Ex. 2. Underline all the passives.

Ex. 2. Underline all the passives.

Acid rain is caused by burning coal and oil. When either fuel is burned, it releases poisonous gases which are carried up into the atmosphere and sometimes transported long distances.

Over 3000 research projects have been carried out to look into acid rain, and a decision to tackle the problem has been taken in most of the western European countries. Measures have been taken in Scandinavia and in Central Europe to stop the pollution before it is dumped on the environment: and a diplomatic campaign has been launched to countries that the problem has to be considered as a major ecological threat.

“Five years ago this issue was not being treated seriously,” says one of the leading environmental group, “but now that damage has been reported in large areas of forest and Lakeland our politicians are being forced to take action. This problem must be solved quickly: if governments do nothing, they will be faced in two or three years time with the accusation that they have allowed our forests to die.” A major international initiative to combat acid rain is expected in the near future.

 

2. SIMPLE FORMS

Note that the rules for choice of tense are the same in the passive as they are in the active sentences.

 

Ex. 3. Put the sentences into the Passive voice.

1. We hear a sound of a violin in the hall.

2. His father always praises him when he works hard.

3. My sister often takes Bob for his brother.

4. My mother wakens me at 7 o’clock every morning.

5. We use this room for special occasions.

6. In some districts farmers use pigs to find truffles.

7. They make these artificial flowers of silk.

8. They feed the seals at the zoo twice a day.

9. Beavers make these dams.

10.They sell soft drinks here.

11.Most people oppose such things.

12.Usually students do a lot of work in spring.

13.They don’t admit children under sixteen.

14.Now they start these engines by electricity.

15.They never discuss it in her presence.