EXERCISE 8–6Active verbs

Edit each sentence to make it more emphatic and vigorous. (Although passive-voice sentences and be verbs can be effective, in the examples in this exercise they don’t work as well as active alternatives.) Before working the exercise, read the example, which establishes context for the numbered items. Type your answers in the boxes below. Click Save to save your work and return to it. Click Submit to record your activity in your instructor's gradebook. You can also review your response at any time.

Example

1 of 10

The Russians’ routine exercises were watched by nearby American submarines.

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2 of 10

Suddenly, the American submarine crews were startled by a pair of explosions.

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3 of 10

Nuclear reactors are a source of power for many naval submarines.

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4 of 10

The result of the explosions was the sinking of the Russian nuclear submarine Kursk.

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5 of 10

Russian and American officials were in disagreement about the cause of the accident.

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6 of 10

The United States was not asked by the Russian navy for help with the rescue operation.

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7 of 10

Meanwhile, information about the rescue operation was demanded by the families of the Kursk’s 118 crew members.

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8 of 10

Norwegian rescue divers were finally allowed by Russian leaders to look for possible survivors.

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9 of 10

When it became clear that everyone on board the Kursk must have drowned, efforts were ended by the Norwegian divers.

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10 of 10

People around the world were saddened by the submarine’s tragic story.

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