Active voice and passive voice are two different ways of constructing sentences in English. They refer to the relationship between the subject of the sentence and the action being performed. In active voice, the subject performs the action stated by the verb. It follows a straightforward sentence
structure:
subject + verb + object.
For example:
Active voice: "Manu wrote the article."
In this sentence, "Manu" is the subject,"wrote" is the verb, and "the article" is the object. The subject (Manu) is performing the action (writing) on the object (the article). On the other hand, in passive voice, the subject of the sentence receives the action stated by the verb. The sentence structure
changes to: object + verb + subject.
For example:
Passive voice: "The article was written by Manu."
Here, "the article" is the object, "was written" is the verb, and "by Manu" is an optional phrase indicating the doer of the action. The subject (the report) is receiving the action (being written).
Model Questions
Directions (Qs. 1 - 6): Select the correct Passive form of the given sentence.
1. The scientist conducted extensive research on the effects of climate change.
A) Extensive research on the effects of climate change was conducted by the scientist.
B) Extensive research on the climate change effects of was conducted by the scientist.
C) Extensive research was conducted by the scientist of climate change on the effects.
D) Extensive research on the effects of climate change were conducted by the scientist.
Explanation: Here the object "extensive research (on the effects of climate change)" becomes the subject. As the word "extensive research" is a singular noun, the verb "conducted" changes to "was conducted." The subject "the scientist" becomes the agent ("by the scientist") in the passive voice.
Ans: A
2. The artist painted a stunning portrait of the cityscape.
A) A portrait of the cityscape stunning was painted by the artist.
B) A stunning portrait of the cityscape was painted by the artist.
C) A stunning portrait of the painting of the cityscape was painted by the artist.
D) A portrait of the stunning cityscape was portraited by the artist.
Explanation: The object "a stunning portrait (of the cityscape)" becomes the subject in the passive voice. As the word "a stunning portrait" is a singular noun, the verb "painted" changes to "was painted," and the subject ("the artist") becomes the agent ("by the artist") in the passive voice.
Ans: B
3. The government enacted new legislation to address the issue.
A) The issue was enacted to address the new legislation issue by the government.
B) New legislation was issued for enact to address the by the government
C) New legislation was enacted by the government to address the issue.
D) New legislation by the government toaddress was enacted by the issue.
Explanation: The subject "the government" becomes the agent ("by the government") in the passive voice. As the subject is a singular noun, the verb "enacted" changes to "was enacted," and the object "new legislation" becomes the subject.
Ans: C
4. The Research and Development team developed a ground-breaking technology that revolutionized the aviation industry.
A) A ground-breaking technology that revolutionized the Research and Development industry was developed by the aviation team.
B) A ground-breaking that revolutionized the aviation industry technology was developed by the Research and Development team.
C) A ground-breaking technology was developed the aviation industry by that revolutionized Research and Development team.
D) A ground-breaking technology that revolutionized the aviation industry was developed by the Research and Development team.
Explanation: The object "a ground-breaking technology" becomes the subject in the passive voice. As the subject "the team" is a singular noun, the verb "developed" changes to "was developed," and the subject ("the team") becomes the agent ("by the team") in the passive voice.
Ans: D
5. The doctor prescribed a specific medication to treat the patient's condition.
A) A specific medication was prescribed t treat the patient's condition by the doctor.
B) To treat the patient's condition by the doctor, a specific medication was prescribed.
C) A specific medication to treat the patient's condition by the doctor was prescribed.
D) Prescribed specific medication was to treat the patient's condition by the doctor.
Explanation: The object "a specific medication" becomes the subject in the passive voice. As the word "a specific medication" is a singular noun, the verb "prescribed" changes to "was prescribed," and the subject ("the doctor") becomes the agent ("by the doctor") in the passive voice.
Ans: A
6. The chef prepared a delicious threecourse meal for the guests.
A) A delicious three-course meal were prepared for the guests by the chef.
B) A delicious three-course meal was prepared for the guests by the chef.
C) A delicious three-course meal was prepared by the guests for the chef.
D) A delicious three-course meal was prepared to the guests for the chef.
Explanation: The object "a delicious threecourse meal" becomes the subject in the passive voice. As the word "a three-course meal" is a singular noun, the verb "prepared" changes to "was prepared," and the subject ("the chef") becomes the agent ("by the chef") in the passive voice.
Ans: B
Directions (Qs. 7 - 11): Select the correct Active form of the given sentence.
7. The house was built by a team of skilled personnel using high-quality materials.
A) A team of skilled personnel built the house using high-quality materials.
B) Using high-quality materials, a team of skilled personnel built the house by them.
C) A team of skilled personnel by high-quality materials built the house.
D) A team of skilled personnel built the highquality materials for house.
Explanation: The subject in the passive voice "the house" becomes the object of the Active sentence. Also, the object in the passive sentence, "a team of skilled personnel" becomes the subject of the Active voice. The remaining phrases will be added at the end of the sentence.
Ans: A
8. The contract was signed by both parties after thorough negotiations.
A) Both parties signed thorough negotiations after the contract.
B) Both parties signed the contract after thorough negotiations.
C) Both parties signed the negotiations after thorough contract.
D) Both parties thorough negotiations after signed the contract.
Explanation: The subject in the passive voice "the contract" becomes the object of the Active sentence. Also, the object in the passive sentence, "both parties" becomes the subject of the Active voice. The remaining phrases will be added at the end of the sentence.
Ans: B
9. The new product was unveiled by the company at a highly anticipated event.
A) The company unveiled the highly anticipated event at a new product.
B) The new product company unveiled the at a highly anticipated event.
C) The company unveiled the new product at a highly anticipated event.
D) The new product unveiled the company at a highly anticipated event.
Explanation: The subject in the passive voice "the new product" becomes the object of the Active sentence. Also, the object in the passive, "the company" becomes the subject of the Active voice. The remaining phrases will be added at the end of the sentence.
Ans: C
10. The project was completed by the team within the given deadline.
A) The team within the given deadline complete the project.
B) Within the given deadline, the team has to be completed the project.
C) The team complete the project within the given deadline.
D) The team completed the project within the given deadline.
Explanation: The subject in the passive voice "the project" becomes the object of the Active sentence. Also, the object in the passive, "the team" becomes the subject of the Active voice. The remaining phrases will be added at the end of the sentence.
Ans: D
11. The proposal was rejected by the board of directors due to budget constraints.
A) The board of directors rejected the proposal due to budget constraints.
B) The board of directors rejected the budget proposal due to constraints.
C) The board of directors rejected the constraints proposal due to budget.
D) The proposal by board of directors rejected due to budget constraints.
Explanation: The subject in the passive voice "the proposal" becomes the object of the Active sentence. Also, the object in the passive, "the board of directors" becomes the subject of the Active voice. The remaining phrases will be added at the end of the sentence.
Ans: A
Importance
Active voice and passive voice are important topics in SSC exams, particularly in the English language section. This topic may test candidates' understanding of active and passive voice through various question formats, such as sentence transformation, error detection, and sentence completion. Here are some key points to keep in
mind:
* Sentence transformation: Candidates may be asked to convert sentences from active to passive voice or vice versa. They should be familiar with the rules and patterns involved in such transformations.
* Error detection: Candidates may encounter sentences with errors related to active or passive voice. They need to identify and correct the errors by selecting the appropriate voice.
* Sentence completion: Candidates may be given a sentence with a missing word or phrase. They should choose the correct option that maintains the intended voice and meaning of the sentence.
