Language term
Active voice
A sentence where the subject performs the action, as in the dog chased the ball.
What it means
In the active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action of the verb, as in the dog chased the ball. The active voice is usually clearer, more direct and more energetic than the passive. That is because it names who is doing what and puts them at the front of the sentence.
Most good writing relies mainly on the active voice, since it keeps sentences lively and makes responsibility clear. Understanding the active voice, and how it differs from the passive, gives a writer control over emphasis and tone.
Why it matters in the exam
In your own writing, favouring the active voice keeps your prose direct, clear and energetic, which examiners reward in most tasks. In the reading paper, recognising the difference between active and passive lets you comment on a writer's emphasis and tone. Knowing when the active voice is the stronger choice, and when a passive might suit better, is a sign of controlled, deliberate writing at this level.
Example
The active sentence The council closed the library names who acted. It feels more direct than the passive version, The library was closed.
How to use it
In your own writing, use the active voice as your default to keep sentences clear and vigorous. Put the doer of the action at the front. In analysis, contrast active and passive constructions and explain the writer's choice.
Reserve the passive for when you deliberately want to hide or downplay who acted, and notice when writers do the same.
Knowing the term is the first step. In a paid one-hour trial, a teacher helps your child use "Active voice" accurately in an answer.