Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one. Some sentences have two correct answers. Choose both.
1In her resignation email, the CFO ............... that the board had been briefed, without naming who had done the briefing.
Wrong!
Use a reporting verb that implies something indirectly rather than stating it openly.
2The spokesperson ............... that the leaked memo was authentic, but stopped short of saying who had leaked it.
Wrong!
This needs a reporting verb used for accepting something as true in a controlled way.
3Several witnesses ............... seeing the suspect near the station, yet none could agree on the time.
Wrong!
This needs a reporting verb that takes an -ing form and means saying you did something.
4The chair ............... the committee to postpone the vote until the audit was complete.
Wrong!
This reporting frame requires a verb that fits the pattern verb plus object plus to-infinitive.
5In the minutes, it ............... that the proposal had been approved unanimously, though no vote count was recorded.
Wrong!
This is a formal passive reporting frame used in official records.
6The report ............... that the data had been selectively presented, but it offered no proof.
Wrong!
Choose a verb used for making a serious claim, often without evidence.
7The analyst ............... that the downturn might be temporary, basing the view on two quarters of figures.
Wrong!
This needs a verb for a cautious conclusion drawn from evidence.
8The editor ............... that the article be rewritten before publication, citing legal risk.
Wrong!
This structure uses a mandative reporting verb followed by that plus base verb.
9The CEO ............... the team that layoffs were off the table, even as rumours spread online.
Wrong!
This needs a verb that fits verb plus object plus that-clause and means giving reassurance.
10It ............... that the minister had met the lobbyist twice, but the diary entries were later corrected.
Wrong!
Use a distancing frame that signals the information is second-hand and possibly unreliable.
11The witness ............... that he had never seen the defendant before, despite the photo evidence.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both correct options report a firm statement; the others do not fit the meaning.
12The journalist ............... the source as saying the contract had already been signed.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Both correct options fit the pattern of attributing words to someone else.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- In her resignation email, the CFO implied that the board had been briefed, without naming who had done the briefing.
- The spokesperson conceded that the leaked memo was authentic, but stopped short of saying who had leaked it.
- Several witnesses claimed seeing the suspect near the station, yet none could agree on the time.
- The chair urged the committee to postpone the vote until the audit was complete.
- In the minutes, it was noted that the proposal had been approved unanimously, though no vote count was recorded.
- The report alleged that the data had been selectively presented, but it offered no proof.
- The analyst inferred that the downturn might be temporary, basing the view on two quarters of figures.
- The editor recommended that the article be rewritten before publication, citing legal risk.
- The CEO assured the team that layoffs were off the table, even as rumours spread online.
- It was rumoured that the minister had met the lobbyist twice, but the diary entries were later corrected.
- The witness insisted/maintained that he had never seen the defendant before, despite the photo evidence.
- The journalist cited/quoted the source as saying the contract had already been signed.
