Staying safe online: listening and the passive
Listening first. A grown-up reads the text below once or twice. Listen for the big picture, then for details. Now the grammar. In an active sentence the doer is the subject: People share photos online. In a passive sentence the object comes first and the doer is often left out: Photos are shared online. Present simple passive: object + am, is or are + past participle. Modal passive: object + modal + be + past participle: Passwords should be kept private. To change active to passive do two steps: first move the object to the front; then change the verb (add be and the past participle). Some past participles are irregular: write, written; send, sent; take, taken; see, seen; give, given; steal, stolen; choose, chosen. Use the passive for facts, rules and advice, and not for everything. With data we use is: Data is stored.
| Active | Passive |
|---|---|
| People share photos online. | Photos are shared online. |
| The school saves the files. | The files are saved. |
| You should keep your password secret. | Your password should be kept secret. |
| You must not share private photos. | Private photos must not be shared. |
Good morning, students. I am Mr Hossam, your computer teacher. Today’s tip is about messages from people you do not know. If a stranger sends you a message with a link, do not open it. A link can be used to take private information. A trusted adult, such as a parent or a teacher, can help you decide. Your experience online is safer when you ask before you click. Also, photos of your home should not be sent to people you have never met. Thank you for listening, and have a safe week.
Rule poster. With a grown-up, write four safety rules for a family or a class computer. Write two with the present simple passive (Passwords are not shared) and two with the modal passive (Strangers’ links should not be opened). Read them aloud.