For sentences in the active voice, the subject performs the action; for those in the passive voice, the subject receives the action. Most grammarians recommend using the active voice whenever possible. Here are some examples to help you distinguish between the voices:
Basic English Grammar rules can be tricky. In this article, we’ll get you started with the basics of sentence structure, punctuation, parts of speech, and more.
We also providing Extra Questions for Class 11 English Chapter wise.
Active And Passive Voice Exercises for Class 11 With Answers CBSE Pdf
Below you can see a set of instructions for making chapattis. Complete the following paragraph which describes how chapattis are made. The first one has been done as an example.
Add salt to half a pound of coarse flour.
Rub an ounce of ghee into the mixture.
Form soft dough using cold water.
Cover mixture and leave to stand for one hour.
knead dough and divide into balls.
Roll each ball to make a flat cake.
Wipe griddle with a greased cloth.
Heat griddle on slow fire.
Place chapatti on the griddle.
Turn occasionally until slightly brown.
Salt is added to half a pound of coarse flour and an ounce of ghee is rubbed into the mixture, (a) …………….. using cold water. The mixture is covered and (b) …………….. for an hour. The dough is kneaded and divided into balls. Then (c) ……………… to make a flat cake. A griddle (d) …………… and then heated on a slow fire. (e) ……………… and turned occasionally until it is slightly brown.
Answer:
(a) A soft dough is formed
(b) left
(c) each ball is rolled
(d) is wiped with a greased cloth
(e) The chapatti is placed on the griddle
Voice refers to the form of a verb that indicates whether the doer of the action in a sentence is the subject or the object.
Change of voice involves three major changes:
- It changes the functions of the subject and the object.
- It changes the position of the subject and the object.
- It changes the form of the verb.
Remember:
- The meaning of the sentence remains unchanged.
- The tense of the verb remains unchanged.
- The passive voice is used when the agent or doer is unknown or obvious.
- The passive voice is used in journalistic, scientific, or legal writing.
| Active Voice | Example |
| The active voice is more direct than the passive. Sentences in the active voice are generally clearer and more direct than those in the passive voice. | The boy flies a kite. The subject (the boy) + an active verb (flies) + an object (a kite). |
| Passive Voice | Example |
| The passive voice calls attention to the receiver of the action rather than the performer. | The kite was flown by the boy. The subject (the kite) + passive verb (was flown) + by + the object (the boy). |
| The passive voice points out the receiver of the action when the performer is unknown or unimportant. | The signs will be posted. |
| It avoids calling attention to the performer of the action (known as the ‘institutional passive’). | The fines will be collected on Monday. |
Changing Active Voice To Passive Voice
| Active Voice | Passive Voice |
| He flies a kite. | A kite is flown by him. |
| He is flying a kite. | A kite is being flown by him. |
| He has flown a kite. | A kite has been flown by him. |
| He flew a kite. | A kite was flown by him. |
| He was flying a kite. | A kite was being flown by him. |
| He had flown a kite. | A kite had been flown by him. |
| He will fly a kite. | A kite will be flown by him. |
Complete the following newspaper report by filling up the blanks with the passive voice.
Inter-School Music Competition
Delhi: 23 October 20XX
An Inter-school Music Competition (a) ……………………….. (hold) at Bhartiya Public School, Ashok Nagar, Delhi, yesterday. More than thirty schools from all over the National Capital Region participated in the program. Ankur Gupta and Sheeba Varghese from our school (b) ……………………….. (adjudge) the Best Singers in the ‘Bhajan’ category. The group song of our school (c) ……………………….. (award) the second prize. Our school (d) ……………………….. (award) the trophy for the overall best performance.
Answer:
(a) was held
(b) adjudged
(c) was awarded
(d) was awarded
Complete the following newspaper report by filling up the blanks with the passive voice.
A Kalkaji businessman ……………………….. (rob) of 1 lakh rupees in the Kalkaji area of South Delhi last night. Police sources said that when Rajender, a wholesale dealer, headed for the parking lot after closing his shop in Kalkaji market, his bag containing the money ……………………….. (snatch) by a youth in his early twenties. The youth fled in a Maruti car parked just a few yards away from the spot. A robbery case ……………………….. (register) by the Kalkaji police and a manhunt ……………………….. (launch) to nab the culprit.
Answer:
(a) was robbed
(b) was snatched
(c) was rejected
(d) was launched
Given here is a set of instructions for making Rotis. Use these to complete the paragraph which describes how rotis are made.
- Add salt to half a pound of coarse flour.
- Rub an ounce of ghee into the mixture.
- Form soft dough using cold water.
- Cover mixture and leave to stand for one hour.
- Knead the dough and divide it into balls.
- Roll each ball to make a flat cake.
- Wipe griddle with a greased cloth.
- Heat the griddle on slow fire. Place the roti on the griddle.
- Turn occasionally until slightly brown.
Salt is added to half a pound of coarse flour and (a) ………………………. into the mixture. (b) ………………………. to form a soft dough. The mixture is covered and (c) ………………………. for one hour. The dough is kneaded and divided into balls. Then (d) ………………………. to make a flat cake. A griddle (e) ………………………. then heated on a slow fire. (f) ………………………. and turned occasionally until it is slightly brown.
Answer:
(a) an ounce of ghee is rubbed
(b) use water
(c) left to stand
(d) they are rolled in order
(e) is wiped with greased oil
(f) The roti is placed on the griddle
23. Given here is a set of instructions for making banana milk. Use these to complete the paragraph which describes how the drink is made.
- six bananas
- crush them into pulp
- boil half a litre of milk
- add banana pulp and sugar
- stir for two minutes and then remove from heat.
Six bananas are crushed into a pulp. Half a litre of milk (a) ………………………. and banana pulp and sugar (b) ………………………. to it. The mixture (c) ………………………. and then (d) ………………………. from the heat.
Answer:
(a) is boiled
(b) is added
(c) is stirred for two minutes
(d) removed
Read the headlines and complete the news items given below.
(a) Political turmoil will rock Pak: CIA
A study conducted by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) ………………………. and sporadic violence, with the military continuing to remain involved in the country’s politics.
(b) Srinagar passport Office encounter ends; 2 CRPF personnel among 4 killed
Security forces on Sunday ………………………. both the militants of Al Mansoorian, who stormed the passport Office in Srinagar, ending the nearly 26 – hour gun battle in which two CRPF personnel ………………………. and five injured.
(c) Nepal Maoists free kidnapped Indian soldiers
Maoists on Sunday released all 14 Gorkha Regiment soldiers of the Indian Army, ………………………. two days ago from Chuha village in Kailali district in far – west Nepal, according to Indian Embassy sources.
(d) Car thieves gang busted
The Delhi Police today ………………………. by arresting four-car lifters and seizing three cars from them.
(e) Most tribes in Nicobar safe
The Centre, which began special focus on rescue and relief operations, ………………………., even as it said aerial surveys were continuing to trace the missing persons there.