Grammar exercises

Exercise 1. Make the following sentences passive and translate them into Russian.

1. She looked after her children.

2. The public has listened to the speaker very attentively.

3. John is driving his car to the garage now.

4. Somebody calls me every evening.

5. All the town will have learnt the news by tomorrow morning.

6. I’ll answer your questions later.

7. A heated discussion followed his lecture.

8. They were waiting for me all yesterday evening.

9. I’ve sent for the police.

10. We’ll send a taxi for him.

Exercise 2. Make up sentences using have /get sth. done pattern; use different tenses.

1. to decorate the hallr. 6. to complete the work

2. to repair my bicycle 7. to make all the necessary ar-

rangements

3. to write all the letters by noon 8. to print the new article

4. to clean the apartment 9. to report the accident to the police

5. to send the invitations 10. to translate the text

Exercise 3. Make the following sentences passive.

1. She has swept the floor carefully.

2. His friends always laughed at him.

3. She sent George a telegram.

4. Betty was examining her new dress.

5. Bob broke the window yesterday.

6. I will listen to his story with great interest.

7. A great architect designed this temple.

8. We spoke much about the film.

9. By the time her boss came she had typed all the letters.

10. I sent for the doctor.

Exercise 4. Put the verbs in brackets into the Active or the Passive Voice.

1. The book … (republish) soon.

2. They … (cook) lasagne now.

3. I often … (refer) to the Encyclopaedia Britannica.

4. For half an hour they … (occupy) with eating and drinking.

5. The president … (call) every day.

6. The fire … (cause) considerable damage.

7. He tried to sell a car that … (steal).

8. He … (arrest) yesterday.

9. Dave … (receive) the papers by tomorrow.

10. When I …(enter) the room Mary … (ask) by the exam board.

Exercise 5. Correct the errors.

1. “Great Expectations” wrote Charles Dickens.

2. I will translate this article by 3 o'clock.

3. The problem was discussed when I entered the study room.

4. The suitcases should carefully packed.

5. The doctor sent for.

6. You would expect to take part in the competition.

7. While breakfast was cooked she was washing up.

8. By the end of this week her name will know everyone.

9. What has happened? Have you hurt?

10. The Passive Voice frequently use in English.

Exercise 6. Translate the following sentences with Passive Voice.

1. In ancient times science was treated simply as a system of statements. 2. This simple rule is followed by the majority of authors. 3. This problem has been approached by many scholars on various grounds in different countries. 4. The method I have been describing in the text is, of course, one that is followed by all of us. 5. Men are distinguished from other forms of life on earth by their social production of the material means of life. 6. Sensations are not merely passively received, but are obtained in the course of human activity. 7. Two answers have been given to this question, neither of them satisfactory. 8. The investigations of living organisms showed how all forms of life are developed from cells. 9. Most of the studies have been based primarily on subjective opinion regarding the relationship of attitudes to the job. 10. Special attention is being given to this phenomenon. 11. Careful consideration has been given to this area of research communications. 12. The problem cannot be finally solved. 13. Hypotheses have to be tested by all means. 14. All knowledge must be based on sense-impressions, on the evidence of the senses, on observation. 15. A person’s roles are to be understood in the light of his own pattern of hereditary and environmental influences. 16. There are circumstances which cannot be avoided. 17. The individual has to be identified in the situation, before any situation can be referred – as in psychology – to the individual. 18. There are books which are still being reprinted, read and enjoyed, but it may be doubted that many of them will survive the century. 19. It is never known whether the subject is being given the control or experimental conditions. 20. Specialized clinics for the children suffering from mental disorders were being founded in this country. 21. Ideas from medical sciences, especially from physiology and neuroanatomy, are continually being used by psychologists. 22. The subjects were told to write as many answers as possible. 23. Individual case histories of children and grown-ups who are being medically treated by psychiatrists show that environment affects the development of personality characteristics.

Exercise 7. Answer the following questions.

1. When is the mail brought in your house? 2. When are examination-papers written? 3. What plays by Shakespeare are staged at this theatre? 4. When was the South Russia State University of Economics and Services founded? 5. Where were the last Olympic Games held? 6. When will the meeting be held? 7. Will the article be published before Friday? 8. Will all those who have failed be expelled from the University? 9. Which article is being translated now? 10. What rule was being explained when you entered the classroom? 11. How many metro stations have been built in Minsk? 12. Are you sure that the new school will have been built by September?

Exercise 8. Transform the sentences from Active into Passive.

1. The speaker stressed the importance of the Congress. 2. This actor will play the part of Hamlet. 3. The students have learnt a lot of new English words. 4. The director himself answered the phone. 5. Somebody recommended me to see that doctor. 6. They had eaten all the dinner before they finished the conversation. 7. Somebody has locked the box and I cannot open it. 8. Our friends are making special preparations.

Exercise 9. Transform the sentences from Passive into Active.

1. The student was asked to tell the story once again. 2. Moscow is very much admired by the visitors. 3. “King Lear” can be successfully performed by a group of amateurs. 4. The meal is being prepared now. 5. Many valuable paintings were destroyed by the fire. 6. Light and heat are given to us by the sun. 7. The question hasn’t been answered properly.

Exercise 10. Fill in each blank with the necessary form of the verb in the Passive Voice.

1. The papers ... just by the dean (to sign). 2. The newspapers ... already by me (to look through). 3. The proposal ... by that time (to discuss). 4. The invitation ... tomorrow (to send). 5. The communique ... by 6 o’clock (to publish). 6. The new plan of the reconstruction of the town ... still (to work out). 7. The treaty ... tomorrow (to sign). 8. I knew that he ... to go out as he was not well (not to allow). 9. He left the hall when the first item of the agenda ... still (to discuss). 10. He could not understand why he ... by nobody for such a long time, (to visit). 11. What is going on here? – The results of the exam (discuss) by the students. 12. I just (offer) a ticket for the concert. 13. The article (to translate) by the time you return. 14. The computer (to test) in a few days. 15. The newspaper (to deliver) by 9 o'clock yesterday.

Exercise 11. Put questions to the words given in bold type.

1. English is spoken in many countries of the world.

2. The problem has been settled by the signing of the communique.

3. Only the best out of the best are admitted to the University.

4. A lecture will be delivered at 2 o’clock tomorrow.

5. A new rule is being explained now.

6. New underground lines are being built in Rostov-on-Don.

7. The question of establishing a system of collective security has been raised.

8. Much had been learnt by the end of the term.

9. Many new books are being received by our library.

10. The telegram will have been delivered before they ring him up.

Exercise 12. Translate the following sentences into Russian.

1. My letter was answered at once. 2. We were joined by a group of our students in the Crimea. 3. These events were followed by a wave of strikes. 4. The lecture was attended by many students. 5. The terms were agreed upon. 6. We hope that an agreement will be arrived at. 7. He was listened to attentively. 8. This problem was not spoken about. 9. The doctor will be sent for at once. 10. This book was often referred to. 11. He was never heard of. 12. The terms were insisted upon. 13. They are taught French at school. 14. He was offered a new job. 15. We are paid twice a month.

Exercise 13. Translate into English.

1. Какой вопрос сейчас обсуждается? – Обсуждается работа нашего научного кружка 2. Ее можно видеть в библиотеке каждый день. 3. Когда будет открыта новая школа? 4. Мне предложили новую работу. 5. За последнее время в нашем городе построено мало красивых зданий. 6. В этой школе преподается английский язык. 7. Какие достопримечательности города будут показаны туристам? 8. Когда доставили эту телеграмму? 9. Это событие широко комментируется в прессе.

Exercise 14. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense-form.

1. This piece of music (know) to me. But it never (play) so wonderfully before. 2. When I came into the cinema, a new film (show). I was sorry that I (not, tell) about the show before and was late for the beginning as the end empressed me greatly. 3. It is raining and football (not, play). 4. The students (work) at the laboratory the whole evening yesterday. 5. Nick was late for the party, so when he came into the room all the guests (introduce) to each other, some of them (dance) and some (sing) in the next room. 6. The mother (tell) not to worry about her sick boy. He (examine) soon by the doctor. 7. We (discuss) the problem already when you came. 8. The weather changed for the worst. It (rain) heavily. The windows (break) by the strong wind. 9. When you come here in summer, their house (repair). 10. It’s a very good class. It (teach) by Mr. Smith. 11. I (give) a kitten. It (call) Pussy, but my little sister (call) it Push. 12. I (introduce) to him last week but I am afraid I (not, recognize) him if I meet him again. 13. I (not, see) anything of Moscow yet.