Read about New Zealand’s geography, Māori culture and wildlife, then practise the passive voice.
Read the text carefully, then answer the questions below.
New Zealand, known as Aotearoa in the Māori language, is a small island nation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main islands – the North Island and the South Island – as well as hundreds of smaller islands. Although New Zealand is about the same size as the United Kingdom, it has a population of only around five million people.
The country’s landscape is incredibly varied. The South Island is famous for its snow-capped mountains, deep lakes and spectacular fjords. The highest peak, Aoraki / Mount Cook, reaches 3,724 metres. The North Island, by contrast, is shaped by volcanic activity. The region around Rotorua is known for its boiling mud pools and geysers, and the city was built on top of a geothermal field.
The Māori people are the indigenous population of New Zealand. Their ancestors arrived from Polynesia in large ocean-going canoes, probably around the year 1300. Today, Māori make up about 17% of the population, and their language and traditions are an important part of national identity. The haka, a traditional war dance, is performed by the national rugby team, the All Blacks, before every match and is recognised around the world.
New Zealand’s wildlife is unique because the islands were separated from other landmasses for millions of years. Many of its native birds cannot fly, including the kiwi, which has become a national symbol. The kiwi is a shy, nocturnal bird that is now protected by conservation programmes because its numbers were reduced dramatically by introduced predators such as cats and rats.
In 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the British Crown and over 500 Māori chiefs. This treaty is considered the founding document of modern New Zealand, although its interpretation has been debated ever since. Today, New Zealand is regarded as one of the most peaceful and environmentally aware countries in the world.
Complete each sentence with the correct passive form. All sentences are about New Zealand.
The passive voice is formed with be + past participle. We use it when the action is more important than who does it, or when the doer is unknown.
Example: The haka is performed before every match. (present simple passive)
1 New Zealand as Aotearoa in the Māori language.
2 The Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.
3 Many native birds by introduced predators today.
4 The haka by the All Blacks before every rugby match.
5 The kiwi bird by special conservation programmes.
6 New Zealand’s two main islands by the Cook Strait.
7 The city of Rotorua on top of a geothermal field.
8 Today, the Māori language in many New Zealand schools.
Rewrite each sentence in the passive voice. Keep the same tense.
Active: Millions of tourists visit New Zealand every year.
Passive: New Zealand is visited by millions of tourists every year.
Write a paragraph (80–120 words) about a country you would like to visit. Try to use at least three passive voice sentences.
… is known for … | … is spoken by … | … was founded in … | … is visited by … | … is considered … | … is surrounded by …
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