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Passive Voice (Present & Past Simple) for IELTS Band 6: The Complete Mastery Guide
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July 14, 2025
Passive Voice (Present & Past Simple) for IELTS Band 6:
The Complete Mastery Guide
Table of Contents
- Introduction to Passive Voice in English
- Why the Passive Voice Matters in IELTS (Band 6)
- Understanding Passive Voice: Forms & Structures
- Present Simple Passive
- Past Simple Passive
- Word Order, Agents, and Common Patterns
- Passive Voice vs. Active Voice
- Key Rules & Special Cases
- Common IELTS Situations & Real-Life Examples
- Frequent Mistakes & How to Fix Them
- Strategies, Tips & Exercises
- Advanced Practice: 10 IELTS-Style Questions
- Self-Assessment Checklist
- Short, Actionable Study Plan
- Extra Exercises for Accuracy & Comprehension
- References & Further Reading
- Motivational Conclusion & Next Steps
Introduction to Passive Voice in English
The passive voice is a fundamental grammar structure in English, especially useful when the focus is on the action or the result, not the person or thing doing the action. This structure is common in both written and spoken English, and mastering it is essential for success in IELTS Speaking and Writing, especially for candidates aiming for Band 6 and above.
The passive voice allows you to describe events, processes, rules, and changes without always specifying who performed the action. For example, “The results were announced” (passive) is different from “The teacher announced the results” (active).
Quick Check 1 — Passive Voice Basics
Select the passive sentence below:
✅ Correct! “The lesson is explained” focuses on the
action and omits the doer, so it is passive. Passive voice helps us emphasise
the process or result. Keep it up!
❌ Not quite. That sentence is active because it highlights the
doer. Remember: passive sentences use be + past participle and often
omit the agent. Try again!
Why the Passive Voice Matters in IELTS (Band 6)
IELTS Band 6 Requirements & Passive Voice
IELTS examiners look for a range of grammatical structures, including passive forms, to assess your flexibility and accuracy with English. According to the IELTS public band descriptors:
Band 6 candidates should show “a mix of simple and complex sentence forms” and use some “flexible use of grammatical forms” (IELTS, 2024).
The passive voice is a complex form that demonstrates your ability to focus on the action or result, which is very useful in both Writing Task 1 (Processes, Reports, Descriptions) and Task 2 (Essays, Opinions, Problem/Solution) as well as in Speaking (Part 2 Descriptions, Part 3 Discussions).
Why Do IELTS Examiners Value the Passive?
- Clarity — Passive voice helps you be clear when the doer is unknown, irrelevant, or obvious.
- Objectivity — Many academic and formal situations prefer passive constructions.
- Task Achievement — Writing tasks often require describing processes (e.g., how something is made or how a system works) and reporting information or results — areas where passive is essential.
Sample IELTS Tasks Where Passive Is Needed
- Describing a Process (Task 1 Academic):
“Tea is made from tea leaves. The leaves are dried and then packaged.” - Describing a Change or Event (Task 1 General/Academic):
“The building was constructed in 2005.” - Reporting News (Speaking Part 2/3):
“The event was cancelled due to rain.”
Mini Quiz 2 — IELTS Context
Which IELTS task most often requires passive voice?
🎉 Exactly! Process descriptions in Writing Task 1 rely heavily
on passive structures to focus on steps and results rather than who performs
them. Great insight!
🚫 Oops! Personal questions or essay introductions usually
highlight the speaker’s opinion and use active forms. Passive voice shines
when describing processes or results. Give it another go!
Understanding Passive Voice: Forms & Structures
Key Formula:
Passive = BE (correct tense) + Past Participle (V3)
Passive = BE (correct tense) + Past Participle (V3)
The passive voice always uses a form of be (am, is, are, was, were, been, being) plus the past participle of the verb. The tense of the passive sentence is shown only by the verb be. The main verb (the past participle) never changes.
Passive Forms Across Tenses (Quick Reference)
| Tense | Passive Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present Simple | am / is / are + V3 | “The mail is delivered daily.” |
| Past Simple | was / were + V3 | “The stadium was built in 1999.” |
| Present Perfect | have / has been + V3 | “Millions have been vaccinated.” |
| Future (will) | will be + V3 | “The results will be announced tomorrow.” |
When Do We Use Passive Voice?
- When the agent (doer) is unknown or unimportant: “My bike was stolen.” (We don’t know who!)
- To emphasise the action or result rather than the doer: “Over 100 trees are planted every year.”
- In academic / formal English to sound objective: “Data were collected from 300 participants.”
Quick Check 3 — Choose the Correct Passive Form
Which sentence is correctly formed in the passive voice?
🎯 Nice! “is written” = be (is) + past participle (written).
That’s exactly how the present simple passive is built. Keep mastering the formula!
💡 Almost. Remember passive = correct form of be + V3.
Check the table above, then try once more.
Present Simple Passive
Form
am / is / are + past participle
Usage
- General truths / facts: “English is spoken in many countries.”
- Processes & routines: “Coffee beans are roasted before packaging.”
- Headlines & news reports: “Budget is approved by parliament.”
Academic vs. Conversational:
Academic
“Carbon dioxide is emitted during combustion.”
Conversational
“A lot of smoke comes out when we burn things.”
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: “The letters are send every Friday.”
Correct: “The letters are sent every Friday.”
Explanation: Use the past participle form sent, not the base verb send.
Mini Quiz 4 — Spot the Mistake
Which sentence contains a passive voice error?
✅ Yes! “are sign” misses the past participle signed.
Passive forms always need V3. Great eye!
⚠️ Check again. Remember: look for be + V3.
Only one option fails to use the past participle.
Past Simple Passive
Form
was / were + past participle
Usage
- Completed actions in the past: “The bridge was opened in 2012.”
- Historical facts: “The telephone was invented by Bell.”
- Narratives & stories: “The door was locked, so we left.”
Definition: Past Simple Passive focuses on what happened to the subject, not who caused it, and it places the action in a definite time in the past.
Examples
- “The match was postponed due to rain.”
- “All tickets were sold within an hour.”
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: “The results were announce yesterday.”
Correct: “The results were announced yesterday.”
Tip: Always add -ed or use the irregular V3 form.
Mini Quiz 5 — Choose the Best Answer
Complete the sentence: “The new law _____ last week.”
🏆 Great! “was passed” = was (past of be) + past participle
passed. Perfect Past Simple Passive.
😬 Not yet. Past Simple Passive needs was/were + V3.
Review the rule above and choose again.
Word Order, Agents, and Common Patterns
Basic Word Order
The standard order in passive sentences is:
Subject + be + Past Participle + (Agent)
The agent (who/what did the action) is optional and introduced by by.
Examples With and Without Agents
- “The essay was graded.” (agent omitted, not important)
- “The essay was graded by the teacher.” (agent included)
💡 Tip: Include the agent only when it provides new or important information. Otherwise, omit it to keep your writing concise.
Special Patterns
- by + agent — “The results were analysed by experts.”
- with + instrument/material — “The cake was decorated with icing.”
- preposition + location — “The ceremony was held at the city hall.”
Passive with get
Spoken English often uses get instead of be for unexpected or negative events:
“He got promoted last month.” / “My phone got stolen!”
Mini Quiz 6 — Where Does the Agent Go?
Select the sentence with the correct agent placement.
🌟 Correct! Agent phrases with by follow the past participle.
Word order matters for clarity and natural flow.
🔎 Look again. In English, place by + agent after the passive verb phrase.
Review the examples, then choose the best option.
Passive Voice vs. Active Voice
Active Voice
The active voice highlights who performs the action.
Structure: Subject + Verb + Object
Example: “The chef cooked the meal.”
Passive Voice
The passive voice highlights what happens to the subject.
Structure: Object + BE + Past Participle (+ by Agent)
Example: “The meal was cooked by the chef.”
| Feature | Active | Passive |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Doer (agent) | Action / result |
| Typical Use | Narratives, personal opinions | Reports, academic writing |
| Example | “Researchers conducted the study.” | “The study was conducted (by researchers).” |
⚠️ Warning: Over-using passive voice can make writing vague. Use it
strategically when the doer is unknown, obvious, or unimportant.
Mini Quiz 7 — Convert to Passive
Choose the correct passive version of:
“Experts predict a rise in prices.”
🎉 Exactly! Passive = “is predicted” (be + V3) + “by experts.”
Great conversion!
😕 Not correct. Remember to include a correct form of be
and the past participle. Try again!
Key Rules & Special Cases of Passive Voice
Rule 1: Only Transitive Verbs Can Form a Passive
Verbs that take an object (e.g., make, send, build) can form a passive structure. Intransitive verbs (arrive, sleep, die) cannot.
Rule 2: Don’t Drop Important Agents
If omitting the agent makes the sentence confusing, include by + agent.
Rule 3: Keep Tense and Aspect Consistent
Keep the auxiliary be in the same tense and aspect as the original active sentence.
✅ Example: Active — “Scientists have discovered a new planet.”
Passive — “A new planet has been discovered (by scientists).”
Special Case 1: Two Objects
Some verbs (e.g., give, show, send) allow two passive structures:
- Object 1 focus: “A scholarship was offered to me.”
- Object 2 focus: “I was offered a scholarship.”
Special Case 2: Reporting Verbs
Passive constructions with it + passive + clause are common in academic English:
“It is believed that the earth’s temperature is rising.”
Special Case 3: Modal Passives
Modal + be + Past Participle
- “This issue should be addressed promptly.”
- “The meeting must be rescheduled.”
Mini Quiz 8 — Identify the Correct Modal Passive
Which sentence uses a modal passive correctly?
🥇 Well done! Modal (must) + be + V3 = “must be completed”.
Exactly the pattern we need.
📌 Try again. Modal passives require be + past participle.
Re-check Rule 3 above!
Common IELTS Situations & Real-Life Examples
IELTS Writing Task 1 — Academic
When describing a process diagram, passive voice keeps focus on each stage:
“The mixture is heated to 80°C, and then it is cooled before packaging.”
IELTS Writing Task 2 — Problem/Solution Essay
Passive structures help you sound objective and formal:
“A number of measures can be implemented to reduce traffic.”
Speaking Part 2 — Narrative
Use passive to set background actions:
“The movie was filmed in my hometown, so many streets were closed during summer.”
Scenario:
You’re answering IELTS Speaking Part 2: “Describe a local event.” Start with a passive sentence:
“The festival is held every August.”
You’re answering IELTS Speaking Part 2: “Describe a local event.” Start with a passive sentence:
“The festival is held every August.”
Real-Life Contexts
- News Headlines: “Elections are scheduled for next month.”
- Instructions: “All fields must be completed before submission.”
- Formal Emails: “Your request has been approved.”
Mini Quiz 9 — IELTS Match-Up
Which passive sentence best fits a Writing Task 1 process description?
🥳 Correct! Process descriptions focus on stages like “Liquids
are filtered,” clearly passive and suitable for Task 1 Academic.
🔄 Not this time. Think about process steps that spotlight an
action done to something. Try again!
Frequent Mistakes & How to Fix Them
❌ Wrong: “Many job are created last year.”
✅ Right: “Many jobs were created last year.”
Why? Past event ⇒ use were (past of be), not are.
Top 3 Passive Errors
- Missing be — “The report submitted.” ⇒ should be “is submitted.”
- Wrong Verb Form — “Letters were send.” ⇒ use past participle “sent.”
- Incorrect Tense — “The meeting is held yesterday.” ⇒ should be “was held yesterday.”
📢 Remember: Passive = be (right tense) + V3. Check both pieces!
Mini Quiz 10 — Spot & Correct
Find the error in the passive sentence.
💡 Good catch! “are signed yesterday” mixes present with past time.
It should be “were signed yesterday.” Always match tense to time.
🚫 Try again. Look for tense mismatch or missing past participle.
Strategies, Tips & Targeted Exercises
💡 TIP 1—Notice the Agent: When editing your IELTS essay, highlight every passive sentence and ask, “Do I need by + agent?” If not, delete it for a cleaner style.
🧠 TIP 2—Tense Check: Circle all time expressions (e.g., “last year,” “in 2030,” “every day”) and verify the passive tense matches.
Mini Action Plan:
- Write a short paragraph (4–5 sentences) about a local process (e.g., recycling).
- Replace at least two active sentences with passive forms.
- Read aloud. Does it sound clear and academic?
- Swap with a study buddy or record yourself for feedback.
Mini Quiz 11 — Quick Strategy Check
You see: “The bridge are built in 2022.” Your first editing move is to…
🔍 Exactly. Time marker “2022” needs Past Simple, so
“was built.” Always match tense first, then check if the agent is needed.
🤔 Not the best first step. Ensure the tense + form is
correct before adding or deleting information. Try again!
Advanced Practice: 10 IELTS-Style Passive Voice Questions
Test your mastery with real exam-flavoured items. Each question mirrors IELTS grammar, vocabulary and scenario demands for Band 6.
Instructions: Choose the best answer or complete the sentence correctly. Immediate feedback will appear after each selection.
Advanced Q1
Complete the sentence: “Over 70% of the earth’s surface _____ by water.”
🌊 Correct! A timeless fact needs Present Simple Passive —
“is covered”. Well done.
🛑 Check tense & agreement. Facts take singular “is” +
V3. Try again!
Advanced Q2
Choose the correct passive sentence for a report headline.
⚡ Spot on! Headlines prefer Present Simple Passive to show
a current development (“is developed”).
🚧 Not quite. Headline style drops “by experts” but keeps
be + V3. Pick the form with “is developed.”
Advanced Q3
Which option correctly paraphrases the active sentence?
Active: “They will announce the results tomorrow.”
🗓️ Great job! Future Simple Passive = “will be + V3.”
❌ Incorrect. Remember the full passive pattern “will be + V3”.
Advanced Q4
Identify the sentence that should stay active (passive would be awkward).
🏅 Yes! Personal “I” + mental verb “made” focuses on the doer;
passive (“A big decision was made by me”) sounds clumsy.
📖 Hint: Passive is odd when the doer is a personal
pronoun and important. Find that option.
Advanced Q5
Select the correct modal passive completion:
“Safety regulations _____ followed at all times.”
🛡️ Excellent! Modal + be + V3 ⇒ “must be followed.”
🚦 Try again. Remember modal passive pattern from earlier tips.
You’ve completed 5 of 10 questions. Five more are coming up in the next part.
Keep tracking your correct answers!
Advanced Q6
Complete the sentence correctly:
“Millions of vaccines _____ this year.”
💉 Perfect! Present Perfect Passive = “have been” + V3
→ “have been distributed.”
⏰ Not quite. Remember: Present Perfect Passive = have/has
been + past participle.
Advanced Q7
Which sentence is correct Past Simple Passive?
🚑 Well spotted! “was reported” follows the correct Past Simple
Passive pattern.
🧐 Check again. Watch out for double-past (“was happened”) or
missing be (“reported”).
Advanced Q8
Choose the best completion:
“All guests _____ seated before the show begins.”
🎭 Great! Modal Passive = modal + be + V3
→ “must be seated.”
📝 Try again. Don’t forget be and correct past
participle.
Advanced Q9
Which sentence shows the “get” passive?
🎯 Exactly! “get + V3” is the informal/passive
alternative used for unexpected events.
🤖 Not that one. Look for “get” + past participle.
Advanced Q10
Pick the best passive paraphrase:
Active: “People have made significant progress.”
🚀 Nice work! Present Perfect Passive — “has been made.”
“by people” is obvious, so it can be omitted.
💬 Almost. Check subject-verb agreement and tense (has vs have).
You’ve finished all 10 advanced questions! 🎉 Ready to reflect on your skills?
Self-Assessment Checklist
Tick each box if you feel confident:
Short, Actionable Study Plan
- Day 1: Review Present & Past Simple passive charts for 15 minutes.
- Day 2: Rewrite five active sentences from a news article into passive.
- Day 3: Record yourself describing a process (1 minute, use at least 3 passives).
- Day 4: Complete an IELTS Writing Task 1 process and highlight all passive verbs.
- Day 5: Do a timed quiz (10 min) on modal passives & agent omission.
- Weekend: Teach the rule to a friend & check off any lingering mistakes.
Remember: Short, daily bursts beat one long cram session! 🔄
Mini Quiz 12 — Planning for Success
According to the Study Plan, on which day should you record yourself?
📹 Exactly! Day 3 focuses on speaking practice: “Record
yourself describing a process.” Nice planning!
🗓️ Not quite. Check the numbered steps in the blue Study Plan box above.
Extra Exercises for Accuracy & Comprehension
Try these fresh tasks to lock in your passive-voice mastery. Immediate feedback follows each response.
Exercise A — Fill in the Blank
“The conference ________ (hold) in Tokyo last month.”
🏯 Correct! Past Simple Passive suits “last month” → “was held.”
🕰️ Check tense. Last month = past. Choose Past Simple Passive.
Exercise B — Select All Correct Passive Sentences
(There may be more than one!)
✅ Great job! Options 1 & 3 are correct. Option 2
misses V3 (announced), option 4 lacks be.
❌ Not quite. Select every fully-formed passive sentence:
be + V3, correct tense.
Exercise C — Correct the Error
Identify the corrected version.
📝 Exactly. Past participle “introduced” completes the passive.
🔄 Try again. Check for be + V3.
Comprehensive Passive-Voice Quiz
This ultimate check randomly selects 10 questions from a 30-item bank. Aim for 8 / 10 to pass (80 %). You’ll get instant, animated feedback, a progress bar, and a final review screen. Ready?
References & Further Reading
- Cambridge University Press. English Grammar in Use (5th ed.).
- BBC Learning English. “The Passive Voice.” Retrieved 2025 from bbc.co.uk/learningenglish
- British Council. “LearnEnglish Grammar: Passive Forms.” Retrieved 2025 from learnenglish.britishcouncil.org
- IELTS Official. “Writing Task 1 Describing Processes.” Retrieved 2025 from ielts.org
- Swan, M. (2020). Practical English Usage (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Keep Going — You’ve Got This! 💪
Mastering the passive voice is a powerful step toward IELTS Band 6 and beyond. Remember, every sentence you transform sharpens your academic style and boosts your score. Practice a little each day, review your mistakes, and celebrate small wins.
The quiz is provided by www.lingexam.com
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