Re-write the following sentences according to the instructions given after each. Make other changes that may be necessary, but do not change the meaning of each sentence.
The tree was cut down ruthlessly. (Begin: They...)
Topic: Passive to active voice
Answer
They cut down the tree ruthlessly.
This is the reverse of the usual conversion — PASSIVE into ACTIVE — and the instruction supplies the missing agent.
The original passive has no "by" phrase: we are not told who cut the tree. The instruction "Begin: They" tells you to supply THEY as the doer, which is the standard indefinite subject when the agent is unknown.
Passive: The tree WAS CUT DOWN ruthlessly. Active: THEY CUT DOWN the tree ruthlessly.
Keep the tense: "was cut" is simple past, so "cut" (the past form, which is spelt the same) is correct — not "have cut" or "cutting".
The adverb "ruthlessly" is not part of the transformation and stays where it was.