The Continuous Tenses

 

Exercise 8. Translate the following sentences into Russian. Make them negative and interrogative.

 

1. The new rule is being explained by the teacher. 2. This question was being discussed when I entered the room. 3. The walls are being covered with green paint. 4. Something was being said about her, but Julia couldn’t know what. 5. New methods of technology are being used in building houses now. 6. You were being listened to with great attention when I came in. 7. The letter is being typed now.

8. Wonderful discoveries are being made by Russian scientists. 9. The students were being examined for two hours. 10. The documents are being checked now.

 

Exercise 9. Ask questions indicated in the brackets.

 

1. A new house is being built on Elm Street. (where?) 2. When I entered the room, a new rule was being explained to the students. (when?) 3. All my problems are being solved. (what?) 4. The steamer is being discharged by the workers. (by whom?) 5. At 10 am the contract was still being checked by the legal adviser. (when?) 6. I’m just being instructed. (who?) 7. When you called, the letters were being signed by the director. (by whom?) 8. Important scientific research is being carried on now. (what?)

 

Exercise 10. Make the sentences passive.

 

1. We are discussing your question now. 2. The Customs officer is counting the cases. 3. The agent was informing the buyers about the arrival of the steamer. 4. All day long the professor was looking through their reports. 5. They are monitoring him night and day. 6. Some people were using the tennis court, so we couldn’t play.

7. This man is installing a new Xerox in the office. 8. She was pointing out the mistake to us and we were attentively listening to her.

 

Exercise 11. Make the sentences active. Invent the subject where necessary.

 

1. The building is being restored now. 2. Large quantities of coal were being produced by this mine a year ago. 3. This theater is being designed by a well-known architect. 4. I was being listened to with great suspect. 5. You are being laughed at.

6. My article is being published now. 7. When you rang up, the work was being finished.

 

Exercise 12. Open the brackets using the verb in passive.

 

1. Can you hear? Your report (discuss). 2. When I (introduce) to Betty, my telephone rang. 3. My suit (dry-clean). I can’t wear it. 4. When you come to Moscow next year, a new line of the underground (build). 5. When we were discussing this serious question, I (annoy) by his noisy children. 6. These goods are (export) to all European countries. 7. The meeting (hold) when I entered the office. 8. Do you know that this case (investigate) soon? 9. She felt that she (look at) with surprise. 10. … your house (build) yet?

 

Exercise 13. Make up sentences using the models.

Model 1: My car is being repaired now.

Use the following verbs: to examine, to show, to tell, to wake, to meet, to dust, to ask

Model 2: When I entered the room, my report was being discussed.

Use the following verbs: to inform, to destroy, to finish, to reconstruct, to mend, to watch

Model 3: You are being laughed at.

Use the following verbs: to speak of, to take care of, to comment upon, to interfere with, to listen to, to lose sight of

Exercise 14. Translate the following sentences paying attention to the passive voice.

1. Эта книга сейчас продается в магазинах. 2. Кто-то играл прекрасную мелодию. 3. В нашем городе строится новый мост. 4. Этот вопрос не обсуждался вчера на совещании. 5. Об этих детях не заботятся. 6. Твою машину ремонтируют? 7. Весь вчерашний день в офисе устанавливали новое оборудование? 8. Когда я приду на работу, письма еще будут печататься? 9. Об этой пьесе не много говорили. 10. На нее смотрели с удивлением.11. Когда мы разговаривали, нам постоянно мешали. 12. Пароход медленно скрывался из виду.