SSC CGL (Prelims) English: Voice questions with solutions

Q1. Select the option that expresses the following sentence in passive voice. The baker baked the cake.

1. The cake was baked by the baker
2. The cake had been baked by the baker.
3. The baker has been baking the cake.
4. The cake has been baked by the baker.

Answer: The cake was baked by the baker

The sentence is in simple past tense: “baked.” In passive voice, the object “the cake” becomes the subject and takes “was baked.”

Q2. Select the sentence that is expressed in passive voice.

1. I prefer tea to coffee.
2. Children are participating in sand-art competition.
3. She sketches beautifully.
4. The consignment was delivered yesterday.

Answer: The consignment was delivered yesterday.

In passive voice, the subject receives the action. "The consignment was delivered yesterday" uses "was delivered," which is passive. The other sentences are in active voice.

Q3. Select the option that expresses the given sentence in passive voice: He must deliver pizza.

1. Pizza has to be delivered by him.
2. Pizza have to be delivered by him.
3. Pizza must be delivered by him.
4. Pizza can be delivered by him.

Answer: Pizza must be delivered by him.

In passive voice, the object “pizza” becomes the subject, and the modal verb “must” remains. The correct structure is “must be delivered by him.”

Q4. Select the option that expresses the given sentence in passive voice: Historians tell us how this country was divided into three.

1. We are told by historians how this country has been divided into three.
2. We are told by historians how this country divided into three.
3. We are told by historians how this country was divided into three.
4. We have been told by historians how this country was divided into three.

Answer: We are told by historians how this country was divided into three.

The active sentence uses the present tense reporting verb 'tell'. In passive voice, 'us' becomes 'we' and the reporting verb changes to 'are told'. The clause 'how this country was divided into three' remains unchanged.

Q5. Select the option that expresses the given sentence in passive voice. The company will launch the new product next month, and they are already promoting it through various marketing channels.

1. The new product will be launched by the company next month, and it is already being promoted through various marketing channels.
2. The new product were been launched by the company next month, and it already was promoting through various marketing channels.
3. The new product was launched by the company next month, and it is already promoted through various marketing channels.
4. The new product will have been launched by the company next month, and it was already being promoted through various marketing channels.

Answer: The new product will be launched by the company next month, and it is already being promoted through various marketing channels.

The first clause is in future tense, so it becomes "will be launched." The second clause is present continuous, so it becomes "is already being promoted."

Q6. Select the option that expresses the given sentence in passive voice: “They are watching the match.”

1. The match was watched by them.
2. The match has been watched by them.
3. The match is being watched by them.
4. The match will be watched by them.

Answer: The match is being watched by them.

The sentence is in the present continuous tense: “are watching.” In passive voice, present continuous becomes “is/are being + past participle.” Since “the match” is singular, the correct form is “is being watched.”