Direct and Indirect speech: Practice questions

DIRECTIONS for the question 1 to 15: A sentence has been given in Direct Speech. Out of the four
alternatives suggested select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Indirect Speech.

1. The judge says, “No one is above law.”

A. Judge exclaimed no one is above law.
B. Judge told no one is above law.
C. Judge ordered that no one is above law.
D. Judge asked no one is above law.

2. His father says, “Honesty is the best policy.”

A. His father called honesty is the best policy.
B. His father asked if honesty is the best policy.
C. His father exclaimed that honesty is the best policy.
D. His father says that honesty is the best policy.

3. Rama said, 'I am very busy now.'

A. Rama said that he was very busy then.
B. Rama said that he would be very busy now.
C. Rama said that he is very busy then.
D. Rama said that he is very busy now.

4. He said to him,' Is not your name Khalid?'

A. He said that his name was Khalid.
B. He inquired whether his name was not Khalid.
C. He asked is his name was not Khalid.
D. He asked why his name was Khalid.

5. All said to the beggar, 'I know you very well’.

A. Ali recognized the beggar.
B. Ali told the beggar that he knew him very well.
C. Beggar knew Ali too.
D. Beggar was recognized by Ali.
6. He said, "Yes, I'll come and see you."
A. He accepted that he will come and see me.
B. He said that he will come and see me.
C. He agreed that he will come and see me.
D. He said that he would come and see me.

7. Ram remarked “What a wonderful day!”

A. Ram exclaimed that it was a wonderful day.
B. Ram asked if it was a wonderful day.
C. Ram said what a wonderful day.
D. Ram asked what a wonderful day.

8. The monk said to the followers “Anger kills Intellect”

A. The monk said to the followers anger kills intellect.
B. The monk told the followers that anger kills intellect.
C. The monk asked followers if anger kills intellect.
D. The monk told the followers that anger has killed intellect.

9. The poor beggar said, "O God, have mercy on my soul".

A. The poor beggar prayed to God to have mercy on his soul.
B. The poor beggar, invoking God, implored him to have mercy on his soul.
C. The poor beggar exclaimed that God, have mercy on his soul.
D. The poor beggar told God to have mercy on his soul.

10. John's father reminded him to take his umbrella.

A. John's father said, "Remember your umbrella John ?"
B. "Here, is your umbrella John," said his father.
C. "Are you going to take your umbrella or not ?" said John to his father.
D. "Don't forget to take your umbrella, John" said his father.

11. He swore in the name of God that he was ignorant of the matter.
A. He said, “I’m ignorant by God.
B. He declared, “God knows I was ignorant of the matter.”
C. He said, “By God ! I’m ignorant of the matter.”
D. He said he was ignorant of God.
12. Raj said, “I’m teaching English online”
A. Raj told I am teaching English online.
B. Raj asked me if I was teaching English online.
C. Raj said he was teaching English online.
D. Raj ordered that I am teaching English online.

13. The father warned his son that he should be beware of him.
A. The father warned his son, “Beware of me!”
B. The father warned his son, “Watch that chap!”
C. The father warned his son, “Be careful about him.”
D. The father warned his son, “Don’t fall into the trap.”

14. He said to me, “I expect you to attend the function.”

A. He told me that he had expected me to attend the function.
B. He told me that he expected me to attended the function.
C. He told me that he expected me to have attended the function.
D. He told me that he expected me to attend the function.

15. John asked, “How long will it take to travel from Germany to South Africa?”
A. John asked how long it will take to travel from Germany to South Africa.
B. John asked how long would it take to travel from Germany to South Africa.
C. John asked how long it should take to travel from Germany to South Africa.
D. John asking how long must it take to travel from Germany to South Africa.
Click here to view Answer key & Explanations

1. C Usage of 'order' makes the best combination with the designation or position of
Judge.

2. D After says if we place that then we can place the quote statement as it is after
'that' in indirect form of speech.

3. A Simple present tense changes into simple past; first person in the reported speech
changes as per the subject in the given sentence. The use of ‘that’ is mandatory.

4. B In interrogative sentences conjunction 'if' or 'whether' is used in place of that' in

the indirect speech and question mark is removed. Simple present will change
into simple past.

5. B Direct to indirect:
Said to should be changed to told.
Inverted commas should be dropped and that should be added.
The sentence inside inverted commas should be changed into past tense.
Pronouns changed from 1stperson to 2nd person and from 2nd person to 3rd.
Ali told the beggar that he knew him very well.

6. D while changing the 'direct speech' into 'indirect speech' in place of comma and
inverted comma) 'that' is used and first person in the reported speech is changed
as the subject of the reporting verb and 'will changes into 'would'. So 'I' has been
changed to 'he' and 'would' in place of 'will'.

7. A Due to the usage of exclamation mark exclaimed is the right option

8. B The correct usage is of told; usage of has is wrong in choice 4

9. A Here the communication is with god....And we pray to god.Sentences containing

expressions of good wishes, prayer for someone or desires are called optative
sentences. The reporting verb is changed according to the mood of the
expression Usually 'that' conjunction is used in such cases and the reported
speech is changed into assertive.Invoke means call on (a deity or spirit) in prayer,
as a witness, or for inspiration.Here we need simple prayer.This makes option A
as the obvious choice.

10. D In the direct form "reminded " will be substituted by "Do not forget to take ".
 So, option D is correct.

11. C The sentence in Indirect Speech is in Simple Past Passive Tense. In Direct
Speech the sentence will change to Simple Present.

12. C I’m means I am which refers to 'RAJ' and needs to be changed to He was in form
of indirect speech.

13. A Father warned the son (then add inverted comma )and after the sentence an
exclamatory mark will come.

14. A Simple present will become simple past. First person I will change as the subject
of the reporting verb and second changes as per the object of the reporting verb.
Hence option 1 is the correct answer.

15. B Change 'will' into 'would' , the rest of the sentence will remain unchanged as it is
in simple future tense.
 Reporting Dialogue

Question 1. Read the conversation given below and complete the paragraph that follows by choosing the
correct option.

Ashik: Hello Alam, how are you?

Alam : Not so good.
Ashik: Why? What is wrong?
Alam : Just a bit nervous. How are you getting on with your studies?
Ashik: My preparation is going as planned.
Alam : That is wonderful.

Ashik wished Alam and (a) _________ Alam replied that he was not so good. Ashik (b) _______ Alam
said that (c) ________ and asked how Ashik's studies were getting along. Ashik said that his preparation
was going as planned. Alam said that that was wonderful.

a (i) asked how he were (ii) asked how he was

(iii) asks how he was (iv) asking how he were

b (i) asks what is wrong (ii) asked what is wrong

(iii) asking what has wrong (iv) asked what was wrong

c (i) he has just a bit nervous (ii) he is just the bit nervous
(iii) he was just a bit nervous (iv) he had been just bit nervous
Ans.
a asked how he was
b asked what was wrong
c he was just a bit nervous

Question 2. Read the conversation given below and complete the paragraph that follows by choosing the
correct option.

Student: May I come in, sir?

Headmaster : Yes, come in.
Student: Good morning, sir.
Headmaster : Good morning. What do you want?
Student: Sir, I had to collect my transfer certificate.
Headmaster: It is with the head clerk.

The student asked the headmaster for permission to enter. The headmaster (a) ________ come in. The
student then wished the headmaster a good morning. The headmaster wished the student a good morning
and (b) ___________. The student said that he had to collect his transfer certificate. The headmaster said
that (c) _____________.

a (i) asks him to (ii) asked his to

(iii) ask him to (iv) asked him to

b (i) asked what he wants (ii) asks what he wants

(iii) asked what he wanted (iv) asked what he want

c (i) it was with the head clerk (ii) it is with a head clerk
(iii) it will be with the head clerk (iv) it were with the head clerk
Ans.
a asked him to
b asked what he wanted
c it was with the head clerk

Question 3. Read the conversation given below and complete the paragraph that follows by choosing the
correct option.

Sujon : Hello Rajib, how are you?

Rajib : I am fine and what about you?
Sujon: I am fine too.
Rajib : What is your career plan?
Sujon: I want to be a doctor. What about you?
Rajib : I want to be an English teacher.
Sujon wished Rajib and asked how he was. Rajib said that (a) _____________. Sujon replied saying that
he was fine too. Rajib asked Sujon about his career plan. Sujon said that he wanted to be a doctor and, in
turn, asked (b) ___________. Rajib replied saying that (c) ________________.

a (i) he is fine and asks how Sujon is (ii) he was fine and asks how Sujon was
(iii) he was fine and asked how Sujon was (iv) he were fine and asked how Sujon were

b (i) Rajib what him career plan was (ii) Rajib what his career plan was
(iii) Rajib what his career planned was (iv) Rajib what his career plan is

c (i) he want to be the English teacher (ii) he wants to been an English teacher
(iii) he wanted to be an English teacher (iv) he wants to be the English teacher
Ans.
a he was fine and asked how Sujon was
b Rajib what his career plan was
c he wanted to be an English teacher

Question 4. Read the conversation given below and complete the paragraph that follows by choosing the
correct option.

Nasrin: I want to improve my command over the English language.

Shila: For that you need to do a lot of reading in English.
Nasrin: I lose confidence when I have to speak in English and start fumbling.
Shila: You must practice speaking English with your friends.
Nasrin: Thank you for your suggestion.
Shila: Welcome.

Nasrin said she wanted to (a) _______________ over the English language. Shila said that for that she
needed to do a lot of reading in English. Nasrin said that she (b) ____________. Shila suggested to
Nasrin (c) ________________ in English with her friends. Nasrin thanked Shila for her suggestion to
which Shila said that she was welcome.

a (i) improved her command (ii) improves her command

(iii) improve her command (iv) improving her command
b (i) loss confidence when she had to speak in English and starts fumbling
(ii) loose confidence when she has to spoke in English and started fumble
(iii) loses confidence when she has to spoken in English and starting fumbling
(iv) loses confidence when she has to speak in English and starts fumbling

c (i) to practice spoke (ii) to practicing speak

(iii) to practice speaking (iv) to practices speak
Ans.
a improve her command
b loses confidence when she has to speak in English and starts fumbling
c to practice speaking

Question 5. Read the conversation given below and complete the paragraph that follows by choosing the
correct option.

Shopkeeper : May I help you?

Customer : Yes.
Shopkeeper: What do you want to buy?
Customer: I want to buy a pair of sports shoes.
Shopkeeper : I have just the right pair for you. Try these please.
Customer : Oh, these shoes are so nice. I'll buy them.

The shopkeeper asked the customer if (a) __________. The customer replied in the affirmative. The
shopkeeper then asked the customer what he wanted to buy. The customer said that he wanted a pair of
sports shoes. The shopkeeper said that he had just the (b) ______________requested him to try them.
The customer said that the shoes were very nice and that he (c) ________________.

a (i) he can help him (ii) he can helped him

(iii) he could help him (iv) he could helps him

b (i) right pair for his or (ii) right pairs for him or
(iii) right pair for him and (iv) right pair for him but
c (i) would buy them (ii) will buy them
(iii) will buys them (iv) would bought them
Ans.
a he could help him
b right pair for him and
c would buy them

Question 6. Read the conversation given below and complete the paragraph that follows by choosing the
correct option.

Anis: Hello Rakib, how are you?

Rakib : I am fine and you?
Anis: I am fine too.
Rakib : What were you reading about?
Anis: The importance of planting trees.
Rakib : Trees save us from floods and many other natural calamities.

Anis wished (a) ____________. Rakib said that he was fine and asked Anis how he was. Anis said that
he was fine too. Rakib wanted to know what (b) ______________ about. Anis said that he was reading
about (c) ___________________ trees. Rakib said that trees save us from floods and many other natural
calamities.

a (i) Rakib and asks how he was (ii) Rakib or asked how he is
(iii) Rakib and ask how he is (iv) Rakib and asks how he were

b (i) Anis is reads (ii) Anis is reading

(iii) Anis was reading (iv) Anis has read
c (i) the importance of planting (ii) an important of planting
(iii) the importance of plant (iv) the importance of planted
Ans.
a Rakib and asked how he was
b Anis was reading
c the importance of planting
 Change the Sentences

a. Change the following Direct speech sentences to Indirect speech:

1. Sahil said to me, “When are you returning? “

2. “What is the time?” the stranger asked Ashna.
3. The professor said to Shipra, “Why are you quiet? “
4. Dhronacharya said to Arjun, “Aim at the fish’s eye. “
5. “Bring the witness,” said the judge.
6. “Ring the Fire-brigade,” said the woman.
7. Bobby said to me, “I must do the homework.”
8. My brother told me, “You were right.”
9. Sharma told me, “Please sit here till I come back.”
10. The coach said, “Bravo! You have performed excellently.”
11. Raju said, “Alas! My kitty got injured.”
12. Romi said, “I may come to the seminar”
13. Bunny said to Sunny, “Do you see me?”
14. The little kid said, “Let me sit here.”
15. Grandpa said, “May God bless you.”
16. “Call the first convict,” said the jury.
17. “Call the ambulance,” said the man.
18. Bruce said to me, “I shall do the work.”
19. My mother said to me, “You were wrong.”
20. Mr Richard said to me, “Please wait here till I return.”
21. The captain said to me, “Bravo! You have played well.”
22. Raj said, “Alas! My pet died.”
23. Ruchi said, “I may go there.”
24. Bucky said to Steve, “Do you hear me?”
25. The boy said, “Let me come in.”
Answers:
1. Sahil asked me when I was returning.
2. The stranger asked Ashna what the time was.
3. The professor asked Shipra Why she was quiet.
4. Dhronacharya ordered Arjuna to aim at the fish’s eye.
5. The judge ordered to bring the witness.
6. The woman urged to ring the fire brigade.
7. Bobby said to me he had to do the homework.
8. My brother told me that I was right.
9. Sharma requested me to sit here till she comes back.
10. The coach applauded me by saying that I had performed excellently.
11. Raju told sadly that his kitty got injured.
12. Romi said that she might come to the seminar.
13. Bunny asked Sunny if he saw him.
14. The little kid requested to let him sit here.
15. Grandpa blessed me that God might bless me.
16. The jury ordered to call the first convict.
17. The man urged to call the ambulance.
18. Bruce said to me he would do the work.
19. My mother told me that I was wrong.
20. Mr Richard requested me to wait there till he returned.
21. The captain applauded me, saying that I had played well.
22. Raj exclaimed sadly that his pet died.
23. Ruchi said that she might go there.
24. Bucky asked Steve if he heard him.
25. The boy asked to let him come in.
b. Change the following Indirect speech sentences to Direct speech:

1. Sarah said that she loved pizza.

2. David told me that he was going to the movies that night.
3. Emily asked me to pass her the salt.
4. Tom said that he had a big test the next day.
5. Jessica said that she was so tired.
6. Mary exclaimed that it was a beautiful day.
7. John said that he didn’t understand.
8. The teacher asked the students to be quiet.
9. Peter said that he wasn’t feeling well.
10. Rachel told me that she was so happy to see me.
11. Amy asked me to help her with her homework.
12. Ben said that he was hungry.
13. Charlie couldn’t believe that he had won the lottery.
14. Diana apologized for being late.
15. Emily said that she thought it was going to rain.
16. Fred said that he was exhausted.
17. Harry hoped that I had had a nice birthday.
18. Isabella said that she was so excited to go on vacation.
19. Jack said that he was really proud of me.
20. She said that she was studying for her exam.
21. He said that they would go to the beach.
22. She exclaimed that she didn’t like seafood.
23. He told me that they were coming to visit us the next day.
24. She mentioned that she had finished her homework.
25. He observed that it was raining heavily.
Answers:
1. Sarah said, “I love pizza.”
2. David said, “I’m going to the movies tonight.”
3. Emily said, “Can you pass me the salt?”
4. Tom said, “I have a big test tomorrow.”
5. Jessica said, “I’m so tired.”
6. Mary exclaimed, “What a beautiful day!”
7. John said, “I don’t understand.”
8. The teacher said, “Please be quiet.”
9. Peter said, “I’m not feeling well.”
10. Rachel said, “I’m so happy to see you!”
11. Amy said, “Please help me with my homework.”
12. Ben said, “I’m hungry.”
13. Charlie said, “I can’t believe I won the lottery!”
14. Diana said, “I’m so sorry for being late.”
15. Emily said, “I think it’s going to rain.”
16. Fred said, “I’m exhausted.”
17. Harry said, “I hope you had a nice birthday.”
18. Isabella said, “I’m really excited to go on vacation!”
19. Jack said, “I’m really proud of you.”
20. She said, “I am studying for my exam.”
21. He said, “We will go to the beach.”
22. She exclaimed, “I don’t like seafood.”
23. He said, “They are coming to visit us tomorrow.”
24. She mentioned, “I have finished my homework.”
25. He observed, “It’s raining heavily.”