Active Voice Challenge Quiz

1. What does it mean when a sentence is written in the active voice?

The subject is left out of the sentence.

The subject receives the action of the verb.

The subject performs the action of the verb.

The sentence always starts with the object.

In active voice, the subject is the one doing the action in the sentence.

Explanation

In active voice, the subject is the one doing the action in the sentence.

2. Which sentence is written in the active voice?

The book was read by the class.

The class was reading the book.

The class read the book.

The book is being read.

In C, the subject 'class' does the action 'read' to the object 'book'.

Explanation

In C, the subject 'class' does the action 'read' to the object 'book'.

3. In active voice, the subject of the sentence does the action of the verb.

True

False

Active voice always has the subject performing the action.

Explanation

Active voice always has the subject performing the action.

4. Sentences that use 'was' or 'were' plus a past participle and a 'by' phrase are usually written in active voice.

True

False

That pattern usually shows passive voice, where the subject receives the action.

Explanation

That pattern usually shows passive voice, where the subject receives the action.

5. Which of these sentences are written in the active voice?

The test was graded by the teacher.

The teacher graded the test.

The results were announced by the principal.

The principal announced the results.

The results were being announced.

In B and D, the subject comes first and clearly does the action of the verb.

Explanation

In B and D, the subject comes first and clearly does the action of the verb.

Submit

6. Which of these sentences are written in the passive voice, not the active voice?

The storm knocked down several trees.

Several trees were knocked down by the storm.

The storm was knocking down several trees.

The trees were knocked down.

The storm will knock down several trees.

B and D both put the trees as the subject and use a passive verb form.

Explanation

B and D both put the trees as the subject and use a passive verb form.

Submit

7. The sentence 'Our team won the championship' is written in the __________ voice.

Here the subject 'team' does the action 'won', so the sentence is active.

Explanation

Here the subject 'team' does the action 'won', so the sentence is active.

Submit

8. The sentence 'The championship was won by our team' is written in the __________ voice.

In this version, 'championship' is the subject receiving the action, so it is passive.

Explanation

In this version, 'championship' is the subject receiving the action, so it is passive.

Submit

9. Passive: 'The trophies were given out by the coach.' Which sentence is the best active voice version?

The trophies gave out the coach.

The coach was given out the trophies.

The coach gave out the trophies.

The trophies were giving out by the coach.

C makes 'coach' the subject and uses the simple past verb 'gave' for a clear active sentence.

Explanation

C makes 'coach' the subject and uses the simple past verb 'gave' for a clear active sentence.

10. Passive: 'The science fair was organized by the students.' Choose the correct active voice sentence.

The students organized the science fair.

The science fair organized the students.

The students were organized by the science fair.

The science fair was organizing the students.

A shows the students as the doers of the action 'organized'.

Explanation

A shows the students as the doers of the action 'organized'.

11. Active voice often makes sentences clearer and easier to read than passive voice.

True

False

Active voice quickly tells the reader who did what, which improves clarity.

Explanation

Active voice quickly tells the reader who did what, which improves clarity.

12. Why might a writer choose active voice in a news article about a game?

To hide which team acted.

To make the sentences longer and more confusing.

To clearly show which team did each action.

To avoid using action verbs.

Active voice highlights the team as the doer, which fits reporting who did what in the game.

Explanation

Active voice highlights the team as the doer, which fits reporting who did what in the game.

13. Which compound sentence is written entirely in active voice?

The game was won by our team, and the trophy was lifted by the captain.

Our team won the game, and the captain lifted the trophy.

Our team won the game, and the trophy was lifted by the captain.

The game was won, and the captain lifted the trophy.

The game was won by our team, and the captain lifted the trophy.

In B, both clauses have clear subjects doing the actions: 'team won' and 'captain lifted'.

Explanation

In B, both clauses have clear subjects doing the actions: 'team won' and 'captain lifted'.

14. Which sentence is NOT written in the active voice?

The students presented their projects.

The projects were presented by the students.

The teacher asked questions.

Parents visited the classroom.

B is passive because 'projects' is the subject receiving the action 'were presented'.

Explanation

B is passive because 'projects' is the subject receiving the action 'were presented'.

Submit

16. A sentence that follows the pattern 'subject + action verb + object' is usually in the active voice.

True

False

That pattern shows the subject acting on the object, which is the basic structure of active voice.

Explanation

That pattern shows the subject acting on the object, which is the basic structure of active voice.

17. Passive: 'The posters will be designed by the art club.' Which active sentence keeps the same future tense?

The art club designed the posters.

The art club designs the posters.

The art club will design the posters.

The posters will design the art club.

C keeps the future tense 'will design' and makes the art club the subject.

Explanation

C keeps the future tense 'will design' and makes the art club the subject.

18. You are writing instructions for a recipe. Which sentences use active voice in a clear way?

The onions should be chopped by the cook.

Chop the onions into small pieces.

The vegetables are being washed by the cook.

Wash the vegetables thoroughly.

The soup was stirred by the cook.

B and D use command forms in active voice, which fit clear step-by-step instructions.

Explanation

B and D use command forms in active voice, which fit clear step-by-step instructions.

Submit

19. Changing a sentence from passive to active voice should keep the same basic meaning about who did what.

True

False

Only the structure changes; the doer and the action should stay the same.

Explanation

Only the structure changes; the doer and the action should stay the same.

20. Which question is most helpful when checking if a sentence is in active voice?

Can I remove the subject completely?

Is the subject receiving the action?

Can I find a form of 'to be' in the sentence?

Is the subject doing the action of the verb?

If the subject is doing the action, the sentence is in active voice.

Explanation

If the subject is doing the action, the sentence is in active voice.

All-in-One Voice Test: Active Voice Challenge Quiz