Passive voice quiz
Fifteen sentences. For each, decide whether it is active, passive, or one of the look-alikes — a sentence where *be* is followed by an adjective such as *interested* or *tired* that only has the shape of a passive. Tap an answer to see the explanation.
Score is tallied as you go. There is no timer and no sign-in.
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1. The contract was signed by both parties on Monday.
"Was signed" is be + past participle, and "by both parties" names the doer at the end. Active: Both parties signed the contract on Monday.
2. The committee is meeting on Thursday.
"Is meeting" is the present progressive: be + an -ing verb. The committee performs the action.
3. I am interested in the position.
"Interested" describes a state. You can say "very interested," which is the adjective test. Nothing is being done to the subject.
4. Mistakes were made.
The classic agentless passive: "were made" with no one named. Who made them?
5. She has written three reports this week.
"Has written" is the present perfect (have + participle). There is no form of "be," so it is not passive.
6. The road is closed for repairs.
"Is closed" is be + participle. Someone closed it. (Our engine rates this "probably passive" because "closed" can also be an adjective.)
7. They were exhausted after the hike.
"Exhausted" is a state, and "very exhausted" works. No agent is implied.
8. The invoice will be paid on the thirtieth.
"Will be paid" is the future passive. Active: We will pay the invoice on the thirtieth.
9. There are several reasons for the delay.
"There are" is an expletive opener with a linking verb. Wordy, perhaps, but not passive.
10. He got promoted last spring.
The get-passive: "got" + past participle. Someone promoted him.
11. The samples were stored at minus eighty degrees.
"Were stored" is be + participle. In a methods section this passive is conventional and acceptable.
12. We are going to appeal the decision.
"Are going to" is a future construction, not a passive. "Going" is not a past participle.
13. The children seemed bored by the lecture.
"Bored" describes a state, and "seemed" is not a form of "be" at all.
14. It is believed that the fire started in the kitchen.
"Is believed" is a reporting passive. It hides who believes it; fine when the source is unknown or deliberately unnamed.
15. The adjuster denied the claim within a week.
Subject (the adjuster) performs the verb (denied). Nothing to fix.
Questions people ask
- How do I tell active from passive in the quiz?
Look for a form of be (is, was, were, been, being) or get followed by a past participle, with the subject receiving the action. If the word after be is an -ing verb or an adjective, the sentence is active.
- Why is there an "adjective" option?
Because most wrong answers about passive voice come from -ed adjectives: “I am interested,” “they were exhausted.” These have the passive shape but describe a state. If “very” fits in front of the word, it is an adjective.
- Can I use this quiz in class?
Yes. It runs in the browser with no sign-in. The printable worksheet covers the same ground on paper.