In this voice change question, convert the active sentence “My daughter read the entire novel in one day” into the correct passive voice form by choosing the best alternative.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: The entire novel was read by my daughter in one day.

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question examines the learner understanding of active and passive voice transformation in English. The original sentence My daughter read the entire novel in one day is in the simple past tense and active voice. The task is to convert it into passive voice without changing the tense or the essential meaning. Voice change is a frequently tested area because it checks the use of auxiliary verbs and the correct handling of objects and subjects.


Given Data / Assumptions:
The essential elements are:

  • Active sentence: My daughter read the entire novel in one day.
  • Subject in active voice: My daughter.
  • Object in active voice: the entire novel.
  • Tense: simple past (read as past form).
  • Time phrase: in one day remains unchanged.


Concept / Approach:
To change a sentence from active to passive voice, we make the object of the active sentence the subject of the passive one. We also use the appropriate form of the auxiliary verb be plus the past participle of the main verb, keeping the same tense. In simple past, this means was or were plus the past participle. The doer of the action, originally the subject, can be introduced by the preposition by. Therefore, the passive form should be The entire novel was read by my daughter in one day.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the object in the active sentence: the entire novel. Step 2: Bring this object to the front to form the new subject in the passive sentence. Step 3: Keep the tense as simple past. The auxiliary be in simple past is was when the subject is singular, so we use was. Step 4: Use the past participle of read, which is read with the same spelling but a past pronunciation. Step 5: Introduce the original subject using by: by my daughter. Step 6: Retain the time phrase in one day at the end of the sentence. Step 7: The complete passive sentence is The entire novel was read by my daughter in one day.


Verification / Alternative check:
Compare the options with the rules. Option c matches exactly the structure subject plus was plus past participle plus by plus doer plus time. Option a uses is read, which is present tense and changes the time reference. Option b simply reorders the words but remains in active voice. Option d has has read, which is present perfect tense and changes the meaning to a different time frame. Therefore, only option c preserves both tense and meaning correctly.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a, The entire novel is read by my daughter in one day, is incorrect because is read is present tense and does not match the simple past of the original sentence. Option b, In one day my daughter read the entire novel, is still active voice and therefore does not answer the requirement of changing to passive. Option d, In one day my daughter has read the entire novel, changes the tense to present perfect and again remains in active voice. These options all fail either the tense requirement, the voice requirement, or both.


Common Pitfalls:
One common error is to forget to adjust the auxiliary verb be to match the tense of the original sentence. Another mistake is to only change the order of words without actually forming the passive structure. Students may also confuse present perfect with simple past and choose options where the tense has changed. To avoid such mistakes, always identify the tense first, then apply the formula for passive voice for that specific tense.


Final Answer:
The correct passive voice form of the sentence is The entire novel was read by my daughter in one day.

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