AEC

Name of college :- Maharani Shree

Nandkunverba Mahila Arts and Commerce

College

Name: Alpa B Gohel

Year : S.Y - BA [Sem 3]

Subject: AEC

Date: 6/9/2026

Professor: Mahir Sir

1. Home Assignment: Role of Active Voice                            and Passive Voice in Daily life

2. Class Assignment: Role of Personal                                  Pronouns

3. Article: Reading Skills

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    1) HOME ASSIGNMENT: ROLE OF ACTIVE                  PASSIVE VOICE IN DAILY LIFE

Definition of Active Voice

Active Voice is a form of sentence construction in which the subject performs the action expressed by the verb. The focus is mainly on the doer of the action.

Structure:

Subject + Verb + Object

Example:

The student completed the assignment.

Here, “the student” performs the action of completing the assignment.

Definition of Passive Voice

Passive Voice is a form of sentence construction in which the subject receives or is affected by the action expressed by the verb. The focus is mainly on the action or the receiver of the action.

Structure:

Subject + appropriate form of ‘be’ + past participle + (by + doer)

Example:

The assignment was completed by the student.

Here, “the assignment” receives the action.

Role of Active and Passive Voice in Daily Life

Active and passive voice are used regularly in our day-to-day communication. We choose between them depending on what we want to emphasise—the person performing the action or the action itself.

1. In Everyday Conversation

Active voice is commonly used in ordinary conversations because it makes communication direct and clear.

Examples:

- I have completed my homework.

- She prepared breakfast.

- We are watching a movie.

- My brother cleaned the room.

2. In Giving Instructions and Directions

Active voice is useful when we want to give clear instructions or tell someone what to do.

Examples:

- Please switch off the fan.

- Open the window.

- Submit your form before Friday.

- Take the medicine after dinner.

The active form makes the instruction direct and easy to understand.

3. In Notices and Public Announcements

Passive voice is often used in notices and announcements when the action or instruction is more important than the person performing it.

Examples:

- Mobile phones are not allowed inside the examination hall.

- The meeting has been postponed.

- The road is being repaired.

- Visitors are requested to maintain silence.

Here, the focus is on the rule, action or information rather than on a particular person.

4. In News Reports and Journalism

Both voices are useful in news reporting. Active voice can make an event sound direct, while passive voice can be used when the action or its result is more important.

Active: The police arrested the suspect.

Passive: The suspect was arrested by the police.

The choice depends on what the writer wants the reader to notice first.

5. In Academic and Scientific Writing

Passive voice is frequently used in academic and scientific contexts when the process, observation or result is more important than the person carrying out the action.

Examples:

- The experiment was conducted in the laboratory.

- The samples were collected carefully.

- The results were recorded in a table.

This style gives attention to the procedure and findings.

6. In Formal and Official Communication

Passive voice is also useful in formal communication, particularly when the person responsible for an action is unknown, unnecessary or understood from the context.

Examples:

- The documents have been submitted.

- Your application has been received.

- The payment has been processed.

- The complaint was forwarded to the concerned department.

The sentences focus on the status or completion of the action.

7. In Personal Communication

Active voice is generally preferred when we are talking about our own actions, experiences and responsibilities.

Examples:

- I sent the email yesterday.

- We completed the project on time.

- She invited her friends to the party.

It makes the speaker's responsibility clear and prevents confusion.

8. Importance of Choosing the Appropriate Voice

The choice between active and passive voice helps us control the focus, tone and clarity of our communication. Active voice is generally more direct and personal, whereas passive voice can be more formal and can shift attention towards an action, process or result.

Therefore, understanding both forms helps us communicate appropriately in different situations, such as conversations, instructions, notices, news reports, academic writing and official communication.

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2) CLASS ASSIGNMENT:The Role of Personal Pronouns and How They Make Sentences More Effective

Introduction

Personal pronouns make sentences shorter, clearer, smoother, and less repetitive. They also help establish a relationship between the speaker, the listener, and the subject being discussed. 

Personal pronouns are not merely grammatical substitutes for nouns; they play an important role in making communication efficient, coherent, and meaningful.

Meaning of Personal Pronouns

A personal pronoun is a word used in place of a noun or a noun phrase to refer to a particular person, group of people, animal, or thing.

For example:

1. I am preparing for my examination.

2. She is my friend.

3. They live in Ahmedabad.

4. The teacher called me.

5. Rahul helped us.

In these sentences, I, she, they, me, us, and him are personal pronouns.

Types of Personal Pronouns

Personal pronouns can be understood mainly according to person, number, and case.

1. First-Person Pronouns

First-person pronouns refer to the speaker or writer.

First-person pronouns allow speakers and writers to express their own experiences, thoughts, feelings, and opinions.

Singular: I, me, my, mine

Plural: we, us, our, ours

Examples: I enjoy reading.

2. Second-Person Pronouns

Second-person pronouns refer to the person or people being addressed - you, your, yours

Examples:

You should complete your assignment.

3. Third-Person Pronouns

Third-person pronouns refer to people, animals, things, or ideas being talked about, rather than the speaker or listener.

Singular: he, him, his, she, her, hers, it, its

Plural: they, them, their, theirs

Examples:

Rohan is a good student. He works hard.

Third-person pronouns are especially useful when writing about people or subjects over several sentences.

ROLE OF PERSONAL PRONOUNS IN MAKING SENTENCES MORE EFFECTIVE 

Personal pronouns perform several important functions in communication. They improve both the structure and effectiveness of sentences.

1. They Avoid Repetition

One of the most important functions of personal pronouns is to avoid unnecessary repetition of nouns and names.

Without pronoun:

Priya went to the market because Priya wanted to buy vegetables for Priya's family.

With pronouns:

Priya went to the market because she wanted to buy vegetables for her family.

The second sentence is much smoother and more natural.

2. They Make Sentences Concise

Personal pronouns help us communicate the same idea using fewer words.

For example:

The students completed the project, and the students submitted the project to the teacher.

The students completed the project, and they submitted it to the teacher.

The second sentence conveys the same meaning more efficiently.

3. They Improve Sentence Flow

Pronouns make sentences flow naturally from one idea to another.

Anita is a talented singer. Anita practises every day. Anita wants to participate in a competition. (This sounds awkward because Anita is repeated unnecessarily.)

A better version is:

Anita is a talented singer. She practises every day because she wants to participate in a competition.

The use of she creates a smoother connection between the sentences.

Thus, personal pronouns contribute to the fluency and rhythm of language.

4. They Help Maintain Coherence

Coherence means that ideas in a piece of writing are logically connected and easy to follow. Pronouns help readers understand that different sentences are referring to the same person or thing.

For example:

The teacher entered the classroom. She greeted the students and asked them to sit down.

Here, she clearly refers to the teacher, while them refers to the students. The pronouns connect the sentences and help the reader follow the action.

5. They Make Communication More Natural

Personal pronouns are used constantly in everyday conversations.

For example:

I am tired. Can you help me?

This sounds natural and direct.

Therefore, personal pronouns make language conversational, natural, and easy to understand.

6. They Establish Relationships Between People

Pronouns help identify the different participants in communication.

For example:

I will help you if you help me.

Here, I refers to the speaker; you refers to the listener.

7. They Help Express Personal Feelings and Experiences

First-person pronouns such as I and we are particularly useful for expressing personal experiences, emotions, beliefs, and opinions.

For example:

I feel proud of my achievements.

The use of I and we makes the statements personal and shows the speaker's or writer's involvement in the subject.

9. They Help Connect Sentences in a Paragraph

Pronouns are important tools for maintaining grammatical and logical connections between sentences.

For example:

The students were preparing for their examination. They studied regularly because they wanted to perform well. Their teacher also encouraged them.

The pronouns they and them connect the sentences and prevent the repeated use of the students.

As a result, the paragraph becomes more cohesive and readable.

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             3) ARTICLE : READING SKILLS

INTRODUCTION 

Reading is one of the most important language skills. It is not simply the process of looking at written words; it involves understanding, interpreting and responding to the ideas presented in a text. 

Effective reading requires more than understanding individual words. A good reader should be able to identify the main idea, recognise important information, understand supporting details and draw conclusions from what has been read.

 Different reading techniques can be used depending on the purpose of reading. For example, skimming helps a reader understand the general idea of a text, while scanning helps the reader locate specific information quickly.

Reading skills are particularly important for students because they help them understand academic texts, gather information, prepare for examinations and communicate ideas effectively.

MEANING OF READING SKILLS

Reading skills are the abilities and techniques that help a reader understand and use information presented in written form. They include the ability to identify the main idea, understand details, recognise important points, interpret meaning and respond appropriately to a text.

Reading is an active process. A reader does not simply receive information but interacts with the text by thinking about its meaning and connecting it with previous knowledge and experience.

Good reading skills help a person:

• understand written information clearly;
• identify the main idea of a text;
• find important details;
• distinguish between important and less important information;
• understand the writer's purpose;
• locate specific information quickly;
• remember important points;
• answer questions accurately; and
• develop critical and analytical thinking.

TWO TYPES OF READING 

Two commonly used techniques are skimming and scanning.

1. SKIMMING

Skimming means reading a text quickly to understand its general idea or overall meaning. The reader does not read every word carefully. Instead, attention is given to the title, headings, key words, important phrases and the main ideas of paragraphs.

For example, when a person quickly reads a newspaper article to understand what the article is about, they are skimming.

Skimming is useful when:

• we want to understand the general topic;
• we want to identify the main idea;
• we want to decide whether a text is relevant;
• we are reading a long article;
• we want to review something we have already read.

2. SCANNING

Scanning means reading quickly to find a particular piece of information. Unlike skimming, scanning has a specific purpose. The reader looks for particular words, names, dates, numbers, facts or answers.

For example, when a student looks through a passage to find the name of a person or the date of an event, the student is scanning.

Scanning is useful when:

• answering comprehension questions;
• looking for a name or date;
• finding a particular fact;
• locating statistics or numbers;
• searching for a specific word or phrase.

Thus, skimming gives us the overall picture, while scanning helps us find specific information.

Type 1: READING AN ARTICLE

An article is a piece of writing that discusses a particular topic. Articles may provide information, express opinions, explain an issue or create awareness about a subject.

When reading an article, it is important to understand its central idea and identify the information that is most important. We should not simply read every sentence; we should also think about what the writer is trying to communicate.

HOW TO READ AN ARTICLE EFFECTIVELY 

The following steps can help us read an article effectively:

1. Read the title

The title gives us an initial idea about the topic of the article.

2. Identify the main idea

The main idea tells us what the article is mainly about.

3. Look for important points

Important facts, arguments, explanations and examples should be identified.

4. Notice keywords

Repeated or emphasised words often indicate important ideas.

5. Identify supporting details

Supporting details explain or strengthen the main idea.

6. Understand the conclusion

The conclusion often summarises the writer's main argument or message.

7. Make notes

After reading, the important points can be written down briefly. This helps us remember and use the information later.

Application of Article Reading Skill

Article: The Importance of Reading

Reading is one of the most valuable habits a person can develop. It provides knowledge, improves language skills and helps individuals understand the world around them. People read books, newspapers, magazines, articles and digital content for different purposes.

Regular reading improves vocabulary and strengthens communication skills. When people read different kinds of texts, they encounter new words, expressions and ideas. This gradually improves their ability to speak and write effectively.

Reading also develops concentration. In an age when people are constantly exposed to short messages and rapidly changing information, reading a longer text requires patience and attention. Regular reading can therefore help individuals develop the ability to focus on one subject for a longer period.

Another important benefit of reading is that it develops imagination and critical thinking. Fiction allows readers to enter different worlds and understand different characters and experiences. Non-fiction introduces readers to facts, arguments and different perspectives. As a result, reading encourages people to think beyond their immediate experiences.

Reading is also important for academic success. Students who read regularly are often better prepared to understand textbooks, articles and examination questions. They can identify important information more easily and express their ideas more clearly.

Therefore, reading should not be considered only an academic activity. It is a lifelong habit that contributes to knowledge, communication, imagination, concentration and personal development.

Important Points Identified from the Article

After reading the article, the following important points can be identified:

1. Reading is a valuable and useful habit.
2. Reading provides knowledge and helps people understand the world.
3. Regular reading improves vocabulary and communication skills.
4. Reading develops concentration and patience.
5. Reading encourages imagination and critical thinking.
6. Fiction and non-fiction provide different kinds of knowledge and experiences.
7. Reading helps students understand academic material and examination questions.
8. Reading contributes to personal development.
9. Reading is not limited to academic purposes.
10. Reading should be developed as a lifelong habit.

Main Idea of the Article

The main idea of the article is that reading is an important lifelong habit that improves knowledge, language, concentration, imagination, critical thinking and overall personal development.

Type 2: READING COMPREHENSION

Reading comprehension is the ability to understand and interpret a written passage. It requires the reader to understand not only individual words but also the meaning and ideas expressed in the complete passage.

A comprehension exercise usually consists of a passage followed by questions. The reader must carefully read the passage, understand its meaning and answer the questions based on the information provided.

Reading comprehension develops the ability to:

• understand the main idea;
• identify important details;
• locate specific information;
• understand vocabulary in context;
• make logical inferences;
• distinguish facts from opinions; and
• answer questions accurately.

How to Approach a Reading Comprehension

A reader can follow these steps:

Step 1: Read the passage carefully

Read the passage once to understand its general meaning.

Step 2: Identify the main idea

Ask yourself: "What is this passage mainly about?"

Step 3: Read the questions

The questions tell us what specific information we need to find.

Step 4: Scan the passage

Look for keywords from the questions and locate the relevant part of the passage.

Step 5: Understand the context

Read the sentences around the information you have found.

Step 6: Write clear answers

Answers should be grammatically correct, relevant and based on the passage.

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Application of Reading Comprehension Skill

Comprehension Passage: The Value of Time

Time is one of the most valuable resources in human life. Unlike money or other material possessions, time cannot be stored or recovered once it has been lost. Every person receives the same twenty-four hours in a day, but people use this time in different ways.

Successful people understand the importance of using time wisely. They plan their activities, set priorities and avoid unnecessary delays. Good time management does not mean working continuously without rest. It means using available time in a balanced and organised manner.

Students especially need to develop good time-management habits. They have to divide their time between studies, assignments, examinations, hobbies, family responsibilities and rest. A proper timetable can help students complete their work on time and reduce unnecessary stress.

Wasting time can create difficulties later. When important work is repeatedly postponed, it may become difficult to complete everything before a deadline. On the other hand, completing tasks at the right time creates confidence and allows people to enjoy their free time without worrying about unfinished work.

Therefore, time should be treated as a valuable resource. Once a moment has passed, it cannot be brought back. Learning to use time wisely can help individuals become more organised, responsible and successful.

Questions and Answers

Q1. Why is time considered one of the most valuable resources?

Answer: Time is considered one of the most valuable resources because it cannot be stored or recovered once it has been lost.

Q2. How do successful people use their time?

Answer: Successful people use their time wisely by planning their activities, setting priorities and avoiding unnecessary delays.

Q3. Does good time management mean working continuously without rest?

Answer: No, good time management does not mean working continuously without rest. It means using available time in a balanced and organised manner.

Q4. Why is time management important for students?

Answer: Time management is important for students because they need to divide their time between studies, assignments, examinations, hobbies, family responsibilities and rest.

Q5. How can a timetable help students?

Answer: A timetable can help students organise their activities, complete their work on time and reduce unnecessary stress.

Q6. What can happen when people repeatedly postpone important work?

Answer: When people repeatedly postpone important work, they may find it difficult to complete everything before a deadline.

Q7. What is one benefit of completing tasks on time?

Answer: Completing tasks on time creates confidence and allows people to enjoy their free time without worrying about unfinished work.

Q8. What qualities can be developed by using time wisely?

Answer: Using time wisely can help individuals become more organised, responsible and successful.

Q9. What is the central message of the passage?

Answer: The central message is that time is a valuable and limited resource, so it should be used wisely and responsibly.

Q10. Find a word from the passage that means "put off until later."

Answer: Postponed.

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Conclusion

Reading is an essential skill for academic learning as well as everyday communication. Effective reading involves understanding the main idea, identifying important information and interpreting the writer's message. Techniques such as skimming and scanning help readers approach different texts according to their purpose.

Reading an article requires the reader to identify its main idea, important points and supporting details. Reading comprehension, on the other hand, requires careful understanding of a passage and the ability to locate and interpret information in order to answer questions.

The two activities presented above demonstrate the practical application of reading skills. By regularly practising these skills, students can improve their comprehension, vocabulary, concentration, analytical ability and overall communication skills.

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