SAT Writing : Correcting Verb Voice Errors
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Example Question #11 : Verb Voice Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
At the turn of the century, many new advances in technology were discovered by scientists.
At the scientist's turn of the century, they discovered many new advances in technology.
Scientists discovering many new advances in technology at the turn of the century.
At the turn of the century, scientists discovered many new advances in technology.
At the turn of the century, many new advances in technology were discovered by scientists.
Many new advances in technology were discovered by scientists at the turn of the century.
At the turn of the century, scientists discovered many new advances in technology.
This example shows how the active voice is preferred over the passive voice. The active voice constructs a much stronger sentence than the passive does.
Example Question #11 : Correcting Verb Voice Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The first day of school was anticipated by the teacher of the students and also by their parents.
The first day of school was anticipated by the teacher of the students and also by their parents.
The students, their parents, and the teacher all anticipated the first day of school.
The first day of school was anticipated by the teacher, the students, and their parents.
The teacher, the teacher's students, and the students' parents all anticipated the first day of school.
The first day of school was to be anticipated by the students and their teacher, as well as their parents.
The students, their parents, and the teacher all anticipated the first day of school.
To avoid the passive "The first day of school was anticipated" and to eliminate unnecessary words, the sentence should read "The students, their parents, and the teacher all anticipated the first day of school."
Example Question #12 : Correcting Verb Voice Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The reforms were made by Paul, the best king we've had in ages.
Paul made the best king in ages, reforms were done by him.
The reforms were made by Paul; the best king we've had in ages.
Paul, the best king we've had in ages, made the reforms.
The reforms were made by Paul the best king we've had in ages.
The reforms, were made by Paul, the best king we've had in ages.
Paul, the best king we've had in ages, made the reforms.
The sentence above, as originally written is in passive voice. It should be changed to the active voice, and the best way to do so is as follows: "Paul, the best king we've had in ages, made the reforms."
Example Question #13 : Correcting Verb Voice Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The loudest barks were made by the biggest dogs.
The loudest barks made the biggest dogs.
The loud barks were made by the big dogs.
The loudest barks were made by the biggest dogs.
The biggest dogs barked most loudly.
The most loudly barks were made by the biggest dogs.
The biggest dogs barked most loudly.
The sentence above, as originally written, is in passive voice. It must be corrected to active voice, and the best way to do so is as follows: "The biggest dogs barked most loudly." Passive voice is not necessarily grammatically incorrect; however when used in the wrong situation it tends to be less precise, clear, and smooth than the active voice version of the same sentence.
Example Question #14 : Correcting Verb Voice Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The rebellious soldiers were brought before the court by the general. No error
No error
The rebellious soldiers brought the general before the court.
The rebellious soldiers were brought before the court.
The general brought the rebellious soldiers before the court.
The rebellious soldiers were broughten before the court by the general.
The general brought the rebellious soldiers before the court.
The sentence, as written, is in passive voice. Passive voice should, in the majority of cases, be changed to active voice. In most cases, the passive voice construction create a sentence structure that is unnecessarily confusing and imprecise. The best way to do so is, "The general brought the rebellious soldiers before the court."
Example Question #15 : Correcting Verb Voice Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Paula's ball was taken away from her by her frustrated teacher. No error
No error
Paula's ball was taken away from she by her frustrated teacher.
The frustrated teacher took Paula's ball away.
Paula's ball was taken away from him by his frustrated teacher.
Paula's ball was taken away from her by her frustrated teacher!
The frustrated teacher took Paula's ball away.
The sentence, as written, is in passive voice. Passive voice should usually be changed to active voice. As in the example sentence, passive voice construction often leads to unnecessarily confusing and imprecise sentences. The best way to write this sentence is: "The frustrated teacher took Paula's ball away."
Example Question #16 : Correcting Verb Voice Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Our professor wrote this difficult exam. No error
This Difficult Exam was written by our professor.
This difficult exam, was written by our professor.
This difficult exam was written by our professor.
No error
This difficult exam was written by Our Professor.
No error
This sentence is written in an active voice. Active voice is, usually, a more clear and concise option for sentence construction than passive voice. It is rarely correct to change a sentence correctly phrased in active voice to passive voice. This sentence contains no errors.
Example Question #17 : Correcting Verb Voice Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The black coffee was poured by the chipper barista.
The black chipper coffee was poured by the barista.
The black coffee, was poured by the chipper barista.
The chipper barista poured the black coffee.
The black coffee was poured by the chipper barista.
The black coffee were poured by the chipper barista.
The chipper barista poured the black coffee.
The sentence, as written, is in passive voice. In this instance (and many others), the passive construction makes the sentence unnecessarily confusing by making the subject of the sentence an item that, logically, should be an object. This most logical and clear subject of this sentence is the "chipper barista" (as s/he is the only sentient being mentioned). The best way to write this sentence is: "The chipper barista poured the black coffee."
Example Question #18 : Correcting Verb Voice Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
His driving test was failed by the scared young man.
The scared young man failed his driving test.
His driving test, was failed by the scared young man.
His driving test was failed by the scared young man.
The driving test was failed by the scared young man.
His driving test was failed, by the scared young man.
The scared young man failed his driving test.
The example sentence is written in what is called passive voice. Passive voice is an inversion of normal grammar whereby the object of the sentence is transformed into its subject. Instances of passive voice should usually be changed so that they are written in active voice. The best way to do so with the sentence above is "The scared young man failed his driving test."
Example Question #19 : Correcting Verb Voice Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The chicken was taken by us out of the oven too early.
We took the chicken out of the oven too early.
The chicken was taken by us out of the oven, too early.
The chicken was taken by us out of the oven too early.
The chicken was taken by we out of the oven too early.
The chicken was taken by us, out of the oven too early.
We took the chicken out of the oven too early.
The sentence above is written in what is called passive voice. Passive voice is an inversion of normal grammar whereby the object of the sentence is transformed into its subject. Instances of passive voice should often be changed so that they are written in active voice. Active voice is generally more concise and clearer. The best way to do so with the sentence above is "We took the chicken out of the oven too early."
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