Summary
This downloadable PDF lesson is designed for B2-level English students to master the use of the passive voice in professional contexts. The material focuses on its application in business reports and presentations to achieve a formal and objective tone.
This lesson helps intermediate students understand the structure and function of the passive voice in business communication. Activities include a listening task, vocabulary matching, reading comprehension, and grammar exercises. Students will practice transforming active sentences into passive ones and discuss the appropriate use of this structure in various professional scenarios, enhancing their ability to write and speak with greater formality and clarity.
Activities
- A listening comprehension exercise where students fill in the gaps in a short text about the use of passive voice, followed by a vocabulary matching task to solidify key terms.
- Grammar practice focusing on the structure of the passive voice, including multiple-choice questions to distinguish between active and passive forms and an exercise on transforming active sentences into passive ones.
- A reading comprehension activity based on an article about impersonal language in business, which helps students understand the rationale for using the passive voice and practice new vocabulary in context.
- Guided speaking practice with discussion questions that encourage students to analyze the appropriate use of the passive voice in different business scenarios, considering its impact on clarity and professionalism.
Vocabulary focus
The vocabulary section introduces key terms for formal business communication. Students will learn words like "employed," "optimize," "objective," and "formality" to discuss professional standards. Additional vocabulary from the reading, such as "prevalence," "redundant," and "proficient," helps students analyze communication styles with greater precision.
Grammar focus
This lesson concentrates on the passive voice, specifically its formation using the "be verb + past participle" structure. The grammar practice is designed to help students understand why and when to use the passive voice to create a more formal, impersonal, and objective tone, which is essential for professional documents like reports and presentations.
