Directorate: Curriculum FET

SUBJECT and GRADE ENGLISH GR 11 FAL

TERM 1 WEEK 4
TOPIC READING AND VIEWING
LANGUAGE STRUCTURES AND CONVENTIONS
AIMS OF LESSONS PART 1: THE COMPREHENSION
PART 2: ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE
RESOURCES Paper-based resources Digital resources
The Language textbook. Mind the Gap – Paper 1, WCED ePortal;
Newspapers and magazines in the http://tiny.cc/f6zitz
classroom.
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE

https://learn.mindset.africa/resources/english-first-
additional-language/grade-10/term-04-general-focus-
process-writing/sentences/active-and-passive-voice

INTRODUCTION 1.1 READING AND VIEWING

THE COMPREHENSION
Learners, reading with comprehension is an important skill for all subjects. In Grade 11 English FAL, reading
and comprehension form a vital part of assessment especially with the writing of your Paper 1 (Language)
and Paper 2 (Literature).
The reason why you are presented with a comprehension is to assess whether you are understanding what
you are reading and also to assess whether you understand the deeper meaning of the text. Your teacher
will present you with a text with a specific theme, you must read it carefully, read the questions carefully
and re-read the text. Thereafter, you will have to answer the questions set on the text.

1.2 LANGUAGE STRUCTURES AND CONVENTIONS

ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE
 The question is often asked, ‘Why or when do we use Active and Passive voice and why do we need
to know the skills of active and passive voice?

Well, learners, using active voice often improves clarity, while passive voice can help avoid
unnecessary repetition. Active voice can help ensure clarity by making it clear to the reader who is
taking action in the sentence.
When to use the passive voice
As a rule, speak and write in the active voice. But passive forms can be useful in formal writing (such
as scientific reports) when the emphasis is on process and results, rather than on who did the action.

1. To change the focus of a sentence.

Sometimes, the object of the sentence is more important than the subject. We can change the focus
of the sentence by changing an active sentence into a passive sentence. For example, in the following
sentence, the focus is on beautiful designs and colours – not on who creates or chooses them.

“Our beautiful designs are created by a team of experts. The colours are carefully chosen to blend in
with the surroundings…”

2. If we don’t know who does an action.

“My bicycle has been stolen” – I don’t know who has stolen it.

3. If we don’t want to say who did something.

“The lights were left on all night.” (I don’t want to say that you left the lights on.)

4. If it is obvious who does something.

“I was given a prescription” – I know that only doctors give prescriptions, so I don’t need to add “by
the doctor”.
“He was arrested” I know that the police arrest people, so I don’t need to add “by the police”.

CONCEPTS AND 1.1 READING AND VIEWING

SKILLS THE COMPREHENSION
In your Gr 11 FAL Paper 1 examination, the comprehension is normally a 30-mark question consisting
of two parts:
1. A prose text of 500-600 words and questions on the text worth 24 marks (TEXT A).
2. A graphic text with questions worth 6 marks (TEXT B).

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Look over the text quickly (skim) to get an idea of what the text is about.
Take note of things such as:
• How many paragraphs there are in the extract;
• The title of the extract, which may also offer a clue to the content of the passage and the writer’s
intention;
• The headings and sub-headings;
• Who wrote the text and where it came from, if this information is given;
• Key words and names;
• Topic sentences;
• Unfamiliar, unusual or difficult words;
• The introductory paragraph – it often creates the atmosphere and provides the setting for what is
to follow; and
• The final paragraph – it usually summarises the extract.

Then, quickly look at (scan) the questions. This will give you an idea of what kind of information to
look for when you read the text again. Notice things such as:
• Names of people or places; and
• The question words and instructions.
Spend about 5 minutes on Step 1 (for text A).

When answering the questions, take a minute to think about what each question asks you to do.
Here are some tips for answering comprehension questions:
• The mark allocation indicates the number of points required. For example, if the question is for 2
marks, you need to make two points.
• Look for the key words or topic sentence in each paragraph – it often suggests what each
paragraph is about. (Sometimes a paragraph does not have a topic sentence.)
• Do not copy directly from the text, unless you are asked to quote. Try to answer the questions in
your own words, using full sentences.
• If you are asked to give a synonym or antonym of a word, use the same part of speech and tense
as the original word. For example, replace a noun with a noun (joy – happiness); and a verb with
a verb (look – stare; looked – stared).
• Avoid starting sentences with conjunctions such as “but” or “because”.

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 • Do not confuse TRUE/FALSE questions with YES/NO questions. Do not write T/F for TRUE/FALSE.
Always back up a TRUE/FALSE or YES/NO answer with a reason unless the question specifically
says that all you need to do is give the one-word answer.
• When asked to quote a phrase, remember that a phrase refers to a group of words without a
verb, for example, ‘in the morning’. If asked to quote consecutive words, keep to the required
number of words.

1.2 LANGUAGE STRUCTURES AND CONVENTIONS

ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE

To further explain the difference between the two voices, read the following:

• At the most basic level, the active voice emphasizes the person or agent who performs an
action, in short, the “actor.”
• The passive voice emphasizes the recipient of the action or sometimes the action itself e.g.

ACTIVE VOICE: I will clean the house every Saturday.

PASSIVE VOICE: The house will be cleaned by me every Saturday.

What is the difference between the active voice and the passive voice in English?

Compare these two sentences:

Active = “The doctor gave me a prescription.”

Passive = “I was given a prescription by the doctor.”

The first sentence is in the “active voice”. The subject is the doctor, and the verb is “gave”.
In active sentences, the focus of the sentence is on the subject.

The second sentence is in the “passive voice”. The object of the sentence (“I”) becomes the focus of
the sentence.

How to form a passive sentence

1. Firstly, you need to make the object (from the active sentence) into the new subject.

For example, in “John helped me”, “me” is the object.

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When writing in the passive, the subject form of “me” is “I”.

Here is a list of objects and subjects:

me – I
you – You
him / her – He / She
us – We
them – They

2. Then you make the verb passive.

Put the verb into the same tense as the verb in the active sentence.
• For example, in the sentence “John helped me”, “helped” is the past tense. Therefore, you need
the past simple tense of the verb, which is “was” or “were”.

“I was…”

Here’s a list of tenses for the verb “to be”:

Present simple – am / are / is

Present continuous – is being / are being
Present perfect – has been / have been
Simple past – was / were
Past continuous – was being / were being
Modals will, can etc – will be, can be etc.

3. Then add the past participle of the verb. For example “gave” – “given”, “help” – “helped”

“I was helped by John.” – (John helped me.)

“I was given a prescription by the doctor.” – (The doctor gave me a prescription.)

4. If necessary, you can say who did the action. To do this, add “by” at the end of your sentence.
“She was awarded a degree by the University of London.” – The University of London awarded a
degree to her.
https://www.english-at-home.com/grammar/passives/

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ACTIVITIES/ 1.1 READING AND VIEWING
THE COMPREHENSION
ASSESSMENT
After you have carefully looked at the concepts and skills for the comprehension, read the text
below very carefully and answer the set questions.

HOW TO GET A JOB AT GOOGLE

Every year two million people worldwide apply for a job at Google.
So, what’s the secret?
By Tom Lamont

1 Fortune magazine has for the last six years ranked Google as its no. 1 most desirable
place to work. Laszlo Bock, head of people operations, handles requests from
outsiders. Why do so many people want to work at Google? The answer is quite easy
- Google believes work should be fun.
2 Google has transformed itself from a little search engine to an everything-engine: email, 5
maps, operating systems and phones. Google has become a ‘little universe’ on its own.
Inside a hall at Google’s head office in Mountain View, California, a laminated sign asks
people to “Please be Googley”. It’s a request that visitors remember to wear security
badges; also, that they don’t steal any of the stuff that’s been left around for staff
enjoyment – bicycles, electric guitars, game machines, etc. 10
3 Employees at this R4.4 trillion company work in an environment that many of us only
dream of but will never experience. As an employee of Google, you have extras that
include: company stocks, strange office furniture, a climbing frame, a gym machine and
an inside picnic area. If you don’t feel like working in your office, then sit at a picnic
table. 15
4 But the benefits do not stop there. Staff members are given access to: childcare,
massage chairs, hairdressers visiting the office every Monday, mechanics on Tuesdays
and two meals a day. There are also various interesting clubs to join such as unicycling*
and juggling. As a Google employee, you pay nothing for these benefits as long as you
don’t misuse or abuse your privileges. 20
5 Laszlo laughs and admits that this must sound like the ideal place to work. People have
tried some strange things to get into Google. On a wall he keeps a small display of
some of the ‘silliest’ applications that have come in. People try to bribe him, impress
him, plead with him and even threaten him.

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6 But don’t get too excited about working at Google. According to Laszlo getting a job at 25
Google is hard. “It is not hopeless, though.” In his book, Work Rules, he shares some
secrets about how Google identifies people it wants and how it spoils them once they’re
in.
7 “You need four things,” says Laszlo. He lists them, in order of importance. First, you
must show ability to absorb information. Secondly, you have to be a growing leader – 30
step in when a problem arises but step back when it is resolved. The willingness to give
up power is really important. The third thing is called ‘Googleyness’. This simply means
that you have to show that you are human by admitting you are wrong when evidence
shows it. The fourth, and least important, is your skill to do the job.
Laszlo says that many companies will look at your skills first. But, if you can do the first 35
three, Google feels that not only will you be able to figure out the job (skills) but you
might come up with a new way to do the job that nobody else has done.
8 If you feel that you meet the criteria set by Google, then apply. You need to be aware
of the following before you mail that application form. Of the two million who apply, only
five thousand are hired. This means that you stand a 400 to one chance of being 40
‘Googley’.
9 Getting a job at Google might not be easy but once successful you will not want to leave
because the normal nine-to-five workday does not happen here. You work when you
feel creative so that means when the mood strikes, but you will have to produce the
goods or else you will become Googleless! 45
Adapted from YOU Magazine, April 2015

GLOSSARY: Unicycling- riding a vehicle similar to a bicycle but it has only one wheel

1.1 Refer to the heading of the magazine article and paragraph 1.

1.1.1 What reputation has Google earned from Fortune with all the applications for
jobs with them? (1)
1.1.2 Choose the correct answer. Write only the question number (1.1.2) and the
letter (A-D) of the correct answer.
If two million people apply for a job at Google every year, then the company
must be ...
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 A. popular.
B. unfashionable.
C. secretive.
D. growing. (1)
1.2 Refer to paragraph 1.
What makes Google different from other companies? (1)
1.3 Who are the ‘outsiders’ as referred to in line 3? (1)
1.4 Refer to paragraph 2.
Explain what you understand by, “Google has become a ‘little universe’ on its
own.” (2)
1.5 Refer to line 8, “Please be Googley”.
List two things that visitors must do to be Googley. (2)
1.6 Why do you think Google has a climbing frame, gym machine and a picnic
area at the office? (2)
1.7 Quote TWO consecutive1 words from paragraph 4 that prove the benefits
offered at Google is not meant for the public. (1)
1.8 What do you think will happen to employees if they started to misuse or abuse
their privileges from Google? (1)
1.9 Explain in your own words if an employee of Google would be capitalising2
on privileges or abusing privileges if he/she sells the free food. (2)
If an employee of Google sells the free food, would he/she be capitalising on
privileges or abusing privileges? Use your own words to explain your answer.
1.10 Refer to paragraph 5
“People try to bribe him, impress him, plead with him and even threaten him.”
Why do you think people behave strangely when they try to get into Google? (2)

1
following each other
2
take the chance to gain advantage from.
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 1.11 What do you think is worse, bribing someone or threatening them?
Provide a reason for your choice. (2)
1.12 Refer to paragraph 7.
“Laszlo says that many companies will look at your skills first.”
1.12.1 What does Google look for first in a potential employee? (1)
1.12.2 What is the least important thing to Google when interviewing someone? (1)
1.12.3 Refer to your answer in 1.12.2
Why did Google list your answer in 1.12.2 as the last criterion used when
looking for potential employees? (1)
1.13 Refer to paragraph 9.
In which way can getting a job at Google change your workday? (1)
1.14 Is Google an employer you would like to work for?
Substantiate your response. (2)
(24)
1.2 LANGUAGE STRUCTURES AND CONVENTIONS
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE
Learners, now that you have been guided on the ACTIVE AND PASSIVE voice, complete the
following exercise. The answers will be given later in this document. DO NOT CHEAT. Attempt to
complete this exercise on your own. Be willing to make mistakes and thereafter you can check your
answers by referring to the marking guideline. If in doubt, refer to the ‘CONCEPTS AND SKILLS’
section. Enjoy!
Rewrite the following sentences from the ACTIVE voice to the PASSIVE voice.
1. The woman ran a small knitting programme to raise funds. (2)
2. Thomas Edison invented the electric light bulb in 1879. (2)
3. The police arrested two men yesterday in connection with a car hijacking. (2)
4. The child broke the glass. (2)
5. Maya Angelou wrote poems and books. (2)

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 6. The mechanic fixes the car. (2)
7. Money provides financial freedom. (2)
8. The 18-year-old had developed an illness-causing paralysis. (2)
9. The South African Baseball Union is covering half the costs. (2)
10. The Umlazi High School choir won first prize in an international school choirs’
competition. (2)
[20]
Each sentence is worth 2 marks; 1 mark for correct word order and the second mark for the correct
form of the verb in the passive voice.
MARKING 1.1 READING AND VIEWING
GUIDELINE THE COMPREHENSION
1.1 Refer to the heading of the magazine article and paragraph 1.
1.1.1 What reputation has Google earned from Fortune with all the applications for jobs with them? (1)

(No.1) most desirable place to work. ✓ / People ranked Google the no.1 place to work.
1.1.2 Choose the correct answer. Write only the question number (1.1.2) and the letter (A-D) of the correct answer. If two million people
apply for a job at Google every year, then the company must be ...
A. popular.
B. unfashionable.
C. secretive.
D. growing. (1)

A – popular ✓
1.2 Refer to paragraph 1. What makes Google different from other companies? (1)

Google is different because they believe that work should be fun. ✓

1.3 Who are the ‘outsiders’ as referred to in line 3? (1)

People who are not employed by Google but would like to work at Google. / Visitors to
Google. ✓
1.4 Refer to paragraph 2. Explain what you understand by, “Google has become a ‘little universe’ on its own.” (2)

Everything you might need to function✓ is contained on the Google premises✓ /

Google can produce✓ a variety of products✓.
1.5 Refer to line 8, “Please be Googley”. List two things that visitors must do to be Googley. (2)

Visitors must always wear their security badges when visiting Google’s head office✓.
Visitors must not steal things left out for the staff to enjoy. ✓
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 1.6 Why do you think Google has a climbing frame, gym machine and a picnic area at the office? (2)

Google believes that they need to take care of their employees’ physical ✓ / and
emotional well-being. ✓ / To provide an environment that is conducive for productivity
✓ (Any TWO)
1.7 Quote TWO consecutive3 words from paragraph 4 that prove the benefits offered at Google is not meant for the public. (1)

‘Staff members’ ✓ (do not penalise if Staff is not capitalised) /

‘Google employee’ ✓
1.8 What do you think will happen to employees if they started to misuse or abuse their privileges from Google? (1)

They could be disciplined or fired. ✓

1.9 Explain in your own words if an employee of Google would be capitalising4 on privileges or abusing privileges if he/she sells the
free food. (2)

Capitalising – take the chance to gain advantage from and make money off it.
Abuse – when someone uses something wrongly to their own advantage.
(Learner’s response must be linked to one of meanings in the supporting explanation.
Accept either one if explanation supports the choice.) ✓✓
1.10 Refer to paragraph 5, “People try to bribe him, impress him, plead with him and even threaten him.”
Why do you think people behave strangely when they try to get into Google? (2)

People behave in this way because they are desperate to work for/at Google. ✓ / They
like the benefits offered by Google. ✓ / They like the idea of having fun while you are
working. ✓ / [ACCEPT any two]
1.11 What do you think is worse, bribing someone or threatening them? Provide a reason for your choice. (2)

Bribing – dishonestly persuade (someone) to act in one's favour by a gift of money or

other inducement.
Threaten - having a hostile or deliberately frightening quality or manner causing
someone to feel vulnerable or at risk.
Learner must mention either bribing or threatening.
Accept a good/sound response that is validated by a supporting reason. ✓✓
1.12 Refer to paragraph 7. “Laszlo says that many companies will look at your skills first.”
1.12.1 What does Google look for first in a potential employee? (1)

A potential employee must have the ability to absorb information. ✓

1.12.2 What is the least important thing to Google when interviewing someone? (1)

3
following each other
4
take the chance to gain advantage from.
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 Google is not as concerned with the skills ✓ required to do the job.
ACCEPT ‘skills’ on its own.
1.12.3 Refer to your answer in 1.12.2. Why did Google list your answer in 1.12.2 as the last criterion used when looking for potential
employees? (1)

If you meet their first three requirements then you can learn all you need to, while doing
the job. ✓
1.13 Refer to paragraph 9. In which way can getting a job at Google change your work day? (1)

You will not be expected to work the normal nine-to-five day ✓ / and you can work
when you want to, i.e. when creativity strikes. ✓ / You do not have to get up early in the
morning to go to work. / You can work outside if you want to.
[ACCEPT any relevant answer related to the content of the question and the content of
the text.]
1.14 Is Google an employer you would/would not like to work for? Substantiate your response. (2)

Learner’s own response.

YES. Learner will mention the benefits. / No working hours. / Having fun while working.
NO. Google is in the USA and that will take you away from your family in South Africa.
Accept any suitable response related to the question and linked to working for Google.

1.2 LANGUAGE STRUCTURES AND CONVENTIONS

ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE
1. The woman ran a small knitting programme to raise funds. (2)
A small knitting programme to raise funds was run ✓ by the woman.✓
2. Thomas Edison invented the electric light bulb in 1879. (2)
The electric bulb was invented ✓ in 1879 by Thomas Edison. ✓
3. The police arrested two men yesterday in connection with a car hijacking. (2)
Two men were arrested ✓ yesterday in connection with a car hijacking by the
police. ✓
4. The child broke the glass. (2)
The glass was broken ✓ by the child. ✓
5. Maya Angelou wrote poems and books. (2)

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 Poems and books were written✓ by Maya Angelou. ✓
6. The mechanic fixes the car. (2)
The car is fixed ✓ by the mechanic. ✓
7. Money provides financial freedom. (2)
Financial freedom is provided ✓ by money. ✓
8. The 18-year-old had developed an illness-causing paralysis. (2)
An illness-causing paralysis had been developed ✓ by the 18-year-old. ✓
9. The South African Baseball Union is covering half the costs. (2)
Half the cost is being covered ✓ by the South African Baseball Union. ✓
10. The Umlazi High School choir won first prize in an international school choirs’
competition. (2)
First prize was won ✓ in an international school choirs’ competition by the Umlazi
High School choir. ✓
[20]
CONSOLIDATION Reading remains an essential part of schooling and daily life. The more you read, the more you will
expand your vocabulary. An expanded vocabulary will allow you to speak, write and read well, and
with better understanding.
VALUES Read on topics that interest you. Try different things you have read especially if it positively adds to your
personal situation, your household and your community. Implement what you have learnt.

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