Teacher's Notes
Gap FillActive vs. Passive Voice
Activity Type
Gap Fill
Focus
Transforming active sentences to passive voice
Aim
Students rewrite news-style sentences from active to passive voice.
Level
B1–B2
Time
15–20 minutes
Preparation
Print one worksheet per student.
Procedure
Review the passive formula: object + be (correct tense) + past participle (+ by agent).
Work through the first example together on the board.
Students rewrite each active sentence in the passive voice.
In pairs, compare answers and discuss when "by + agent" is necessary vs. optional.
Check answers as a class. Discuss which version sounds more natural for a news headline.
Extension: find three real news headlines online — are they active or passive?
Casa ESL — Active vs. Passive Voice — B1–B2
Gap Fill
Student Materials
These materials are formatted for printing. Click the Print button above to print only the student materials.
Rewrite each sentence in the passive voice.Rewrite each sentence in the passive voice.
Police arrested three suspects this morning.
The mayor will open the new library next week.
Firefighters rescued a cat from the tree.
The company is developing a new app.
Scientists have found water on Mars.
The team won the championship last night.
Volunteers clean the beach every weekend.
The factory produces 500 cars a day.
An earthquake damaged the old cathedral.
The school will cancel classes tomorrow.
They are renovating the train station.
A tourist discovered the ancient coin in a field.
Answer Key — For Teacher Use
1. Three suspects were arrested (by police) this morning. · 2. The new library will be opened (by the mayor) next week. · 3. A cat was rescued from the tree (by firefighters). · 4. A new app is being developed (by the company). · 5. Water has been found on Mars (by scientists). · 6. The championship was won (by the team) last night. · 7. The beach is cleaned (by volunteers) every weekend. · 8. 500 cars a day are produced (by the factory). · 9. The old cathedral was damaged by an earthquake. · 10. Classes will be cancelled (by the school) tomorrow. · 11. The train station is being renovated. · 12. The ancient coin was discovered in a field (by a tourist).