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
(a) says
(b) is said
(c) said
2 There’s a rumor at school. The headmaster ________ to be retiring next month.
(a) is said
(b) says
(c) was said
3 Everyone’s talking about the singer’s new album. It ________ to be her best work yet.
(a) said
(b) is said
(c) says
4 The company hasn’t confirmed anything yet, but it ________ that some employees will be fired.
(a) is rumored
(b) rumored
(c) rumors
5 On the news, the government ________ to have increased taxes again.
(a) is reported
(b) reports
(c) was report
6 I can’t find my wallet. It ________ that someone took it from my bag.
(a) is believed
(b) believed
(c) believes
7 The police are looking for the man. He ________ to have committed several crimes.
(a) is thought
(b) thought
(c) is thinking
8 Many people talk about this old castle. It ________ to be haunted.
(a) is said
(b) said
(c) says
9 The teacher didn’t come to class today. It ________ that she’s sick.
(a) is reported
(b) is saying
(c) reported
10 The restaurant is full every night. It ________ to serve the best seafood in town.
(a) is known
(b) known
(c) knows
11 I read in the newspaper that the company ________ to have gone bankrupt.
(a) is reported
(b) reports
(c) was reporting
12 The film is amazing! It ________ to have won several awards.
(a) is believed
(b) believed
(c) is believing
13 Everyone’s talking about Jane’s engagement. She ________ to be getting married soon.
(a) is said
(b) says
(c) was said
14 The bridge collapsed last night. It ________ that the storm caused it.
(a) is thought
(b) thought
(c) is thinking
15 I’ve heard something about the meeting. It ________ that it has been canceled.
(a) is said
(b) said
(c) says
16 The actor hasn’t been seen in public for months. He ________ to be hiding abroad.
(a) is rumored
(b) rumored
(c) rumors
17 Everyone is shocked by the news. It ________ that the minister has resigned.
(a) is reported
(b) reported
(c) reports
18 This song is very popular. It ________ to have been written by a young artist.
(a) is said
(b) said
(c) says
19 There’s a lot of gossip about their relationship. They ________ to have broken up.
(a) are said
(b) is said
(c) say
20 The new shopping mall looks huge. It ________ to open by Christmas.
(a) is expected
(b) expected
(c) expects
21 I read about a discovery in the newspaper. The scientist ________ to have found a cure.
(a) is claimed
(b) claimed
(c) is claiming
22 The car was seen near the crime scene. It ________ to belong to the suspect.
(a) is believed
(b) believed
(c) believes
23 The famous writer passed away last year. He ________ to have written more than 30 books.
(a) is known
(b) known
(c) is knowing
24 The police can’t confirm the details yet. It ________ that two people were involved.
(a) is said
(b) said
(c) says
25 The shop is always crowded. It ________ to sell excellent handmade goods.
(a) is said
(b) says
(c) said
26 I don’t trust that rumor. It ________ that the company will move abroad, but I doubt it.
(a) is rumored
(b) rumored
(c) is rumors
27 The park looks beautiful now. It ________ to have been renovated recently.
(a) is believed
(b) believed
(c) is believing
28 There’s breaking news on TV. The prime minister ________ to be giving a speech soon.
(a) is reported
(b) reports
(c) is reporting
29 The actor’s fans are excited. He ________ to star in a new movie this year.
(a) is said
(b) says
(c) said
30 People are talking about the old factory. It ________ to have been closed for years.
(a) is thought
(b) thought
(c) is thinking
Answer
1 (b) is said – “It is said that…” is the correct passive structure.
2 (a) is said – Used for rumors or unofficial information.
3 (b) is said – Present passive with reporting verb.
4 (a) is rumored – “It is rumored that…” = unconfirmed gossip.
5 (a) is reported – Common in news reports.
6 (a) is believed – Used for general assumptions.
7 (a) is thought – Means “people think that…”
8 (a) is said – Describes a general belief.
9 (a) is reported – Passive with report for news situations.
10 (a) is known – “It is known that…” = fact-based reporting.
11 (a) is reported – Perfect infinitive to have gone for past.
12 (a) is believed – “It is believed that…” = assumed truth.
13 (a) is said – Present passive form of say.
14 (a) is thought – “It is thought that…” = belief or assumption.
15 (a) is said – Correct passive expression.
16 (a) is rumored – “He is rumored to be…” = gossip or speculation.
17 (a) is reported – Formal or media-style information.
18 (a) is said – Perfect infinitive to have been written.
19 (a) are said – Plural subject → They are said to…
20 (a) is expected – Future plan or schedule.
21 (a) is claimed – “He is claimed to have found…” = reported claim.
22 (a) is believed – Used for assumption or belief.
23 (a) is known – “He is known to have…” = factual report.
24 (a) is said – Standard impersonal report.
25 (a) is said – Describes public opinion.
26 (a) is rumored – Used for uncertain or informal statements.
27 (a) is believed – to have been renovated = completed action.
28 (a) is reported – News style → “He is reported to be giving…”
29 (a) is said – Rumor about future plans.
30 (a) is thought – Common for assumptions about past events.