Free English Grammar Reported Speech Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What reporting verb is that?

be
tell (Correct answer)
go

Correct answer: tell

A reporting verb is used to introduce reported speech, indicating what someone said or asked. Among the given options, 'tell' is a common and appropriate reporting verb, as seen in phrases like 'He told me that...' or 'She told him to...'. 'Be' is a linking verb and 'go' is an action verb, neither of which typically functions as a reporting verb in this grammatical context.

Question 2: He claimed that the weather was chilly. Which word is not required?

was
said
that (Correct answer)

Correct answer: that

In reported speech, the conjunction 'that' is often optional when reporting a statement. The sentence 'He claimed the weather was chilly' is grammatically correct and conveys the exact same meaning as the original sentence. Removing 'was' or the reporting verb 'claimed' would render the sentence ungrammatical or change its fundamental structure, making 'that' the only dispensable word.

Question 3: "Last week, I purchased an automobile." He claimed to have bought a car last week.

the week before (Correct answer)
a week ago
next week

Correct answer: the week before

When converting direct speech into reported speech, time expressions often shift to reflect the change in perspective. 'Last week' in direct speech refers to the week preceding the moment the original statement was made. In reported speech, this typically transforms into 'the week before' or 'the previous week' to maintain the correct temporal relationship from the new reporting viewpoint.

Question 4: Where is it, Mary asked. She

asked if it was there
said where it is
asked where it was (Correct answer)

Correct answer: asked where it was

When reporting a WH-question, the reporting verb 'asked' is used, and the question word (like 'where') is retained. Crucially, the word order changes from the question form (verb-subject) to a statement form (subject-verb), and the tense typically shifts one step back into the past. Therefore, 'Where is it?' becomes 'where it was' in reported speech, making 'She asked where it was' the correct transformation.

Question 5: Which of these is typically necessary when a YES/NO answer is reported?

do
if (Correct answer)
why

Correct answer: if

When reporting a question that elicits a simple 'yes' or 'no' answer, the conjunction 'if' (or 'whether') is typically used to introduce the reported question. This structure transforms the direct question into a subordinate clause, maintaining the interrogative sense without using a question mark. 'Do' is an auxiliary verb and 'why' is a specific question word, neither of which serves this purpose for yes/no questions.

Question 6: Ram enquired about my job. His initial remarks were

Where do you work? (Correct answer)
Do you work there?
Where do I work?

Correct answer: Where do you work?

The reported speech 'Ram enquired about my job' indicates that Ram asked a question concerning the speaker's employment. The direct question 'Where do you work?' directly addresses this topic, with 'you' correctly transforming to 'my' (referring to the speaker) in reported speech. Options B and C do not accurately reflect the meaning or grammatical transformation implied by the reported statement.

Question 7: "Don't shout!"

direct order (Correct answer)
direct request
reported order

Correct answer: direct order

The sentence 'Don't shout!' is an imperative statement, directly telling someone what not to do. The use of 'Don't' and the exclamation mark convey a strong command or instruction. Since it is presented in quotation marks, it represents the exact words spoken, making it a direct order rather than a reported one or a polite request.

Question 8: "Wipe your feet, please." I requested they clean.

their feet nicely
their feet (Correct answer)
your feet nicely

Correct answer: their feet

When reporting a request or order, pronouns must be adjusted to reflect the new speaker's perspective. 'Your feet' in the direct speech refers to the feet of the people being addressed. In reported speech, if 'they' are the ones being requested to clean, then 'your feet' transforms to 'their feet.' The word 'nicely' is an unstated addition and not part of the original request.

Question 9: I am always urged not to burn the cookies by her. She typically says

Please don't burn the cookies. (Correct answer)
Not to burn the cookies!
Do not burn the cookies.

Correct answer: Please don't burn the cookies.

The reported speech 'I am always urged not to burn the cookies by her' implies a direct statement that includes a strong, polite request or plea. The word 'urged' strongly suggests the presence of 'please' in the original direct speech. Therefore, 'Please don't burn the cookies' is the most accurate direct speech equivalent, as it combines the negative imperative with the polite emphasis implied by 'urged.'

Question 10: In which structure are reported orders not used?

ask somebody to (Correct answer)
tell somebody to
order somebody to

Correct answer: ask somebody to

The structure 'ask somebody to' is primarily used for reporting requests or polite suggestions, not typically for conveying forceful commands or orders. While an 'ask' can sometimes imply an expectation, grammatically, 'tell somebody to' and 'order somebody to' are the standard reporting structures specifically used for direct orders or instructions.

Question 11: I enjoy cake.

Sam said she'd like cake.
Sam said she liked cake. (Correct answer)
Sam said she like cake.

Correct answer: Sam said she liked cake.

When converting direct speech into reported speech, if the reporting verb (like 'said') is in the past tense, the tense in the reported clause typically shifts one step back. The direct statement 'I enjoy cake' is in the present simple tense, which transforms into the past simple tense ('liked') in reported speech. Therefore, 'Sam said she liked cake' correctly applies this tense shift and pronoun change.

Question 12: We'd rather not attend the concert.

They said didn;t want to go to the concert.
They said they didn't want to go to the concert.
They said they didn;t want to go to the concert. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: They said they didn;t want to go to the concert.

When reporting the direct speech 'We'd rather not attend the concert,' the pronoun 'We' changes to 'They' to reflect the new speaker's perspective. The phrase 'would rather not' expresses a preference not to do something, which can be accurately reported as 'didn't want to go.' Assuming the semicolon in 'didn;t' is a typo for an apostrophe, option C correctly applies these pronoun and phrase transformations to convey the original meaning in reported speech.

Question 13: Trying to paint the wall is Popeye.

Abi said Popeye tried to paint the wall.
Abi said Popeye had tried to paint the wall.
Abi said Popeye was trying to paint the wall. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Abi said Popeye was trying to paint the wall.

The direct speech 'Trying to paint the wall is Popeye' can be rephrased as 'Popeye is trying to paint the wall,' which is in the present continuous tense. When converting present continuous tense into reported speech, it typically shifts to the past continuous tense. Therefore, 'Abi said Popeye was trying to paint the wall' correctly applies this tense transformation, changing 'is trying' to 'was trying.'

Question 14: Why do you prepare lunch?

Gab asked Jem why was she cooking lunch.
Gab asked Jem why she was cooking lunch. (Correct answer)
Gab asked Jem why she was cooking for lunch?

Correct answer: Gab asked Jem why she was cooking lunch.

When reporting a WH-question, the question word ('why') is retained, but the word order changes from a question (auxiliary verb before subject) to a statement (subject before verb). Additionally, the tense typically shifts back. The direct question 'Why do you prepare lunch?' transforms into 'why she was cooking lunch,' correctly changing 'you' to 'she' and shifting the tense while maintaining statement word order.

Question 15: Did it rain throughout your vacation?

Jemi asked us if it had rained on our holiday. (Correct answer)
Jemi asked us had it rained on our holiday
Jemi asked us had it rained on our holiday.

Correct answer: Jemi asked us if it had rained on our holiday.

When reporting a yes/no question, the conjunction 'if' (or 'whether') is necessary to introduce the reported clause. The direct question 'Did it rain...?' is in the past simple tense, which typically shifts to the past perfect tense ('had rained') in reported speech. Furthermore, the word order must change from a question to a statement (subject-verb), and 'your vacation' becomes 'our holiday' to match the reported context.

Question 16: Have you received any letters today?

Dad asked me if had any letters arrived that day.
Dad asked me if any letters arrived today.
Dad asked me if any letters had arrived that day. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Dad asked me if any letters had arrived that day.

When reporting a yes/no question in the present perfect tense, the conjunction 'if' (or 'whether') is used, and the tense shifts to the past perfect. Additionally, the word order changes from a question to a statement, and time expressions like 'today' transform into 'that day.' Option C correctly applies all these rules: 'if' introduces the question, 'any letters had arrived' uses the past perfect in statement form, and 'that day' replaces 'today.'

Free English Grammar Reported Speech Questions and Answers

What reporting verb is that?