SSC CGL English · Study & Practice

Active/Passive & Narration

AreaGrammar & Usage DifficultyModerate SSC weightage2–4 questions (Tier 1)

Two transformation skills sit here. Voice change converts an active sentence (the doer acts) into the passive (the action is done to the subject) and back. Narration converts direct speech (exact words in quotes) into indirect/reported speech. Both follow mechanical rules — swap subject and object, change the verb form, shift the tense and pronouns. Learn the rules once and apply them step by step.

Topics

1 Active to Passive 4 worked · 5 practice · 8-Q test Start → 2 Passive to Active 4 worked · 5 practice · 8-Q test Start → 3 Direct to Indirect Speech 4 worked · 5 practice · 8-Q test Start → 4 Reported Questions & Commands 4 worked · 5 practice · 8-Q test Start →

⚡ SSC shortcuts & speed methods

The fastest ways to crack this chapter under time pressure — the techniques that separate a 95+ percentiler from the rest.

  • Passive: object + be (same tense) + past participle + by + doer.
  • Active: doer becomes subject; drop "be"; use the active verb in the same tense.
  • Reported speech: add "that", shift tense back one step, change pronouns.
  • Time/place shift: now→then, today→that day, here→there, this→that.
  • Reported questions = statement order + if/whether (yes-no) or wh-word; commands = "to"/"not to".

⚠️ Common mistakes & traps

SSC is designed so that careless errors here cost you marks. Internalise each trap before the exam.

  • Forgetting to keep the original tense in the passive be-form.
  • Not back-shifting the tense in reported speech.
  • Leaving question word order (inversion) in a reported question.
  • Using "said" instead of "asked/told" for questions and commands.

📈 SSC exam insight & PYQ analysis

SSC asks one or two voice-change items and one narration item per Tier 1, in both directions. They are mechanical once the rules are memorised — apply them step by step.

🎴 Flashcards — instant recall

Tap a card to reveal the answer. Drill these until they are automatic.

Active→Passive of "Ram writes a letter"?Tap to reveal
A letter is written by Ram
Reported: He said, "I am ill."Tap to reveal
He said that he was ill
Yes/no reported question uses?Tap to reveal
if / whether
Command in reported speech uses?Tap to reveal
"to" + base verb
now → ? in reported speechTap to reveal
then

📌 Quick revision

Voice and narration are mechanical transformations. For the passive, front the object and use be (same tense) + past participle + by + doer; reverse it for active. For reported speech, drop the quotes, back-shift the tense, change pronouns and time words, and use asked/told with if/whether or "to" for questions and commands.

Chapter test

📝 Active/Passive & Narration — Chapter Test
25 fresh questions · timed · full solutions
Start chapter test →
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🏆 Vidaara SSC success checklist

You have truly mastered Active/Passive & Narration when you can tick every box below.

  • Recall every formula in this chapter without looking them up
  • Solve each topic’s practice set with at least 80% accuracy
  • Use the chapter shortcuts to cut your solving time in half
  • Spot and avoid every common trap listed above
  • Score 80%+ on the timed chapter test

📋 Chapter mastery scorecard

Track where you stand. Aim for the target before moving to the next chapter.

Skill checkpointTarget
Concept theory & formulas understood100%
Topic practice sets attempted (4 topics)4/4
Best topic-test score— → 80%+
Chapter test score— → 80%+
Flashcards drilled to instant recall5 cards