The passive voice is commonly used in IELTS Writing Task 1 (process descriptions) and Task 2 (formal arguments). In this activity, you’ll read about how everyday items are made and practise using the present and past passive voice in context.
4. How Everyday Products Are Made
Many of the items we use every day __________ (1) through long and complex processes. For example, a simple chocolate bar goes through several steps before it reaches store shelves. First, cocoa beans __________ (2) from farms in countries like Ghana and Indonesia. Then they __________ (3) in large machines and mixed with sugar and milk.
After the mixture is ready, it is poured into moulds and left to cool. Once solid, the bars __________ (4) into wrappers and boxes. Finally, they are shipped around the world and sold to customers.
Some products, like clothing, are still partly made by hand. In some factories, workers __________ (5) to sew, inspect, or package items before they are delivered.
Check answers at the bottom of the page.
1.
(A) is produced
(B) are produced
(C) produced
(D) was produced
2.
(A) harvested
(B) are harvested
(C) is harvested
(D) were harvested
3.
(A) grind
(B) are grinded
(C) are ground
(D) were ground
4.
(A) packaged
(B) is packaged
(C) are packaged
(D) were packaged
5.
(A) hire
(B) are hired
(C) is hired
(D) hired
Grammar Explanations
1. “are produced”
– Passive present simple for general truths about manufacturing processes.
2. “are harvested”
– Passive voice describing an action regularly done by someone (farmers).
3. “are ground”
– Irregular past participle of “grind” used in present passive.
4. “are packaged”
– Present passive for completed action in a step-by-step process.
5. “are hired”
– Passive form of hiring process, where the subject (workers) receives the action.
Correct Answers:
- (B) are produced
- (B) are harvested
- (C) are ground
- (C) are packaged
- (B) are hired
