One method to help students solve exercises of passive voice effectively

INDEX
Page 
PART A: INTRODUCTION ..................................................................2
I. Reasons for choosing the theme .2
II. Aims of the research .....2
III. Scope and objects .. .....3
IV. Research methods. ...3
PART B: CONTENT..4	 3
I. The theoretical background ....4
1. The definition of the active voice ..4
2.The definition of the passive voice..........................................................4
3. The differences between a passive sentence and an active sentence ....5 4. Transitive verbs and intransitive verbs...5
II. How to use passive sentences....6
1. The use of passive sentences......6
2. Passive structures...7
III. How to change active sentences into passive ones.......9
1. The ways to change an active sentence into a passive one.....9
2. Students should note some problems ....9
3. Practice.10 
4. Special types of passive voice ...10
PART C. CONCLUSION - REQUEST ...18
References ...20
PART 1: INTRODUCTION
I. REASONS FOR CHOOSING THE RESEARCH 
 	English is known as the worldwide spoken language nowadays and almost all of the people need to know this language so as to communicate and integrate. Therefore, English is a compulsory subject applied across the whole higher educational system in Vietnam
   When learning English, students focus on learning active voice structures. It is usually the easiest way for them to phrase sentences but as students progress in their studies, they will encounter passive voice sentences. Since this is an entirely new structure, spend plenty of time on the introduction and conduct several comprehension checks along the way. In secondary school English program, the passive is a vital part of knowledge, in the graduation exam. To do the multiple choice exercises on the passive well, the students need to understand the issues relating to the active and passive sentences in English, making the switch from exercise to exercise self-talk test. So I chose the theme 
" One method to help students solve exercises of passive voice effectively " to be the research problems in this experience initiative. 
II. AIMS AND OBJECTS OF THE RESEARCH
1. Aims
With the reasons above in my mind, the specific aims of the research accordingly are:
1.1. To help the students improve the usage of the passive voice and recognize the differences between the active voice and the passive one.
1.2. To clear the differences between the intransitive verbs and transitive verbs.
1.3. To encourage the students to use the language they have learnt to solve the communicative tasks.
To encourage the students to be interested in learning English.
2. Objects: This subject is concerned with the passive voice and its usage.
III. SCOPE 
 In secondary school English program, passive sentences are to be taught in three grades: 8A, 8B and 9B. In this theme, I just focus on some theoretical problems of passive sentence structure, usage use, how to switch from passive to proactive, several special in the passive ... and some writing assignments, the corresponding multiple choice quiz to reinforce knowledge section above, to help students understand and grasp the basic knowledge and advanced passive sentences in English so that they can make good the multiple choice quiz format of passive sentences in English.
IV. RESEARCHING METHOD 
I researched this topic based on the following grounds:
- Based on actual teaching.
- Based on a number of references to the passive.
- Based and some opinions of my colleagues.
Initial survey.
     In the 2017-2018 school year, I was assigned to teach English in grades 8A, 8B, and 9B. For students in grades 9, they were acquainted with the passive secondary level, and grades 8 learnt the passive voice at the first time. 
At first students found it difficult to recognize which sentence is formed in active voice and which sentence is in passive voice. Therefore, I have studied the passive voice and the active one in the first part. Then I would like to mention the differences between the transitive verbs and intransitive ones in the way to change from an active form to a passive form or from a passive form to an active one. Finally, I make a list of the structures in the passive voice. Last, the conclusion is the summary of what is in the research and the comments on the finding of this subject.
PART B. CONTENT
I/ THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
1. The definition of the active voice:
a. Active voice definition: The active voice is a style of writing where the subject completes the action of the sentence.
b. What does active voice mean? In the active voice, the subject always “does” the action of the sentence. Chronologically, the subject will come before the verb in the sentence.
Examples :
a, He is watering flowers. 
b, Jane makes pancakes every Sunday.
In each of these sentences, the subject comes before the verb and object. The subject is “doing” the verb in the sentence. This is called the active voice.
c. How to write an sentence in active voice: Active sentences are formed when the subject completes the action of the sentence.
Whether or not the subject is the first word of the sentence, active voice is used if the subject “does” the verb.
d. How To Form an Active Voice Sentence: S + V + (O)
Start with a subject.
Add a verb (after the subject).
Add any modifiers.
e. Active Voice Example:
Grandpa
Grandpa arrived
Grandpa>arrived
Yesterday, Grandpa arrived at our house
2. The definition of the passive voice
a. Passive voice definition: The passive voice is a style of writing where what would be the object of a sentence becomes the subject of the sentence.
b. What does passive voice mean? The passive writing voice occurs when something that is ordinarily “done by” the subject of a sentence is “done by” the object of a sentence.
In the passive writing voice, whatever is doing the action of the sentence is not the grammatical subject of the sentence.
Examples:
a, The work was completed by Nam.
Even though “Jaime” completed the work, “Nam” is not the grammatical subject of this sentence. The subject of this sentence is “work.”
In passive sentences, the thing that seems to be doing the action will be ordered chronologically after the verb.
b, The ball was hit by Ba.
Again, in this sentence, rather than say, “Ba hit the ball.” the ball becomes the subject of the sentence.
c. How is the Passive Voice Formed?
Passive construction: The passive writing voice is formed when what should be the object of a sentence becomes the subject of a sentence.
S + be + Vp.p
To construct a sentence in the passive writing voice, the subject will be followed by a “to be” verb with a past participle.
Examples of Passive Voice:
- Start with active voice.
Mrs. Hoa bought clothes.
“Mrs. Hoa” is subject; “clothes” is object
- The object becomes the subject.
The clothes
Add “to be” and past participle
The clothes were bought.
(Optional) Add original subject (and a preposition, when necessary)
The clothes were bought by Mrs. Hoa.
3. The differences between a passive sentence and an active sentence
- What is a passive sentence? The passive writing voice occurs when the action is done by what seems like it should be the subject.
- What is an active sentence? Active voice occurs when the subject “does” the action of the sentence.
Active Voice Example:
Shakespeare wrote the play.
In this sentence, Shakespeare is “doing” the action of the sentence.
Active vs. Passive Voice Examples:
	Shakespeare wrote the play. (active)
 	The play was written by Shakespeare. (passive)
The subject is typically clearer in active voice whereas in passive voice it may seem like the object is the subject.
More Examples:
The boy is collecting the garbage ( active)
The garbage is being collected by the boy. (passive)
4. Transitive verbs and intransitive verbs
We know that a passive sentence only happens with a transitive verb.
a. What is a transitive verb?
A transitive verb is one that only makes sense if it exerts its action on an object
A transitive verb needs to transfer its action to something or someone—an object. In essence, transitive means “to affect something else.” Transitive verbs are not just verbs that can take an object; they demand objects. Without an object to affect, the sentence that a transitive verb inhabits will not seem complete.
An active sentence with a transitive verb: S + V + O
 Example : He closed the door
	The verb “ close” is a transitive verb. its object is the door, the thing that is being brought. Without an object of some kind, this verb cannot function.
	He closed
Close what? The question begs itself because the meaning of close 
demands it.
Here are some more examples of transitive verbs and their objects.
The girls carry water to their village.
The boy threw the ball.
Could you phone the neighbors?
I caught a cold.
She loves rainbows.
Each of the verbs in these sentences have objects that complete the verbs’ actions. If the objects were taken out, the results would be illogical and questions would be raised in the mind of the reader
b. What is an intransitive verb?
	An intransitive verb is the opposite of a transitive verb: it does not require an object to act upon. It will make sense without one
They jumped.
The dog ran.
She sang.
A light was shining.
None of these verbs require an object for the sentence to make sense, and all of them can end a sentence. 
II. How to use passive sentences.
	Each question can be expressed in active form then either passive. Question actively used when we want to emphasize the causes of action. When the subject is affected by the action, we use the passive voice. The choice of active or passive sentence depends on many factors. In many cases, we are using only active or passive. Therefore, students should understand the following issues:
1. The use of passive sentences.
- When you do not need to mention agents of action ( by chance was too obvious or unimportant ) .
Eg: The road has been repaired.
-When We do not know or forget the people to take action .
Eg: The money was stolen.
-When we are interested in the action itself rather than the people to take action.
Eg: This book was published in Vietnam.
- When the subject of the initiative is subject not identified as: people, they, someone ...
Eg: People say that he will win.
à It is said that he will win.
- When people say do not want to mention all cause actions
Eg: Smoking is not allowed here.
2. Passive structures.
Regarding passive sentence structure in English, I will be divided into three categories:
Type 1: Passive with tenses not belonging to continuous ones.
BE + PAST PARTICIPLE
This format has the following general formula:
Type 2: Passive with continuous tenses.
This format has the following general formula:
BE + BEING + PAST PARTICIPLE
Type 3: Passive structure "be going to" (the near future) 
This format has the following general formula:
BE + GOING TO + PAST PARTICIPLE
Type 1 is applied to six tenses not belonging to continuous ones, type 2 is applied to three continuous tenses and category 3 is used for structure "be going to" (the near future). In this section, I introduce the tenses that the students have learned in the program to serve semester exams, including present simple, past simple, present perfect, future simple, past perfect, present continuous, the past continuous, the future continuous, and the near future “ be going to”; and passive with modals. 
Type 1: Passive with tenses not belonging to continuous ones.
S + am / is/ are + Past Participle
1) Present simple: 
Eg: Active: They raise cows in Ba Vi. 
à Passive: Cows are raised in Ba Vi.
S + was / were + Past Participle
2) Past simple:
Eg: Active : Jame Watt invented the steam engine in 1784.
 Passive : The steam engine was invented by Jame Watt in 1784. 
S + will be + Past Participle
3) Future simple:
Eg: 
Active: They will build a new school for disabled children next month. 
Passive: A new school for disabled children will be built next month.
S + have/ has been + Past Participle
4) Present perfect:
Eg: Active: They have just finished the project.
 Passive: The project has just been finished.
S + had been + Past Participle
5) Past perfect
Eg: Active: When I came, they had cleaned the board
 Passive: When I came, the board had been cleaned
S + will have been + Past Participle
6) Future perfect
Eg: Active: We will have finished the test when you come back. 
 Passive: The test will have been finished when you come back
S + Modal Verb + be + Past Participle.
7) Modal verbs.
Ex1: 
Active : You can see him now 
à Passive : He can be seen (by you) now.
Ex2:	Active : He should type his term paper.
	Passive : His term paper should be typed.
Type 2: Passive with continuous tenses.
S + am / is / are +being + Past Participle
1) Present continuous:
Eg: Active: Ann is writing a letter. 
 Passive: A letter is being written by Ann
S + was / were + being + Past Participle
2) Past continuous:
Eg: Active: She was cleaning the room at 7 a.m yesterday.
	 Passive: The room was being cleaned at 7 a.m yesterday.
S + will/ shall+ be + Past Participle
3) Future continuous:
Eg: Active: She will buy a new car nexth month.
	Passive: A new car will be bought by her nexth month
Type 3: Passive structure "be going to" (the near future) 
S + am / is / are +going to+be + Past Participle
Eg:	Active: They are going to make a new film about war
	Passive: A new film about war is going to be made.
III. How to change active sentences into passive ones.
1. The ways to change an active sentence into a passive one.
    To move from question to question actively passive students should know the following moves:
1.1. Identify new terms in the initiative, transforming it into a passive subject in question.
1.2. Identify tense in the initiative and share "to be" corresponding to then English language and the new subject of the passive.
1.3. Divide the main verb in sentences initiative in the form of the passive past participle.
1.4. By + agent (when you want to emphasize action agents)
 S + V + O
 S + V (participle) + O
Eg: 
 They will finish this work tomorrow.
 	 S V O
This work will be finished (by them) tomorrow.
2. Students should note some problems:
- The manner adverb is usually placed before the verb participle two in the passive.
Eg: He wrote the book wonderfully.
 à The book was wonderfully written.
By + agent standing behind the adverb of place and standing before adverb of time.
Eg1: A passer- by took him home
. à He was taken home by a passer- by.
Eg2: We will receive the gifts on Monday.
 à The gifts will be received by us on Monday.
- Question and negative passive sentences in question are created the same way of the initiative.
Eg1: People don’t speak English at the party
 à English isn’t spoken at the party
Eg2: Have you done your homework?
 à Has your homework been done?
- When the subject of the sentence is indeterminate pronouns: noone / nobody shall be in the form of passive sentences negative. Eg: Nobody can answer this question 
 àThis question can’t be answer
But not any sentence can also switch from passive to proactive or vice versa. Conditions to turn an active sentence into the passive initiative is that sentence should be an exception to the verb (transitive verb). Intransitive sentence (intransitive verb), it can not switch to the passive. Verbs are verbs require a direct object in the cabinet without a verb, the direct object.
Eg: 1) She is making a cake. à A cake is being made by her.
 Transitive verb
 2) They run along the beach every morning.
 Intransitive verb 
3. Practice
Applying the above knowledge, practice by doing the following exercises: 
Exercise 1: Change into a passive sentence:
1.My father waters this flower every morning.
->.
2. John invited Fiona to his birthday party last night.
->.
3. No one can move the heavy rock in his garden.
->..
4. Her mother is preparing the dinner in the kitchen.
->..
5.We should clean our teeth twice a day.
->
However, at present under the decision of the Ministry of Education and Training, the foreign language courses is competition in the form of objective tests during the semester exams and secondary school graduation. Therefore, to do well the exercise of the passive tests, the students must understand passive sentence structure, do writing exercises to move to the passive, it will easily do multiple choice exercises experience. Here are some exercises in the form of tests, will help students to consolidate knowledge and homework about the passive test better.
Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer to complete the following sentence:
1. My wedding ring  of yellow and white gold.
a. is made	b. is making	c. made	d. makes
2. If your brother ., he would come.
a. invited	b. were invited	c. were inviting	d. invite
3. Mr. Wilson is  as Wilie to his friend.
a. knowed	b. knew	c. known	d. is known
4. References . in the examination room.
a. not are used	b. is not used	c. didn’t used d. are not used
5. Laura .. in Boston.
a. are born	b. were born	c. was born	d. born
6. My mother is going  this house.
a. sold	b. to be sold	c. to sold	d. to sell
7.There’s somebody hehind us . I think we are .
a. being followed	b. are followed	c. follow	d. following
8. Have you .. by a dog?
a. bite	b. ever been bit	c. ever been bitten	d. bit
9.The room is being .. at the moment.
a. was cleaned	b. cleaned	c. cleaning	d. clean
10. The road to our village . widened next year.
a. is	b. will	c. can	d. will be
Exercise 3: Choose sentences have the same meaning with the given ones by choosing a, b, c or d.
1.Somebody cleans that room everyday.
a. The room every day is cleaned.	
b. The room is everyday cleaned.
c. The room is cleaned every day.
d. The room is cleaned by somebody everyday.
2. They cancelled all flights because of fog.
a. All flights because of fog were cancelled.
b. All flights were cancelled because of fog.
c. All flights were cancelled by them because of fog.
d. All flights were because of fog cancelled.
3.They are building a new highway around the city.
a. A new highway is being built around the city.
b. A new highway is being built around the city by them.
c. A new highway around the city is being built.
d. Around the city a new highway is being built.
4.They have built a new hospital near the airport.
a. A new hospital has been built near the airport by them.
b. A new hospital near the airport has been built.
c. A new hospital has been built near the airport .
d. Near the airport a new hospital has been built by them.
5. They will ask you a lot of questions at the interview.
a. You will be asked a lot of questions at the interview.
b. You will be asked a lot of questions at the interview by them.
c. A lot of questions will be asked you at the interview.
d. A lot of questions will be asked at the interview.
4. Special types of passive voice
 The transition from active into passive depends on sentence structure so the best way to master how to convert is the review of it below the level of the sample already knew.
4.1. Structures : S + V + O (C, A)
In this form the new language can be a noun or pronoun phrase.
Consider some examples:
S + V + O
Eg: Her mother is cleaning the kitchen.
 àThe kitchen is being cleaned by her mother.
S + V 	+ O 	 + C
Eg: They called him Mr. Angry. 
à He was called Mr. Angry.
S + V 	 +	O	+ 	 A
Eg: He put the table in the corner. 
à The table was put in the corner.
S	+ V	+ O + O
4.2. Structures: 
	For the sentences having two objects, we can use one of them to convert into the subject in the passive. However, the object indicating human is used more often.
Eg: We gave him a nice present on his birthday.
 Oi Od
- The first turning: He was given a nice present on his birthday.
-