Active vs. Passive Voice: Effects

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Questions and Answers

A scientist conducts an experiment, thoroughly documenting each stage and result. Which statement accurately reflects the voice and its effect?

Active voice showcases the scientist's direct involvement, emphasizing their agency and responsibility in the process. (correct)
Passive voice adds clarity by highlighting the tools used in the experiment.
Active voice downplays the scientist's contribution, making the experiment seem self-executing.
Passive voice obscures the scientist's role, shifting focus to the experiment itself and its outcomes.

The committee investigated the claims of fraud thoroughly. Which statement best describes the effect of revising the sentence to passive voice?

Using passive voice makes the sentence more concise and impactful.
Passive voice would obscure the committee's responsibility, focusing instead on the claims. (correct)
Shifting to passive voice enhances the strength and directness of the statement.
Passive voice adds clarity and specifies who was affected by the fraud.

A software development team codes and tests new features every sprint. What impact would using passive voice have on describing their activities?

Passive voice would add a layer of formality, making the description more professional.
Passive voice would emphasize the features themselves, diminishing the team's role in their creation. (correct)
Passive voice would create a stronger sense of collaboration within the team.
Passive voice would better highlight the efficiency of the team's coding process.

The construction crew erected the skyscraper in record time. How does changing this to passive voice alter the meaning?

Passive voice shifts focus to the skyscraper itself, emphasizing its impressive scale and design. (C) Signup and view all the answers

A historian analyzes primary source documents to uncover new insights. What's the effect of using passive voice to describe this process?

Passive voice would obscure the historian's role, potentially making the analysis appear unbiased or self-evident. (D) Signup and view all the answers

The chef prepared an intricate multi-course meal. How would transforming this sentence to passive voice influence its interpretation?

Passive voice highlights the complexity and artistry of the meal, rather than the chef’s direct actions. (C) Signup and view all the answers

An investigative journalist revealed a widespread conspiracy. How would recasting this sentence in passive voice impact the narrative?

Passive voice would shift the focus to the conspiracy itself, potentially downplaying the journalist's role in uncovering it. (C) Signup and view all the answers

The marketing team launched a viral advertising campaign. What effect does converting this sentence to passive voice have?

Passive voice shifts the emphasis to the campaign’s success and reach, rather than who launched it. (D) Signup and view all the answers

The symphony orchestra performed Beethoven's Fifth Symphony flawlessly. In what way would passive voice alter the perception of this sentence?

Passive voice would emphasize the symphony itself, potentially minimizing the orchestra’s role in the performance. (B) Signup and view all the answers

A group of volunteers organized a community cleanup event, successfully removing tons of trash. How does the passive voice change the emphasis?

Passive voice puts focus on the result (tons of trash removed), possibly overshadowing the volunteers’ efforts. (C) Signup and view all the answers

The security team detected and thwarted a cyberattack on the company's servers. How would using passive voice modify the message?

Passive voice would focus on the cyberattack itself, possibly diminishing the recognition of the security team’s intervention. (A) Signup and view all the answers

The environmental scientist discovered traces of a rare, endangered species. How would converting this sentence to passive voice change the focus?

Passive voice shifts emphasis to the discovery of the species, maybe overshadowing the scientist's role. (A) Signup and view all the answers

A renowned architect designed a sustainable, eco-friendly building. What happens to the sentence's emphasis when it is changed to passive voice?

Passive voice shifts the focus to the building itself, thus, reducing the architect’s prominence in the statement. (D) Signup and view all the answers

The lead programmer debugged the complex algorithm with exceptional speed. What effect will using passive voice have?

Passive voice shifts emphasis to the speed and process of debugging, possibly diminishing the acknowledgement of the programmer’s expertise. (C) Signup and view all the answers

A skilled negotiator resolved the international dispute peacefully. How does the transformation to passive voice impact the sentence?

Passive voice shifts attention to the resolution of the dispute, potentially overshadowing the negotiator’s skill. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Active Voice

In an active voice sentence, the subject performs the action.

Passive Voice

In a passive voice sentence, the subject receives the action.