lesson
Grammar can foreground information
1 · Learn
Active and passive constructions can place different information first. 'The storm damaged the roof' foregrounds the cause; 'The roof was damaged by the storm' foregrounds the affected object. Neither is automatically better.
Fronted phrases, clause order and sentence length also guide attention. Check that these choices preserve clarity and agreement rather than making a sentence elaborate for its own sake.
2 · Worked example
In a report about repairs, I may start with the roof because that is the topic. In an account of the storm's effects, I may foreground the storm instead.
3 · Your turn
Rewrite 'The volunteers restored the mural' to foreground the mural while keeping the agent.
Check your answer
'The mural was restored by the volunteers.'
4 · Apply your learning
Write two versions of a paragraph for different purposes and explain one grammatical change that shifts focus.
Adult guidance and safety
Require precise evidence and allow defensible alternative readings. Give feedback on sustained writing, not only short answers. These original short texts support skills but do not replace whole-book study, two authors in depth each year, stage-wide Shakespeare or a varied reading programme.
Open your writing and drawing pad
Write, draw or show your working. Use a mouse, pen or finger. This pad is not a submitted answer.
Not saved to your account. Download your drawing as PNG and your typed notes as TXT before leaving or refreshing. They are separate files. Do not enter private information.
Open a picture saved on this device to draw on it again. Opening replaces the drawing, but Undo can restore it. PNG only, up to 4 MB and 4096 × 4096 pixels. The picture stays in this browser; it is not uploaded. Paper lines in a saved picture become part of that picture.
Clear the drawing? Your typed notes will stay. You can undo this action.
Your pad is empty.
Open a UTF-8 TXT file from this device, up to 40 KB and 10,000 characters. It stays in this browser. Opening can be undone until you type again. Downloads keep a new copy; they do not change the file you opened.
Replace the notes on this page with the opened file? Download the current notes first if you want to keep them.
Typed notes are not submitted answers.
Practice this lesson
Lesson resources
Browse the available practice activities and worksheets for this lesson.
Your progress