Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one. Some sentences have two correct answers. Choose both.
1According to the leaked memo, ............... that the merger would be announced before the end of the quarter.
Wrong!
The passive reporting form "it was suggested" reports the memo's information without naming the source directly.
2After months of audits, ............... that the charity had overstated its impact figures.
Wrong!
The passive reporting form "it was alleged" introduces an accusation without saying who made it.
3In the press release, ............... that the CEO will step down, but no date has been given.
Wrong!
The present passive form "it is stated" reports what the document says about a future event.
4Given the scale of the breach, ............... that several senior engineers will be questioned by regulators.
Wrong!
The passive reporting form "it is expected" expresses a general expectation about what will happen next.
5In the academic literature, ............... that early exposure to two languages can sharpen executive function.
Wrong!
The present passive form "it is argued" is used for a general academic claim without naming the writer.
6Despite the denials, ............... that the data were manipulated to secure funding.
Wrong!
The passive reporting form "it is alleged" reports an accusation without identifying the accuser.
7In the final report, ............... that the pilot programme had failed to reach rural communities.
Wrong!
The past passive form "it was concluded" reports the formal conclusion of the final report.
8During the hearing, ............... that the witness had been coached before giving evidence.
Wrong!
The passive reporting form "it was claimed" reports what someone said in the hearing without naming the speaker.
9In the minutes, ............... that the budget should be revised, not expanded.
Wrong!
The passive reporting form "it was recommended" records the recommendation without naming the people who made it.
10In the industry, ............... that the new chip will outperform its predecessor by 30 percent.
Wrong!
The present passive form "it is believed" reports a widely held belief in the industry.
11When the appeal was heard, ............... that key evidence had been withheld from the defence.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "it was reported" and "it was revealed" can introduce formal information that became known at the appeal.
12In the briefing note, ............... that the policy would be unpopular in the short term.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both "it was predicted" and "it was forecast" are passive reporting forms for a formal prediction.
Answers
- According to the leaked memo, it was suggested that the merger would be announced before the end of the quarter.
- After months of audits, it was alleged that the charity had overstated its impact figures.
- In the press release, it is stated that the CEO will step down, but no date has been given.
- Given the scale of the breach, it is expected that several senior engineers will be questioned by regulators.
- In the academic literature, it is argued that early exposure to two languages can sharpen executive function.
- Despite the denials, it is alleged that the data were manipulated to secure funding.
- In the final report, it was concluded that the pilot programme had failed to reach rural communities.
- During the hearing, it was claimed that the witness had been coached before giving evidence.
- In the minutes, it was recommended that the budget should be revised, not expanded.
- In the industry, it is believed that the new chip will outperform its predecessor by 30 percent.
- When the appeal was heard, it was reported / it was revealed that key evidence had been withheld from the defence.
- In the briefing note, it was predicted / it was forecast that the policy would be unpopular in the short term.