Write the second sentence in the passive so that it means the same as the first. 0. People catch lots of fish in this river. Lots of fish are caught in this river. 1. They make chocolate in this factory. Chocolate is made in this factory. 2. Someone saw the thief in the shopping mall. The thief was seen in the shopping mall. 3. No-one uses this classroom much. This classroom is not used much. 4. They chased the criminal along the street. The criminal was chased along the street. 5. I always hide my bike behind that tree. My bike is always hidden behind that tree. 6. My teacher wrote this book. This book was written by my teacher. 7. My friend asked me to help him. I was asked by my friend to help him. 8. Thousands of people watch this programme. This programme is watched by thousands of people.
Answer (1)
The question is about changing sentences from active voice to passive voice. In English, the passive voice is used when the focus is on the action or when the subject performing the action is unknown or less important. Here, I'll explain how to transform each sentence:
Active: They make chocolate in this factory. Passive: Chocolate is made in this factory.
In this sentence, 'chocolate' is the object receiving the action of being made, and the subject 'they' becomes implied or less important in the passive form.
Active: Someone saw the thief in the shopping mall. Passive: The thief was seen in the shopping mall.
Here, 'the thief' is the object, and the action of seeing is highlighted in the passive voice, with the subject 'someone' being less important or unknown.
Active: No-one uses this classroom much. Passive: This classroom is not used much.
The focus shifts from 'no-one' to 'this classroom', the object, which is not used frequently.
Active: They chased the criminal along the street. Passive: The criminal was chased along the street.
In this transformation, 'the criminal' becomes the subject of interest, showing the action of being chased.
Active: I always hide my bike behind that tree. Passive: My bike is always hidden behind that tree.
'My bike' receives the action of being hidden, changing the focus from the original doer to the action itself.
Active: My teacher wrote this book. Passive: This book was written by my teacher.
'This book' is emphasized in passive form, while the doer 'my teacher' is acknowledged but becomes less central.
Active: My friend asked me to help him. Passive: I was asked by my friend to help him.
Here, the focus moves from 'my friend' to 'I', who is receiving the action.
Active: Thousands of people watch this programme. Passive: This programme is watched by thousands of people.
The emphasis is on the programme itself rather than the people who watch it.
