• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Home of English Grammar
  • Home
  • Course
  • Exercises
  • Grammar Rules
  • Matches
  • Posts
  • Tools
    • Grammar Checker
    • Very Replacer
    • Word Counter
  • Vocabulary Lists
  • Archives
    • Social Media Posts
    • Writing Guides
  • Join free

Reported Speech Exercise for ESL Students

September 2, 2025 B1pdf

Fill in the blanks.

Progress 0 of 12 answered
1Mother asked me why ............... late.
Wrong!
Reported questions use statement word order, so "I was" is correct.
2The doctor told me ............... I needed rest.
Wrong!
A reported statement after "told me" can use "that" before the clause.
3............... you still staying there?
Wrong!
The present continuous question needs the auxiliary "Are" before the subject.
4Do you know ............... she is angry with me?
Wrong!
An indirect question uses the question word directly, so "why" is correct.
5Do you know ............... the problem is?
Wrong!
The indirect question asks for information about the problem, so "what" is correct.
6I asked him what ............... doing in my room.
Wrong!
Reported questions use statement word order, so "he was" is correct.
7I don't know when ............... come.
Wrong!
An indirect question uses statement word order, so "she will" is correct.
8They asked me ............... I wanted anything to eat.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
A reported yes/no question can use "if" or "whether" before the clause.
9I told them that I ............... to go.
Wrong!
In this reported past statement, "wanted" is the natural backshifted form.
10The mother told the children ............... careful.
Wrong!
After "told" plus object for an instruction, use "to be" before the adjective.
11I told him ...............
Wrong!
After "told him" for a command, the infinitive "to leave" is correct.
12Do you know anyone ............... speaks English and French?
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
For a person in a defining relative clause, "who" and "that" are both correct.

Exercise complete

0/ out of 12 correct answers
Challenge a friend
More Exercises →

Answers

  1. Mother asked me why I was late.
  2. The doctor told me that I needed rest.
  3. Are you still staying there?
  4. Do you know why she is angry with me?
  5. Do you know what the problem is?
  6. I asked him what he was doing in my room.
  7. I don’t know when she will come.
  8. They asked me if / whether I wanted anything to eat.
  9. I told them that I wanted to go.
  10. The mother told the children to be careful.
  11. I told him to leave
  12. Do you know anyone who / that speaks English and French?

Improve your English grammar, vocabulary and writing

We take you step by step from beginner to advanced, even if you struggled with English at school or have always had trouble remembering the rules.

  • 10 modules, 105 lessons and 688 questions
  • Just log in and learn anytime and anywhere
  • Your progress is saved in your account
  • Download the 2026 Grammar Guide (PDF)

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

Join free

Already have an account? Sign in

See what’s in the course

Primary Sidebar

2.4M761.4K165.8K

Free 2026 Grammar Guide

  • Download Grammar Guide (PDF)
  • Online grammar course, A1 to C2
  • Weekly exercises and vocabulary
  • Join over 3 million English learners

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.

Already have an account? Sign in

Grammar Checker - Try Now

Latest Posts

  • What “bibliotherapy” means and how reading can help October 18, 2026
  • 100 Best Synonyms for “Unwanted” October 18, 2026
  • 100 Best Synonyms for “Sassy” October 18, 2026
  • 100 Best Synonyms for “Constantly” October 18, 2026
  • 100 Best Synonyms for “Precedence” October 18, 2026
  • Institutional Announcement Language Exercise October 18, 2026
  • Future Tenses Exercise October 18, 2026
  • 100 Best Synonyms for “Unsatisfied” October 18, 2026
  • 100 Best Synonyms for “Routine” October 18, 2026
  • “Impact” has been a verb for centuries October 18, 2026
Home of English Grammar

Free English grammar exercises, rules and vocabulary lists, with new exercises every week. Join the leading English grammar site with over 3 million followers.

Join free

Learn

  • Exercises
  • Matches
  • Grammar rules
  • Vocabulary lists
  • Writing guides
  • Online tools

More

  • Top social media posts
  • Various posts
  • Contact

Account

  • Join free
  • Grammar Course
  • Free grammar guide (PDF)

Copyright © 2026 EnglishGrammar.org

  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms
  • Sitemap