Active Voice and Passive Voice Summative

Part 1:  PSSA-Type Questions  Read each sentence/paragraph and the question that follows. Choose the BEST answer for each.

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Read the sentence: My favorite team had already been knocked out of the tournament. Without changing the meaning of the sentence, what is the best way to revise the sentence using active voice? (.5 point)

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Read the sentence: Although payment was due last week, the letter was only mailed by Carol yesterday.Without changing the meaning of the sentence, what is the best way to revise the sentence using active voice?

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Read the paragraph below: (1) In the years before the American Revolution, a system to spread information about problems in the colonies was devised by Samuel Adams. (2) Designated colonists would gather to write letters about their situations and encounters with the British. (3) Then riders would carry the letters to meeting houses in each colony, where colonists added more news. (4) Colonists were then better prepared to respond to British actions. Question: Which revision BEST improves the voice of a verb phrase in the paragraph?

Part 2: Read each sentence below.  If the sentence is written in passive voice, rewrite it in active voice.  If the sentence is written in active voice, rewrite it in passive voice. 

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The cake for my birthday party was bought by my mother.

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I ran the obstacle course in record time.

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The kitchen was cleaned by Samantha, and the living room was cleaned by Brad.

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The archaeologists discovered the ancient pyramids of Egypt.

Part 3:  Read and Respond Read the paragraph below.  Select a sentence in the paragraph that is written in passive voice.  Change the passive voice in that sentence to active voice to make the paragraph more formal. 

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Read this paragraph: 1. Since our students in the past have loved the books in our Book Clubs, we are excited to offer these is books again this year. 2. Miss Eggert, Team Andromeda; Mrs. Hegge, Team Nova Star; and Mrs. Owens, Team Sirius, are confident the books will appeal to you, but new ideas are always welcome. 3. New books have been added this year by your teachers. 4. We are hoping you will like them as much as we do. 5. We realize that reading is not a favorite activity for all of you; however, keeping an open mind about our Book Clubs, a type of literature circles, will help you get more out of the experience.

Which sentence is written in the passive voice?

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1. Since our students in the past have loved the books in our Book Clubs, we are excited to offer these is books again this year. 2. Miss Eggert, Team Andromeda; Mrs. Hegge, Team Nova Star; and Mrs. Owens, Team Sirius, are confident the books will appeal to you, but new ideas are always welcome. 3. New books have been added this year by your teachers. 4. We are hoping you will like them as much as we do. 5. We realize that reading is not a favorite activity for all of you; however, keeping an open mind about our Book Clubs, a type of literature circles, will help you get more out of the experience.

Please revise the passive sentence you chose so that it is written in the active voice.

Part 4:  Short Answer

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1A. Write a sentence in the active voice. Be sure that your sentence reflects the need to use the active voice.

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1B. Explain your reasoning for using the active voice.

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2A. Write a sentence in the passive voice. Be sure that your sentence reflects the need to use the passive voice.

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Active Voice and Passive Voice Summative

Read the sentence: My favorite team had already been knocked out of the tournament. Without changing the meaning of the sentence, what is the best way to revise the sentence using active voice? (.5 point)

Read the sentence: Although payment was due last week, the letter was only mailed by Carol yesterday.Without changing the meaning of the sentence, what is the best way to revise the sentence using active voice?

The cake for my birthday party was bought by my mother.

I ran the obstacle course in record time.

The kitchen was cleaned by Samantha, and the living room was cleaned by Brad.

The archaeologists discovered the ancient pyramids of Egypt.

1A. Write a sentence in the active voice. Be sure that your sentence reflects the need to use the active voice.

1B. Explain your reasoning for using the active voice.

2A. Write a sentence in the passive voice. Be sure that your sentence reflects the need to use the passive voice.

2B. Explain your reasoning for using the passive voice.

Read the sentence: My favorite team had already been knocked out of the tournament. Without changing the meaning of the sentence, what is the best way to revise the sentence using active voice? (.5 point)

Read the sentence: Although payment was due last week, the letter was only mailed by Carol yesterday.Without changing the meaning of the sentence, what is the best way to revise the sentence using active voice?

The cake for my birthday party was bought by my mother.

I ran the obstacle course in record time.

The kitchen was cleaned by Samantha, and the living room was cleaned by Brad.

The archaeologists discovered the ancient pyramids of Egypt.

1A. Write a sentence in the active voice. Be sure that your sentence reflects the need to use the active voice.

1B. Explain your reasoning for using the active voice.

2A. Write a sentence in the passive voice. Be sure that your sentence reflects the need to use the passive voice.

2B. Explain your reasoning for using the passive voice.