Bank PO English Practice Test | Active And Passive Voice
Directions: A sentence has been given in active/passive voice. Out of the suggested alternatives, select the one which expresses the same sentence in passive/active voice.
1. We cannot achieve success without hard work.
a. Success cannot be achieved without hard work.
b. Success cannot have been achieved without hard work.
c. Success cannot have been achieved by us without hard work.
d. Success cannot achieve without hard work.
e. Success cannot have achieved without hard work.
Answer: a
Explanation: The active verb ‘cannot achieve’ becomes ‘cannot be achieved’ in the passive voice. The agent (the person who performs the action) can be omitted in the passive voice.
2. I have already shown the Officer Jay’s photo.
a. The officer had already been shown Jay’s photo.
b. Jay’s photo has already been shown to the Officer.
c. Jay’s photo had already been shown to the Officer.
d. The officer has already been showing Jay’s photo.
e. Jay’s photo has already shown to the officer.
Answer: b
Explanation: When the active verb has two objects, there are two possibilities. a) The direct object (usually a thing) can be the subject of the passive verb.b) The indirect object (usually a person) can be the subject of the passive verb. In the given sentence, the direct object is the phrase `Jay`s photo` and the indirect object is the noun `the Officer`.When the direct object becomes the subject of the passive verb, we get: Jay`s photo has already been shown to the Officer.When the indirect object is the subject of the passive verb, we get: The officer has already been shown Jay`s photo.
3. The visitors were shown a collection of old manuscripts.
a. A collection of old manuscripts was shown to the visitors.
b. The hostess was showing the visitors a collection of old manuscripts.
c. The hostess showed the visitors a collection of old manuscripts.
d. The hostess was showed a collection of old manuscripts.
e. A collection of old manuscripts showed the visitors.
Answer: c
Solution: The passive verb ‘were/was shown’ becomes ‘showed’ in the active voice. When the agent (the person who performs the action) is not mentioned in the passive voice, we can use a noun/pronoun appropriate for the context in the active voice.
