guard finally woke up from his nap, the priceless diamond ___ into the back of a getaway van!
The correct answer is was being loaded.
We use the past continuous passive (was being loaded) to describe an ongoing action in the past that was happening at the exact moment another event occurred (the guard waking up). The diamond wasn't loading itself, so the active forms ("was loading" or "loaded") are incorrect!
Question 2
The correct answers are: The soup was served in a repurposed hiking boot. Our artisan bread is baked using only moonlight and good vibes. While we waited, a single organic carrot was being massaged by the head chef.
Passive voice always requires the past participle form of the main verb, which can be tricky with irregular verbs!
"was ate" is incorrect because the past participle of eat is eaten (it should be "was eaten").
"has been threw" is incorrect because the past participle of throw is thrown (it should be "has been thrown").
Question 3
Read the dramatic email from the office manager and choose the correct phrase to complete it.
Please remain calm, everyone. I regret to inform you that our beloved espresso machine ___ by a rogue toaster at 3:00 AM last night.
The correct answer is was destroyed.
We use the past simple passive (was destroyed) because the sentence mentions a specific time in the past ("at 3:00 AM last night"). The present perfect passive ("has been destroyed") cannot be used with a specific past time marker. Since the espresso machine received the action, the active form ("destroyed") is incorrect.
Question 4
Help the disgruntled food critic finish their scathing review by dragging the correct verbs into the sentences.
During my visit yesterday, the roasted potatoes were burned beyond recognition. Usually, such dreadful meals are served here with a surprising amount of confidence.
During my visit yesterday, the roasted potatoes were burned beyond recognition.
The word "yesterday" indicates the past tense. Because "potatoes" is plural, the correct past passive verb is "were burned".
Usually, such dreadful meals are served here with a surprising amount of confidence.
The word "Usually" points to a present habit or routine. "Meals" is a plural subject, so we need the plural present passive form "are served".
Question 5
Help the museum curator write the information plaque for the new T-Rex exhibit by choosing the correct verb form.
Every night after the visitors leave, the fragile dinosaur bones ___ with tiny toothbrushes to keep them pristine.
The correct answer is are cleaned.
We use the present simple passive (are cleaned) because this is a regular routine (indicated by "Every night"), and the bones are receiving the action, not performing it. "Are being cleaned" would mean it is happening right at this exact moment, while "were cleaned" is in the past.
Question 6
The correct answers are was discovered and is kept.
"Was discovered" is the past simple passive. We use it because the action happened at a specific time in the past (1842), and the diamond received the action (it didn't discover anything itself).
"Is kept" is the present simple passive. We use it because this is a general fact or current state ("Today"), and the diamond is receiving the action of being kept.
Question 7
Help the detective complete the official incident report by dragging the correct verbs into the blanks.
Last night, the famous painting was stolen from the main gallery by a very clumsy thief. Because of this embarrassing event, the museum doors are locked at exactly 5 PM every day now to prevent further disasters.
Last night, the famous painting was stolen from the main gallery by a very clumsy thief.
The time marker "Last night" tells us we need the past tense. Because "painting" is a singular subject, we use the singular past passive form "was stolen".
Because of this embarrassing event, the museum doors are locked at exactly 5 PM every day now to prevent further disasters.
The phrases "every day" and "now" indicate a present routine. Since "doors" is a plural subject, we use the plural present passive form "are locked".
Question 8
The correct answers are: The priceless diamond was stolen just before midnight. The security cameras were being repaired during the robbery. The glass display case was smashed into a thousand pieces.
The past passive is formed using was/were + the past participle (e.g., was stolen, was smashed). For the past continuous passive, we use was/were being + the past participle (e.g., were being repaired).
The option about the security guards is incorrect because "guards" is plural and requires "were," not "was."
The option about the alarm system is incorrect because it uses the base verb "disable" instead of the past participle "disabled."
Question 9
The correct answers are was being dismantled and is being painted.
"Was being dismantled" is the past continuous passive. It describes an ongoing action that was happening at a specific moment in the past (when Julian arrived). The subject (the front desk) received the action.
"Is being painted" is the present continuous passive. It describes an action that is currently in progress ("Right now"), with the subject (the ceiling) receiving the action.
Question 10
The correct answers are: The carpets are being scrubbed as we speak! New coffee machines are ordered every time this happens. The spilled espresso has been contained in the breakroom.
The present continuous passive uses am/is/are being + past participle (e.g., are being scrubbed).
The present simple passive uses am/is/are + past participle (e.g., are ordered).
The present perfect passive uses has/have been + past participle (e.g., has been contained).
"is been called" is incorrect; it should be "has been called."
"are being ruin" is incorrect; it requires the past participle "ruined."
Question 11
The correct answers are was served and are washed.
"Was served" is the past simple passive. The event happened "last night" (past), and the soup received the action.
"Are washed" is the present simple passive. This describes a regular routine or fact about the restaurant, and the dishes receive the action. The agent performing the action ("by a highly trained golden retriever") is introduced with the preposition "by."
Question 12
Complete the sci-fi author's manuscript by dragging the correct passive voice phrases into the story.
The majestic mothership was built by a highly advanced alien race centuries ago. Today, unsuspecting humans are observed from space while they struggle to parallel park their tiny vehicles.
The majestic mothership was built by a highly advanced alien race centuries ago.
The phrase "centuries ago" requires the past tense. "Mothership" is singular, so the correct passive form is "was built".
Today, unsuspecting humans are observed from space while they struggle to parallel park their tiny vehicles.
The word "Today" sets a present tense context. "Humans" is a plural subject, making the present plural passive "are observed" the correct choice.