Teacher's Notes
Speaking ActivityActive vs. Passive Voice
Activity Type
Speaking Activity
Focus
Using passive voice to describe processes
Aim
Students describe how everyday products are made, using the passive voice naturally.
Level
B1–B2
Time
20–25 minutes
Preparation
Print one set of topic cards. Cut and distribute one per pair.
Procedure
Review passive structures for processes: "First, the beans are harvested. Then they are dried..."
Give each pair one process topic card.
Pairs have 5 minutes to brainstorm the steps of their process, writing notes in passive voice.
Each pair presents their process to the class (1–2 minutes each).
Listeners write down three passive sentences they hear.
After each presentation, the class guesses if any steps are missing or in the wrong order.
Casa ESL — Active vs. Passive Voice — B1–B2
Speaking Activity
Student Materials
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Describe how these things are made or done. Use the passive voice.Describe how these things are made or done. Use the passive voice.
How chocolate is made (cacao beans → chocolate bar)
How paper is made (trees → sheets of paper)
How a house is built (land → finished home)
How bread is made (flour → fresh loaf)
How a film is produced (script → cinema)
How coffee is prepared (beans → cup of coffee)