Unit 9 grammar: passive voice (review)

Form

a We form passive verbs with the different tenses of be (eg is, vas, is being, have been) + past participle.

Present simple: am/are/is + past participle

The office is locked every evening.

Present continuous: am/are/is + being + past participle

The house is being painted at the mo­ment.

Past simple: was/were + past participle

My car was stolen last night.

Past continuous:. was/were + being + past participle.

The bridge was being repaired last week.

Present perfect simple: have/has + been + past participle

Sarah has been invited to the party.

Past perfect simple: had + been + past participle

I thought that you had been told the news.

Future Simple: will + be + past participle

The letter will be posted tomorrow.

Future Perfect Simple: will + have been + past participle

The texts will have been typed by 3 o'clock.

Perfect continuous passives are very uncommon.

b The rules for choosing tenses in the passive are the same as in the active. For example, to talk about something that is in progress now, we use the present continuous.

The house is being painted at the moment.

Use

a We often use the passive when we do not know who or what does something.

My car was stolen last night. (I do not know who stole the car.)

b We also use the passive when we are not interested in who or what does something.

The factory was painted last year. Sarah has been invited to the party.

In these sentences we are interested in the factory and Sarah, not who painted the factory, or who invited Sarah.

c We also use the passive when we do not want to say who or what does something. Compare:

Active: I made a mistake. Passive: A mistake was made.

Verbs with two objects in the passive

Some verbs eg give can have two objects.

Someone gave Jimmy the money. (The two objects are Jimmy and the money.)

In cases like this, we can make two different passive sentences.

Jimmy was given the money. The money was given to Jimmy.

In general, it is more usual for passive sentences to begin with the person.

Other verbs which can have two objects include send, offer, show, pay, teach, promise, tell and others.

I was sent a telegram. She will be told the news.

The passive with by and with

1 By + agent

Compare:

Active: Columbus discovered America. Passive: America was discovered by Columbus. Active: The strong winds blew down a number of trees. Passive: A number of trees were blown down by the strong winds.

We sometimes use the subject of an active sentence (eg Columbus, the strong winds) as "the agent" in a passive sentence. When this happens, we use by to introduce the agent in the passive.

We only use by + agent when it is important to say who or what is responsible for something.

2 With + instrument

We use with to talk about an instrument which is used by the agent to do something. Compare:

I was hit with an umbrella. I was hit by an old lady.

3 With + material

We also use with to talk about materials or ingredients.

The room was filled with smoke. Irish coffee is made with whisky.

Stative passive

a) I locked the door five minutes ago.

b) The door was locked by me five minutes ago.

c) Now the door is locked.

d) Ann broke the window.

e) The window was broken by Ann.

f) Now the window is broken.

The passive form may be used to describe an existing situation or state, as in (c) and (f). No action is taking place. The action

happened before. There is no "by phrase." The past participle functions as an adjective.

When the passive form expresses an existing state rather than an action, it is called the "stative passive."

Self check

I. Supply the correct form of the verb in brackets.

1. There isn't any food left. All of it (eat)! 2.1 couldn't wear my suit last Saturday. It (clean). 3. We didn't go to the party on Saturday because we (not/invite). 4. Wine (produce) in many parts of France. 5.1 can't find my car anywhere. I think it (steal). 6. By the time I arrived at the concert hall, there were no tickets left. They (all/sell). 7. How many languages (speak) in Switzerland? 8. The Tower of London (build) at the beginning of the eleventh century. 9. "What's going on in the hall?" "The windows (wash)". 10. Our house (break into) last week. 11. We couldn't use the photocopier yesterday morning. It (repair). 12. When (television/ invent)? 13. A compass (use) for showing direction. 14. Have you heard? The old police station (repaint). 15. The 1986 World Cup for soccer (play) in Mexico. 16. Millions of cars (export) from Japan every month. 17. Football (play) all over the world.

18. I (frighten) to death when I drove through Paris last month.

19. His car (damage) in an accident last month. 20. "What's happened?" "The window (break)." 21. "Can I take the documents?" "I'm afraid not. They (not/type) yet." 22. An island (surround) by water. 23. The electric bulb (invent) by Thomas Edison. 24. Even though construction costs are high, a new dormitory (build) next year. 25. The class was too large, so it (divide) into two sections. 26. A bracelet (wear) around the wrist. 27. The Johnsons' house burned down. According to the inspector, the fire (cause) by lightning. 28. "Is the plane going to be late?" "No. It (expect) to be on time." 29. The new highway (complete) sometime next month. 30. The World Cup soccer games (televise) all over the world. 31. The Washington Monument (visit) by hundreds of people every day. 32.1 had to wait a little. When I came the students (test). 33. Last week I (offer) a job at a local bank, but I didn't accept. 34.1 read about a hunter who (kill) by a wild animal. The hunter's fatal accident (report) in the newspaper

yesterday. 35. My sweater (make) in England. 36. Language skills (teach) in every school in the country. 37. Beethoven's Seventh Symphony (perform) at the concert last night. 38. This com­position (write) by AH. That one (write) by Yoko. 39. Paper, the main writing material today, (invent) by the Chinese. 40. When (the room/clean)? 41. How (the window/break)? 42. (anybody/ injure) in the accident?. 43. My brother (bite) by a dog last week. 44. How often (these rooms/clean)? 45. Many foreign movies (show) on television. 46. "Is this an old movie?" "Yes, it (make) in 1949." 47. Tony (bear) in Rome. Where (you/bear)? 48. The documents (type) by the time you return. 49. The accident (see) by several people. 50. The books (send) tomorrow. 51. There are a lot of students in the hall. A new film (show). 52. Maria is happy. She (offer) a good job. Peggy is also very happy. She (award) a scholarship. 53. Rice (grow) in many countries. 54.1 (tell) to be here at ten o'clock. 55. "(you/send) an invitation to the wedding?" "No." 56. Dinner (serve) at six. 57. A test (give) in the next room right now. 58. You (send) a bill at the end of the month. 59. Fred is pleased. He (pay) five hundred dollars in consulting fees. 60. Don't water the plants. They just (water). 61. The news (announce) tomorrow. 62. The fanner's wagon (pull) by two horses. 63. That play (write) by Shakespeare. 64.1 think Ann (invite) to the party tomorrow. 65. A new idea (suggest) by Shirley. She is very proud of it. 66. The librarian said that the book (return) to the library some days ago. 67. By this time tomorrow, the announcement (make). 68. (that course/teach) by Prof. Jackson? I know that it (not/teach) by Prof. Adams. 69. There is a nasty smell coming from the sitting-room. The floor (paint) there. 70.1 (interview) by the assistant manager. I was very excited during the interview, but I got the job. 71. America (discover) by Christopher Columbus.

II. Change the sentences from active to passive. Include the "by-phrase " only if necessary.

1. Bob Smith built that house. That house was built by Bob

Smith.

2. Someone built this house in 1904. This house was built in 1904. (by someone = unnecessary)

3. People grow rice in India. 4. People speak Spanish in Venezuela.

5. Do people speak Spanish in Peru? 6. Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. 7. When did someone invent the wheel? 8. People sell hammers at a hardware store. 9. People use hammers to pound nails. 10. The president has cancelled the meeting. 11. Some­one has cancelled the soccer game. 12. Someone will list my name in the new telephone directory. 13. Someone serves beer and wine at that restaurant. 14. Something confused me in class yesterday. 15. Something embarrassed me yesterday. 16. Someone has changed the name of this street from Bay Avenue to Martin Luther King Way. 17. Someone filmed many of the Tarzan movies in the rain forest in Puerto Rico. 18. My uncle will meet you at the airport. 19. Lightning didn't cause the fire. 20. Mr Snow hasn't taught that course since 1990. 21. The best chess player will win the match. 22. A special committee is going to settle the dispute. 23. Did the army surround the enemy? 24. The Persians invented windmills around 1 500 years ago. 25. No one will collect the garbage tomorrow. 26. People spell "writing" with one "t". 27. People spell "written" with two "t's." 28. The University of Minnesota has accepted me. 29. People held the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Korea. 30. No one delivers the mail on holidays. 31. My grandmother made that table. 32. Did my directions confuse you? 33. A maid will clean our hotel room. 34. A doctor has examined the sick child. 35. The police arrested James Swan. 36. The news will amaze you. 37. The news will shock Steve. 38. Did Johnny break the window? 39. They are fixing my car today. 40. Look! Someone is feeding the seals. 41. People didn't build Rome in a day. 42. Someone cut down that tree last week. 43. Sally made that pie. 44. Someone is considering Jack for that job. 45. Three continents surround the Mediterranean Sea. 46. Where do they file that information? 47. Before we arrived, someone had chained the dog to the fence in the backyard. 48. Did the noise from the neighbour's apartment annoy you last night? 49. Do they make those tractors in this country, or do they import them?. 50. They will not provide pencils at the test, so please bring your own. 51. Someone has offered Mike the opportunity to study abroad. 52. When I was living in Kuwait, my neighbour taught me Arabic. 53. Someone awarded Jason a medal for distinguished service in the military. 54. The real estate office will send you a copy of the sales contract. 55. Someone handed me a telegram when I opened the door. 56. People gave Mr

Finch a gold watch upon his retirement from the company. 57. So­meone was making the coffee when I walked into the kitchen.

58. Translators have translated that book into many languages.

59. Jim's daughter drew that picture. My son drew this picture.

60. The judges will judge the applicants on the basis of their originality. 61. Is Professor Rivers teaching that course this semester? 62. The mail carrier had already delivered the mail by the time I left for school this morning. 63. Someone established this school in 1900. 64. The police caught the bank robber. 65. So­meone discovered gold in California in 1848.66. There is a party tomorrow night. Someone has invited you to go to that party. 67. People used candles for light in the seventeenth century. 68. So­meone had already sold the chair by the time you returned to the store. 69. They will tell you the result tomorrow. 70. We pay for your return ticket. 71. Nobody told me that George was ill. 72. His colleagues gave him a present when he retired. 73. We will send you your examination results as soon as they are ready. 74. They didn't ask me my name. 75. They don't pay Jim very much. 76. They didn't offer Ann the job. 77. Somebody stole my bag in the shop. 78. The police have arrested three men. 79. The bill includes service. 80. They cancelled all flights because of the fog. 81. So­mebody accused me of stealing the money. 82. They are building a new ring-road round the city. 83.1 didn't realise that someone was recording our conversation. 84. They have changed the date of the meeting. 85. Brian told me that someone had attacked and robbed him in the street. 86. They promised Robert an interview for the job. 87. They showed Sarah the photographs. 88. Normally, they pay me salary every month. 89.1 think that they have sent us the wrong tickets. 90. I hope that someone will give Sally the message. 91. They didn't ask me for my address. 92.1 thought that someone had told you about the meeting. 93. First we send you a letter inviting you to an interview. 94. Has anyone answered your question? 95. Somebody found your keys on top of the photocopier. 96. A scientist discovered penicillin in 1928.97. They didn't look after the children carefully. 98. He hasn't slept in this bed. 99. They threw him out. 100. Burglars broke into the house. 101. They took down the notice. 102. People often take him for his brother. 103. This college is already full. We are turning away students the whole time. 104. The crowd shouted him down. 105. We called in the police. 106. You are to leave this here. Someone will

call for it later on. 107. They sent for the doctor immediately. 108. People always laugh at him. 109. He is a good specialist. Everybody speaks highly of him. 110. The students always listen attentively to this lecturer. 111. Everybody insisted on his arrival. 112. We didn't hear of her for some time. 113. Nobody paid any attention to his behaviour. 114. I hope they will approve of my work. 115. They always read to her because she has poor sight. 116. The children took great care of the dog. 117. They never refer to this book. 118. The milkman brings the milk to my door but the postman leaves the letters in the hall. 119. People steal things from supermarkets every day; someone stole twenty bottles of whisky from this one last week. 120. Normally men sweep this street every day, but nobody swept it last week. 121. The postman clears this box three times a day. He last cleared it at 2.30. 122. Women clean this office in the evening after the staff have left; they clean the upstairs offices between seven and eight in the morning. 123. We never saw him in the dining-room. A maid took all his meals up to him. 124. Someone left this purse in a classroom yesterday; the cleaner found it. 125. We build well over 1,000 new houses a year. Last year we built 1,500. 126. We serve hot meals till 10.30, and guests can order coffee and sandwiches up to 11.30. 127. Passengers leave all sorts of things in buses. The conductors collect them and send them to the Lost Property Office. 128. An ambulance took the sick man to hospital. 129. The hall porter polishes the knockers of all the flats every day. — Well, he hasn't polished mine for a week. 130. They are repairing my piano at the moment. 131. They invited Jack but they didn't invite Tom. 132. The guests ate all the sandwiches and drank all the beer. They left nothing. 133. Has someone posted my parcel? 134. Why did no one inform me of the change of plan? 135. I'm afraid we have sold all our copies but we have ordered more. 136. They haven't stamped the letter. 137. They didn't pay me for the work; they expected me to do it for nothing. 138. She didn't introduce me to her mother. 139. Theythrew away the rubbish. 140. A Japanese firm makes these television sets. 141. An earthquake destroyed the town. 142. We ask tenants not to play their radios loudly after midnight. 143. They brought the children up in Italy. 144. They have taken down the For Sale notice, so I suppose they have sold the house. 145. We have warned you. 146. A lorry knocked him down. 147. They returned

the keys to me; someone had picked them up in the street. 148. They have tried other people's schemes. Why have they never tried my scheme? 149. We use this room only on special occasions. 150. They are pulling down the old theatre. 151. Why didn't they mend the roof before it fell in? 152. The burglars had cut a big hole in the steel door. 153. The organizers will exhibit the paintings till the end of the month. 154. Who wrote it? 155. He expected us to offer himajob. 156. They showed her the easiest way to do it. 157.Lightning struck the old oak. 158. The lawyer gave him the details of his uncle's will. 159. Students are doing a lot of work. 160. They will wear evening dress. 161. People used the house as a hospital during the war. 162. People are poisoning millions of fish in the North Sea.

163. They suddenly realised that someone was following them.

164. They have recently made redundant a lot of people in our town. 165. Someone had given her the wrong number. 166. So­meone will announce the winners of the competition next week. 167. They usually mark the papers in July. 168. When we got to the airport, we heard that they had cancelled all the flights. 169. When are they going to finish the new ring road? 170. People must not leave bicycles in the hall. 171. Members may keep the books for three weeks. After that they must return them. 172. You should open the wine about three hours before you use it. 173. You must not hammer nails into the walls without permission. 174. No one can do anything unless someone gives us more information. 175. You can't wash this dress; you must dry-clean it. 176. Passengers shouldn't throw away their tickets as inspectors may check these during the journey. 177. You must keep dogs on leads in the garden. 178. Visitors must leave umbrellas in the cloakroom. 179. We can't repair your clock. 180. We have to pick the fruit very early in the morning; otherwise we can't get it to the market in time. 181. The police shouldn't allow people to park there. 182. You mustn't move this man; he is too ill. You'll have to leave him here. 183. We had to give the books back; they did not allow us to take them home. 184. You shouldn't leave these documents on the desk. You should lock them up. 185. You will have to finish this work by Friday. 186. Good news! They may offer me a job soon. 187. People cannot control the weather. 188. Someone ought to repair this broken window. 189. People can pick tomatoes before they are completely ripe. 190. You shouldn't put bananas in the freezer. 191. Jack has a right to know. You ought to tell him the

news immediately. 192. Don't worry. We can repair your watch very easily.

III. Use active or passive, in any appropriate tense, for the verbs in brackets.

1. A valuable painting (steal) from the Central Art Gallery late last night. The thieves (enter) the gallery through a small upstairs window. 2. Walt Disney (creat) the cartoon character Mickey Mouse. 3. This problem (discuss) at the last meeting. 4. In 1964 Martin Luther King (win) the Nobel Prize. In 1968 he (assassinate) in Memphis, Tennessee. 5. The president (arrive) in Rome yesterday afternoon. Later he (interview) on Italian TV, 6. Teachers (give) a new pay rise by the government. The news 1 (announce) earlier today. 7. These photos (take) by my sister. 8. The I game (win/probably) by the other team tomorrow. They're a lot better than we are. 9. There was a terrible accident on a busy downtown street yesterday. Dozens of people (see) it, including my friend, who (interview) by the police. 10. In my country, certain prices (control) by the government, such as the prices of medical supplies. However, other prices (determine) by how much people are willing to pay for a product. 11. Yesterday the wind (blow) my hat off my head. I had to chase it down the street. I (want, not) to lose it because it's my favourite hat and it (cost) a lot. 12. Right now Alex is in the hospital. He (treat) for a bad burn on his hand and arm. 13. Yesterday a purse-snatcher (catch) by a dog. While the thief (chase) by the police, he Gump) over a fence into someone's yard, where he met a dog. The dog (keep) the thief from escaping. 14. The first fish (appear) on the earth about 500 million years ago. Up to now, over 20,000 kinds offish (name) and (describe) by scientists. New species (discover) every year, so the total increases continually. 15. The morning paper (read) by over 200,000 people every day. 16. Last night my favourite program (interrupt) by a special news bulletin. 17. That's not my coat. It (belong) to Louise. 18. Our mail (deliver) before noon every day. 19. The "b" in "comb" (pronounce, not). It is silent. 20. A bad accident (happen) on Highway 95 last night. 21. When I (arrive) at the airport yesterday, I (meet) by my cousin and a couple of her friends. 22. Yesterday I (hear) about Margaret's divorce. I (surprise) by the news. Janice (shock). 23. A new house

(build) next to ours next year. 24. Radium (discover) by Marie and Pierre Curie in 1898. 25. When (your bike, steal)? — Two days ago. 26. A: (you, pay) your electric bill yet? B: No, I haven't, but I'd better pay it today. If I don't, my electricity (shut off) by the power company. 27. A: Did you hear about the accident? B: No. What (happen)? 28. The Eiffel Tower (be) in Paris, France. It (visit) by millions of people every year. It (design) by Alexander Eiffel (1832-1923). It (erect) in 1889 for the Paris exposition. Since that time, it (be) the most famous landmark in Paris. Today it (recognize) by people throughout the world. 29.1 don't have my car today. It's in the garage. It (repair) right now. 30. Kate didn't have her car last week because it was in the garage. While it (repair), she took the bus to work. 31. I'm sorry, but the computer job is no longer available. A new computer programmer (hire, already). 32. What products (manufacture) in your country? 33. The examination papers are scored by machine. The students (tell) their results next week. 34. The organizers (exhibit) the paintings till the end of the month. 35. The teacher (assist) by two graduate students during the exam yesterday. 36. A: Where (buy, you) that beautiful necklace? B: I (buy, not) it. It (give) to me for my birthday, (like, you) it? 37. Soon after I (apply) for a job with the United Nations two years ago, I (hire). 38. Yesterday we went to look for an apartment. I really liked it, but by the time we got there, it (rent, already). 39. There's going to be a story in the local newspaper about my neighbour, Mrs Morris. Tomorrow she (interview) by one of the local reporters about her doll collection. Over the years, she (collect) more than 400 dolls all over the world. 40. Ali and Mustafa (complain) to the landlord many times since they moved into their present apartment, but to date nothing (do) about the leak in the roof and the broken window in the bedroom. 41. The darks' living room (redecorate) in blue and white. They want it to look nice for their daughter's wedding reception. 42. The old clock wasn't ticking because it (wind, not). Someone forgot to do it. 43. The news of the victory (broadcast) throughout the country over the radio and television. Everyone (hear) about it almost as soon as it (happen). 44. Only coffee and dessert (serve) at the reception yesterday. 45. Kim wants very badly to make the Olympic team next year. She (train) hard for the last two years. 46. Mark is a genius. By the time he (graduate), he (offer) jobs by a dozen computer companies. 47. When

I (finish) my work, I'm going to take a walk. 48. After the test papers (return) to the students in class tomorrow, the students (give) their next assignment. 49. The Olympic Games (begin) in 776 B.C. in Olympia, a small town in Greece. At that time, only Greeks (allow) to compete in them. 50. "Miss Jones, please type those letters before noon." "They (already, type). They're on your desk." 51. "Can't we do something about the situation?" "Some­thing (do) right now." 52. "Has the committee made its decision yet?" "Not yet. They (still, consider) the proposal." 53. Something funny (happen) in class yesterday. 54.1 (agree) with you on that subject. 55. Let's go ahead and do it now. Nothing (accomplish) by waiting. 56. "When can I have my car back?" "I think it (finish) late this afternoon."

IV. Supply the stative passive of the given verbs. Use the Simple Present or the Simple Past.

1. It is hot in this room because the window (close). 2. Yes­terday it was hot in this room because the window (close). 3. Sa­rah is wearing a blouse. It (make) of cotton. 4. The door to this room (shut). 5.We can leave now because class (finish). 6. The lights in this room (turn on). 7. This room (crowd, not). 8. We can't go any farther. The car (stick) in the mud. 9. We couldn't go any farther. The car (stick) in the mud. 10. My room is very neat right now. The bed (make), the floor (sweep), and the dishes (wash). 11. We are ready to sit down and eat dinner. The table (set), the meat and rice (do), and the candles (light). 12. Where's my wallet? It (go)! Did you take it? 13. Hmmm. My dress (tear). I wonder how that happened. 14. Don't look in the hall closet. Your birthday present (hide) there. 15. Excuse me, sir. Could you give me some directions? I (lose). 16. That's hard work, I (exhaust). I need to rest for a while. 17. The children (excite) about going to the circus. They're looking forward to seeing the elephants, the clowns, and the acrobats. 18. George (dress) in his best suit today because he has an important interview this afternoon. 19. Lousie is probably sleeping. The lights in her room (turn off). 20. Carolyn and Joe were married to each other for five years, but now they (divorce). 21. You told me one thfhg and John told me another. I don't know what to think. I (confuse). 22.1 love my wife. I (marry) to a wonderful woman. 23. I thought I

had left my book on this desk, but it isn't here. It (go). I wonder where it is. 24. We can't eat this fruit. It (spoil). We'll have to throw it away. 25. Vietnam (locate) in Southeast Asia. 26. A: "The TV set doesn't work." B: "Are you sure? (it/plug in)?" 27.1 (accustom) to living here. 28.1 (satisfy) with the progress I have made. 29. I (not acquaint) with that man. Do you know him? 30. Mark Twain (know) for his stories about life on the Mis­sissippi. 31. My car (equip) with air conditioning and a sun roof.

V. Translate from Russian into English.

1. Об этом фильме много говорят. Я думаю его стоит по­смотреть. 2. Он очень сердит. С ним никогда так не разговари­вали. 3. Вам не придется ждать. Документы будут проверены и письма напечатаны, когда вы придете. 4. Роман написан мо­лодым талантливым автором. 5. Не говори таких вещей. Над тобой будут смеяться. 6. Когда пришел директор, все было го­тово: документы были проверены и письма были напечатаны. 7. Почему так холодно в зале? — Его как раз проветривают. Читальный зал проветривается несколько раз в день. 8. Он квалифицированный врач. О нем хорошо отзываются. 9. Мож­но взглянуть на документы? — Их все еще печатают. 10. Де­тей поведут в театр в воскресенье. 11. Дворец Спорта еще стро­ился, когда я приехал в Минск. 12. Эта картина нарисована неизвестным художником. 13. К вечеру работа была законче­на. 14. Поторопись. Тебя ждут 15. Где будет построена новая библиотека? 16. Что производится на этой фабрике? 17. Пись­мо не может быть отправлено сегодня, так как оно еще не под­писано директором. 18. Иностранным студентам показали ау­дитории, лаборатории и общежитие Московского универси­тета. 19. Его прервал шум в коридоре. 20. Стекло бьется очень легко. 21. В котором часу закрывается читальный зал? — Он закрывается в 10 часов вечера. 22. Этот вопрос сегодня обсу­ждаться не будет. 23. Я не хочу показывать вам свою статью, пока она не будет закончена. 24. Как только журналы будут получены, мы покажем их вам. 25. Какой вопрос обсуждался на собрании, когда вы пришли? 26. К сожалению, ничего не было сделано, чтобы помочь ему закончить работу. 27. Доку­менты уже подписаны? — Нет еще. 28. Когда был воздвигнут этот памятник? 29. Интересная проблема обсуждается сейчас

в клубе. 30. Она счастлива. Ей предложили интересную рабо­ту. 31. В этом доме не живут 32. Школу построят к началу учебного года. 33. Газеты и письма доставляются рано утром. 34. Он сказал, что работа будет завершена в срок, если будут получены все необходимые сведения. 35. Мне были даны все необходимые указания. 36. Меня попросили придти немного позже, потому что мое заявление все еще рассматривалось.

Fluency

Listen, read and practise.

I N eed Some Information

A: Hello?

B: Oh, hello. I need some information. What currency is used

in Japan? A: Where? B: In Japan.

A: I'm not sure. Isn't it the yen? B: Oh, yes. And do they drive on the left or the right? A: I think the left, but I'm not sure. B: Oh. Well, is English spoken much there? A: I really have no idea. B: Uh? Well, what about credit cards? Are American Express

cards used there? A: How would I know? B: Well, you're a travel agent, aren't you? A: What? A travel agent? This is Linda's Hair Saloon. B: Oh, sorry, wrong number.

A. Study and practise the conversation.

B. Complete these sentences using the passive and suitable verbs below.

eat grow make up manufacture speak teach wear

1. Both cars and computers... in Korea. 2. English... in many schools in Russia. 3. A great deal of cotton... in Egypt. 4. Frogs

and snails... in France. 5. Canada... of ten provinces and two territories. 6. Kimonos... sometimes... in Japan. 7. French... not widely...in Great Britain.

Now use the verbs above and write sentences like these about your country. Use the passive. Then compare with a partner.

Recycling

Nick: Jenny, listen to this. Over 8 million tons of paper are used in Britain every year, but only some of it is recyc­led. One ton of rubbish is thrown away every year by the average British family of four — like us!

Jenny: I know. Only a little waste glass is recycled. Plastic isn't recycled at all. And last year over 7 billion drink cans were thrown away.

A. Use the present passive of the verb in brackets.

1. 70 billion cups of tea (drink) in Britain every year. 2. A billion litres of fruit juice (buy) by the British every year. 3.20 million litres of milk (drink) every day. 4. 9 million chickens and turkeys (kill) every week. 5. Not everybody eats meat. Meat (not eat) by three per cent of British people. 6. 3,500 litres of water (use) by the average British family every week. 7. In Britain over 15 million newspapers (read) every day. 8. Over 30 million television sets (own) by British families. 9. Every day enough rubbish (produce) to fill Trafalgar Square up to the top of Nelson's Column!

B. Nick is doing a project on rainforests. He has made notes. Put his notes into sentences like this'

eg rainforests — find — along the equator Rainforests are found along the equator.

1. thousands of square kilometres of rainforest — destroy — every year 2. 6,000 trees — cut down — every hour 3. wood — sell — to many countries 4. wood— make into — furniture 5. rain­forests — burn down—by farmers 6. animals—kill—by the fires 7. houses — destroy — by the fires 8. many kinds of animals and plants — lose — when the rainforests disappear 9. some medici­nes — make from — rainforest plants 10. weather — change — by the destruction of the rainforests

Isn't This Country Incredible!

Victor: What a nice camera!

Roberto: Thanks. It's Japanese.

Victor: Isn't this country incredible? It seems like everything

is imported.

Roberto: Yeah, TVs, stereos, and cameras are often made in Japan. You can get running shoes from Korea. Clothes are made in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Watches are imported from France and Switzerland. Victor: Even fruit and vegetables are imported from Mexico

and Chile during the winter.

Roberto: Yes. And a lot of cars are imported, too. I think Ame­ricans are fascinated by foreign products. Victor: Well, sometimes they're designed better. And some­times they're a lot cheaper, too.

Roberto: Say, have you got the time? I want to take some pic­tures before class tonight. Victor: It's 3:00.

Roberto: Oh, I'd better go. It's getting late. Victor: Yeah. I'd better go, too. I haven't done my homework yet.

A. Correct the statements that are wrong. Say "That's right" or "That's wrong."

1. Americans often buy foreign cameras, TVs, stereos, and cars.

2. Koreans sometimes buy American running shoes.

3. American clothes sometimes come from Hong Kong and Taiwan.

4. Americans never import watches from Europe.

5. Americans import onions and potatoes from Mexico.

6. Other countries often make cheaper cars, stereos, and clothes than the United States.

1'. Roberto thinks he should go so he'll have enough time to

take some pictures before class.

8. Victor thinks he should go so he can take a shower before, class.

Finding a Job

If you have left school and haven't got a job, don't despair. Jobs are advertised in the local papers under "Situations Vacant". Go to your local Job Centre or Employment Office. If they haven't got a suitable job for you, at least good advice is given there. Also, remember to read notices. Job vacancies are posted up on notice boards outside firms and factories. Local jobs are displayed on cards in shop windows and at post offices. When you have found a job that interests you, make an appointment for an interview. Sometimes, an interview is arranged by telephone, but often a written application is required. Application forms are provided for this purpose by the firms. Sometimes, the applicant is tested at the interview. Don't be nervous, do your best.

Don't feel that you have to take the first job that is offered to you. Go to the Careers Office and ask about the Youth Training Scheme. Many on-the-job courses and schemes are organized by the Youth Training Scheme and they pay you during the training.

A. How can you find a job in your country?

They where surprised

Jewellery and coins were stolen last night from the home of Mr and Mrs G. Sinclair of Clark Street, Bristol. At about 1.30 a.m., a young man was seen in the Sinclairs' garden by a neighbour. The police were informed immediately by the neighbour's wife. Ten minutes later, the man was caught as he was leaving the garden and was taken to the police station for questioning. His pockets were searched. Rings and gold coins worth over £3000 were found. When the man was questioned about the theft, he said, "It was easy. A window was open and the safe wasn't locked."

The jewellery and coins were returned to the Sinclairs the next morning. A policeman said, "They were surprised. They hadn't noticed the theft."

A. Do you know a story about a theft?

'Where was this Taken?

Olga: You know, we've never seen the pictures you took of New York.

Roberto: No? Didn't I show them to you after I got back?

Victor: No.

Roberto: Well, I have them with me.... This is the Empire State Building. It's probably the most famous building in New York. It was built in less than two years. It was begun in 1929 and finished in 1931.

Susan: Isn't that incredible?

Roberto: This is the United Nations.

Olga: It was built sometime after World War I ended, wasn't it?

Victor: After World War II.

Olga: I mean World War II. Where was this taken?

Roberto: From the top of the World Trade Center. Did you know the Statue of Liberty was designed by a Frenchman?

Victor: Uh-huh. Bartholdi. It was given to the United States by France on the 100th birthday of U.S. independence.

Susan: You know a lot about history.

Victor: History was my favourite subject in school after mu­sic, that is!

I Note: center амер. = centre

A. Correct these statements.

1. Roberto hasn't been to New York. 2. The Empire State Building isn't very famous. 3. The Empire State Building was built in less than a year. 4. The UN was built after World War I. 5. The Statue of Liberty was given to the United States by England.

B. Bring to class a picture of your favourite building, painting, or sculpture or a copy of your favourite book. Work with a group. Your classmates will ask you questions about your picture or book.

What's this called? Where was it done?

When was it done? Who was it done by?

Youth Hit by Van

At 5.05 p.m. on Saturday 19 July, there was an accident at the junction of Euston Road and St. Pancras Road when a boy of 16 was knocked off his bicycle by a delivery van. Luckily, he was not seriously injured. Patrick Kay, the 1 6-year-old boy, was taken to St. Pancras Hospital where he was treated for shock and a broken arm. The accident was witnessed by several people, and it was reported minutes later by the driver of the van, Mr Ralph Ripley, 45, of Wimbledon. Both the youth and the driver of the van were questioned afterwards by the police, who took the names and addresses of three witnesses.

A. Have you ever witnessed an accident? What was it like?

An interview

Joe Burns is a famous racing-driver. He is being interviewed on a sports programme.

Reporter: You've had a very dangerous life, haven't you, Joe? I mean, you've almost been killed several times, ha­ven't you?

Joe: Yes. I suppose that's right.

Reporter: When was your worst accident?

Joe: Г d say last year. It was during the British Grand Prix.

I smashed into a wall. The car was completely ruined and my left leg was broken. Luckily, nobody was killed.

Reporter: Is that the only time you've been... er...close to death?

Joe: No. Once, during the Mexican Grand Prix, two cars in front of me had a bad accident. One of them ran into the other. I swerved to avoid them and hit a fence My car was badly damaged but luckily I wasn't even hurt.

Reporter: You must enjoy danger. I mean, you wouldn't be a ra­cing-driver if you didn't, would you?

Joe: I don't know about that. I had a very frightening ex-

perience quite recently. I was frightened to death! I thought I was going to be killed at any moment.

Reporter: Really? When was that? During your last race? Joe: No. It was on my way to this studio. I had to drive

through London during the lunch hour. A. Questions

1. What has almost happened to Joe several times? 2. When was his worst accident? Describe it 3. What happened during the Mexican Grand Prix? 4. What did Joe think was going to happen to him very recently? 5. When did his last experience take place?

B. Discuss your personal experiences using the present perfect passive and the past simple passive of the verbs in the phrases below.

eg A: Have you ever been stopped by the police? B: No, I haven't but my brother has. A: Really? Why? B: He was stopped for speeding on the motorway.

1. stop by the police 2. interview on television 3. give a surprise party 4. fine for parking 5. search by customs 6. ask to give a speech 7. involve in a road accident

Let Me Quiz You

A: Have you studied for the test tomorrow?

B: Yes, I have.

A: OK. Let me quiz you on the Panama Canal.

B: All right. Go ahead.

A: Who was the canal built by?

B: It was started by the French and completed by the Americans.

A: Right! And when was it completed?

B: It was completed in 1911.

A: No! It was completed in 1914.

B: Oh, that's right.

A. Complete the phrases in column A with suitable information in column B.

А

a) The novel 1984

b) The pyramids

В

...was designed by Bartholdi....was written by George Orwell.

c) The Statue of Liberty... were built by the ancient Egyp-

tians.

d) The mural in the Sistine... was written by Margaret Mit-Chapel in Vatican City chel.

e) The novel Gone With... was painted by Michelangelo.

the Wind

B. Now change these active sentences into passive sentences with by.

a) Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mono Lisa.

b) Marie Curie discovered radium.

c) Mildred and Patty Hill wrote the song "Happy Birthday to You."

d) Mark Twain wrote the American novel Huckleberry Finn.

e) Thomas Edison invented the phonograph and the light bulb.

C. Think of six questions about famous buildings, paintings, boob, or musical compositions.

eg Who was Starry Night painted by? Who was War and Peace written by? Who was Carmen composed by?

Take turns asking your questions. Who got the most correct answers?

A very exciting

In January Martha was hired by the Fernwood Company as a secretary. In March she was sent to school by the company to study statistics and accounting. In April she was given her first raise. Just two months later, she was promoted to the position of supervisor of her department. In August she was chosen "Employee of the Month." In October she was given another raise. In November she was invited to apply for a position in the company's overseas office in England. And in December she was given the new job and was flown to London to begin work.

Martha certainly has had a very exciting year. She can't believe all the wonderful things that have happened to her since she was hired just twelve months ago.

A. Ask and answer questions on the text.

B. Speak about your career history.

Can I help yои?

Mrs Jones: Is this Joe's Auto Repair Shop?

Man: Yes, it is. Can I help you?

Mrs Jones: Yes, please. This is Mrs Jones. I'm calling about

my car. Has it been repaired yet? Man: Not yet. It's being repaired right now.

Mrs Jones: I see. Tell me, when can I pick it up? Man: Come by at four o'clock. I'm sure it'll be ready by

then.

A. Respond to the following.

eg — Has the lamp been fixed? — No, it is still being fixed.

1. Have the floors been painted? 2. Have the things been packed? 3. Has the table been laid? 4. Have the dogs been fed? 5. Has the letter been typed? Has the radio-set been repaired? 7. Has the furniture been removed?

Make up your own sentences using this model.

A b urglary

Tom: The newsagent's has been broken into. About £ 850 has been taken.

Nick: Has the thief been found?

Tom: No, not yet. The theft was only discovered an hour ago. There's a room at the back of the shop where the money is kept in a safe. This morning the cleaner noticed that the window had been broken, so she told the owner. A few people have been questioned by the police, but no­body knows much. An officer said that any information will be welcomed.

Nick: Will there be a reward?

A. Make up short dialogues using the words prompted. Prompt: dust/the furniture

— Has the furniture been dusted yet?

— Not yet.

1. hang up/the picture 2. cut/the grass 3. fix/the brakes 4. mend/ the shoes 5. type/the documents 6. photo-copy/the letters 7. find/ the book 8. clean/the room 9. iron/the suit

B. When the pupils went back to school after the summer holidays, a lot of things had been changed.

eg New desks (buy).

New desks had been bought.

1. A lot of trees (plant). 2. New lights (put in). 3. The classrooms (paint). 4. A tennis court (build). 5. The fence (take down). 6. Five new classrooms (add). 7. New equipment (buy) for the chemistry lab. 8. Showers (install) in the changing rooms. 9. New blackboards (put up) in the classrooms. 10. The whole school (modernize).

She Only Wanted a Haircut

Alan: Have you always been interested in photography?

Carla: Oh, yes! I was given a camera for my eighth birthday.

Alan: So you became a photographer immediately after school, I imagine.

Carla: Oh, no. I did lots of different things.

Alan: What kind of things?

Carla: Well, I went to college and studied design. Oh, and on­ce I was given a job at a hairdresser's.

Alan: How long did you do that for?

Carla:Not long. I was sacked after three weeks.

Alan: Sacked? Why?

Carla:! dyed a lady's hair green.

Alan: What was wrong with that?

Carla: She only wanted a haircut.

A. Study and practise the conversation.

Qoing by fube

Laura usually leaves the office at about five o'clock, but last Monday she left at half past five. She wanted to get home by 6.30 and she ran to the bus stop but she couldn't get on a bus. There

were too many people and not enough buses. Laura was desperate to get home so she decided to go by tube.

In the station she went to one of the automatic ticket machines but she didn't have enough change, so she had to join the queue at the ticket window. She bought her ticket and ran to the escalator. Laura went to the platform and waited for the tube. It arrived and the crowd moved forward. Laura was pushed into the train. It was almost full but she was given a seat by a man with a moustache. Laura thanked him and sat down. She started to read her newspaper. In the tunnel the train stopped suddenly and Laura was thrown to the floor together with the man with the moustache. Somebody screamed. The lights went out. It was quarter past six on a cold wet December evening.

A. Ask and answer questions on the text. Retell the text.

Fishermen Found Safe and Sound

Three Taiwanese fishermen were rescued yesterday from a small uninhabited island in the South Pacific. The men had been lost for more than three months.

They had left Taiwan in a small fishing boat and planned to be gone for only a week. But on the fifth day they ran into a typhoon, and it badly damaged their boat. Fortunately, none of the men was hurt. After the storm passed, however, they found that the engine wouldn't start. So their boat just drifted at sea for a month. During this time, the fishermen caught fish to eat and drank rainwater to stay alive.

Finally, the boat drifted toward a small island. When it got close enough, the men jumped overboard and swam to the shore. On the island, they found fresh fruit and vegetables to eat, and they continued to live off any fish they could catch.

The fishermen lived on the island for another two months before they were rescued by a passing ship. Although the three men had lost a lot of weight, they were still in fairly good health after their long ordeal. Their families were very happy to hear that the men had been found "safe and sound" and that they would soon be home.

A. Ask and answer questions on the text. Retell the text.

An Earthquake

An earthquake was reported in San Francisco at 7:18 this evening. Most of the damage was felt in the downtown area. Electric lines were cut but telephone service was not interrupted in most areas. It appears that no damage was done to the new earthquake-proof buildings, but, unfortunately, windows were shattered in some of the older buildings and the famous old clock in Union Square was destroyed. The clock, which is 100 years old, was popular with tourists. No injuries were reported so the Red Cross was not called to help. Also, no damage was reported in the suburbs.

A. Choose the correct answer.

1. The earthquake was reported

a. at night.

b. during the day.

2. Electric lines

a. were cut.

b. weren't cut.

3. Telephone service in most areas

a. was interrupted.

b. wasn't interrupted.

4. Windows were shattered in some of the

a. old buildings.

b. new buildings.

5. The old clock

a. was almost destroyed.

b. was destroyed.

6. How many injuries were reported?

a. No injuries were reported.

b, A lot of injuries were reported.

B. Put the verbs in brackets into the past simple passive. Retell the text.

Did you know that the greatest explosion in the world (cause) by a volcano? Krakatoa, an island in Indonesia, erupted in 1883. More than half the island (destroy). The explosion (hear) in India and Australia. Rocks (throw) more than 55 kilometres high into the air. Surprisingly, only a few people (kill), but a huge wave, 35 metres high, (create) by the explosion. Several small islands

(cover) by the wave. 163 villages (destroy) and 36,000 people (drown). Dust (carry) all round the world, and the weather everywhere (affect) for many years afterwards.

Computers:

Now and in the Future

A computer is an electronic device. It makes calculations and processes information. Complicated problems can be solved very quickly. Millions of pieces of information can be processed in seconds. Nowadys, computers are used for many different purposes. Businesses use their computers not only to bill their customers, but also to send information to customers and to communicate with other businesses. In industry, many com­plicated machines are controlled by computers. Machines that produce chemicals, steel, and hundreds of other products are con­nected to computers. In transportation, airplanes, ships, and even spacecraft are guided by computers. In science, complicated prob­lems and scientific data are almost always analyzed by computers. Even earthquakes and hurricanes can be predicted by computers. In education, computers are used as teaching machines. In the home, people are buying computers to help them manage their households more efficiently. People can shop, make travel arrangements, and pay their bills using computers right in their own homes.

In the future, computers will be even more widely used — in our offices, our homes, and our cars. Developments are being made every day that allow computers to solve more and more complex problems. It has been said by many experts that someday computers will be able to "think" creatively like human beings. For example, someday computers may be able to understand human language and to respond to it. In the near future, sophis­ticated forms of art and music may also be created by computers. Indeed, some forms of "computer art" and "computer music" have already been produced.

Note: someday = some day (когда-нибудь, в будущем)

A. ask and answer questions on the text.

B. Speak about the use of computers.

Dr Lin, the author of "Computers: Now and in the Future", is talking to his wife.

Dr Lin: I have such a busy day today I don't know when I'll be home.

Mrs Lin: Oh, that's right. You have to speak at the High School of Science and Technology today.

Dr Lin: That will be finished by three o'clock. But then I ha­ve to go to the office and prepare my notes for my speech at the Computer Society's annual dinner tonight.

Mrs Lin: Well, at least your magazine article has already been written and submitted to your editor. It was due today, wasn't it?

Dr Lin: Yes, at least that's done. In fact, it should be published sometime next month.

Mrs Lin: Do you think you will be given time to eat tonight or will you have to spend the entire evening answering questions?

Dr Lin: I might be asked to speak as soon as everyone sits down for dinner. In that case, I guess I'll be pretty hungry when I get home.

Mrs Lin: Do you have any idea what time you'll be finished?

Dr Lin: None.

Mrs Lin: Well, I'll have something ready for you to eat when you get here. What about transportation?

Dr Lin: That's already been taken care of. The Computer So­ciety is sending a car for me. It's picking me up at the office at six and will bring me home after the mee­ting.

Note: sometime = some time (когда-нибудь)

A. Ask and answer questions on the text.

B. Give a brief account of the conversation.

C. Roleplay the conversation.