Select the option that expresses the given sentence in passive voice.
The mechanic serviced the scooter and changed the brake wires.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → The scooter was serviced by the mechanic and the brake wires were changed.
Passive of two clauses joined by “and”:
| Change | Active | Passive | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Object becomes subject | the scooter | The scooter | The scooter receives the action of “serviced”, so it becomes the subject. |
| Tense kept | serviced | was serviced | “Serviced” is in the simple past, so the passive stays in the simple past: was / were + past participle (V3). “Was” because the scooter is one. |
| Agent (by ...) | The mechanic | by the mechanic | The mechanic is named, so the doer comes after “by”. “By the mechanic” is written once, after “was serviced”. |
| Second verb changed too | changed the brake wires | the brake wires were changed | “Changed” also has an object, “the brake wires”, so it too becomes passive. “Were” because the wires are many. |
| Full sentence | The mechanic serviced the scooter and changed the brake wires. | The scooter was serviced by the mechanic and the brake wires were changed. |
When both verbs of such a sentence have an object, both become passive. Example: Dadi washed the dal and soaked the rice. → The dal was washed by Dadi and the rice was soaked.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: The scooter was serviced by the mechanic and the brake wires was changed. — Incorrect. “Was” does not agree with the plural “wires”. It must be “were changed”.
Option 3: The scooter has been serviced by the mechanic and the brake wires have been changed. — Incorrect. “Has been / have been” is the present perfect. The active verbs “serviced” and “changed” are in the simple past.
Option 4: The scooter was serviced by the mechanic and the brake wires were changing. — Incorrect. “Were changing” is the past continuous active. The wires seem to change by themselves. The passive needs “were changed”.