Lesson Goal:
To accurately and appropriately use the passive voice in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays for grammar range.
📘 What is Passive Voice?
Passive voice emphasizes the action and the object of the sentence, rather than the subject doing the action.
Structure:
[Subject] + [form of “to be”] + [past participle] + (by + agent)
Active: The government implemented the policy.
Passive: The policy was implemented by the government.
🧠 When to Use Passive Voice in IELTS Task 2
| Use Case | Example |
|---|---|
| To maintain a formal tone | “It is believed that urbanisation leads to social issues.” |
| To avoid personal opinions | “It is argued that technology reduces human interaction.” |
| To focus on results or processes | “The law was passed to protect endangered species.” |
| When the agent is unknown or irrelevant | “Several measures have been introduced recently.” |
✏️ Exercise 1: Change Active to Passive
Rewrite the following active sentences in the passive voice:
- People consume large amounts of processed food every day.
- The authorities will introduce new traffic regulations.
- Researchers have discovered a cure for the disease.
- Technology is transforming the education system.
- The government spends millions on public transport.
Answers
1. Large amounts of processed food are consumed every day.
2. New traffic regulations will be introduced by the authorities.
3. A cure for the disease has been discovered by researchers.
4. The education system is being transformed by technology.
5. Millions are spent on public transport by the government.
✏️ Exercise 2: Fill in the Passive Form
Complete the sentences using the correct passive voice form of the verb in brackets.
- Many endangered species __________ (protect) by international laws.
- The benefits of exercise __________ (highlight) in the report.
- In recent years, stricter rules __________ (enforce) in schools.
- The results __________ (not announce) yet.
- The project __________ (complete) by the end of this year.
Answers
1.Many endangered species are protected by international laws.
2. The benefits of exercise are highlighted in the report.
3. In recent years, stricter rules are enforced in schools.
4. The results are not announced yet.
5. The project will be completed by the end of this year.
✍️ Exercise 3: Apply Passive Voice in IELTS Task 2 Sentences
Change the verbs to passive voice where appropriate, maintaining formal tone:
Original: Many people argue that governments should ban fast food.
Rewritten: It is argued that fast food should be banned by governments.
Now rewrite the following sentences:
- Experts believe that artificial intelligence will replace many jobs.
- Many people criticise the government for not addressing climate change.
- The company produced environmentally friendly cars.
- They are building a new hospital in the city centre.
- Citizens expect the authorities to improve air quality.
Answers
1.It is believed that many jobs will be replaced by artificial intelligence.
2. The government is criticised for not addressing climate change.
3. Environmentally friendly cars were produced by the company.
4. A new hospital is being built in the city centre.
5. The authorities are expected to improve air quality.
