WEEK 6: IDENTIFICATION OF ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VERBS

                                  WEEK 6

                          ENGLISH LANGUAGE

TOPICS:

(A) TECHNIQUES OF SPEED READING - SCANNING AND SKIMMING

(B) IDENTIFICATION OF ACTIVE VERBS 

(C) IDENTIFICATION OF PASSIVE VERBS

Specific Objectives - By the end of this lesson the students should be able to:

     i.        Give correct answers to questions based on a given passage. 

    ii.        Identify given sentences as active or passive.        

                          INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURE

                                     Period 1

Topic - Techniques of Speed Reading - Scanning and Skimming

Step 1 - Meaning of Skimming

Skimming is a method of reading which involves running one's eyes over a passage in a quick manner in order to get an idea of the information contained therein. It is a method of reading required when the purpose is to obtain an impression about a given passage; or to determine whether the whole passage or a part of it is relevant to your need or just to get acquainted with the structure/organisation of the passage.

Skimming method is considered necessary only when the reader does not want adequate comprehension of the passage. He is only expected to read quickly, noting only the main points. No attempt is made to scrutinize the passage in detail.

Step 2 - Skimming Procedures:

(1)  Read the title of the passage to see what it is all about.

(2)  Read the first paragraph thoroughly because it usually contains the main ideas of the passage.

(3)  Read the first sentence of every subsequent paragraph thoughtfully. It could be the topic sentence since good writers often state the main ideas of a paragraph in the first sentence.

(4)   Read the whole last paragraph thoroughly. This is necessary because writers normally summarize their ideas in the last paragraph.

(5)  As you skim through, your eyes must move fast across the passage rapidly and efficiently.

 Step 3 - Meaning of Scanning:

Scanning a text is similar to the skimming method. Both possess the same quick glancing activity. However, scanning is often used when a reader is already aware of the presence of a specific piece of information in a text and goes about searching for it. The location of the specific piece of information can be done without following logically the lines of the passage. The important thing is to browse through the passage until the reader's eyes focus on the required information.

 Step 4 - Scanning Procedure

(1)  Decide on the information you are searching for and keep it in your mind.

(2)  Run your eyes quickly through the passage until you come across the information.

(3)  Stop, read carefully from one or two sentences before it to one or two sentences after it to confirm and gain more familiarity with the information. Scanning involves reading carefully but rapidly with a view to retrieving relevant information from a given passage.

                                     Period 2  

                 Topic - Identification of Active Verbs

Step 1- Meaning of Active Verb:

A verb is in the active when its subject is the performer of the action expressed by the verb. Example.

(1)  Mr Noor helped Sarah ('helped' is an active verb because the subject, Mr Noor, performed the action.) 

(2)  Somebody broke a window last night. Active verb – broke.

(3)  Martha sweeps the room everyday. Active verb - sweeps

An active sentence contains an active verb and a sentence that contains an active verb is said to be in active voice.

                                    Period 3

                  Topic - Identification of Passive Verb

Step 1 - Meaning of Passive Verb:

A verb is in the passive when it represents the subject as receiving the action performed. Example - Sarah was helped by Mr Noor. (The subject 'Sarah', received the action.) 

A passive sentence contains a passive verb and in a passive sentence, the verb phrase always includes a form of the verb 'be' and the past participle of the main verb. Other helping verbs may also be included.

A sentence that contains a passive verb is said to be in passive voice. The passive voice emphasizes the person or thing receiving the action. It may be used when the speaker does not know or does not wish to say who performed the action.

More examples - 

(1) The president has been assassinated.

(2) Nkrumah was overthrown in a military coup in 1966.

(3) The room is swept by Martha everyday.

Evaluation Questions: Answer these questions.

(1)  Read the passage 'Floods' on page 176 of your New Concept English and answer the comprehension questions on it.

(2)  Identify each of the following sentences as active or passive.

(A) The baby tapped the guest.

(B) Okoli had killed a rat.

(C) The car window has been broken.

(D) This house is owned by senator Abu.

(F) The government pays our fees.            

Assignment:

Change the following active sentences to the passive 

(1) Our mother cooks all the food.

(2) I broke the bottle.

(3) Ada was clearing the closet