All questions of Active and Passive Voice for Class 11 Exam

Passive Voice

The passive voice is a grammatical construction where the subject of the sentence receives the action of the verb rather than performing the action themselves. In a passive sentence, the subject is usually the receiver of the action, while the doer of the action may be mentioned using the preposition "by" or omitted altogether.

Identifying the Passive Voice

To identify a sentence in the passive voice, there are a few key indicators to look for:

1. The sentence starts with the object or receiver of the action.
2. The verb is in a passive form, typically using a form of the verb "to be" (e.g., is, am, are, was, were, has been, have been, etc.) followed by the past participle of the main verb.
3. The subject performing the action may be mentioned using the preposition "by" or may be left out.

Example Sentences

Let's analyze each option to determine which one is an example of a sentence in the passive voice:

a) The students were taught well by the teacher.
- This sentence starts with the object "The students" and uses the passive form "were taught" to indicate that the students received the action of being taught. The subject performing the action, "the teacher," is mentioned using the preposition "by." Therefore, this sentence is in the passive voice.

b) The teacher taught the students well.
- This sentence starts with the subject "The teacher" and uses the active form "taught" to indicate that the teacher performed the action of teaching. The subject is the doer of the action, so this sentence is in the active voice.

c) The students learn from the teacher.
- This sentence starts with the object "The students" and uses the active form "learn" to indicate that the students are actively engaged in learning. The subject is the doer of the action, so this sentence is in the active voice.

d) The teacher will teach a new lesson tomorrow.
- This sentence starts with the subject "The teacher" and uses the active form "will teach" to indicate a future action. The subject is the doer of the action, so this sentence is in the active voice.

Conclusion

After analyzing each option, it is clear that option A, "The students were taught well by the teacher," is the only example that fits the criteria for a sentence in the passive voice. This sentence starts with the object, uses the passive form "were taught," and includes the subject performing the action using the preposition "by."

Explanation:


The active voice is used when the subject of the sentence performs the action. In an active sentence, the subject is the doer of the action, and the object is the receiver of the action. Let's analyze each option to determine which one is in the active voice.

a) The bike was stolen from the garage last night.


This sentence is in the passive voice because the bike is the receiver of the action (being stolen), and the subject (the doer of the action) is not mentioned. The sentence focuses on the bike being stolen rather than who stole it.

b) The police were called to investigate the theft.


This sentence is also in the passive voice because the police were the ones called to investigate the theft. The subject (the doer of the action) is not mentioned, and the focus is on the police being called.

c) Someone stole the bike from the garage last night.


This sentence is in the active voice because the subject (someone) performs the action (stole) on the object (the bike). The sentence clearly states who performed the action and what action was taken.

d) The owner of the bike will file an insurance claim.


This sentence is in the active voice because the subject (the owner of the bike) performs the action (will file) on the object (an insurance claim). The sentence clearly states who will perform the action and what action will be taken.

Conclusion:


Option C, "Someone stole the bike from the garage last night," is an example of a sentence in the active voice because the subject (someone) performs the action (stole) on the object (the bike). The sentence clearly identifies who performed the action and what action was taken.

Sentence in the Passive Voice:
The sentence "I was offered a job by the company" is an example of a sentence in the passive voice.

Explanation:
To understand why the sentence is in the passive voice, let's first define what passive voice is. In English grammar, the passive voice is a construction in which the subject of a sentence is the receiver of the action rather than the doer. In other words, the focus is on the recipient or the object of the action rather than the person or thing performing the action.

Here is a breakdown of the sentence:

Subject: I
Verb: was offered
Object: a job
Agent: by the company

The subject of the sentence is "I," but it is not performing the action. Instead, it is receiving the action of being offered a job. The verb "was offered" is in the passive voice because it emphasizes the action on the subject rather than the subject performing the action.

Importance of Passive Voice:
The passive voice is often used to shift the focus of the sentence from the doer of the action to the recipient or to emphasize the object of the action. This can be useful in various contexts, such as:

1. When the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant: The passive voice allows us to focus on what happened rather than who did it. In this case, the company offering the job is not as important as the fact that the job was offered.

2. When the doer of the action is obvious or implied: Sometimes, it is unnecessary to mention who performed the action because it is already clear from the context. In the sentence, it is implied that the company offered the job, so there is no need to explicitly state it.

3. When the writer wants to be more formal or objective: The passive voice can lend a more formal or objective tone to a sentence. In certain contexts, such as academic or scientific writing, this can be preferred.

In Summary:
The sentence "I was offered a job by the company" is an example of a sentence in the passive voice because the subject is the receiver of the action rather than the doer. The passive voice is used to shift the focus onto the object of the action or when the doer is unknown or unimportant.

Understanding Active vs. Passive Voice
In English grammar, sentences can be structured in two primary voices: active and passive.
Active Voice Explained
- In the active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action expressed by the verb.
- The structure typically follows the format: Subject + Verb + Object.
Passive Voice Explained
- In the passive voice, the subject of the sentence receives the action.
- The structure usually follows: Subject + Form of "to be" + Past Participle + (by + Agent).
Analysis of the Options
- Option A: "The house was built by a famous architect."
- This is passive. The house (subject) is acted upon, and the architect is the agent.
- Option B: "The house is being built by a famous architect."
- This is also passive. The ongoing action indicates that the house is receiving the action.
- Option C: "A famous architect built the house."
- This is active. The architect (subject) performs the action of building the house (object).
- Option D: "The house will be built by a famous architect."
- This is passive. The future tense indicates the house will receive the action.
Conclusion
The correct answer is Option C because it clearly demonstrates the active voice, where the subject (a famous architect) is performing the action (built) on the object (the house). Understanding the distinction between active and passive voice is crucial for effective communication in writing.

Understanding Active Voice
Active voice is a grammatical structure where the subject of the sentence performs the action of the verb. This contrasts with passive voice, where the subject receives the action.
Example Breakdown
Let’s examine the provided options to understand why option 'D' is the correct answer.

• a) The letter was written by Sarah.
  - This is passive voice. The subject (the letter) is acted upon.
• b) Sarah will write a letter.
  - This is future tense in active voice. However, the correct answer is option 'D' as it is in the simple past, which is often the most direct form of expression.
• c) The letter is being written by Sarah.
  - This is also passive voice, indicating an ongoing action where the subject (the letter) is not the doer.
• d) Sarah wrote the letter.
  - This sentence is in active voice. Sarah (the subject) performs the action of writing the letter (the object).

Why Option 'D' is Correct
- Subject-Action Relationship: In option 'D', Sarah is the doer of the action, making it clear and direct.
- Clarity and Impact: Active voice generally makes sentences more straightforward and engaging, which enhances clarity in communication.
In conclusion, option 'D' exemplifies active voice by clearly showing the subject performing the action, making it an effective and impactful sentence.

Explanation:

Identifying the Passive Voice Sentence:
- In a passive voice sentence, the subject of the sentence receives the action rather than performing the action.
- The passive voice is formed using a form of "to be" (e.g., was, were) along with the past participle of the main verb.

Analysis of Options:
a) The doctor prescribed a new medicine for the patient - This sentence is in the active voice as the subject "the doctor" is performing the action of prescribing.
b) A new medicine was prescribed for the patient by the doctor - This sentence is in the passive voice as the subject "a new medicine" is receiving the action of being prescribed by the doctor.
c) The patient followed the doctor's instructions - This sentence is in the active voice as the subject "the patient" is performing the action of following.
d) The doctor will see the patient again next week - This sentence is in the active voice as the subject "the doctor" is performing the action of seeing.

Conclusion:
The sentence "A new medicine was prescribed for the patient by the doctor" is an example of a sentence in the passive voice because the subject of the sentence is receiving the action rather than performing it.

Active Voice and Passive Voice:
Active voice and passive voice are two different ways to construct sentences. In active voice, the subject is performing the action, while in passive voice, the subject is receiving the action.

Distinguishing Active and Passive Voice:
To determine whether a sentence is in active or passive voice, we can look for a few key indicators:
- Active voice: The subject is performing the action.
- Passive voice: The subject is receiving the action, and the verb includes a form of "to be" (e.g., is, was, were) followed by a past participle.

Explanation of the Sentences:
Let's analyze each of the given sentences to identify the active voice sentence:

a) Jane Austen wrote the novel.
- This sentence is in the active voice as Jane Austen (the subject) is performing the action (wrote).

b) The novel was written by Jane Austen.
- This sentence is in the passive voice as the subject (the novel) is receiving the action (was written).

c) The novel is being written by Jane Austen.
- This sentence is also in the passive voice as the subject (the novel) is receiving the action (is being written).

d) Jane Austen will write a new novel soon.
- This sentence is in the active voice as Jane Austen (the subject) is performing the action (will write).

Conclusion:
Based on the analysis, it is clear that sentence a) "Jane Austen wrote the novel" is in the active voice, as the subject is performing the action. The other options, b), c), and d), are in the passive voice as the subjects are receiving the actions.