Syntax: Active and Passive Voice 1.2

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This exercise gives you more practice distinguishing between active and passive voice.

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Question 1

The research goal was not reached due to a lack of funding.

A	Active Hint: This is a passive construction (be + past participle = was + reached) in which the object (theme) of the verb 'reach' is in subject position. The agent of the verb is not specified. The corresponding active construction is “(Agent such as 'The scientists') did not reach the research goal due to a lack of funding.”
B	Passive

Question 2

Although numerous, the meteors during last night’s meteor shower were seen by no one.

A	Passive
B	Active Hint: This is a passive construction (be + past participle = were + seen) in which the subject, 'the meteors', is actually the object (theme) of the verb 'see'. The agent of the verb 'see' is embedded in the prepositional phrase 'by no one'. The corresponding active construction is “Although numerous, no one saw the meteors during last night’s meteor shower.”

Question 3

The candied apples were stolen at midnight by some hungry thieves.

A	Active Hint: This is a passive construction (be + past participle = were + stolen) in which the object (theme) 'the candied apples' is in subject position of the verb 'steal', and the agent 'some hungry thieves' is embedded in a prepositional phrase. The corresponding active construction is "Some hungry thieves stole the candied apples at midnight."
B	Passive

Question 4

The herd of cattle is being led to the stream.

A	Passive
B	Active Hint: This is a passive construction (be + past participle = is being + led) in which 'the herd of cattle' is the object (theme) of the verb 'lead'. The subject (agent) is not specified. The corresponding active construction is "(unspecified agent such as 'The rancher') is leading the herd of cattle to the stream.”

Question 5

The waiters at the Indian restaurant on Maple St. are especially generous with the bread.

A	Passive Hint: This is an active construction. This is a copula verb phrase in which the subject 'the waiters' is described by the adjective 'generous'.
B	Active

Question 6

Quite strangely and mysteriously, the doors were already open when we arrived at midnight.

A	Passive Hint: This is an active construction. This is a copula verb phrase in which the subject 'the doors' is described by the adjective 'open'.
B	Active

Question 7

Harriet's spicy chili is famous all around the world.

A	Active
B	Passive Hint: This is an active construction. This is a copula verb phrase in which the subject 'Harriet's chili' is being described by the adjective ;famous'. There is no corresponding passive form of the copula.

Question 8

The valiant knights have been striving to save the village from pillagers since dawn.

A	Active
B	Passive Hint: This is an active construction in which the subject (agent), 'the valiant knights', is carrying out the action of the verb 'strive' on the object (theme) 'the village'. There is no corresponding passive construction since the matrix verb 'strive' is not transitive.

Question 9

The lamb is chasing the lone wolf.

A	Active
B	Passive Hint: This is an active construction in which the subject (agent) 'the lamb' is carrying out the action of the verb 'chase' on the object (theme) 'the lone wolf'. The corresponding passive construction is 'The lone wolf is being chased by the lamb'.

Question 10

The monkeys that live outside the city take things from unwary tourists.

A	Active
B	Passive Hint: This is an active construction in which the subject, 'the monkeys that live outside the city', is the subject (agent), carrying out the action of the verb 'take' on the object (theme) 'things'. The corresponding passive construction would be “Things are taken away from unwary tourists by the monkeys that live outside the city.”

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Syntax: Active and Passive Voice 1.2

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