Complete the following news report with the passive form of verbs given in the box below. (Remember that the verb must agree with the subject.) discover test measure publish record take. Last year, significant advancements in medical science 1. ____ in leading medical journals when a new vaccine for malaria 2. ____. The vaccine 3. ____ through several clinical trials and results 4. ____ in those journals. During the trials, blood samples 5. ____ regularly from participants to monitor their immune response. The amount of antibodies produced 6. ____ carefully to assess the effectiveness of the vaccine.
Last year, significant advancements in medical science ____ in leading medical journals...
were published
...when a new vaccine for malaria ____.
was discovered
The vaccine ____ through several clinical trials...
was tested
...and results ____ in those journals.
were recorded
During the trials, blood samples ____ regularly from participants...
were taken
The amount of antibodies produced ____ carefully to assess the effectiveness of the vaccine.
was measured
Explanation
(1) Subject 'advancements' is plural, so 'were published' is correct. The focus is on the advancements being published, not who published them. (2) Subject 'vaccine' is singular, so 'was discovered' is correct. Passive voice emphasises the discovery rather than the discoverer. (3) Subject 'vaccine' is singular, so 'was tested' is correct. The testing process is more important than who conducted it. (4) Subject 'results' is plural, so 'were recorded' is correct. The recording of results is the focus. (5) Subject 'samples' is plural, so 'were taken' is correct. The action of taking samples is emphasised. (6) Subject 'amount' is singular, so 'was measured' is correct. The measurement process is the focus.