100 Sentences to Practice Simple Past Passive Voice for IELTS Test to Score High

Using the passive voice effectively in the IELTS speaking and writing tests can contribute to a higher score, as it demonstrates your ability to use a range of grammatical structures. The passive voice is particularly useful for emphasizing the action rather than the subject, or when the subject is unknown or irrelevant. Here’s how to use the passive voice in the simple past tense, along with some tips for incorporating it into your IELTS test:

Understanding Passive Voice in Simple Past

The structure of a passive sentence in the simple past tense is:

Subject + was/were + past participle of the verb + (by + agent)

For example:

• Active: “The company launched the product.”
• Passive: “The product was launched (by the company).”

When to Use Passive Voice in IELTS

1. To Focus on the Action or Object: Use the passive voice when the action or the object of the action is more important than who or what performed the action.
   • E.g., “The first satellite was launched into space in 1957.”
2. When the Doer is Unknown or Unimportant: If it’s unnecessary to mention who did the action, use the passive.
   • E.g., “The window was broken last night.”
3. To Vary Sentence Structure: Using a mix of active and passive sentences can make your speech or writing more interesting and sophisticated.
   • E.g., “Many tourists visit the city every year. The city is known for its ancient architecture.”
4. To Sound More Formal or Objective: Passive structures can give a more formal tone to your speech or writing, which is often suitable for academic contexts.
   • E.g., “It was observed that the temperature decreased significantly.”

Tips for Using Passive Voice in IELTS

• Don’t Overuse It: While the passive voice is useful, overusing it can make your speech or writing sound awkward and overly formal. Balance is key.
• Use It Correctly: Ensure you’re using the correct form of the verb. Misusing passive voice can lead to grammar errors, which can lower your score.
• Practice with Different Tenses: While focusing on the simple past is good, also practice using the passive voice with other tenses for a broader range of expression.
• Listen and Read: Pay attention to how native speakers and writers use the passive voice, especially in academic and formal contexts.
• Get Feedback: If possible, have someone proficient in English review your writing or listen to your speaking to provide feedback on your use of passive voice.

Example Sentences for Practice

1. The book was read by millions of people.
2. The cake was baked by my grandmother.
3. The letter was written by her yesterday.
4. The window was broken by the storm.
5. The car was repaired by the mechanic.
6. The song was sung by a famous artist.
7. The house was sold last week.
8. The movie was directed by an acclaimed director.
9. The project was completed on time.
10. The painting was created by a renowned artist.
11. The homework was finished before the deadline.
12. The meal was cooked by my father.
13. The flowers were watered by the gardener.
14. The game was won by our team.
15. The contract was signed by both parties.
16. The rules were explained by the teacher.
17. The dress was designed by a well-known designer.
18. The speech was delivered by the president.
19. The phone call was made late at night.
20. The appointment was canceled unexpectedly.
21. The door was locked by the last person who left.
22. The news was announced by the spokesperson.
23. The decision was made by the committee.
24. The story was told by my grandfather.
25. The picture was taken by a professional photographer.
26. The test was passed by all the students.
27. The mystery was solved by the detective.
28. The job was offered to her after the interview.
29. The prize was awarded to the winner.
30. The advice was given by an expert.
31. The instructions were followed carefully.
32. The email was sent by the manager.
33. The meeting was scheduled for next Monday.
34. The plan was changed at the last minute.
35. The goal was achieved by the team.
36. The song was recorded by a famous band.
37. The building was constructed in 1920.
38. The report was submitted before the deadline.
39. The invitation was accepted by everyone.
40. The gift was received with gratitude.
41. The lecture was attended by many students.
42. The question was asked by the journalist.
43. The problem was solved by the engineers.
44. The money was donated by an anonymous benefactor.
45. The furniture was moved by the movers.
46. The evidence was examined by the experts.
47. The play was performed by local actors.
48. The agreement was reached after long negotiations.
49. The cake was decorated by the chef.
50. The room was cleaned by the staff.
51. The book was published in multiple languages.
52. The film was produced by a famous studio.
53. The experiment was conducted by the scientists.
54. The message was delivered by the courier.
55. The award was received by the actress.
56. The document was reviewed by the lawyer.
57. The road was closed for construction.
58. The song was written by a talented songwriter.
59. The article was published in a major newspaper.
60. The dinner was organized by the committee.
61. The speech was interrupted by the noise.
62. The land was purchased by the company.
63. The painting was exhibited in the gallery.
64. The competition was won by the underdog.
65. The marathon was run by thousands of participants.
66. The battle was lost by the army.
67. The record was broken by the athlete.
68. The machine was operated by a skilled technician.
69. The joke was told by a friend.
70. The truth was revealed by the investigation.
71. The event was hosted by the city.
72. The show was canceled due to bad weather.
73. The product was recalled by the manufacturer.
74. The treaty was signed by the countries involved.
75. The lecture was given by a visiting professor.
76. The exam was graded by the teacher.
77. The song was chosen for the ceremony.
78. The film was edited by a professional.
79. The decision was criticized by many.
80. The novel was adapted into a movie.
81. The interview was conducted by a journalist.
82. The survey was completed by a hundred people.
83. The tree was planted by the community.
84. The speech was translated into several languages.
85. The festival was attended by thousands.
86. The play was directed by an experienced director.
87. The project was funded by the government.
88. The research was published in a scientific journal.
89. The course was taught by an expert.
90. The photograph was displayed in the exhibition.
91. The car was driven by a professional driver.
92. The campaign was launched by the organization.
93. The dinner was prepared by a famous chef.
94. The agreement was terminated by mutual consent.
95. The record was set by the swimmer.
96. The building was demolished for redevelopment.
97. The announcement was made by the CEO.
98. The policy was implemented by the administration.
99. The concert was attended by a large audience.
100. The discovery was made by the archaeologist.