Question

(1) My sister Ellen and I chatted in the living room. (2) "I read an article yesterday," she remarked, "that argued that voting should be made compulsory in the United States-like jury duty. (3) I think you should read the article. (4) The author made some cogent points."(5) Ellen is always trying to improve my mind and ethical standards. (6) I thought I would tease her a bit. (7) "Increase the number of American voters," I observed in a sneering tone, "and you only increase the number of people who make bad choices."(8) She fell for it, responding in the superior way she typically adopts for her lectures to me. (9) "You shouldn't be so cynical. (10) Our political life would be greatly improved by compulsory voting."(11) I had actually read the article myself. (12) I still wanted to annoy her. (13) "I'm sure you will tell me how."(14) "Well, there are several possible benefits," Ellen began. (15) "An increase in voter turnout might cause a growth in civic awareness."(16) "How could you be sure which came first?" I demanded. (17) "Increase in voter turnout might be caused by growth in civic awareness. (18) You'll have to give me something more convincing than that."(19) "Okay, how about this?" Ellen said. (20) "A growth in voter turnout will make our political process more truly democratic. (21) Elected officials don't feel a need to reach out to those who probably don't vote."(22) "I guess I can accept that," I said. (23) "Anything else?"(24) "Yes, and I think this might be the most important benefit," Ellen claimed. (25) "A expansion in number of voters might result in elections that are less polarized. (26) Candidates would not be so likely to pitch their messages to the extremes of the electorate."(27) "You're right, that would be an improvement," I admitted. (28) "The problem is, Americans don't like to be told what to do. (29) Even when it's something that they know they should do-like vote. (30) So the idea of mandatory voting is probably a nonstarter in our political culture."

Question
Which would be the best way to revise sentence 17 using the active voice?
Select one:
a. Increase in voter turnout might be a cause of growth in civic awareness.
b. Growth in civic awareness might cause an increase in voter turnout.
c. Growth in civic awareness might be caused by an increase in voter turnout.
d. Increase in voter turnout might be the cause of growth in civic awareness.

Answer 1

Option b, 'Growth in civic awareness might cause an increase in voter turnout,' is the best revision for sentence 17 as it effectively uses the active voice to directly relate the subject with the action. The correct option is b. Growth in civic awareness might cause an increase in voter turnout.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best way to revise sentence 17 using the active voice would be option b: Growth in civic awareness might cause an increase in voter turnout. This alternative actively assigns the action of causing an increase to the subject 'growth in civic awareness', which makes it an active voice construction.

Active voice typically makes sentences clearer and more direct by showing who or what is responsible for an action, leading to a stronger statement in discussions involving such issues as voter turnout and civic awareness.

Sentence 17 can be revised in the active voice as follows: Growth in civic awareness might cause an increase in voter turnout. Using the active voice makes the sentence clearer and more direct, focusing on the cause-effect relationship between civic awareness and voter turnout.

The correct option is b. Growth in civic awareness might cause an increase in voter turnout.