The passive voice: All tenses – English Grammar Test for B2
Grammar » Grammar Test for B2 » The passive voice: All tenses – English Grammar Test for B2
Reading Passage: How the Eiffel Tower Was Built
The Eiffel Tower, one of the most famous landmarks in the world, was built in Paris between 1887 and 1889. It was designed by the French engineer Gustave Eiffel, and his company was chosen to construct it after hundreds of other designs were rejected. More than 18,000 pieces of iron were used, and each piece was carefully measured and connected with over 2.5 million rivets.
During construction, the workers faced many difficulties. Safety equipment wasn’t widely available at that time, but surprisingly, only one worker lost his life during the process. The structure was completed in just over two years, which was considered a remarkable achievement for that period.
When the tower was opened to the public in 1889, it was criticized by many artists who said it ruined the beauty of Paris. However, as time passed, the tower became admired and loved all over the world. Today, it is visited by more than 7 million tourists every year, making it one of the most visited monuments on Earth.
Since then, the Eiffel Tower has been repainted approximately every seven years to protect it from rust. It is also regularly inspected and maintained to ensure safety. At night, it is beautifully illuminated by thousands of lights. The tower, once disliked, is now considered a symbol of France — admired for both its history and its beauty.
1 When was the Eiffel Tower built?
(a) Between 1887 and 1889
(b) Between 1900 and 1905
(c) Between 1870 and 1875
2 Who designed the Eiffel Tower?
(a) Leonardo da Vinci
(b) Gustave Eiffel
(c) Auguste Rodin
3 The company that built the tower was ___ after many others were rejected.
(a) chosen
(b) choosing
(c) choose
4 How many pieces of iron were used in the construction?
(a) 8,000
(b) 18,000
(c) 80,000
5 How were the iron pieces connected?
(a) With bolts
(b) With glue
(c) With rivets
6 The word “rejected” means:
(a) accepted
(b) refused
(c) finished
7 What problem did workers face during construction?
(a) Bad weather
(b) Lack of safety equipment
(c) Poor materials
8 How many workers died while building the tower?
(a) None
(b) One
(c) Five
9 The tower was completed in just over ___ years.
(a) one
(b) two
(c) three
10 What was considered “remarkable” at that time?
(a) The tower’s height
(b) The short time of construction
(c) The iron quality
11 What did many artists think about the tower when it opened?
(a) They admired it.
(b) They ignored it.
(c) They disliked it.
12 The phrase “was opened” is an example of the ___ voice.
(a) Active
(b) Passive
(c) Reflexive
13 How has the opinion about the tower changed over time?
(a) It became more admired.
(b) It remained the same.
(c) It became less important.
14 Today, the Eiffel Tower is visited by about ___ tourists annually.
(a) 700,000
(b) 7 million
(c) 17 million
15 The word “maintained” means:
(a) repaired and kept in good condition
(b) destroyed and replaced
(c) forgotten and ignored
16 The tower has been repainted about every ___ years.
(a) five
(b) six
(c) seven
17 The passive form in “has been repainted” expresses:
(a) a routine
(b) an action done by someone unspecified
(c) the tower painting itself
18 Why is the tower repainted regularly?
(a) To change its color
(b) To protect it from rust
(c) To make it taller
19 How is the tower inspected and maintained?
(a) Regularly
(b) Rarely
(c) Only during holidays
20 The phrase “is beautifully illuminated” is in the ___ tense.
(a) Present Continuous Passive
(b) Present Simple Passive
(c) Past Simple Passive
21 What lights the tower at night?
(a) Street lamps
(b) Thousands of lights
(c) The moon
22 What happened to the tower’s reputation over time?
(a) It improved
(b) It got worse
(c) It disappeared
23 What does the tower symbolize today?
(a) Art and poetry
(b) France and its beauty
(c) European politics
24 The phrase “was built” refers to an action that:
(a) is happening now
(b) happened in the past
(c) will happen in the future
25 How is the Eiffel Tower described today?
(a) As ugly and outdated
(b) As admired and iconic
(c) As simple and small
26 What do the workers’ safety results show?
(a) Working conditions were relatively good.
(b) The project was badly managed.
(c) Many workers were injured.
27 The structure “was criticized” means:
(a) Someone criticized it.
(b) It criticized someone.
(c) It was self-critical.
28 What is the tone of the passage?
(a) Negative and sarcastic
(b) Informative and positive
(c) Sad and nostalgic
29 The sentence “It is visited by more than 7 million tourists every year” is in which tense?
(a) Present Simple Passive
(b) Present Continuous Passive
(c) Past Simple Passive
30 What is the main idea of this passage?
(a) How the Eiffel Tower was built and became famous.
(b) The Eiffel Tower’s role in French politics.
(c) Why the Eiffel Tower should be demolished.
Answer
1 (a) – Built between 1887 and 1889.
2 (b) – Designed by Gustave Eiffel.
3 (a) – Was chosen → Passive form.
4 (b) – 18,000 pieces used.
5 (c) – Connected with rivets.
6 (b) – “Rejected” = refused.
7 (b) – Lack of safety equipment.
8 (b) – Only one worker died.
9 (b) – Completed in just over two years.
10 (b) – The short time was remarkable.
11 (c) – Artists disliked it at first.
12 (b) – “Was opened” is Passive Voice.
13 (a) – Became admired later.
14 (b) – 7 million visitors per year.
15 (a) – Means kept in good condition.
16 (c) – Repainted every seven years.
17 (b) – Passive for unspecified agent.
18 (b) – To protect from rust.
19 (a) – Regularly maintained.
20 (b) – Present Simple Passive (is illuminated).
21 (b) – Thousands of lights.
22 (a) – Reputation improved.
23 (b) – Symbol of France.
24 (b) – Past Simple Passive.
25 (b) – Admired and iconic.
26 (a) – Few accidents → relatively safe.
27 (a) – “Was criticized” → someone criticized it.
28 (b) – Positive and factual tone.
29 (a) – Is visited = Present Simple Passive.
30 (a) – Focus on history and transformation of the tower.