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WorksheetYear 8Level 2 · Standard

Free Year 8 Active and Passive Voice Worksheet

Students learn that in the active voice the subject does the action (the council approved the plan) while in the passive the subject receives it (the plan was approved by the council). They identify voice, convert sentences in both directions, and judge when the passive is the better choice: when the doer is unknown, unimportant or deliberately hidden, and in scientific writing. Controlling voice gives students a precise tool for emphasis and tone.

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Year
Year 8
Subject
English
Topic
Sentences & Clauses
Difficulty
Level 2 · Standard
Estimated time
20 minutes
Curriculum
Australian Curriculum
Questions
17
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4) + print

Students will practise

  • identifying active and passive voice
  • converting active sentences to passive
  • converting passive sentences to active
  • judging when the passive voice is appropriate

Curriculum: Australian Curriculum. We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.

What's next?

Completed: Active and Passive Voice

Ready for more? Move on to Year 9 English.

How to use this worksheet

  1. Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
  2. Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
  3. Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
  4. Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.

Common questions

Who is this worksheet for?

Year 8 students (typically ages 13–14) working on sentences & clauses. It is pitched at level 2 · standard.

Are the answers included?

Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.

How long does it take?

About 20 minutes for 17 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.

Do I need to sign up to download?

No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.

What should we do next?

Explore more Year 8 english resources.

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Year 8 · English · Sentences & Clauses

Active and Passive Voice

Success Tutoring

Student name:

Date:

Score: /

Active: the subject acts. Passive: the subject is acted upon. Choose deliberately.

Part A — Active or passive?

In the active voice, the subject does the action. In the passive voice, the subject has the action done to it (look for a form of *be* + past participle, often followed by *by*). Circle the voice.

1.The council approved the new skate park.
  1. Aactive
  2. Bpassive
2.The new skate park was approved by the council.
  1. Aactive
  2. Bpassive
3.The windows were smashed during the storm.
  1. Aactive
  2. Bpassive
4.Our teacher marked the essays overnight.
  1. Aactive
  2. Bpassive
5.The medal was awarded to the youngest swimmer.
  1. Aactive
  2. Bpassive
6.A huge wave knocked the surfer off her board.
  1. Aactive
  2. Bpassive

Part B — Convert

Rewrite each sentence in the other voice. Keep the same tense.

7.Active → passive: The chef prepared the meal.
8.Active → passive: Thousands of fans watched the final.
9.Active → passive: The students will present the findings.
10.Passive → active: The bridge was designed by a local engineer.
11.Passive → active: The lost dog was found by a jogger.
12.Passive → active: The letters are delivered by the postie every morning.

Part C — Which voice, and why?

Circle the best answer.

13.Which sentence sensibly uses the passive because the doer is unknown?
  1. AMy bike was stolen last night.
  2. BThe thief stole my bike.
  3. CSomeone took my bike.
  4. DI lost my bike.
14.Which is the best active rewrite of 'Mistakes were made by the committee'?
  1. AMistakes were made.
  2. BThe committee made mistakes.
  3. CThe committee had mistakes made.
  4. DMistakes by the committee were made.
15.In a science report, which is the conventional passive way to describe the method?
  1. AI heated the solution to 60°C.
  2. BThe solution was heated to 60°C.
  3. CWe did heat the solution.
  4. DHeating the solution happened.
16.A politician says: 'Taxes will be raised.' Why might they choose the passive?
  1. ATo make the sentence longer
  2. BTo avoid saying who is raising the taxes
  3. CBecause the passive is always more formal
  4. DBecause it is grammatically required
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Sentences & Clauses in other year levels

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About this resource

Created by
Success Tutoring
Last reviewed
1 October 2026
How it was made
Written by our team

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