Select the option that expresses the given sentence in active voice.
Jaundice is caused by drinking contaminated water.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer is option 2 i.e. “Drinking contaminated water causes jaundice.”
The given sentence in passive voice is:
'Jaundice is caused by drinking contaminated water.'
To convert this into the most appropriate active voice, the subject performing the action ('drinking contaminated water') should come first, followed by the verb and object.
According to authoritative sources, the correct active‑voice construction is: “Drinking contaminated water causes jaundice.”
Here’s why:
Option 2: “Drinking contaminated water causes jaundice.”
Uses simple present tense.
Directly states the cause-effect relationship.
Clearly and simply conveys the idea—this is exactly what passive form implied.
Why the other options are less appropriate:
Option 1 (can cause): Adds possibility rather than stating a definite general truth—tone changes.
Option 3 (caused): Uses past tense, implying it happened at a specific time—not conveying a general fact.
Option 4 (has caused): Present perfect – implies recent past completion, again not expressing a general truth. It shifts the temporal emphasis.