Below is a short article about computers. Put the verbs in brackets into the passive voice. Choose the correct tense, or use the modal verb if one is given.
These machines (control) by computers nowadays.
These machines are controlled by computers nowadays.
Programmes (can/record) on cassette.
Programmes can be recorded on cassette.
Computers then and
now
The world’s first electronic computer (build) at the University of Pennsylvania in 1946, although computer-like machines (build) in the 19th century. Computers (sell) commercially for the first time in the 1950s, and a lot of progress (make) since then. Computers are now much smaller and more powerful, and they (can/buy) much more cheaply.
Computers (use) in many fields — in business, science, medicine and education, for example. They (can/use) to forecast the weather or to control robots which make cars. The computer’s memory is the place where information (keep) and calculations (do).
A computer cannot think for itself — it (must/tell) exactly what to do. A lot of difficult calculations (can/ do) very quickly on a computer.
And computers don’t make mistakes. Stories (hear) sometimes about computers paying people too much money or sending them bills for things they didn’t buy. These mistakes (make) by the programmers — the people who give the computer its instructions. Some years ago, a computer-controlled rocket belonging to the USA went out of control and (have to/destroy).
The accident (cause) by a small mistake in one line of the programme. This mistake cost the USA $18 million.
Criminals have found out that ‘computer crimes’ are often a lot easier than robbing banks. Hundreds of millions of dollars (steal) from American businesses every year by people changing the information in computers.
Large numbers of home computers (sell) recently, especially in the USA and Britain. People know more about computers than they used to, and computers are playing a bigger part in our lives. Progress (make) all the time. Many people believe we can look forward to the day when even our household jobs like cleaning (do) by computer-controlled robots.
Write a short paragraph about any one of these things. Use the passive in some of your sentences.
□ the pocket calculator
□ the video recorder
□ the aeroplane
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