Active and Passive Voice Worksheets - 15 Worksheets Library - Free Printable

Here is the solution to the "Active or Passive Voice?" worksheet, with an explanation for each sentence.

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✔ Key Concept:

- Active Voice: The subject performs the action. Structure: *Subject + Verb + Object*.
- Passive Voice: The subject receives the action. Structure: *Object + "be" verb + Past Participle + (by + Agent)*. Often, the “by” phrase is omitted.

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📝 Answers & Explanations:

1. Rachel picked up the cat.
→ Active
*Explanation:* Rachel (subject) is doing the action — she picked up the cat.

2. Joe picked up his son.
→ Active
*Explanation:* Joe (subject) performs the action of picking up his son.

3. The cat was brushed by William.
→ Passive
*Explanation:* The cat (subject) is receiving the action. “Was brushed” = passive form. William is the doer (agent), introduced by “by”.

4. The bread was buttered by Helen.
→ Passive
*Explanation:* Bread is not doing anything — it’s being acted upon. “Was buttered” is passive; Helen is the agent.

5. The test was given by my teacher.
→ Passive
*Explanation:* The test (subject) receives the action. “Was given” = passive verb form. Teacher is the agent.

6. This paper was written by my friend.
→ Passive
*Explanation:* The paper didn’t write itself — it was written by someone. “Was written” = passive construction.

7. The girls arranged the program.
→ Active
*Explanation:* Girls (subject) performed the action — they arranged the program.

8. My sisters forgot the pizza.
→ Active
*Explanation:* Sisters (subject) did the forgetting — active voice.

9. The tissues were brought by Liam.
→ Passive
*Explanation:* Tissues are the object receiving the action. “Were brought” = passive. Liam is the agent.

10. The lights were hung by my mother.
→ Passive
*Explanation:* Lights didn’t hang themselves — they were hung. “Were hung” = passive verb; mother is the agent.

11. My father drove eight hundred miles.
→ Active
*Explanation:* Father (subject) performed the action — he drove.

12. Our opportunity was lost by us.
→ Passive
*Explanation:* Opportunity (subject) received the action of being lost. “Was lost” = passive. “By us” shows who caused it.

13. The dinosaur cheered up the children.
→ Active
*Explanation:* Dinosaur (subject) performed the action — it cheered up the children.

14. The passage was assigned by Bill.
→ Passive
*Explanation:* Passage (subject) received the action. “Was assigned” = passive verb. Bill is the agent.

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🧾 Final Answer Key:

1. Active
2. Active
3. Passive
4. Passive
5. Passive
6. Passive
7. Active
8. Active
9. Passive
10. Passive
11. Active
12. Passive
13. Active
14. Passive

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