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Direct and indirect speech exercise

February 3, 2015 B1pdf

Complete the following sentences.

Progress 0 of 11 answered
1He said that he ............... a toothache.
Wrong!
In reported speech after a past reporting verb, present perfect often backshifts to "had got".
2Manu said that he ............... very busy then.
Wrong!
After "said" in the past, present simple "is" usually backshifts to "was".
3She told us ...............
Wrong!
A reported command after "told us" uses the infinitive "to hurry up".
4He asked her ............... him a cup of water.
Wrong!
A reported request after "asked her" uses the infinitive "to give".
5She said that she ............... going to college.
Wrong!
After "said" in the past, "is going" usually backshifts to "was going".
6Raju said that Gautam ............... to go the following day.
Wrong!
In reported speech after a past reporting verb, "will have" backshifts to "would have".
7Geetha says that her father ............... an engineer.
Wrong!
Because the reporting verb "says" is present, the verb usually stays as "is".
8He said that he ............... the physical test.
Wrong!
In reported speech after "said", present perfect can backshift to "had passed".
9She told me that I ............... her only friend.
Wrong!
After "told me" in the past, "am" usually backshifts to "was".
10He told me that he ............... me.
Wrong!
After "told me" in the past, present simple "loves" usually backshifts to "loved".
11James asked Mary ...............
Wrong!
An indirect question uses statement word order, so the correct form is "where she was going".

Exercise complete

0/ out of 11 correct answers
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Answers

  1. He said that he had got a toothache.
  2. Manu said that he was very busy then.
  3. She told us to hurry up
  4. He asked her to give him a cup of water.
  5. She said that she was going to college.
  6. Raju said that Gautam would have to go the following day.
  7. Geetha says that her father is an engineer.
  8. He said that he had passed the physical test.
  9. She told me that I was her only friend.
  10. He told me that he loved me.
  11. James asked Mary where she was going

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Related lesson in the course Reported statements: say, tell and backshift Module 08: Clauses & reporting · Lesson 5

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