5 Underline any uses of the agent which are unnecessary. a) My jewellery has been stolen by a thief! b) It has been decided by the authorities that Wednesday will be a school holiday. c) Harry was pushed over by someone standing next to him in the queue. d) The goods are transported by rail to our warehouse in the Midlands. e) I was told by someone that you have a vacancy for a computer operator. f) She has been picked by the selectors for the national event. g) The letter was sent by post on the 21st of last month. h) The larger portrait was painted by a little-known Flemish artist. i) It has been agreed by everyone that no smoking should be allowed. j) As I arrived at the conference a note was handed to me by one of the delegates.

Перевод задания: Подчеркните употребление обозначения действующего лица, которое является ненужным.

Ненужные обозначения действующего лица:

1. by a thief — вор очевиден из значения «украдены».
2. by the authorities — лица, принимающие такие решения, понятны из контекста.
3. by someone standing next to him in the queue — действующее лицо несущественно.
4. by someone — действующее лицо не названо и несущественно.
5. by everyone — очевидно, что решение было общим.

Выражения by rail и by post обозначают способ перевозки или отправки, а не действующее лицо, поэтому их не следует удалять. Остальные обозначения действующего лица дают важную информацию.

Ответ: a) by a thief; b) by the authorities; c) by someone standing next to him in the queue; e) by someone; i) by everyone.