Complete the sentence: The paragraph ___ by Bob.

Complete the sentence: The paragraph ___ by Bob.

• A. Was written
• B. Is written
• C. Will be written
• D. Has written

Answer: (A)

This sentence tests forming the passive voice in the past. When the agent is shown with “by Bob,” we usually use the passive structure be + past participle. For a completed action in the past, that gives The paragraph was written by Bob. Here, “was” is the past tense of “be,” and “written” is the past participle, which together create a natural past passive construction. The present tense passive, “The paragraph is written by Bob,” would suggest a current or general statement about the paragraph, not a finished past event. The future passive, “will be written,” would only fit if the writing hasn’t happened yet. The form “has written” is active present perfect and not correct here; the expected passive present perfect would be “has been written,” which isn’t what the sentence provides.

This sentence tests forming the passive voice in the past. When the agent is shown with “by Bob,” we usually use the passive structure be + past participle. For a completed action in the past, that gives The paragraph was written by Bob. Here, “was” is the past tense of “be,” and “written” is the past participle, which together create a natural past passive construction.

The present tense passive, “The paragraph is written by Bob,” would suggest a current or general statement about the paragraph, not a finished past event. The future passive, “will be written,” would only fit if the writing hasn’t happened yet. The form “has written” is active present perfect and not correct here; the expected passive present perfect would be “has been written,” which isn’t what the sentence provides.