Which of the following sentences is NOT in the passive voice?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Grandfather looks pleased with his new reading glasses.
Active voice:
In Option 4, “looks” is the verb and Grandfather is its subject. “Pleased” comes after “looks” as a describing word. It tells how Grandfather seems, like “looks happy”. A passive needs a form of “be” + past participle (V3) and someone acting on the subject. No one does anything to Grandfather here, so the sentence is not passive.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: The results of the inter-school quiz were announced on Friday. — Incorrect. “Were announced” is were + V3 and the results receive the action, so this is passive.
Option 2: The pandal near our house is being lit up for Durga Puja. — Incorrect. “Is being lit up” is is being + V3 and the pandal receives the action, so this is passive.
Option 3: Our names have been added to the waiting list by the clerk. — Incorrect. “Have been added” is have been + V3 and our names receive the action, so this is passive.