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"Temperatures are measured in degrees" is an example of a sentence written in the passive voice.

Verbs (Active and Passive Voice) 01

Active and passive sentences shift focus. Learn how verbs change form, when the doer matters, and how sentences with two objects can make two correct passives.

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(quiz starts below)

Fascinating Fact:

Double object sentences can turn passive in two ways. I gave Mia a ticket becomes Mia was given a ticket and A ticket was given to Mia.

In KS3 English, you compare active and passive constructions. Active highlights who did the action; passive highlights the result or receiver. You’ll practise shifting focus, keeping tense correct, and choosing the clearest option for audience and purpose.

Key Terms

Active voice: The subject does the action (e.g., The coach selected the team).
Passive voice: The subject receives the action (e.g., The team was selected).
Agent: The doer of the action, often shown after by in passive sentences (e.g., by the coach).

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is the difference between active and passive voice?

Active voice puts the doer first (Jamal wrote the report). Passive voice puts the receiver first (The report was written by Jamal) and uses a form of be plus past participle.

When should I use the passive voice in KS3 English?

Use passive when the doer is unknown, unimportant, or you want an objective tone: The window was broken. It’s also common in science and formal reports.

How do I change a sentence with two objects into the passive?

Make either object the subject: I gave Mia a ticket ? Mia was given a ticket or A ticket was given to Mia. Keep tense and agreement correct.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

Which sentence uses the passive voice?

Cakes are made with flour and eggs

Flour and eggs make cakes

Gran uses flour and eggs to make cakes

You use flour and eggs to make cakes

"You use", "Gran uses" and "flour and eggs make" all use the active voice - we therefore call them active sentences

2 .

Which sentence uses the passive voice?

Degrees measure temperature levels

One type of temperature measurement is degrees C.

Temperatures are measured in degrees

Weather forecasters measure temperatures in degrees

Who is using degrees to measure the temperatures? Some passive constructions are ambivalent about who is carrying out the action

3 .

Which sentence uses the passive voice?

A form for the trip can be collected from the office

The forms for the trip are in the office

The office has the forms for the trip

You can collect a form for the trip from the office

Using the passive voice is an impersonal, more formal way of writing

4 .

Which sentence uses the passive voice?

A letter of permission is needed for the trip

You can collect a letter of permission from me

You need a letter of permission to take part in the trip

Your parents must sign a letter of permission for the trip

Here the passive voice makes this informative sentence more formal in tone

5 .

Which sentence uses the passive voice?

Bananas are eaten by the monkeys

Monkeys eat bananas

The monkeys eat what the zookeeper provides

The zookeeper gives the monkeys bananas to eat

Use passive voice carefully. Why would it be important to focus on the bananas rather than the monkeys? This construction might be well-chosen for a piece of non-fiction writing concerning bananas

6 .

Which sentence uses the active voice?

Spring months are followed by summer months

Summer months are followed by autumn months

Summer months follow spring months

Winter months are followed by spring months

If the sentence contains "is" or "are" and a past participle ("followed"), then it is probably written in the passive voice

7 .

Which sentence uses the active voice?

The gymnast vaults over the high box

The high box is used for vaults by the gymnasts

The high box is vaulted over by the gymnast

The high boxes are vaulted over by the gymnasts

Focus on what "the gymnast" does and you will see that this is active voice

8 .

Which sentence uses the active voice?

Dad carefully puts the icing on the cake

The cake is carefully iced by dad

The carefully iced cake is eaten at the party

The icing is carefully put on the cake by dad

It is "Dad" who does the verb and this again is active voice

9 .

Which sentence uses the active voice?

Mum takes the children to tennis

The children are taken to tennis at midday

The children are taken to tennis by car

The children are taken to tennis by mum

The construction "are taken" is passive

10 .

Which sentence uses the active voice?

The teacher tunes the violins

The violins are already tuned

The violins are tuned by the teacher

The violins were tuned by the teacher

If you have found this quiz difficult then don't worry. The great majority of adults have no idea whether a sentence is written in the active or passive voice!

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - What is a verb?

Author: Sue Daish (English Teacher, Principal Examiner & Published Author)