The passive with reporting verbs – English Grammar Test for B2
Grammar » Grammar Test for B2 » The passive with reporting verbs – English Grammar Test for B2
PASSAGE
In recent months, a mysterious archaeological site in southern Egypt has attracted global attention. It is said to contain one of the oldest burial chambers ever discovered. The site was first noticed by a group of local farmers, who are reported to have seen unusual carvings on the rocks. After that, a team of archaeologists from Cairo was sent to investigate the area, and the results have surprised even the experts.
The main chamber is believed to date back more than 4,000 years, possibly to the First Dynasty. Several clay pots and ancient tools are thought to have belonged to an early civilization that lived along the Nile. According to local newspapers, a golden statue is said to have been found inside a hidden tunnel, although the Ministry of Antiquities has not yet confirmed this. The artifact is rumored to represent a forgotten queen, one who is believed to have ruled for only a few years before disappearing from history.
The government is reported to be protecting the area with heavy security, and no visitors are currently allowed to enter. Meanwhile, international historians are said to be preparing to travel to Egypt to study the findings. It is expected that a full report will be released next month, detailing the discoveries and their historical importance. Whether the mysterious queen ever truly existed or not, one thing is certain—this discovery is thought to change what we know about Egypt’s earliest rulers.
1 Where is the newly discovered site located?
(a) Northern Egypt
(b) Southern Egypt
(c) Western Egypt
2 Who first noticed the site?
(a) Archaeologists
(b) Local farmers
(c) Tourists
3 What did the farmers see on the rocks?
(a) Paintings
(b) Carvings
(c) Statues
4 What was the next step after the discovery?
(a) The site was closed permanently.
(b) A team from Cairo was sent to investigate.
(c) The farmers were arrested.
5 How old is the main chamber believed to be?
(a) About 1,000 years old
(b) More than 4,000 years old
(c) Around 2,000 years old
6 The tools found are thought to have belonged to ________.
(a) a modern tribe
(b) an early civilization
(c) Roman invaders
7 What kind of object is rumored to have been found?
(a) A silver sword
(b) A golden statue
(c) A stone tablet
8 What is the statue said to represent?
(a) A warrior
(b) A forgotten queen
(c) A priest
9 Has the government officially confirmed the discovery of the statue?
(a) Yes
(b) No
(c) Only partially
10 What is said about the queen?
(a) She ruled for many decades.
(b) She never existed.
(c) She ruled briefly before disappearing.
11 Who is protecting the area now?
(a) The local community
(b) The government
(c) International archaeologists
12 Are visitors currently allowed to see the site?
(a) Yes, freely
(b) No, not yet
(c) Only on weekends
13 What are international historians said to be doing?
(a) Traveling to Egypt to study the site
(b) Disagreeing with the findings
(c) Refusing to comment
14 What is expected to happen next month?
(a) The site will reopen to tourists.
(b) A detailed report will be published.
(c) The team will leave Egypt.
15 What is the report expected to describe?
(a) The royal family’s secrets
(b) The discoveries and their significance
(c) Only the artifacts found
16 What does the discovery challenge?
(a) The traditional view of Egypt’s earliest rulers
(b) The construction techniques of modern Egypt
(c) The location of the Nile River
17 What was the team from Cairo sent to do?
(a) Restore the chamber
(b) Investigate the site
(c) Guard the area
18 What do local newspapers claim?
(a) That a golden statue was found
(b) That the site is fake
(c) That nothing valuable was discovered
19 What is the tone of the passage?
(a) Critical
(b) Informative
(c) Humorous
20 Which of the following verbs appears most often in passive form?
(a) say
(b) believe
(c) report
21 What is the significance of the discovery?
(a) It could rewrite early Egyptian history.
(b) It will attract tourists.
(c) It solves a modern crime.
22 Why are experts surprised?
(a) The chamber was empty.
(b) The discovery is older than expected.
(c) The chamber was recently built.
23 How does the Ministry of Antiquities react to the rumors?
(a) It confirmed them.
(b) It denied them.
(c) It hasn’t confirmed them yet.
24 Why is the site under heavy security?
(a) To protect it from looters
(b) To hide it from the public
(c) To build a museum nearby
25 What phrase shows the use of a passive reporting structure in the text?
(a) “It is said that…”
(b) “People discovered that…”
(c) “They believed it…”
26 What is the best synonym for “artifact” in this passage?
(a) Modern tool
(b) Ancient object
(c) Stone carving
27 What will the international team most likely do in Egypt?
(a) Examine the artifacts scientifically
(b) Open a new museum
(c) Sell the discoveries
28 What does the final sentence suggest?
(a) The discovery may change history.
(b) The queen never existed.
(c) The site is fake.
29 Which of these is NOT mentioned in the passage?
(a) The name of the queen
(b) The chamber’s age
(c) The country where the site is located
30 What is the overall purpose of this article?
(a) To spread gossip
(b) To report a historical discovery
(c) To advertise a new film
Answer
1 (b) Southern Egypt – Clearly mentioned in the first sentence.
2 (b) Local farmers – They first saw unusual carvings.
3 (b) Carvings – The farmers saw carvings on rocks.
4 (b) A team from Cairo was sent to investigate – Confirmed by text.
5 (b) More than 4,000 years old – “Is believed to date back more than 4,000 years.”
6 (b) An early civilization – Tools “belonged to an early civilization.”
7 (b) A golden statue – “A golden statue is said to have been found.”
8 (b) A forgotten queen – “Is rumored to represent a forgotten queen.”
9 (b) No – “Not yet confirmed by the Ministry.”
10 (c) She ruled briefly before disappearing – Directly stated.
11 (b) The government – “Is reported to be protecting the area.”
12 (b) No, not yet – “No visitors are currently allowed.”
13 (a) Traveling to Egypt to study the site – Clearly stated.
14 (b) A detailed report will be published – “It is expected that a full report will be released.”
15 (b) The discoveries and their significance – “Detailing the discoveries and their importance.”
16 (a) The traditional view of Egypt’s earliest rulers – “Thought to change what we know.”
17 (b) Investigate the site – Team from Cairo “was sent to investigate.”
18 (a) That a golden statue was found – Mentioned in the text.
19 (b) Informative – The tone is factual and formal.
20 (a) say – Appears frequently in passive: is said.
21 (a) It could rewrite early Egyptian history – Implication of last paragraph.
22 (b) The discovery is older than expected – “Surprised even the experts.”
23 (c) It hasn’t confirmed them yet – “Has not yet confirmed this.”
24 (a) To protect it from looters – Heavy security = protection.
25 (a) It is said that… – Classic passive reporting verb.
26 (b) Ancient object – Correct meaning of artifact.
27 (a) Examine the artifacts scientifically – Logical research activity.
28 (a) The discovery may change history – “Is thought to change what we know.”
29 (a) The name of the queen – Not given.
30 (b) To report a historical discovery – Objective of the passage.