Which of the following sentences is in the passive voice?

The correct answer is Option (2) → The old ceiling fan was being fixed by the electrician.

Passive voice:

In Option 2, the fan does not do anything. The electrician fixes it. The verb “was being fixed” is was being + past participle (V3), so the sentence is in the passive voice. “Was being” alone does not make a sentence passive. A V3 such as “fixed” must follow it.

Why the Other Options are Incorrect?

Option 1: Kabir was being rude to the new shopkeeper. — Incorrect. “Was being rude” is was being + an adjective. “Rude” tells how Kabir behaved. No one did anything to him, so this is active.

Option 3: The shopkeeper was angry with the noisy boys. — Incorrect. “Was angry” is was + an adjective. It tells how the shopkeeper felt. No action is done to him.

Option 4: The workers have been painting the school gate since morning. — Incorrect. “Have been painting” is have been + verb-ing. The workers do the painting, so this is active.