Let's go through each sentence and determine whether it is in
active or
passive voice.
---
🔹 Key Concept: Active vs. Passive Voice
-
Active Voice: The subject performs the action.
- Structure:
Subject + Verb + Object
- Example: *The dog bit the man.*
-
Passive Voice: The subject receives the action.
- Structure:
Object + Verb (to be + past participle) + by Subject
- Example: *The man was bitten by the dog.*
We look for:
-
"was/were + past participle" → likely passive
-
"by" phrase → often indicates passive
- The
subject receiving the action → passive
---
Now, let’s analyze each sentence:
---
1.
The heavens were studied by ancient astronomers.
✔ "were studied" = past tense of "to be" + past participle
✔ "by ancient astronomers" → agent of action
➤
Passive
✔️
Answer: B
---
2.
A solar eclipse was predicted by Thales of Miletus in 585 B.C.
✔ "was predicted" = passive construction
✔ "by Thales..." → agent
➤
Passive
✔️
Answer: B
---
3.
Hipparchus established an observatory in the third century B.C.
✔ Subject (Hipparchus) performs the action (established)
✔ No "by" phrase; no "to be + past participle"
➤
Active
✔️
Answer: A
---
4.
A supernova, or exploding star, was recorded by Chinese astronomers in 1054.
✔ "was recorded" → passive verb form
✔ "by Chinese astronomers" → agent
➤
Passive
✔️
Answer: A
---
5.
In 1543, a new theory was suggested by a Polish astronomer, Copernicus.
✔ "was suggested" → passive
✔ "by Copernicus" → agent
➤
Passive
✔️
Answer: A
---
6.
In this theory, Earth and other planets orbited the sun.
✔ Subject: Earth and other planets
✔ Verb: orbited → simple past (not "was orbited")
✔ No "by" phrase; subject performs action
➤
Active
✔️
Answer: A
---
7.
The use of Copernicus's theory was forbidden by religious leaders until 1757.
✔ "was forbidden" → passive
✔ "by religious leaders" → agent
➤
Passive
✔️
Answer: A
---
8.
However, persons were convinced about Copernicus's theory by the discoveries of other astronomers.
✔ "were convinced" → passive (past participle of "convince")
✔ "by the discoveries..." → agent (though abstract)
➤
Passive
✔️
Answer: A
---
9.
The law of universal gravitation was discovered by Sir Isaac Newton.
✔ "was discovered" → passive
✔ "by Sir Isaac Newton" → agent
➤
Passive
✔️
Answer: A
---
✔ Final Answers:
| Question | Answer |
|--------|--------|
| 1 | B (Passive) |
| 2 | B (Passive) |
| 3 | A (Active) |
| 4 | A (Passive) |
| 5 | A (Passive) |
| 6 | A (Active) |
| 7 | A (Passive) |
| 8 | A (Passive) |
| 9 | A (Passive) |
---
📝 Summary:
-
Active Voice: Sentences where the subject does the action (e.g., Hipparchus established...).
-
Passive Voice: Sentences where the subject receives the action, often using "was/were + past participle" and "by" to show who did it.
Let me know if you'd like explanations for more questions!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of active passive voice worksheet.
