UNIT 3 The Passive

 PRE – READING
Look at the title of the article and answer the following questions before you read.

1. What is geography?
2. Have you ever studied geography at school? How did you enjoy it?
3. Do you think it’s an important subject? Why or why not?
4. What do you know about National Geographic?

GEOGRAPHY
The Best Subject on Earth

Geography is the study of the Earth and its people. It sounds

exciting, doesn’t it? Yet for decades, students yawned just hearing the word. They were
forced to memorize the names of capital cities, important rivers and mountains, and
natural resources. They were taught where places were and what was produced there. But
they weren’t shown how our world looks and feels.
Then came National Geographic magazine From the Amazon rain forests to the
Sahara Desert, and from Kuala Lumpur to great Zimbabwe – the natural and human-made
wonders of our world have been brought to life by fascinating reporting and beautiful
photographs, such as this one of a Russian couple, which was taken by Reza Deghati.
The National Geographic Society was formed in Washington D.C, in 1888
by a group of professionals including geographers, explorers, teachers , and mapmakers.
Nine months later, the first National Geographic magazine was published so that the
Society could fulfill its mission – to spread the knowledge of and respect for the world, its
resources, and its inhabitants.
In 1995, the first foreign-language edition of National Geographic magazine was
published in Japan. Today, the magazine is printed in more than 20 languages and sold all
over the world. National Geographic Explorer, for example, has been created for
classrooms. Other publications feature travel and adventure. National Geographic TV
programs are watched in over 160 million homes in 145 countries.
The study of Geography has come a long way since 1888. The Society’s mission
has been fulfilled. In fact, it has even been extended to include worlds beyond Earth.
From the deep seas to deep space, geography has never been more exciting!

47
 GRAMMAR NOTES
Passive Voice

Passive Voice Get & Have Passive

1. In general, the active voice is considered 1. The use of the verb get to form the passive is
stronger than the passive voice. Writers often considered more informal than the use of the
prefer the active to the passive voice. In verb be. The get-passive is conversational
academic writing, however, the passive is and is characteristic of informal writing. The
frequently used. get-passive also sometimes seems to focus
more on the action than on the result. The
In writing and speaking, there are three get–passive is used more often in speech
instances in which the passive voice is than in informal writing.
recommended:
Example:
a) When we don’t know or don’t care who Politicians don’t get reelected if their views are
performed the action, especially when unpopular.
describing processes (that is to say, the (More informal, action is emphasized.)
"what" is / was done is much more important
than who is doing it / did it). Politicians aren’t reelected if their views are
unpopular.
Example: (More formal; action is not emphasized.)
My furniture was made in Portugal.
(The furniture was made by workers, but the speaker or
writer probably doesn’t know or care exactly by whom.) 2. get and have are used to form the passive
causative.
b) When we wish to avoid mentioning who
performed the action. Use the passive causative to talk about services
arranged by one person for himself / herself or for
Example: another. They can occur with or without a by
We were given some incorrect information phrase, but the by phrase is often omitted.
about our insurance.
(Perhaps, to be polite, the speaker or writer wishes to avoid Example:
saying who gave the incorrect information.) I ought to have the phone disconnected.
I need to get my hair done.
c) When we want to focus on the receiver We got our property appraised by an expert.
rather than the performer of the action.

48
 Example: Be careful! Only transitive verbs (those that take
Murder at the Gallop was written by Agatha one or more objects) can be made passive.
Christie. Intransitive verbs cannot be made passive.
(The speaker or writer wishes to focus on the work rather
than on its author.)

2. Note that the by phrase is usually omitted in

passive sentences when the speaker or writer
considers it undesirable or unnecessary to
mention the performer.

Example:
We were given some incorrect information (by
someone) – mention is undesirable.

Passive sentences are formed with the verbs:

be / get : (in the tense required) + Past Participle of the main verb.

TENSE Subject Tense of Be Past Part.

*Simple Present is
*Present Continuous is being
*Simple Future will be
by the National
*Going to is going to be
Art &Theater
The musical performed every Saturday
*Simple Past was College Co.
*Past Progressive was being
*Present Perfect has been
*Past Perfect had been

The Passive with modals is formed as follows:

Subject Modal Be Past Part.

will (not)
is / are/ was / were (not) going to
should (not)
must (not)
can (not)
could (not)
The crew be replaced next month
may (not)
might (not)
had better (not)
have / has got to
don’t / doesn’t / didn’t have to
49
1. DISCOVER THE GRAMMAR
Read the sentences and decide if they are Active or Passive. Then transform them into the opposite voice
whenever possible.

1. The first National Geographic Magazine was published in October 1888.

__________________________________________________________________________

2. Today millions of people read it.

__________________________________________________________________________

3. The magazine is translated into many other languages.

__________________________________________________________________________

4. My cousin reads it in Russian.

__________________________________________________________________________

5. Most of the articles are translated from English.

__________________________________________________________________________

6. Some of them are written by famous writers.

__________________________________________________________________________

7. Many expeditions have been sponsored by the National Geographic Society.

__________________________________________________________________________

8. The results are reported in the magazine.

__________________________________________________________________________

9. It is known for its wonderful photography.

__________________________________________________________________________

10. Photographers are sent all over the world by the National Geographic Society.
__________________________________________________________________________

11. They take pictures of people and nature.

__________________________________________________________________________

12. It is published once a month.

__________________________________________________________________________

13. It is sold at newsstands.

__________________________________________________________________________

14. The National Geographic cable television has become very popular.
_____________________________________________________________________________

50
2. LISTENING
A
Jill Jones interviewed a Bolivian cultural attaché for an article she wrote. Listen to their conversation and
correct the nine factual mistakes her editor circled.

51
B
Now rewrite the incorrect sentences with the information from exercise A.

1. Corn isn’t grown in the mountains. Potatoes are grown in the mountains.___________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________________________
4. _____________________________________________________________________________
5. _____________________________________________________________________________
6. _____________________________________________________________________________
7. _____________________________________________________________________________
8. _____________________________________________________________________________
9. _____________________________________________________________________________

3. FAQ
Complete the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) about how photographers send their film to National
Geographic (NG). Use the correct form of the verbs in the boxes.

number put receive send shoot use

National Geographic photographers on expedition have to make sure their work _______________
by NG safely and in good condition. How do they do it? Read the FAQ to find out.
Q: How ____________ film usually __________ to NG headquarters?
A: The film _____________ into its original film can. Then very secure packing ____________ to
protect the film during shipment.
Q: How do the photographers and editors know what is on each roll of film?
A: Each roll _____________ in the order that it ____________.

damage divide lose pack save

Q: _____________ shipments ever _____________ or ____________ in the mail?

A: Yes, they have been, but we’ve learned what to do. Now big shipments _____________
usually ___________ into two. The even-numbered rolls ___________ in one shipment,
and the odd in another. That way, half the rolls ____________ if there’s a problem with one
shipment.

52
4. FLASH NOTE
Read the following script for a radio bulletin about a hit-and-run accident. In order to make it a newspaper
article you have to strengthen the writing; therefore, change all the sentences except the ones that are
underlined from passive to active or from active to passive. Write the sentences in the order that make the
most sense to be read in a newspaper.

“A hit-and-run accident occurred this evening at approximately 8:45 PM. The intersection of
Fourth and Madison was being crossed by an eight-year-old boy. A blue Toyota Corolla hit
him. Massive injuries were sustained by the boy. Paramedics from 911 took him to
Harborview Medical Center. They are caring for him in the intensive care ward. His condition
is critical. The sheriff asks anyone with information about the accident or the car involved to
contact the sheriff's office number 444-6968. They are offering a reward."

5. DOES IT SOUND FAMILIAR TO YOU?

Read a politician's script of one of his/her speeches and convert his / her promises into a written policy
statement. Make all the necessary arrangements.

"By the end of next year, I promise that we will reduce taxes and bring public
spending under control. I can assure you, too, that we will not cut Social Security
benefits for retirees.
"We will introduce broad educational reforms. In addition, we will keep our
promise to raise teachers' salaries, and we will pursue our plans to improve inner-city
schools.
"I have said it before, and I'll say it again: nothing will stop us from
fulfilling our promises. I will not allow criminals on the streets; everyone is going to
have medical care whenever necessary and bla, bla, bla..."

6. WRITING
Work with a classmate and do a search on the internet about a country that you two know nothing about and
complete the table below. Then write an essay with the information you have gathered. Use the passive.
Report about the country to the class.

Example: Turkey is both a European and Asian country. European Turkey is separated from Asian
country by the sea of Marmara. Citrus and tobacco are grown in ...

name of the country

geographical areas
crops grown in each area
natural resources found in each area
wildlife found in each area
language(s) spoken
art, handicrafts, or music created

53
7. SAID AROUND THE WORLD
Read these proverbs from around the world. What do you think they mean? Discuss them in small groups.
Are there proverbs from other cultures that mean the same? Is there an equivalent of each in your culture?

 Rome wasn’t built in one day. (English)

Example: A: I think this means that big projects aren’t finished quickly.
B: Yes. They take a lot of time and you have to be patient.
C: There’s a proverb in French that means the same thing: “Paris wasn’t built in a day.”

 He who was bitten by a snake avoids tall grass. (Chinese)

 He ran away from the rain and was caught in a hailstorm. (Turkish)
 Silence was never written down. (Italian)
 Never promise a fish until it’s caught. (Irish)
 Stars are not seen by sunshine. (Spanish)
 Write bad things that are done to you in sand, but write the good things that happen to you on a piece of
marble. (Arab)
 Skillful sailors weren’t made by smooth seas. (Ethiopian)
 A good year is known by its spring. (Portuguese)
 Knowledge is like a garden: if it’s not cultivated, it cannot be harvested. (Guinean)
 Great trees are envied by the wind. (Japanese)
 The night is dark, but the apples have been counted. (Afghan)

8. ON THE INTERNET
National Geographic is famous for its photographs. Go to its website at www.nationalgeographic.com,
search the photo archives and find a photo that interests you. When and where was it taken? Who was it
taken by? What does it show? What do you like about the photo? Bring the picture and discuss it with your
classmates.

Example: This photo was taken in Afghanistan in 1933 by Maynard Owen Williams. It shows …

54