3 Rewrite each sentence in the passive. If there's a star (*) at the end of the sentence, don't use by. 1 They dumped a lot of rubbish into the sea last year * 2 Exhaust fumes from cars pollute the atmosphere. 3 Loud motorbikes annoy many people. 4 They have introduced a new recycling scheme.* 5 Factories are pumping a lot of waste into rivers.* 6 They're going to build a new airport here next year.*
Jack: I (have not got) through yet. I (have been trying) to get our Paris office but the line (has been ) engaged all morning.
2 Ann (has failed) her driving test three times because she's so bad at reversing. But she (has been practising) reversing for the last week and I think she (has got) a bit better at it.
3 Tom: I have often (wondered) why Bill left the country so suddenly.
Peter: Actually, I have just (found) out.
4 He (has been playing) the bagpipes since six o'clock this morning. He has only just (stopped).
5 Why have you (not brought) me the letters for signature? Have you (not typed) them yet?
6 Tom (looking up absent-mindedly as Mary comes in): Have you been (sunbathing)?
Mary (crossly): Don't be ridiculous! It (has been raining) all day!
7 A pair of robins (have been building) a nest in the porch since last week. I (have been watching them from my window since they began.
8 The police (have not found) the murderer yet, but the dead man's brother (has been) in the station all day. The police say that he (has been helping) them with their enquiries.
9 They (have pulled) down most of the houses in this street, but they (have not touched) the old shop at the corner yet.
10 Tom is convinced that there is gold in these hills but we (have been searching) for six months and (have not seen) any sign of it.
11 I (have been waiting) for the prices of the houses to come down before buying a house, but I think I (have been waiting) too long and the prices are beginning to go up again.
12 Peter (has been) a junior clerk for three years. Lately he (has been looking) for a better post but so far he (has not found) anything.
Computer games are gaining more and more popularity nowadays. Some people claim that teenagers get a lot of benefits playing them. But other people argue that young people should spend their free time going in for sport. Let`s look upon this problem objectively and try to understand it.
To begin with, computer games develop memory, because when you play it you try to remember all details. Moreover, it develops logical thinking, language and basic computer skills. Apart from that, you can make virtual friends. So it is another way of communication. And if you like each other, you can meet in the future and become close friends. In addition, playing computer games is a good way of entertainment.
At the same time, computer games have a harmful effect on health. First of all, you can spoil your eye sight. Besides, you sit in the same place and don’t move so you can gain weight. Another point to be made is that a lot of games have aggressive moments and this makes teenagers cruel and causes violent behavior. Furthermore, young people spend too much time on this and it can ruin relationships with people.
To sum up, I would like to stress that the problem has as many strong points as weak points. As for me, I prefer to spend my free time with my parents and friends. Besides, I enjoy going in for sports more than playing computer games.