Ergative Verbs and Middle Voice Practice Test — Basic

All 45 questions with answers

Pick an answer for each question to see if you are right, with the explanation. Submit when you are done; you can submit before answering them all.

1. Q1Which sentence uses the verb 'opened' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

   AThe door opened slowly. BThe door was opened slowly by someone. CThe door opens itself. DOpened is the action.

   Answer: A. The door opened slowly.

   In an ergative sentence, the verb 'opened' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

2. Q2Which sentence uses the verb 'broke' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

   AThe window broke during the storm. BThe window was broke by the storm. CThe window breaking. DBroke is the action.

   Answer: A. The window broke during the storm.

   In an ergative sentence, the verb 'broke' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

3. Q3Which sentence uses the verb 'melted' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

   AThe ice melted under the sun. BThe ice was melted by itself. CThe ice melting sun. DMelted is the action.

   Answer: A. The ice melted under the sun.

   In an ergative sentence, the verb 'melted' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

4. Q4Which sentence uses the verb 'boiled' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

   AThe water boiled quickly on the stove. BThe water was boiled itself. CThe water boiling stove. DBoiled is the action.

   Answer: A. The water boiled quickly on the stove.

   In an ergative sentence, the verb 'boiled' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

5. Q5Which sentence uses the verb 'stopped' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

   AThe car stopped at the red light. BThe car was stopped itself. CThe car stopping light. DStopped is the action.

   Answer: A. The car stopped at the red light.

   In an ergative sentence, the verb 'stopped' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

6. Q6Which sentence uses the verb 'started' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

   AThe game started at noon. BThe game was started itself. CThe game starting noon. DStarted is the action.

   Answer: A. The game started at noon.

   In an ergative sentence, the verb 'started' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

7. Q7Which sentence uses the verb 'rang' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

   AThe bell rang loudly across the yard. BThe bell was rang loudly. CThe bell ringing loud. DRang is the action.

   Answer: A. The bell rang loudly across the yard.

   In an ergative sentence, the verb 'rang' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

8. Q8Which sentence uses the verb 'closed' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

   AThe shop closed at eight o'clock. BThe shop was closed itself. CThe shop closing eight. DClosed is the action.

   Answer: A. The shop closed at eight o'clock.

   In an ergative sentence, the verb 'closed' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

9. Q9Which sentence uses the verb 'sank' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

   AThe ship sank into the ocean. BThe ship was sank by ocean. CThe ship sinking ocean. DSank is the action.

   Answer: A. The ship sank into the ocean.

   In an ergative sentence, the verb 'sank' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

10. Q10Which sentence uses the verb 'burned' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe fire burned for hours. BThe fire was burned itself. CThe fire burning hours. DBurned is the action.

    Answer: A. The fire burned for hours.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'burned' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

11. Q11Which sentence uses the verb 'opened' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe door opened slowly. BThe door was opened slowly by someone. CThe door opens itself. DOpened is the action.

    Answer: A. The door opened slowly.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'opened' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

12. Q12Which sentence uses the verb 'broke' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe window broke during the storm. BThe window was broke by the storm. CThe window breaking. DBroke is the action.

    Answer: A. The window broke during the storm.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'broke' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

13. Q13Which sentence uses the verb 'melted' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe ice melted under the sun. BThe ice was melted by itself. CThe ice melting sun. DMelted is the action.

    Answer: A. The ice melted under the sun.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'melted' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

14. Q14Which sentence uses the verb 'boiled' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe water boiled quickly on the stove. BThe water was boiled itself. CThe water boiling stove. DBoiled is the action.

    Answer: A. The water boiled quickly on the stove.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'boiled' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

15. Q15Which sentence uses the verb 'stopped' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe car stopped at the red light. BThe car was stopped itself. CThe car stopping light. DStopped is the action.

    Answer: A. The car stopped at the red light.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'stopped' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

16. Q16Which sentence uses the verb 'started' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe game started at noon. BThe game was started itself. CThe game starting noon. DStarted is the action.

    Answer: A. The game started at noon.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'started' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

17. Q17Which sentence uses the verb 'rang' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe bell rang loudly across the yard. BThe bell was rang loudly. CThe bell ringing loud. DRang is the action.

    Answer: A. The bell rang loudly across the yard.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'rang' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

18. Q18Which sentence uses the verb 'closed' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe shop closed at eight o'clock. BThe shop was closed itself. CThe shop closing eight. DClosed is the action.

    Answer: A. The shop closed at eight o'clock.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'closed' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

19. Q19Which sentence uses the verb 'sank' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe ship sank into the ocean. BThe ship was sank by ocean. CThe ship sinking ocean. DSank is the action.

    Answer: A. The ship sank into the ocean.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'sank' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

20. Q20Which sentence uses the verb 'burned' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe fire burned for hours. BThe fire was burned itself. CThe fire burning hours. DBurned is the action.

    Answer: A. The fire burned for hours.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'burned' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

21. Q21Which sentence uses the verb 'opened' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe door opened slowly. BThe door was opened slowly by someone. CThe door opens itself. DOpened is the action.

    Answer: A. The door opened slowly.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'opened' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

22. Q22Which sentence uses the verb 'broke' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe window broke during the storm. BThe window was broke by the storm. CThe window breaking. DBroke is the action.

    Answer: A. The window broke during the storm.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'broke' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

23. Q23Which sentence uses the verb 'melted' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe ice melted under the sun. BThe ice was melted by itself. CThe ice melting sun. DMelted is the action.

    Answer: A. The ice melted under the sun.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'melted' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

24. Q24Which sentence uses the verb 'boiled' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe water boiled quickly on the stove. BThe water was boiled itself. CThe water boiling stove. DBoiled is the action.

    Answer: A. The water boiled quickly on the stove.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'boiled' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

25. Q25Which sentence uses the verb 'stopped' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe car stopped at the red light. BThe car was stopped itself. CThe car stopping light. DStopped is the action.

    Answer: A. The car stopped at the red light.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'stopped' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

26. Q26Which sentence uses the verb 'started' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe game started at noon. BThe game was started itself. CThe game starting noon. DStarted is the action.

    Answer: A. The game started at noon.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'started' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

27. Q27Which sentence uses the verb 'rang' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe bell rang loudly across the yard. BThe bell was rang loudly. CThe bell ringing loud. DRang is the action.

    Answer: A. The bell rang loudly across the yard.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'rang' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

28. Q28Which sentence uses the verb 'closed' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe shop closed at eight o'clock. BThe shop was closed itself. CThe shop closing eight. DClosed is the action.

    Answer: A. The shop closed at eight o'clock.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'closed' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

29. Q29Which sentence uses the verb 'sank' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe ship sank into the ocean. BThe ship was sank by ocean. CThe ship sinking ocean. DSank is the action.

    Answer: A. The ship sank into the ocean.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'sank' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

30. Q30Which sentence uses the verb 'burned' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe fire burned for hours. BThe fire was burned itself. CThe fire burning hours. DBurned is the action.

    Answer: A. The fire burned for hours.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'burned' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

31. Q31Which sentence uses the verb 'opened' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe door opened slowly. BThe door was opened slowly by someone. CThe door opens itself. DOpened is the action.

    Answer: A. The door opened slowly.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'opened' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

32. Q32Which sentence uses the verb 'broke' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe window broke during the storm. BThe window was broke by the storm. CThe window breaking. DBroke is the action.

    Answer: A. The window broke during the storm.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'broke' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

33. Q33Which sentence uses the verb 'melted' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe ice melted under the sun. BThe ice was melted by itself. CThe ice melting sun. DMelted is the action.

    Answer: A. The ice melted under the sun.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'melted' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

34. Q34Which sentence uses the verb 'boiled' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe water boiled quickly on the stove. BThe water was boiled itself. CThe water boiling stove. DBoiled is the action.

    Answer: A. The water boiled quickly on the stove.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'boiled' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

35. Q35Which sentence uses the verb 'stopped' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe car stopped at the red light. BThe car was stopped itself. CThe car stopping light. DStopped is the action.

    Answer: A. The car stopped at the red light.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'stopped' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

36. Q36Which sentence uses the verb 'started' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe game started at noon. BThe game was started itself. CThe game starting noon. DStarted is the action.

    Answer: A. The game started at noon.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'started' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

37. Q37Which sentence uses the verb 'rang' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe bell rang loudly across the yard. BThe bell was rang loudly. CThe bell ringing loud. DRang is the action.

    Answer: A. The bell rang loudly across the yard.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'rang' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

38. Q38Which sentence uses the verb 'closed' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe shop closed at eight o'clock. BThe shop was closed itself. CThe shop closing eight. DClosed is the action.

    Answer: A. The shop closed at eight o'clock.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'closed' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

39. Q39Which sentence uses the verb 'sank' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe ship sank into the ocean. BThe ship was sank by ocean. CThe ship sinking ocean. DSank is the action.

    Answer: A. The ship sank into the ocean.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'sank' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

40. Q40Which sentence uses the verb 'burned' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe fire burned for hours. BThe fire was burned itself. CThe fire burning hours. DBurned is the action.

    Answer: A. The fire burned for hours.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'burned' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

41. Q41Which sentence uses the verb 'opened' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe door opened slowly. BThe door was opened slowly by someone. CThe door opens itself. DOpened is the action.

    Answer: A. The door opened slowly.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'opened' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

42. Q42Which sentence uses the verb 'broke' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe window broke during the storm. BThe window was broke by the storm. CThe window breaking. DBroke is the action.

    Answer: A. The window broke during the storm.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'broke' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

43. Q43Which sentence uses the verb 'melted' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe ice melted under the sun. BThe ice was melted by itself. CThe ice melting sun. DMelted is the action.

    Answer: A. The ice melted under the sun.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'melted' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

44. Q44Which sentence uses the verb 'boiled' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe water boiled quickly on the stove. BThe water was boiled itself. CThe water boiling stove. DBoiled is the action.

    Answer: A. The water boiled quickly on the stove.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'boiled' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.

45. Q45Which sentence uses the verb 'stopped' ergatively (where the object becomes the subject naturally without a passive verb)?

    AThe car stopped at the red light. BThe car was stopped itself. CThe car stopping light. DStopped is the action.

    Answer: A. The car stopped at the red light.

    In an ergative sentence, the verb 'stopped' describes an event happening to the subject without using a passive 'was/were' construction.