BACH-2

page 40

Look at the sentences below. Then answer the questions which follow.

a) The employer paid Peter less than the other workers.

b) Peter was paid less than the other workers.

a) The government is building a new school in our area.

b) A new school is being built in our area.

a) Dr Smith will publish the article soon.

b) The article will be published soon.

1. Which sentences are active? --> all "a" sentences:

The employer paid Peter less than the other workers.

The government is building a new school in our area.

Dr Smith will publish the article soon.

Which sentences are passsive? --> all "b" sentences:

Peter was paid less than the other workers.

A new school is being built in our area.

The article will be published soon.

2. Where are the words in italics the object of the sentence?

In the active "a" sentences, the words in italics are the object.

Where are the words in italics the subject of the sentence?

In the pssive "b" sentences, the words in italics are the subject.

3. Which sentences focus on the person doing the action?

In the active "a" sentences, the focus is on the person.

Which sentences focus on the action?

In the passive "b" sentences, the focus is on the action.

4. Is the form of the verb the same in the active and the passive?

No, it isn’t. (See grammar appendix page 97.)

Match each sentence below to a sentence in the box above.

1.   It is not important who paid Peter's salary.  -->   Peter was paid less than the other workers.

2.   The employer is the important person in this sentence.  -->   The employer paid Peter less than the other workers.

3.   We don't know who is building the new school.  -->  A new school is being built in our area.

4.   We know who is building the new school.   -->  The government is building a new school in our area.

5.

Choose the correct words.

Brian was feeling very nervous as he waited in the secretary's office. He was going to be interviewed for a new job and the secretary had told him to wait until Mr Grace was ready to see him. Brian really needed this job and he hoped he would get it. Finally, he was invited into Mr Grace's office. He was asked many questions by Mr Grace and he answered all of them very well.

Continue the story by writing the correct form of the verbs in brackets.

Brian was also told about the job requirements. "You will be expected ( / You are expected ) to work from nine until five every day. You will be given a lunch break of half an hour," Mr Grace told him. "If you are late, money will be deducted from your salary," he continued. It took Brian a few seconds to realise that the job was his.

Complete the sentences in a logical way using the verbs below. Use the correct causative form.

deliver   *   test   *   repair   *   publish   *   cut

1.   Her car broke down yesterday. Today she is having it repaired. / Today she is getting it repaired.

2.   John can't see well. He must have/get his eyes tested.

3.   The scientist wrote a new article. He had/got it published last year.

4.   Pam is going to the hairdresser tomorrow. She is going to have/get her hair cut.

5.   These parcels are too heavy for you to carry. You ought to have/get them delivered.

page 41

Read the sentences below. Then answer the questions which follow.

1.   What is the difference between the active and the passive verb forms.

      In the passive, the word been is added between have/has/had and the participle of the main verb.

2.   Why is the active or passive used in each sentence?

     The active is used when it is important to know the subject of the action, while the passive is used when the subject of the action is unknown, obvious or unimportant.

Mr Jones’ office has just been redecorated. Look at the two pictures and write sentences saying what has been done. Use the words below to help you.

Example: Curtains have been hung.

curtains - hang * walls - paint

carpet - lay * new furniture - buy

windows - wash * pictures - hang

Possible answers:

Curtains have been hung.

The walls have been painted.

A carpet has been laid.

New furniture has been bought.

The windows have been washed.

Pictures have been hung.

Choose the correct words.

1. She was delighted that she had been offered the job.

2. I understand that you have been accepted by the university.

3. He has been given a salary rise.

4. When did you say that you had left your previous job?

5. Our office has just been reorganised.

Write trhe Present Perfect Simple or Past Perfect Simple form of the verbs in brackets. Use the active or the passive.

1. Mr Smith had been employed as a teacher before he became a headmaster.

2. Andrew has been barred from school. I hope he won’t get into trouble.

3. Sue had worked part-time before becoming a full-time employee.

4. Mary has been chosen for the new job.

5. A new Olympic record has just been set.

Rewrite the following sentences without changing the original meaning.

1. Her employer had paid her the minimum wage.

She had been paid the minimum wage by her employer.

2. Mr Jones offered Mike a new job.

Mike was offered a new job by Mr Jones.

3. We have based the article on a report.

The article has been based on a report.

4. Many people are employed in the car industry. (passive !)

The car industry emplys many people.

5. The report will be published in an important journal.

They will publish the report in an important journal.

6. The children have been forced into illegal employment.

The laws have forced the children into illegal employment.

7. The students’ results were being studied by the headmaster.

The headmaster was studying the students’ results.