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⚙️ B1 Grammar Lab ⏱️ Est. Time: 12 mins

Passive: is made of, was invented by

Discover how everyday objects, modern materials, and smart devices are created. Focus on the result rather than who did the action.

A high-tech, minimalist factory floor with robotic arms assembling gadgets, soft neutral lighting, isometric style, 3d r

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Teacher Guide

• Spend 4 minutes reviewing the 4-row rule table and checking meaning with everyday objects.
• Guide students through the 12 graded items, asking them to explain the clue words in brackets.

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Learner Guide

• Read the 4 exact examples below to notice how the verb "be" changes with time.
• Do the 12 questions. Use the word in brackets if you get stuck.

A close-up of a sleek, modern smartphone resting on a wooden desk, soft morning sunlight, depth of field, high detail, n

⚡ 4 Golden Rules of Passive Voice

Clear & Direct

Pattern	Plain Rule	Everyday Example
Present Passive	Use am / is / are + past participle for what is done regularly or is always true.	"Many tools are made of metal."
Past Passive	Use was / were + past participle for what was completed in the past.	"This glass was produced in a small factory."
Who did it? (by)	Add by + person only when who created or invented the object matters.	"Velcro was invented by a Swiss engineer."
Negatives & Questions	Add not after the be verb; put the be verb first for questions.	"This bottle was not made of glass. Was it made of plastic?"

PRACTICE

Practice

Part 1: Choose the Right Sentence (Multiple Choice)

3 Questions

1. Which sentence correctly describes regular factory production?

(factories)

Read the whole sentence first.

____ a. Millions of plastic bottles are produce in big factories every month. ____ b. Millions of plastic bottles are produced in big factories every month. ____ c. Millions of plastic bottles produce in big factories every month.

2. Which sentence correctly talks about a past invention?

(yesterday)

Choose the correct sentence.

____ a. This smart device was invented by a university student yesterday. ____ b. This smart device was inventing by a university student yesterday. ____ c. This smart device is invent by a university student yesterday.

3. Which question correctly asks about a past replacement?

(ago)

Choose the correct sentence.

____ a. Did the old metal tool replaced two years ago? ____ b. Was the old metal tool replaced two years ago? ____ c. Were the old metal tool replace two years ago?

Part 2: Fill the Missing Words (Gap-fill)

3 Questions

4. Complete the statement about this modern material:

(often)

This light material ___ (design) for racing cars today.

____ (Type verb phrase...)

5. Complete the historical fact about glass:

(not)

Clear glass ___ (not invent) in the 20th century; ancient craftsmen made it thousands of years ago.

____ (Type negative past verb...)

6. Complete the sentence showing who found the item:

(by)

The heavy metal tool ___ (discover) by a local farmer in 1998 near an ancient stone wall.

____ (Type past passive verb...)

Part 3: Rewrite Active to Passive

3 Questions

7. Active sentence: "Big factories produce these plastic devices every day."

(every day)

Complete the passive sentence:

These plastic devices ____ (verb phrase) every day.

8. Active sentence: "A young engineer invented this strong glass in 2010."

(engineer)

Complete the passive sentence including the person who invented it:

This strong glass ____ (was invented by a young engineer) in 2010.

9. Active sentence: "Workers replace old metal tools with new machines."

(regularly)

Complete the passive sentence (drop the general subject):

Old metal tools ____ (verb phrase) with new machines.

Part 4: Fix the Message (Error Correction)

3 Questions

10. Spot and fix the mistake in this design chat note:

(now)

"Check this out! This smart kitchen device is design to save cooking time."

Write the correct two-word replacement for "is design":

____ (Correct phrase...)

11. Spot and fix the mistake in this history message:

(1965)

"Did you know? The first single-use plastic bags were invent in 1965 by a Swedish team."

Write the correct two-word replacement for "were invent":

____ (Correct phrase...)

12. Spot and fix the passive question error in this science text:

(question)

"Did this material made of glass or transparent plastic?"

Write the correct 4-word opening to replace "Did this material made":

____ (Was this material made...)

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Check yourself

Remember: Always use be + V3/ed. Only add by when the creator gives valuable information!

All 12 Completed

Active Focus to Passive Action

Passive: is made of, was invented by

Teacher Guide

Learner Guide

⚡ 4 Golden Rules of Passive Voice

Practice

Part 1: Choose the Right Sentence (Multiple Choice)

Part 2: Fill the Missing Words (Gap-fill)

Part 3: Rewrite Active to Passive

Part 4: Fix the Message (Error Correction)

Check yourself

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