تخطي للذهاب إلى المحتوى
← Horizons B2 B2
5 Review Review

Unit 5 Review

Unit 5

  • I CAN review the passive voice, second conditional, and problem-reporting language
Unit 5 Review
Lesson Review

Lesson Review

18 cards

Welcome to the Unit 5 review. This final block brings together the three main language areas you have studied in the unit: the passive voice, the second conditional, and the language we use to report problems in formal and semi-formal situations. These three areas work together naturally — you can use the passive to describe a problem, the second conditional to suggest hypothetical solutions, and formal problem-reporting phrases to write a professional complaint.

The passive voice

The passive voice allows us to focus on the action or on the thing affected, rather than on the person or thing doing the action. It is very common in formal writing, news reports, and process descriptions, which is why it pairs so well with problem-reporting language. We form the passive with the verb be in the appropriate tense plus the past participle (the -ed form for regular verbs, or the third form for irregular verbs). The tense is shown by the form of be.

Tense Active Passive
Present simple They build houses here. Houses are built here.
Past simple Someone stole my bike. My bike was stolen.
Present perfect They have closed the road. The road has been closed.
Modal They will repair it. It will be repaired.

We use the passive when the agent (the doer) is unknown, unimportant, or obvious from the context. For example, in a complaint about a faulty product, we might write: My phone was damaged during delivery — we do not need to say who damaged it.

The second conditional

The second conditional describes unreal, imaginary, or unlikely situations in the present or future. We use it to imagine different outcomes or to give polite advice. The structure is: If + past simple, would + infinitive. In formal English, the verb be is always were in the if-clause, even with I/he/she/it.

Look at these examples:

  • If I had more free time, I would travel more.
  • If she were the manager, she would change the policy.
  • If I were you, I would ask for a refund.

Notice how the if-clause uses a past form, but the meaning is present or future. The result clause always uses would + base verb. We can also reverse the two parts: I would travel more if I had more free time. When the if-clause comes first, we use a comma; when it comes second, we do not.

Reporting problems

At B2 level, you are expected to be able to report problems in a range of contexts, from informal chats with friends to formal letters of complaint. The language changes depending on the audience. With friends, we are direct and often use simple present or past tenses: My phone isn't working. The screen is broken. In a shop, we are more polite: Excuse me, this doesn't seem to be working. Could you help me? In a formal written complaint, we use very different language.

Useful phrases for formal complaints include:

  • I am writing to complain about… (opening)
  • Unfortunately, … has not been working properly since… (describing the problem)
  • I would appreciate it if you could… (polite request)
  • I look forward to hearing from you. (polite closing)

In formal writing, avoid contractions (use I am not I'm), avoid emotional words like terrible or awful, and avoid commands. Instead of Send me a new one now!, write I would appreciate it if you could send a replacement at your earliest convenience.

Writing strategy: using a clear structure and formal linkers

When you write a formal complaint, plan before you write. Gather the key information: what the problem is, when and where it happened, what you have already done about it, and what you would like to happen. Then organise these into four clear paragraphs: opening, details, action so far, and closing.

Use formal linkers to connect your ideas. Words and phrases like however, therefore, in addition, moreover, and as a result make your writing sound more professional and help the reader follow your argument. For example: I have contacted your customer service team twice. However, I have not received a response. This is much more effective than writing I called them but they didn't reply.

Now you are ready to put these three areas together in a final writing task. Good luck!

Generating translation…

Required

Complete the passive sentence. Yesterday, the road outside my house ___ (repair) by the council.

Required

Put the words in the correct order to make a passive sentence about a news story.

  1. The
  2. new
  3. school
  4. by
  5. the
  6. government
  7. was
  8. built
Required

Drag the correct word into each gap. All the gaps need a past participle to complete the passive verb.

  • delivered
  • repaired
  • built
  • stolen

My car was last night.

The bridge has been by the council.

A new road will be next year.

The package is being to your address.

Required

In the passive voice, the focus is on the person or thing that does the action.

Required

Complete the second conditional. If I ___ (be) you, I would speak to the manager about the problem.

Required

Which sentence uses the second conditional correctly?

  • If I will have time, I would help you.
  • If I had more time, I would help you.
  • If I have more time, I will help you.
Required

Put the words in the correct order to make a second conditional sentence.

  1. If
  2. I
  3. had
  4. a
  5. bigger
  6. kitchen
  7. ,
  8. I
Required

Drag the correct past simple verb into each gap to complete the if-clause of these second conditional sentences.

  • had
  • owned
  • studied
  • knew

If I more free time, I would travel more.

If she harder, she would pass the exam.

If we a car, we would drive to work.

If he the answer, he would tell us.

I am writing to complain about the poor service I received at your restaurant on 12 March.

Listen and read. This is a typical opening for a formal complaint. Notice the formal language, the past simple to describe the past event, and the way the date is given clearly.

Required

Match each problem-reporting phrase with its function in a formal letter.

Match each problem-reporting phrase with its function in a formal letter.

  • I would appreciate it if you could…
  • Unfortunately, … has not been working properly since…
  • I look forward to hearing from you.
  • I am writing to complain about…
  • Making a polite request
  • Describing the problem
  • Closing the letter
  • Opening a formal complaint
Required

Which sentence is the most appropriate opening for a formal complaint letter to a company?

  • Hey, your product is rubbish!
  • I'm really angry about my broken phone.
  • I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with…
  • Your service is terrible and I want my money back.
Required

Sort these phrases into formal and informal problem-reporting language.

  • I am writing to complain about…
  • I would appreciate it if you could…
  • I look forward to hearing from you.
  • I am disappointed with the service.
  • This is rubbish!
  • Your stuff is broken.
  • Give me my money back!
  • You've messed up.

Formal

Informal

Required

Complete the polite request. I would be ___ if you could send a replacement as soon as possible.

PREPARE — Gather your ideas. Before you write your formal complaint, gather the key information in your notes. Ask yourself: (1) What is the problem? (2) When did it happen? (3) Where did it happen? (4) What have you already done about it? (5) What would you like to happen next? A clear plan will make your letter much easier to write.

WRITE — Structure your formal complaint. A good formal complaint has four parts. (1) Opening: state the reason for writing, e.g. I am writing to complain about… (2) Details: explain the problem clearly with facts and dates. (3) Action so far: explain what you have already done, e.g. I have already contacted your customer service team. (4) Closing: state what you want and end politely, e.g. I would appreciate a full refund and look forward to your reply. Try to use passive voice where appropriate and a second conditional for hypothetical solutions: If the product were replaced, I would be happy to keep it.

REVIEW — Check your writing. Use this checklist when you review your own letter. ✓ Did I use the passive voice correctly where needed? ✓ Did I include at least one second conditional (for example, for a polite suggestion)? ✓ Did I use formal problem-reporting phrases? ✓ Did I avoid contractions and emotional language? ✓ Did I organise my points into clear paragraphs? Read your letter aloud to check the flow and check the spelling and punctuation carefully.

Required