Genau
Topic test · B2

Passive alternatives test

10questions
8minutes
60%pass mark
Start the test Read the topic first

One question at a time, the clock runs. Answers stay closed like a real exam: you see every correct answer with its explanation at the end. Score 60% to finish the topic.

Topic test

10 questions, easy to hard

Pick an option and press «Next». You can go back and change it. Anything left blank counts as wrong.

Der Fehler kann leicht behoben werden. -> Der Fehler ___ leicht beheben.

The mistake can easily be fixed.

For the meaning “kann ... werden” (possibility) you use lassen + sich + infinitive.

Die Rechnung muss bis Freitag bezahlt werden. -> Die Rechnung bis Freitag zu bezahlen.

The bill must be paid by Friday.

The meaning “muss ... werden” (obligation) is expressed in official language with sein + zu + infinitive.

Das Wasser aus diesem Fluss kann man nicht trinken. -> Das Wasser ist nicht .

The water from this river can’t be drunk / is not drinkable.

We express the “can be done” quality of something as an adjective, with the ending -bar.

Which sentence means the same as “Das Dokument muss unterschrieben werden” (The document has to be signed)?

Passiv sentences that express obligation are replaced by sein + zu + infinitive.

Das Problem sich nicht so einfach lösen.

The problem can’t be solved that easily.

The sich lassen structure. The subject is das Problem, so it is lässt.

Build the sentence: The text is easy to read.

Tap the pieces to build the sentence

Der Text ist gut lesbar. Adjectives with sein and the ending -bar are used instead of the Passiv (Passiversatz) to mean “can be done”.

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

The sich lassen structure always needs the plain infinitive of the verb (erledigen).

Diese Pilze kann man essen. -> Diese Pilze sind .

These mushrooms are edible.

The “can be done” adjective form of essen is essbar (edible).

“Das Formular ist auszufüllen” only says that it is possible to fill in the form, not that it is required.

False. “sein + zu + infinitive” expresses a firm obligation (müssen) in official contexts. So the form has to be filled in.

Der Chef ist heute nicht zu sprechen. What does it mean?

Although “sein + zu” mostly expresses obligation in official or instruction language, it can also express “possibility” (können), as it does here. (It is not possible to speak to the boss.)
Quick rules

The rules in three lines

The full topic lives on its own page. This is only the core you need for the test.

  1. sich lassen = kann ... werden

    The most natural way to say that something can be done.

    Das Fenster lässt sich öffnen.

  2. sein + zu = muss (or kann) ... werden

    In official or instruction language mostly obligation; with words like leicht/schwer/kaum/gut it expresses possibility.

    Die Rechnung ist zu bezahlen.

  3. The ending -bar makes an adjective from a verb

    Adding -bar to the verb stem and using it with sein gives a passive meaning.

    Das Wasser ist trinkbar.

Traps

Commonly mixed up

Where a direct translation breaks. The hard questions come from here.

  • Das Auto lässt sich repariert.

    Das Auto lässt sich reparieren.

    The sich lassen structure always takes the plain infinitive (Infinitiv), never the Partizip II.

  • Die Aufgabe ist gelöst zu werden.

    Die Aufgabe ist zu lösen.

    werden is not used in the sein + zu structure. Just zu + infinitive is enough.