Question

Complete the sentence using the verb in its correct form:

(Active / passive)

We were driving along quite fast but we ________ (overtake) by lots of other cars.

• A. are overtaken
• B. were overtaken
• C. overtake
• D. overtook

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

were overtaken

The given sentence is in the past tense, as mentioned in the sentence 'were driving'.

Also, the sentence is in passive voice, the subject 'we' receives the action 'overtake' by the object 'lots of other cars'. The word 'by' is used in passive voice statements.

Option B: 'Were overtaken' is in simple past tense in passive voice. They relate to the given sentence in tense and voice. Hence option B is correct.

Option A: 'Are overtaken' refers to a present situation, or a general truth. But the verb phrase 'were driving' refer to a past action.

Option C: 'Overtake' is the base verb and does not express tense.

Option D: 'Overtook' is a simple past tense verb in active voice. But the sentence is in passive voice.

Hence options A, C and D are incorrect.