The past continuous passive

Exercise 1. Use the correct form of the verb in brackets.

1. I didn't realise that somebody was recording our conver­sation. I didn't realise our conversation (record).

2. When we entered the classroom the test (write) by the students.

3. Very interesting books (exhibit) when we were visiting the museum.

4. I couldn’t use my car last Sunday. It (fix).

5. When I phoned Mark, he told me that my wireless still (repair), so I couldn’t come and get it.

6. When the taxi arrived, the things still (pack).

7. In the dining-room Johnny still (give) a lecture on table manners.

8. When I came into the room, the students still (ask) questions.

9. When they arrived home, the preparations still (make).

10. When I came in, the dinner (cook).

Exercise 2. Make the following sentences passive, as in the example.

e.g. When I came, they were still asking questions.

When I came, questions were still being asked.

1. When she came, her husband was doing the washing. 2. When I came to this town again, they were building a new school in front of the supermarket. 3. He entered the hall and heard that somebody was calling his name. 4. As we were passing their garden, he was watering the flowers. 5. When they entered the auction-hall, they were selling those pictures. 6. When Father came home, I was cooking dinner. 7. When the guests arrived, they were still making preparations to meet them. 8. At that moment the specialists were examining a new car. 9. When I came home, they were still putting books on the shelves. 10. When I returned, the workmen were still building a new road. 11. When I came back, they were still showing her how to use the remote control. 12. The lesson was almost over, but the teacher was still explaining a new rule to them.

Exercise 3. Make up sentences, as in the example.

e.g. Enter the kitchen / cook my favourite dish

When I entered the kitchen my favourite dish was being cooked.

1. enter the library / remove the furniture

2. arrive at the airport / wait for the delegation

3. enter the personnel department / interview a new economist

4. leave the laboratory / test the device

5. turn the TV on / show an interesting film

6. come into the office / sign the contract

Exercise 4. Translate into English.

1. Лекция была очень интересная, и оратора слушали с большим вниманием. 2. Когда вошел управляющий, его предложение все еще обсуждалось. 3. Когда я присоединился к группе туристов, им рассказывали об истории города. 4. Вчера в пять часов передавали интересный концерт. 5. Мне сказали, что вопрос все еще обсуждается. 6. Какой вопрос обсуждался, когда вы пришли? 7. Мне сказали, что меня ждут. 8. Он знал, что за ним следят.

The present perfect passive

Exercise 1. Use the correct form of the verb in brackets.

1. Somebody has cleaned the room. The room (clean).

2. They have postponed the concert. The concert (postpone).

3. They have built a new hospital near the airport. A new hospital (build) near the airport.

4. This room looks different. It (paint).

5. My car has disappeared. It (steal).

6. Listen to the story. It (tell).

7. Carol has got a new position in her job. She (promote).

8. The company has reduced its employees number and all salaries (cut).

9. Has anyone asked for your opinion? You (ask)?

10. This year beautiful flowers (plant) in our garden.

Exercise 2. Oral Activity. Max Hunter has inherited an old factory and he has decided to turn it into a club. Look at the notes below, then make sentences in the passive, as in the example.

e.g. The walls have been painted.

the walls / painted; the windows / replaced; garden lights / put in; the roof / repaired; trees / planted; the sign / put up; the door / fixed.