English Practice exercises - active-passive point of view: P5-01G

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See E5-01G for the corresponding explanation file. Highlight, copy and paste into ‘word’ to make this file interactive.

A. In the following sentences, supply the other point of view (active or passive). Remember that sometimes a subject (we, they etc) will have to be created for the active verb. Rewrite the sentences in the space provided.

1.    A black and white cat stole an expensive fish from a restaurant kitchen.

 

2.    All washing machines are sold with a parts and labour guarantee.

 

3.    Customs officials arrested four men entering the country on false passports.

 

4.    In the catering industry, they employ extra staff before Christmas.

 

5.    Strict rules of hygiene must be followed by all butchers.

 

6.    The soldiers did not expect the enemy to attack that night.

 

7.    Passengers must fasten their seat belts before take off.

 

8.    The company will offer permanent contracts to all temporary part-time summer staff.

 

9.    Customers are requested to use the first floor toilets only during renovation.

 

10. An exciting new dinosaur fossil has been found by workmen digging the foundations of a new car park.

 

11. The council architect is preparing plans for the new swimming pool. 

 

B. In the following text, all the verbs are in the active. Because of this, much of the text is from the point of view of the car manufacturer Mitsoko. In fact, the text is intended to be about what is happening to the workforce (workers) at the car factory. In order to get this feeling across, REWRITE the text by making the active verbs in bold type passive, so that we see the action throughout from the point of view of the workers. NOTE: You will need to make other changes, for example to the word order.

            Workers at the Alvis car factory at Bromsgrove near Birmingham have decided to go on strike. Its Japanese owners, Mitsoko, have consistently run down the factory, which employs four and a half thousand workers. When Mitsoko first took over Alvis, they told workers that they would undertake a major new investment plan. They promised three new models: a new 4-door family car, a 5-door hatchback, and the famous ‘Roadrunner’, which was going to revolutionise the small car market. They have only introduced the first of these at Bromsgrove; they have put the hatchback on hold and, worst of all, they are transferring the Roadrunner project to Japan.

            ‘When Mitsoko took over Alvis,’ said a union spokesperson, ‘they talked big, and the workers did everything possible to support them. Now, only three years later, they are reducing the labour force by several hundred, sales are down, and if they move the Roadrunner to Spain, it is only a matter of time before Bromsgrove closes completely. Mitsoko have treated us very badly and we have had enough.’