Regarding passive voice usage in Task 1, which statement is true?

Regarding passive voice usage in Task 1, which statement is true?

• A. Passive voice should be avoided entirely
• B. Passive voice should be used as the main form in every sentence
• C. Passive voice can be used to emphasize data outcomes but not overused
• D. Passive voice is irrelevant

Answer: (C)

Using passive voice in Task 1 is about foregrounding the data outcomes. It lets you describe what happened to the data rather than who did it, which helps present charts and figures in an objective, data-focused way. You can use passive to highlight figures, percentages, and trends—e.g., “The percentage of responders was 45%” or “Sales were reported to have risen by 12%.” But you should avoid overdoing it; too many passive constructions can feel dull and reduce clarity, so mix with active where it clarifies who is performing actions or when the agent is important. The other statements misrepresent how Task 1 writing usually works: passive shouldn’t be avoided entirely, it doesn’t have to be the main form in every sentence, and it’s not irrelevant to how you describe data.

Using passive voice in Task 1 is about foregrounding the data outcomes. It lets you describe what happened to the data rather than who did it, which helps present charts and figures in an objective, data-focused way. You can use passive to highlight figures, percentages, and trends—e.g., “The percentage of responders was 45%” or “Sales were reported to have risen by 12%.” But you should avoid overdoing it; too many passive constructions can feel dull and reduce clarity, so mix with active where it clarifies who is performing actions or when the agent is important. The other statements misrepresent how Task 1 writing usually works: passive shouldn’t be avoided entirely, it doesn’t have to be the main form in every sentence, and it’s not irrelevant to how you describe data.