OP Unit 12: Passive structures II

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Objective Proficiency Unit 12

In this unit you will revise the use of passive structures, speak about the role science has in our present-day and future society and learn how to use compound adjectives.

Can you predict the future?
Think of 3 developments that will have been completed or 3 products that have become ubiquitous by 2050?

Questions

You'll be hearing predictions on the future: on what the world will look like in 2050. Listen and take notes. Afterwards, in groups, you are going to discuss the following questions (so while listening prepare for this):

1. What aspect of 2050 are you looking forward to most? Why?

2. What aspect of 2050 are you dreading most? Why?

3. Can you be real friends with a human hologram or a robot dog?

4. Which prediction is most likely to happen and which is least likely?

5. What other changes do you expect for 2050 (that haven't been mentioned in the video)?

You'll be divided into groups of 3 or 4. Discuss the questions stated below. Take notes (before you start the discussion decide on who is taking notes). Sustain your answers. Afterwards, every group will share their answers with the class.

1. What aspect of 2050 are you looking forward to most? Why?

2. What aspect of 2050 are you dreading most? Why?

3. Can you be real friends with a human hologram or a robot dog?

4. Which prediction is most likely to happen and which is least likely?

5. What other changes do you expect for 2050 (that haven't been mentioned in the video)?

Will we ............................... by robots?

The passive voice

Agent

 Latin verb agere, to "do" or "make".

Someone or something that does something 

Patient

Someone or something that is affected

It is the direct object in a sentence in the active voice

It is the subject in a sentence in the passive voice

Tom kicks Jim

Jim is kicked (by Tom)

Active or passive:
The patient was diagnosed with schizophrenia.

1. Active
2. Passive

Active or passive:
John couldn't think of a solution to the problem.

1. Active
2. Passive

Active or passive:
Marie Curie was considered a genius.

1. Active
2. Passive

Active or passive:
The children had been invited to a tea party.

1. Active
2. Passive

Active or passive:
The children had been drinking tea all afternoon.

1. Active
2. Passive

Active or passive:
I am convinced you're right.

1. Active
2. Passive

So how can you tell if a sentence is in the passive voice?

 It’s easy: a passive sentence will always have some form of the verb to be, followed by a past participle. All of these examples are passives:

The burglar was arrested.

The children were invited to the party.

This flight is expected to arrive on time.

The candidate is being prepared for the debate.

I am appalled by your behaviour.

Extra explanation and practice

Have a look at the week assignment and complete your tasks.

More practice/explanation?

https://www.englishcurrent.com/exercises/passive-voice-exercises/  (do the advanced exercises)

https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/passive-exercise-5.html

Insert 3 compound adjectives (be creative). Use commas in between.

Thinking of taking the CPE exam?

Cambridge really values candidates using compound adjectives when writing, e.g. in an essay, review, letter or article. 

Don't overdo it but add a few of them into your writing.

Assignment

Write a short letter to the editor (of which newspaper doesn't matter) on  ChatGPT. You'll get 8 minutes to write a maximum of 8 sentences. Take any angle you want (your personal experience, the impact on schoolwork, the ethical discussion, the impact on people in the long run, etc). You must add 3 compound adjectives to your story.

Then, you'll be divided into groups of 3: you read each other's letters and select the best letter of your group.

Insert the winning letter of your group: