Question

The account has only a few passive voice sentences. Locate them. In what way does the use of active voice contribute to the style of the narrative.

Answer 1

Some passive voice sentences from the account are:

1. “The slope was steep and studded with major rocks.”
2. “It was marked by a large cairn of rocks.”
3. “The plateau is pockmarked with salt flats and brackish lakes.”
4. “I was served by a Chinese youth in military uniform.”
5. “One of my nostrils was blocked again.”
6. “The pilgrimage trail was well-trodden.”

The frequent use of active voice makes the narrative direct, lively, and personal. It keeps the focus on the narrator’s actions and experiences and makes the reader feel as if they are travelling with him through Tibet.