In the following question, a sentence has been given in the active voice (simple past). Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in the passive voice. Late arrival of the Gomati Express created confusion among the passengers.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Confusion was created among passengers due to the late arrival of the Gomati Express.

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This grammar problem focuses on converting a simple past sentence in active voice to passive voice. The sentence is "Late arrival of the Gomati Express created confusion among the passengers." In the passive form, the emphasis shifts from the cause (late arrival) to the result (confusion), while the past time reference is preserved.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Active sentence: Late arrival of the Gomati Express created confusion among the passengers.
  • Effective subject causing the action: late arrival of the Gomati Express.
  • Object: confusion.
  • Additional phrase: among the passengers.
  • Tense: simple past (created).


Concept / Approach:
To form the passive voice from a simple past sentence, we use the structure: object + was or were + past participle. The word "confusion" becomes the subject of the passive sentence, and "created" changes to "was created." The phrase "among the passengers" remains to show who experienced the confusion, and the cause "late arrival of the Gomati Express" is expressed with a prepositional phrase, commonly introduced with "due to" in this type of sentence.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify "confusion" as the object that will become the subject in the passive sentence.Step 2: Since confusion is singular, choose "was" as the auxiliary in the simple past passive.Step 3: Put the past participle "created" after "was."Step 4: Retain the phrase "among passengers" to show who experienced the confusion.Step 5: Add the cause phrase "due to the late arrival of the Gomati Express" to preserve the original meaning.Step 6: The final passive sentence is: Confusion was created among passengers due to the late arrival of the Gomati Express.


Verification / Alternative check:
If we convert this passive sentence back into a more active style, we would say something like "The late arrival of the Gomati Express created confusion among passengers," matching the original. This shows that we have preserved both the action and its effect. The tense remains simple past because "was created" matches "created" as the corresponding passive form.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A uses "has been created," which is present perfect and does not match the original simple past tense. Option B is incorrect because "confusion" is singular and cannot take "have been"; it must be "has been" or "was." Option D uses present tense "is created," which changes the time reference. Option E uses "would be created," which introduces a conditional or hypothetical sense not present in the original statement of fact.


Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes change tenses unknowingly when forming the passive, especially confusing simple past with present perfect. Another pitfall is incorrect subject verb agreement in the passive auxiliary, such as using "have" with singular subjects. For simple past passive, always use "was" for singular and "were" for plural, followed by the past participle of the main verb.


Final Answer:
Confusion was created among passengers due to the late arrival of the Gomati Express.

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