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Active and Passive Verbs Quiz

Instructions

This quiz has twenty questions to test your knowledge of active and passive verbs.

Read the directions for each question carefully. Choose the sentence that contains either an active or passive verb (according to the directions for that question).

If you haven’t read the brief overview of active and passive verbs for this quiz, read it here.

When you’re finished, click “Show results.” The page will scroll up automatically. Correct responses are marked with green check marks; incorrect responses are marked with a red X.

Explanations follow when you’re finished and have clicked “Show results.”

Assume punctuation and other aspects of grammar are correct—don’t get sidetracked. Remember, this quiz focuses only on active and passive verb forms. If you have questions, leave them in the comment section!

Good luck! Oh, and make sure the sentence you choose makes logical sense. I had a bit of fun with this one. It’s based on something that really happened although I changed names to protect the innocent. And I exaggerated a lot. 🙂

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1. Time to celebrate. Which sentence contains an active main verb?

 

 
 
 
 

2. A plan takes shape. Which sentence uses a passive main verb?

 

 
 
 
 

3. Security hassles! Which sentence has a passive main verb?

 

 
 
 
 

4. And the fun begins. Which sentence contains an active main verb?

 

 
 
 
 

5. Time to kick back and enjoy. Which sentence contains a passive main verb?

 

 
 
 
 

6. Can they take the heat? Choose the sentence with a passive verb.

 

 
 
 
 

7. Totally gross! Which sentence contains an active main verb?

 

 
 
 
 

8. No freaking out now. Pick the sentence with the active main verb.

 

 
 
 
 

9. Making friends. A passive main verb is featured in which sentence?

 

 
 
 
 

10. So much to do, so little time. Which sentence contains an active main verb?

 

 
 
 
 

11. Julie’s having issues. A passive verb is used in which sentence? 

 

 
 
 
 

12. Talented writers emerge. Choose the sentence with the active verb.

 

 
 
 
 

13. Our friends are getting antsy. Which sentence describes their behavior with an active verb?

 

 
 
 
 

14. Things are getting out of hand. Which sentence contains a passive main verb?

 

 
 
 
 

15. Are things getting better or worse? Select the sentence with a passive main verb.

 

 
 
 
 

16. Things are definitely getting worse. Which sentence contains the active main verb?

 

 
 
 
 

17. Events take a positive turn. Choose the sentence with a passive main verb.

 

 
 
 
 

18. Thinking positive. An active main verb is found in which sentence?

 

 
 
 
 

19. Not everyone is thinking positive. Select the sentence with the passive main verb.

 

 
 
 
 

20.  Got lemons? Make lemonade! Which sentence contains an active main verb?