Understanding Voice in Writing

Sharon Sago introduces the concept of shift in voice, focusing on active and passive voices. Active voice is when the subject performs the action, while passive voice is when the subject receives the action. Although both are correct, active voice is preferred for formal writing and tests like the SAT and ACT. Exercises are provided to help identify and correct shifts in voice, ensuring consistency and parallelism in sentences. The video concludes with advice for further practice and preparation.

What is the primary focus of the College Board's test on voice?

• Voice in different languages

• Shift in voice, person, number, and mood

• Passive voice only

• Active voice only

In active voice, who performs the action?

• The adverb

• The subject

• The object

• The verb

Which sentence is in active voice?

• The ball was hit by Tom.

• Tom hit the ball.

• The ball is being hit.

• The ball will be hit.

In passive voice, what happens to the subject?

• It receives the action

• It is replaced by an object

• It performs the action

• It is omitted

Which of the following is a passive voice sentence?

• Tom is hitting the ball.

• Tom hit the ball.

• The ball was hit by Tom.

• The ball hit Tom.

Why is active voice generally preferred over passive voice?

• It is more formal and sophisticated

• It is easier to write

• It is more common in spoken language

• It uses fewer words

Which verb forms are commonly used in passive voice?

• Is and are

• Was and were

• Has and have

• Do and does

What is a common issue when shifting from active to passive voice?

• It makes sentences longer

• It can cause awkward sentence structure

• It changes the meaning of the sentence

• It is grammatically incorrect

How can you identify a shift in voice within a sentence?

• By counting the number of words

• By identifying changes in the subject performing the action

• By looking for changes in verb tense

• By checking the subject's position

What is the benefit of keeping a sentence in active voice?

• It is more grammatically correct

• It is more engaging

• It is more formal

• It is more concise