Question

Oops! A journalist made a mistake! The following paragraphs were written using the passive voice. Rewrite them in active voice. Explain how the two versions differ. Why is active voice a better choice for journalistic writing?

1. A college entrance exam was taken by nearly 100 students on Saturday. Results from the exam were received by the school’s principal who reported that the exam was failed by over half the students who took it.
2. Recently, talks have been conducted by the administration to determine the amount of aid to send to foreign countries. Previously, the countries were sent nearly $1 million in aid each year, but it was decided by the administration that countries would receive at least half that amount this year.
3. A local construction worker was killed by a faulty ladder last week. The worker had been putting tiles onto a roof when he was left hanging after the ladder fell. Unable to keep his grip, the fingers of the man slipped and were the cause of his fall.

Answer 1

Answer: A college entrance exam was taken by nearly 100 students on Saturday. Results from the exam were received by the school’s principal who reported that the exam was failed by over half the students who took it.

Step-by-step explanation: