EnglishAges 10-12

Active & passive voice

Distinguish between active voice and passive voice in structured sentences. Review suitability for your learners before teaching.

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Age band:Ages 10-12 Ages 13-15

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Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 10-12

Active & passive voice

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. Is “The driftwood was carried ashore by strong currents” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Is “The driftwood was carr… · Active & passive voice
2. Is “The wooden jetty was repaired by the carpenter” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Is “The wooden jetty was r… · Active & passive voice
3. Is “The national anthem was sung by the choir” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Is “The national anthem wa… · Active & passive voice
4. Is “The chef prepared a fresh salad” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Is “The chef prepared a fr… · Active & passive voice
5. Is “The lamp was lit at dusk by the lighthouse keeper” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Is “The lamp was lit at du… · Active & passive voice
6. Is “Three banyan saplings were planted by the students” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Is “Three banyan saplings … · Active & passive voice
7. Is “The lighthouse keeper lit the lamp at dusk” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Is “The lighthouse keeper … · Active & passive voice
8. Is “Bees pollinate the orchard blossoms” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Is “Bees pollinate the orc… · Active & passive voice
9. Is “The new books were catalogued by the librarian” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Is “The new books were cat… · Active & passive voice
10. Is “A distant comet was observed by astronomers” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Is “A distant comet was ob… · Active & passive voice
11. Is “The orchard blossoms are pollinated by bees” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Is “The orchard blossoms a… · Active & passive voice
12. Is “Engineers tested the suspension bridge” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Is “Engineers tested the s… · Active & passive voice

12 questions · Seed 52 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

View the answer key

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 10-12

Active & passive voice

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. Is “The driftwood was carried ashore by strong currents” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Passive
The subject (“The driftwood”) is acted upon (“was carried”).
2. Is “The wooden jetty was repaired by the carpenter” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Passive
The wooden jetty receives the action (“was repaired”).
3. Is “The national anthem was sung by the choir” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Passive
The subject (“The national anthem”) receives the action (“was sung”).
4. Is “The chef prepared a fresh salad” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Active
The chef performs the action (“prepared”).
5. Is “The lamp was lit at dusk by the lighthouse keeper” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Passive
“Was lit” is a passive verb construction where the subject receives the action.
6. Is “Three banyan saplings were planted by the students” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Passive
The subject (“Three banyan saplings”) receives the action (“were planted”), so it is in the passive voice.
7. Is “The lighthouse keeper lit the lamp at dusk” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Active
The subject (“The lighthouse keeper”) performs the verb (“lit”), making it active.
8. Is “Bees pollinate the orchard blossoms” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Active
The subject (“Bees”) performs the action (“pollinate”).
9. Is “The new books were catalogued by the librarian” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Passive
The books receive the action (“were catalogued”).
10. Is “A distant comet was observed by astronomers” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Passive
The subject (“A distant comet”) receives the action (“was observed”).
11. Is “The orchard blossoms are pollinated by bees” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Passive
The blossoms receive the action (“are pollinated”).
12. Is “Engineers tested the suspension bridge” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Active
The engineers perform the action (“tested”).

12 questions · Seed 52 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 10-12

Active & passive voice

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. Is “The driftwood was carried ashore by strong currents” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Is “The driftwood was carr… · Active & passive voice
2. Is “The wooden jetty was repaired by the carpenter” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Is “The wooden jetty was r… · Active & passive voice
3. Is “The national anthem was sung by the choir” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Is “The national anthem wa… · Active & passive voice
4. Is “The chef prepared a fresh salad” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Is “The chef prepared a fr… · Active & passive voice
5. Is “The lamp was lit at dusk by the lighthouse keeper” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Is “The lamp was lit at du… · Active & passive voice
6. Is “Three banyan saplings were planted by the students” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Is “Three banyan saplings … · Active & passive voice
7. Is “The lighthouse keeper lit the lamp at dusk” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Is “The lighthouse keeper … · Active & passive voice
8. Is “Bees pollinate the orchard blossoms” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Is “Bees pollinate the orc… · Active & passive voice
9. Is “The new books were catalogued by the librarian” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Is “The new books were cat… · Active & passive voice
10. Is “A distant comet was observed by astronomers” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Is “A distant comet was ob… · Active & passive voice
11. Is “The orchard blossoms are pollinated by bees” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Is “The orchard blossoms a… · Active & passive voice
12. Is “Engineers tested the suspension bridge” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Is “Engineers tested the s… · Active & passive voice

12 questions · Seed 52 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 10-12

Active & passive voice

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. Is “The driftwood was carried ashore by strong currents” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Passive
The subject (“The driftwood”) is acted upon (“was carried”).
2. Is “The wooden jetty was repaired by the carpenter” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Passive
The wooden jetty receives the action (“was repaired”).
3. Is “The national anthem was sung by the choir” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Passive
The subject (“The national anthem”) receives the action (“was sung”).
4. Is “The chef prepared a fresh salad” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Active
The chef performs the action (“prepared”).
5. Is “The lamp was lit at dusk by the lighthouse keeper” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Passive
“Was lit” is a passive verb construction where the subject receives the action.
6. Is “Three banyan saplings were planted by the students” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Passive
The subject (“Three banyan saplings”) receives the action (“were planted”), so it is in the passive voice.
7. Is “The lighthouse keeper lit the lamp at dusk” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Active
The subject (“The lighthouse keeper”) performs the verb (“lit”), making it active.
8. Is “Bees pollinate the orchard blossoms” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Active
The subject (“Bees”) performs the action (“pollinate”).
9. Is “The new books were catalogued by the librarian” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Passive
The books receive the action (“were catalogued”).
10. Is “A distant comet was observed by astronomers” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Passive
The subject (“A distant comet”) receives the action (“was observed”).
11. Is “The orchard blossoms are pollinated by bees” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Passive
The blossoms receive the action (“are pollinated”).
12. Is “Engineers tested the suspension bridge” written in the Active or Passive voice?
Active
The engineers perform the action (“tested”).

12 questions · Seed 52 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification