Active and Passive Voice

Name:

Date:

📝 Part 1: Identifying Voice

Instructions: Read each sentence carefully. Circle whether it is written in active or passive voice.

1. The scientist conducted the experiment in the laboratory.

Active Voice

Passive Voice

2. The results were recorded by the research team.

Active Voice

Passive Voice

3. The temperature was measured every hour.

Active Voice

Passive Voice

4. Students submitted their assignments on time.

Active Voice

Passive Voice

5. The volcano erupted violently last night.

Active Voice

Passive Voice

🔄 Part 2: Converting Voice

Instructions: Rewrite each sentence, changing it from active to passive voice OR passive to active voice.

6. Active: The chef prepared a delicious meal.

Passive: ________________________________________________

7. Passive: The data was analysed by the computer program.

Active: ________________________________________________

8. Active: The teacher explained the new concept clearly.

Passive: ________________________________________________

9. Passive: The samples were collected from three different locations.

Active: ________________________________________________

10. Active: The storm damaged several houses in the neighbourhood.

Passive: ________________________________________________

🧪 Part 3: Scientific Writing

Instructions: Read the following scientific report excerpt. Identify examples of passive voice and explain why passive voice is often preferred in scientific writing.

"The experiment was conducted over a period of two weeks. Water samples were collected daily from the river. The pH levels were tested using digital meters. Temperature readings were recorded at 9:00 AM each morning. The results were then compiled and analysed."

11. List three examples of passive voice from the text above:

a) ________________________________________________

b) ________________________________________________

c) ________________________________________________

12. Why do you think scientists often use passive voice in their reports? Tick all that apply:

To focus on the action rather than who performed it

To sound more objective and formal

To make the writing more personal

When the person doing the action is unknown or unimportant

To make sentences longer

✍️ Part 4: Choose the Best Voice

Instructions: For each situation, decide whether active or passive voice would be better. Write your sentence and explain your choice.

13. Writing a story about a brave firefighter rescuing people from a burning building.

Best voice to use: _________________ Voice

Your sentence: ________________________________________________

14. Writing a lab report about how crystals were grown in your science class.

Best voice to use: _________________ Voice

Your sentence: ________________________________________________

15. Writing a newspaper headline about a famous athlete winning a gold medal.

Best voice to use: _________________ Voice

Your sentence: ________________________________________________

🎯 Part 5: Challenge Activity

Instructions: Create your own examples! Write two sentences about the same event - one in active voice and one in passive voice. Then explain when each might be more appropriate.

16. Choose a topic (e.g., cooking, sports, weather, school) and write about the same event in both voices:

Topic: ________________________________

Active Voice: ________________________________________________

Passive Voice: ________________________________________________

17. Explain when you might use each version: