By the end of this exercise, you can form the passive in the simple present, simple past and present perfect, recognise it in the past perfect and both futures, and use the passive infinitive after modal verbs and after want, hope, expect and would like.
Free Year 9 English practice, Green Line 5 Station 1: travelling in Australia, passive forms in six tenses and the passive infinitive, with self-marking tasks.
All texts and tasks on this page are from Green Line 5 (Klett), Station 1: Travelling in Australia — Using passive forms, pages 14–16. Exercises B, D and F are marked automatically; the rest are read by your teacher.
Read the text, then answer task 1 a) and b) from page 14. The passive forms are printed in bold — you will come back to them in Exercise C.
The views from the top of the Sydney Harbour Youth Hostel were amazing. Just across the water, the Sydney Opera House gleamed white in the sun, like a cluster of giant seashells.
Jim from Britain, Tanya from New Zealand and Moshe from Israel were relaxing after a day of sightseeing in Australia’s biggest city. They’d known each other for less than a day and were already great friends.
“Where do you want to go next?” Tanya asked Jim.
“I want to get to know the real outback. I don’t like walking around in some tour group like a typical tourist. I want to do it on my own. You know, just me and my backpack.”
“Sounds awesome,” said Moshe. “Maybe I’ll go there after I’ve visited my aunt and uncle in Melbourne.”
“I couldn’t help overhearing you guys,” said a tall young man with an Australian accent. His name was Mike. He was one of the owners of the hostel and had been taking care of the terrace plants. “I’m not sure that’s such a great idea.”
“No?” said Jim.
“Tourists have been killed by the heat or by bushfires out there,” said Mike. “And that’s not all. Just last week I spoke to a bloke who’d been bitten by a snake on an outback tour. He was only saved because he was in a group, and the guide called an air ambulance with a satellite phone. Don’t go off into the outback on your own, mate. Make sure you go with someone who has a bit of bushwalking experience.”
“OK, thanks,” said Jim.
“I love the beach,” said Tanya, “but I’m a bit scared that maybe I’m going to be stung by a box jellyfish. Any advice?”
“Don’t worry, there are no marine stingers around here. The water is too cold. It’s really only up north that you have to be careful. If you go to Queensland and want to swim, just make sure you choose a beach where a net has been put up. If you stay in the area that’s been netted off, you’ll be fine.”
“What about sharks?” asked Moshe. “Have you ever been bitten by a shark?”
Mike laughed. “If I’d been bitten by a shark, I probably wouldn’t be talking to you guys. You’ll be lucky to survive if that happens.”
“Are many people attacked by sharks?” asked Tanya.
“No, only three or four a year. It’s much more likely that you’ll be killed by a rip current. Hundreds of people are swept out to sea by rips, and are never seen again.”
“Thanks,” said Tanya. “That’s very comforting.”
Task 2 from page 15. Part b) is marked automatically — type the verb form, nothing else.
1. In a youth hostel, you are often told exciting stories by the other guests.
2. Jim, Moshe and Tanya were given a room with a view.
3. Mike has never been attacked by a shark.
Bushwalking Brit disappears in Western Australia
A 19-year-old student from London (not see) since Thursday morning. His mobile phone (find) near an outback trail in Purnululu National Park on Friday morning. Police think that he may have left the trail and then got lost. His parents (inform). A search for him (call off) at sunset this evening, but there is still hope. Many foreign tourists (attract) by bushwalking, and not all of them understand the risks. Last month, Jessica Harris, an 18-year-old tourist from Ireland, (find) after she’d spent nine days lost in the outback. A spokesperson for the Australian Bushwalking Association warned: “Don’t leave the trails unless you (give) some bushwalking and survival training before your trip.”
Task 3 from page 15. Go back to the text on page 14 — the passive forms there are printed in bold. Three of them use tenses you have not had yet.
Task 4 from page 15. Read the chat messages between Tanya and Moshe, then turn the active sentences in bold into passive ones. This exercise is marked automatically — type only the passive verb form that fits the gap.
1. Nobody has seen him since.
He since.
2. That guy at the hostel warned Jim not to go off alone into the outback.
Jim by that guy at the hostel not to go off alone into the outback.
3. Somebody else told him that it was safe.
He by somebody else that it was safe.
4. They’ll rescue this guy.
This guy .
5. They aren’t going to call off the search.
The search before they find him.
6. A snake didn’t bite him.
He by a snake.
7. They’ll find him.
He .
Task 5 from page 16. Read the information in the box, then write about things which are easy to do in Germany, but which would be difficult to do in Australia.
Australia is one of the most urbanised countries in the world. About 70 % of all Australians live in cities of more than 100,000 people. That is because there are large parts of the country with extreme climatic conditions – very high temperatures and little rain. About 40 % of Australia is said to be uninhabitable, mostly in the country’s interior which is often referred to as ‘the outback’.
Apart from being urbanised, Australia is the most sparsely populated country in the world. Germany would fit into Australia 20 times, but the Australian population is just about 24 million, compared to 80 million in Germany. Many Australians are used to travelling huge distances. The journey from Sydney to Perth, for example, takes about five hours by plane.
Task 6 from page 16. Part b) is marked automatically — type only the passive infinitive that fits the gap.
How is the passive infinitive formed after modal verbs (can, must, should etc.) and after other verbs (hope, would like, want, expect etc.)?
1. Some of the most dangerous animals can be found in Australia.
Not all the stories about the outback should be believed.
2. If you’d like to be invited to a barbecue, be open and talk to Australians.
I don’t want to be shown around in a tour group. I’d prefer to look around on my own.
Some guests tell Mike what they want / expect / would like / hope to be done. Later, Mike tells a friend about his day. Make sentences with the passive infinitive.
1. Some guests would like a room with a harbour view.
2. Some guests expect to a barbie on the beach.
3. Some guests want breakfast on the terrace.
4. Some guests would like more information about Blue Mountains National Park.
5. Some guests want up for their flight tomorrow morning.
6. One guest hopes about any parties around here.
Review your answers below, then send them to your teacher.
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