Advanced English Reading and Comprehension

138 practice makes perfect Advanced English Reading and Comprehension

10 · 8

EXERCISE

Eliminating the passiveParaphrase each of the following statements from

the reading text, using the techniques described above to eliminate the passive voice

(shown underlined).

1. “Originating with the indigenous peoples of North America, healing circles—also called
   talking, or peacemaking, circles—have been used for centuries to repair harm and rebuild
   peace in the community.”


2. “... all participants are treated equally and respectfully and are given equal opportunity
   to speak in an open, honest dialogue.”


3. “Healing circles can be adapted to family situations, schools, the workplace, government
   agencies, churches, clubs, organizations, and prisons... .”


4. “The participants are informed, prepared, and trained in the process.”


5. “In healing circles, participants are encouraged to tell their stories.”


6. “Stories awaken compassion in people’s hearts more readily than advice or judgment that
   is handed down or imposed by an outside authority.”


7. “Consensus decisions are arrived at through exploring the issues and possible solutions
   rather than through debate, argument, and persuasion.”


8. “In 1996, the healing circle was applied for the irst time in the United States in the Mille
   Lacs Circle Sentencing Project on the Mille Lacs Indian reservation in Minnesota.”

Now, scan other reading texts for sentences in which you can eliminate the passive voice.