Question

read the sentence:
before the main performance, the audience was entertained by a comedian.

what is the best way to put the sentence in the active voice while still maintaining its meaning?

• before the main performance, the comedian was entertained by the audience.
• before the main performance, the comedian entertained the audience.
• before the main performance, the audience was amused by the comedian.
• before the main performance, the audience and comedian laughed.

Explanation:

Analyze the original sentence structure

The original sentence is: "Before the main performance, the audience was entertained by a comedian."

• The subject receiving the action is "the audience".
• The verb phrase is "was entertained" (passive voice).
• The agent performing the action is "a comedian" (introduced by "by").

Convert passive voice to active voice

To convert this to the active voice:

• The agent performing the action ("a comedian") must become the grammatical subject.
• The verb must change from passive ("was entertained") to active past tense ("entertained").
• The receiver of the action ("the audience") must become the direct object.
• This yields: "Before the main performance, the comedian entertained the audience."

Evaluate the given options

• Option 1: "Before the main performance, the comedian was entertained by the audience." (Incorrect: reverses the meaning; still passive).
• Option 2: "Before the main performance, the comedian entertained the audience." (Correct: active voice, preserves original meaning).
• Option 3: "Before the main performance, the audience was amused by the comedian." (Incorrect: remains in the passive voice).
• Option 4: "Before the main performance, the audience and comedian laughed." (Incorrect: changes the meaning and structure).

Answer:

• (A) Before the main performance, the comedian was entertained by the audience.
• (B) Before the main performance, the comedian entertained the audience. (Correct answer)
• (C) Before the main performance, the audience was amused by the comedian.
• (D) Before the main performance, the audience and comedian laughed.