We can make a statement in two ways if we are using a transitive verb. We may use the active voice or the passive voice.
This grammar section explains English Grammar in a clear and simple way. There are example sentences to show how the language is used. Students can also read NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English to get good marks in CBSE Board Exams.
Active and Passive Voice Exercises With Answers for Class 11 CBSE
An idea can be expressed in either voice depending upon whether emphasis is to be placed on the doer of the action, i.e. the subject or the sufferer of the action, i.e. the object. Look at the sentences given below:
- The hunter killed a tiger. (Active Voice)
- A tiger was killed by the hunter. (Passive Voice)
In the first sentence, the subject (the hunter) is the doer of the action. This sentence is in Active Voice. In the second sentence, the subject (tiger) is the receiver of the action. Here the subject is being acted upon. This sentence is in Passive Voice. The change in the form of the verb showing whether the subject acts or is acted upon is called the Voice. A verb is said to be in the Active Voice when the person or thing denoted by the subject acts or is active. So the verb ‘killed’ in the above sentence is in the Active Voice. A verb is said to be in the Passive Voice when the person or thing denoted by the subject does not act but suffers the action done by something or someone. The verb ‘was killed’ in the second sentence is in the Passive Voice. Some more examples are given.
It is normal and even preferable to express actions in the active voice. In some cases, however, we use the passive voice.
(i) We do not know who has done the action:
The pedestrian was knocked down (by an unknown vehicle).
My purse was stolen (by an unknown person).
(ii) The action itself is more important than the doer:
The palace was auctioned.?
Thirty civilians were gunned down.
♦ Remember:
- Future continuous and perfect continuous tenses do not have passive forms.
- Intransitive verbs or verbs which do not have an object, cannot be expressed in the passive voice.
- Passive form is made by using the past participle or the third form of the verb along with a suitable form of ‘be’.
- The following table shows the active and passive forms of verbs in various tenses.
Question 1.
Change the following sentences from the Active Voice to the Passive Voice.
1. They feed the elephants at the zoo twice a day.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
2. The Prime Minister will survey the tsunami-affected areas.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
3. The author has written a special edition for children.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
4. The volunteers are helping the villagers rebuild their houses.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
5. They have written letters appealing to the district administration for help.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
6. Why did you do such a thing?
……………………………………………………………………………………………
7. He was driving a brand–new car.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
8. He had finished the work by the time we reached.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
9. The government is spending very little money on the maintenance of roads.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
10. Barnaby had not forgotten the sugarcoated explosives.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Answer:
1. The elephant at the zoo are fed twice a day
2. The tsunami affected are will be surveyed by the Prime Minister.
3. A special addition has been written for children.
4. The villagers are being helped in rebuilding their houses by the volunteers.
5. The letters have been written by them appealing to the district administration for help.
6. Why was such a thing done by you?
7. A brand new car was being driven by him.
8. The work had been finished by the time we reached.
9. Very little money is being spent by the government on the maintenance of roads.
10. The sugarcoated explosives had not been forgotten by Barnaby.
Question 2.
Given below is a set of instructions for a recipe. Complete the following paragraph using these instructions appropriately
- Take six bananas
- Crush them into pulp.
- Boil half kg of milk.
- Add banana pulp and sugar.
- Stir for two minutes and then remove it from heat.
Six bananas are taken and crushed into a pulp. Half a kg of milk
(a) ………………….. and banana pulp and sugar
(b) ……………….. the mixture.
(c) ……………… from the heat.
Answer:
(a) is boiled
(b) are added to
(c) It is then removed
Question 3.
Complete the following dialogue by filling in the blanks with passive constructions.
Asha: Who stitches your clothes?
Neha: My clothes (a) …………………. in Kamla Nagar.
Asha: They are beautiful. Who buys the material for your dresses?
Neha: The material (b) ………………….
Asha: And who designs your outfits?
Neha: The outfit I am wearing today (c) …………………….
Asha: Your yellow dress has beautiful embroidery. Who did it?
Neha: Oh, It was (d) …………………
Asha: Where did you learn to embroider?
Answer:
(a) are stitched
(b) is bought by my mother
(c) was designed by me
(d) was embroidered by me
(e) was taught
Question 4.
Your friend’s uncle has given her ₹ 20,000, hut she does not have an account in the bank. Tell her how to open an account in the bank. The following instructions may be used to complete the paragraph.
Go to the nearby branch.
Contact the officer and take the form.
Complete the form with the necessary information.
Submit the form with two photographs and a proof of residence.
Go to the nearby branch of the bank chosen by you. The branch office should be contacted. A form
(a) …………….. It should be (b) ……………….. The form (c) ……………….. with two photographs and a proof of residence.
Answer:
(a) should be taken
(b) filled
(c) should be submitted
Question 5.
Read the following newspaper headlines. Then use the information given in the headlines to complete the sentences that follow.
(i) Kolkata Man Discovers Comet
An astronomer Mr. Dutta claims that he will be visible to the naked eye in six months.
(ii) Cyclone Leaves Thousand Dead In Gujarat
A Cyclone Which Swept Across the State at Midnight
(iii) Us Not To Sell Missiles to Pak
US President has assured India that
Answer:
(i) has discovered a comet
(ii) left thousands dead in Gujarat.
(iii) the United States will not sell missiles to Pakistan.
Question 6.
In the passage given below, one word has been omitted in each line. Edit the passage and write the omitted word along with the word that comes before and the word that comes after against the correct blank number.
Answer:
Question 7.
Look at the news headlines below and use the information to complete the sentences.
(i) Car Thieves Gang Busted
The Police Commissioner reports that the car thieves’ gang ……………………..
(ii) C.M. Surveys Flood-Hit Area
The Chief Minister arrives tomorrow at Chandigarh where the flood-hit areas ………………….. by him.
(iii) States to Revise Ration Cards
The Rationing Department confirms that all the ration cards …………………. by the states within
two months.
Answer:
(i) has been busted
(ii) will be surveyed
(iii) will be revised
Question 8.
Look at the newspaper headlines below and use the information to complete the sentences.
(i) Suspect Arrested
Delhi Police reports that the suspect …………….. in Jaipur.
(ii) Minister to Open Hospital
The health minister will arrive at Lucknow next week. The new hospital ……………. by him.
(iii) Indian Wins Top Chess Prize
The International Chess Tournament ………………. by an Indian.
Answer:
(a) has been arrested
(ii) will be opened
(iii) has been won
Question 9.
Complete each of the following sentences in such a way that it means exactly the same as the sentences printed before it.
(i) Our teacher taught us how to face an interview.
We were ……………………………………………..
(ii) Do not look down upon the poor.
The poor ……………………………………………..
(iii) Did they offer you the job?
Was the job ……………………………?
Answer:
(i) taught by our teacher how to face an interview
(ii) should not be looked down upon
(iii) offered to you
Question 14.
Given below is a set of instructions for washing clothes. Imagine that you have completed this procedure. Complete the following paragraph reporting what you did.
(i) Pour water in the washing machine up to the marked level.
(ii) Add sufficient detergent powder to give a rich foam.
(iii) Put the fine clothes first and switch on the machine.
(iv) Switch off the machine after five minutes.
Water was poured in the washing machine up to the marked level, sufficient powder
(a) …………….. to give a rich foam. The fine clothes (b) ………………….. and the machine (c) ……………….
After five minutes the washing machine (d) ……………….
Answer:
(a) was added
(b) were put first
(c) was switched on
(d) was switched off