被动语态
我们的编辑发现学生申请入学的作文最大的一个缺点是经常使用被动语态。你们将从这短短的一课了解：为什么应避免被动语态，如何确定，以及如何用主动语态更好地表达。
在一篇文章中通篇滥用被动语态会使你的文章显得平淡无味。使用主动语态的句子比使用被动语态的句子更简洁。由于被动语态的句子总包含动词be的一个形式，如am, is, was, were, are, 或 been，因此你可以识别其表达方式。然而，有be-动词出现不一定说明句子是被动语态，在被动语态的句子里，句子主语是动词所表示的动作的承受者，即动作是作用于主语的。在主动语态的句子里，动词所表示的动作是主语所完成的，即主语是施动者。
例子：
（被动）I was selected to be the tuba player by the band leader.
（主动）The bandleader selected me to be the tuba player.
（被动） I will be prepared for college as a result of the lessons my mother taught me.
（主动）My mother taught me lessons that will prepare me for college
（被动） I am reminded of her voice every time I hear that song.
（主动）That song reminds me of her voice.
练习：强式动词与弱式动词
用最富描写性或最有描述意义的动词短语填空：
1. After working closely with my mentor, I __________ advanced techniques in oil painting.
a) was beginning to master
b) began to master
c) mastered
2. My newspaper article on the labor strikes __________ both praise and criticism.
a) generated
b) got
c) was the recipient of
3. Once I joined the debate team, I __________ the opportunity to compete every weekend.
a) sought
b) had
c) was exposed to
4. Samuel’s touchdown __________ the stadium crowd.
a) created much energy in
b) energized
c) really energized
5. Woolf’s essay __________ my opinion of gender inequality.