reported speech discussion questions

Reported Questions

Reported questions are one form of reported speech .

We usually introduce reported questions with the verb "ask":

• He asked (me) if / whether ... (YES/NO questions)
• He asked (me) why / when / where / what / how ... (question-word questions)

As with reported statements , we may need to change pronouns and tense (backshift) as well as time and place in reported questions.

But we also need to change the word order . After we report a question, it is no longer a question (and in writing there is no question mark). The word order is like that of a normal statement (subject-verb-object).

Reported YES/NO questions

We introduce reported YES/NO questions with ask + if :

Note that in the above example the reported question has no auxiliary "do". But there is pronoun change and backshift.

Note that we sometimes use "whether" instead of "if". The meaning is the same. "Whether" is a little more formal and more usual in writing:

• They asked us if we wanted lunch.
• They asked us whether we wanted lunch.

Reported question-word questions

We introduce reported question-word questions with ask + question word :

Note that in the above example the reported question has no auxiliary "do". But there is pronoun change and backshift.

• YES/NO questions: Do you want tea?
• Question Word questions: Where did you drink tea?
• Choice questions: Do you prefer tea or coffee?

Look at these example sentences:

ESL Speaking

Games + Activities to Try Out Today!

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Tell your Story | ESL Speaking Activity to Practice Reported Speech

If you’re looking for a reported speech speaking activity, look no further than tell your story . It’s a fun reported speech activity to try out with your higher-level ESL or EFL students. Keep on reading for all the details you need to know about teaching indirect speech!

Speaking Activity to Practice Reported Speech

You can often find a unit on reported speech in most intermediate-level English textbooks. But, it’s not that easy to design some ESL activities to practice this. Not to worry. Keep on reading for one of the best reported speech activities to try out with your students.

Check out one of my favourites: “Tell a Story.” It’s fun, and engaging, and creates some great opportunities for students to practice this important skill. Reported speech activities don’t have to be terrible any longer! Have some fun with reported speech ESL.

Reported Speech ESL Speaking Activity

Skills: Writing/reading/speaking/listening Time: 15-30 minutes Level: Intermediate to Advanced Materials Required: Nothing

Have students write something interesting. Some examples are the most embarrassing moment, the scariest thing you’ve ever done, your dream for the future, future predictions , etc. Base it on whatever topic you are studying in class that day. Make it clear to the students that it should be something they’re willing to share with the entire class so as not to write something very private.

Then, distribute the stories to other people in the class. Then the students have to go around the class, finding the person whose story they have by asking questions. Once they find that person, they have to ask them three interesting questions about the story. And the person who originally wrote the story has to answer them of course.

I like this part of it because it gets students up and out of their seats, moving around and talking to different people. It gets boring sitting down all the time and talking to only 1 person! It’s ideal for those sleepy classes that you might have on Friday afternoon or those ones who are just waking up on Monday morning.

Reported speech ESL activities

Teaching Tips for Tell Your Story:

Emphasize to students that they are to practice asking good questions. For example, “USA?” is not a good question, while, “Did you study abroad in the USA?” is much better. Full sentences are the key here.

Also, emphasize that students should think of interesting follow-up questions that expand upon their knowledge about that situation. This involves reading carefully so they can avoid asking about things that are already mentioned.

You can give your students a couple of minutes before the activity starts to write down a few questions based on the paper they received to help facilitate this. Based on the topic you’ve assigned for the story, there should be some obvious ones that they’d want to ask.

This activity provides an excellent opportunity for your students to work on reported speech. This is something that high-level students are often surprisingly weak at. If you have a small class (less than 10), students can report what they learned about their partner to everyone.

If larger, students can tell their seating partner what they learned. For example, students might say something like, “I talked to Min-Ji. She told me that she got in a car accident last year. She said that it was really scary, but thankfully nobody got injured seriously.”

Procedure for this Reported Speech Activity:

• Have students write an interesting story based on a certain topic. Adjust for length and difficulty depending on your students.
• Collect stories and redistribute them–one per student, making sure a student does not get their own story.
• Students go around the class asking people if that is their story. For example, “Did you get in a car accident when you were little?”
• When they find the person, they must ask them three interesting follow-up questions about it.
• Do the optional variation of having students tell other people what they learned about their classmate in order to practice using reported speech.
• Follow-up with a worksheet, other activity or homework assignment.

Do You Like this Reported Speech ESL Speaking Activity?

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If you like this ESL speaking activity to help your students practice reported speech, then you’re going to love this book: 101 ESL Activities: For Teenagers and Adults . It’s lesson planning made easy, guaranteed. The key to better English classes is a wide variety of engaging and interactive games and activities and this book will help you get there in style.

There are dozens of top-quality ESL games and activities for teenagers and adults that are organized into various categories: reading, writing, speaking, writing, warm-ups, and 4-skills. You’re sure to find something that will work for any level of students or topic.

You can get the book on Amazon in both print and digital formats. The (cheaper!) digital copy can be read on any device by downloading the free Kindle reading app. It’s super easy to have fun, engaging ESL activities with you anywhere you go.

Or, buy the book and keep it as a handy reference on your bookshelf, or teacher supply room. You can check out 101 ESL Activities for yourself over on Amazon:

Teaching Reported Speech FAQs

There are a number of common questions that people have about reported speech games and activities for English learners. Here are the answers to some of the most popular ones.

What is reported speech in English?

Reported speech is when we talk about or repeat what someone else has said using our own words.

Why do we use reported speech?

We use reported speech to share information, statements, or questions that someone else has said.

What changes occur when turning direct speech into indirect speech?

Pronouns, tense, and time expressions often change for indirect speech.

Can you give an example of direct speech changing to reported speech?

Direct: She said, “I am going to the store.” Reported: She said that she was going to the store.

What happens to the pronouns in reported speech?

Pronouns usually change to match the perspective of the speaker in reported speech.

How do you shift tenses in reported speech?

Generally, you shift the tense back one step. For example, present simple becomes past simple.

Do all time expressions remain the same in indirect speech?

No, time expressions usually change, e.g., “now” becomes “then,” “today” becomes “that day.”

What’s the reporting verb?

The verb that introduces indirect speech can be things like, “said,” “told,” “asked.”

Can questions be reported too?

Yes, questions can be reported using reporting verbs like “asked” or “wondered.”

How do you report imperative sentences?

Imperative sentences are reported using the verb “to” + infinitive, or with phrases like “ordered” or “told.”

What’s the key to successfully teaching indirect speech to ESL students?

Practice and exposure through various exercises and real-life examples are crucial for understanding indirect speech.

Reported speech games and activities for ESL

Tell your Story English Speaking Activity: Have your Say!

What do you think of this activity to practice ESL reported speech? Is it a good one or do you have another reported speech lesson plan activity that you’d like to recommend? Leave a comment below and let us know your thoughts. We’d love to hear from you.

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Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

About Jackie

Jackie Bolen has been teaching English for more than 15 years to students in South Korea and Canada. She's taught all ages, levels and kinds of TEFL classes. She holds an MA degree, along with the Celta and Delta English teaching certifications.

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Using Reported Speech: ESL Lesson Plan

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Reported speech is also known as indirect speech and is commonly used in spoken conversations to report what others have said. A keen grasp of correct tense usage, as well as the ability to correctly shift pronouns and time expressions, is essential when using  reported speech .

The use of reported speech is especially important at higher English levels . Students are fine-tuning their communication skills to include expressing the ideas of others, as well as their own opinions. Students usually need to focus not only on the grammar involved but also on production skills. Reported speech includes some rather tricky transformations that need to be practiced repeatedly before students feel comfortable using reported speech in everyday conversations.

Finally, make sure to point out that reported speech is generally used with the verbs 'say' and 'tell' in the past. 

"He'll help him with the homework." -> She told me he would help me with my homework. 

However, if the reporting verb is conjugated in the present tense, no reported speech changes are necessary.

"I'm going to Seattle next week." -> Peter says he's going to Seattle next week. 

Lesson Outline

Aim: Developing reported speech grammar and productions skills

Activity: Introduction and written reporting activity, followed by spoken practice in the form of a questionnaire

Level: Upper-intermediate

• Introduce/review reported speech by making simple statements and asking students to report what you have said. Make sure to emphasize reporting in the past (i.e., "the teacher said ", NOT "the teacher says ")
• Provide review sheet of principle reported speech transitions (included in lesson printout pages)
• Have students get into pairs and convert the reported speech paragraph into the direct speech form.
• Correct worksheet as a class.
• Ask students to divide up into new pairs and ask each other questions from the questionnaire. Remind them to take notes on what their partners say.
• Have students divide into new pairs and ask them to report what they have learned about the other students to their new partner (i.e., John said he had lived in Breubach for two years).
• Follow-up with class conversation focusing on problematic tense transformations.

Reported Speech

Study the following chart carefully. Notice how reported speech is one step back into the past from direct speech.

Time Expression Changes

Time expressions such as 'at the moment' are also changed when using reported speech. Here are some of the most common changes:

at the moment / right now / now -> at that moment / at that time

"We're watching TV right now." -> She told me they were watching TV at that time.

yesterday -> the previous day / the day before

"I bought some groceries yesterday." -> He told me he had bought some groceries the previous day.

tomorrow -> the following day / the next day

"She'll be at the party tomorrow." -> She told me she would be at the party the next day.

Exercise 1: Put the following paragraph in the reported speech into the conversational form using direct speech  (quotes).

Peter introduced me to Jack who said he was pleased to meet me. I replied that it was my pleasure and that I hoped Jack was enjoying his stay in Seattle. He said he thought Seattle was a beautiful city, but that it rained too much. He said that he had been staying at the Bayview Hotel for three weeks and that it hadn't stopped raining since he had arrived. Of course, he said, this wouldn't have surprised him if it hadn't been July! Peter replied that he should have brought warmer clothes. He then continued by saying that he was going to fly to Hawaii the following week, and he that he couldn't wait to enjoy some sunny weather. Both Jack and I commented that Peter was a lucky person indeed.

Exercise 2: Ask your partner the following questions making sure to take good notes . After you have finished the questions, find a new partner and report what you have learned about your first partner using reported speech .

• What is your favorite sport and how long have you been playing/doing it?
• What are your plans for your next vacation?
• How long have you known your best friend? Can you give me a description of him/her?
• What kind of music do you like? Have you always listened to that kind of music?
• What did you use to do when you were younger that you don't do anymore?
• Do you have any predictions about the future?
• Can you tell me what you do on a typical Saturday afternoon?
• What were you doing yesterday at this time?
• Which two promises will you make concerning learning English?
• Indirect Speech in the English Language
• How to Teach Reported Speech
• Reporting Verbs for English Language Learners
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• Expressing Opinions of Best and Worst
• Visual Explanations of Each English Tense
• Present Continuous Worksheets
• How to Teach the Present Simple
• How Many Verb Tenses Are There in English?
• Asking Questions Lesson Plan for Lower Level Students
• Know your Auxiliary Verbs
• ESL Lesson Plan for Paired Conjunctions
• Example Sentences With the Verb "Give"
• Essential Basic English Lessons
• Dialogue and Multiple Choice Questions: Having a Hard Time Finding a Job
• Grammar Lesson: Tense Review

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Reported Speech: Clarifying Questions (ESL)

ESL Level : Upper-intermediate+

Class Time : 25-35 minutes

Language Focus : clarifying questions, reported speech

Worksheet Download :  reported-speech-clarifying-questions.docx

Activity Description

Before doing this simple activity, you should teach your students the backshifting required in reported speech.

Afterwards, go over the expressions for clarifying questions below. Have them practice with some simple WH questions and Yes/No questions. Afterwards, have them write out some questions below. I didn't give my students a context , i.e. I let them ask each other questions on anything. You could, however, have them ask job interview questions or something specific.

Once the students have written their questions, they should mingle and ask them to each other. The person who is asked the question should first clarify the question. Once the question has been confirmed, s/he should answer it.

Worksheet Web Preview

Expressions for clarifying questions.

Direct Question : “What's your job title?”

I'm sorry. I couldn't hear you well. Did you ask me what my job title was ?

Direct Question : “How did you get your job?”

Just so I understand your question...  you asked me  how I  had gotten  my job?

Part 1 : You are going to have a conversation with your classmates. First, look at the questions below. Add three more questions you'd like to ask (try to make them interesting).

Part 2: Begin a conversation with someone. After you ask your question, your partner should use one of the above phrases for clarifying . Your question should also be changed to reported speech (the verb tenses should be moved back a level). See below.

• A: Hello, Jenny. Are you free this Saturday?
• B: I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you well. Did you ask me if I was free this Saturday?
• A: Yes, exactly.
• B: Okay. (Then you answer the question…)

Possible Questions

• Are you going to return next session?
• Does the weather sometimes affect your mood?
• What's your opinion of Toronto so far?
• Have you ever been arrested?

See related pages:

• Reported Speech Bingo
• Reported Speech: The Marriage Counselor
• Clarifying Questions with Gerunds and Infinitives

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Questions in Reported Speech

For pronouns, tenses and place / time expressions see statements in reported speech.

Besides, note that instead of ‚that‘ you use the interrogative. If there is no interrogative, use ‚whether‘ / ‚if‘ .

It is also important that you use an indirect question in reported speech, i.e. after the interrogative or ‚whether‘ / ‚if‘ you continue the sentence as if it were a statement (subject-verb etc.). The auxiliary verb ‚do‘ is not used in indirect questions.

Exercises on reported speech

Practise reported speech with Vogue interviews

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• Games and Role Plays

Grammar - reported speech

LESSON OVERVIEW

This lesson plan demonstrates how we can use videos to teach grammar. This worksheet deals with reported speech and is based on a video, “Vogue 73 Questions with Nicole Kidman”. And here is the best part. You can choose whatever video interview you want to show your students. Vogue provides a lot of 73 questions videos with different celebrities, models, actresses, sportspeople (around 40). You can decide what your students might be interested in most and use it to practise reported speech – the lesson plan is developed in such a way that it gives you flexibility to choose whichever video you want.

PRESENTATION & PRACTICE (REPORTED SPEECH)

This reported speech lesson plan starts with a fake interview consisting of four questions and answers. Students need to read it and complete the table with direct and reported speech sentences. Next, they move to rules. They have to study the table and choose the correct option to form grammar rules about reported speech . Monitor your class and make sure that everyone understands how reported speech works. Finally, student practise using the structure. They need to rewrite provided sentences which represent different tenses and include time markers so that they can practise all aspects of reported speech.

Tell your students that they’re going to watch an interview with a famous person. Below you can find a video interview with Nicole Kidman that we’ve chosen. The 73 questions format by Vogue is a bit demanding. It’s a single shot video during which the interviewer asks a lot of random questions as the interviewee is giving a tour of their houses. What we usually do is to let students watch first 90 seconds of the video so they get familiar with the format. After this intro, you may also ask them to predict what kind of questions might be asked. In the listening comprehension task, students have to write down 7 answers they hear in the video. Remind your students that they don’t need to remember and understand all the questions and answers. Those Vogue videos are a bit long so it’s up to you whether you want to play the whole video or just a few minutes. After that, using the answers they wrote down, students have to report what this famous person said.

PRODUCTION (PRACTISING REPORTED SPEECH WITH ROLE PLAY)

Next, students move to t he production stage where they’ll practise newly-learnt grammar structure orally. First, they have to choose one famous person they would like to speak to if they had such an opportunity. Then, they write 5 questions they would ask such a person. Try to monitor and check whether your students have created correct direct questions. Students work in pairs and give each other the name of the person they’ve chosen to interview. They have around 2 minutes to prepare for an interview with their partner, who will have to take on the role of that celebrity . It doesn’t really matter if they know the celebrity – let them improvise and not to worry whether their answers are true. Students who ask questions have to remember as many answers as they can. Finally, using reported speech, they have to tell the group/other people in the class what this famous person, i.e. their partner, said, e.g. Michelle Obama said that….

EXTRA WORKSHEET – Reporting verbs with movie quotes

As the lesson plan is all about reported speech, we want to supplement it with some reporting verbs so that your students can practise using more diverse vocabulary. With our worksheet called Movie quotes you should know! , your students will learn some classic movie quotes and use them to practise using reported speech. On top of that, there is a semi-controlled production task where students need to be a bit creative and come up with some original celebrity quotes and then report them.

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Hi, Could you explain this answer please as I am little confused about it When we report questions, we should have the same/different word order than in questions. Answer shows different word order.

Yes, exactly. When we report a question, we have to change the word order as it is no longer a question (and in writing there is no question mark). The word order is like that of a normal statement (subject-verb-object).

My students’ve found Nicole’s accent to be quite challenging to understand, so I substituted it with a different actress – Sarah Jessica Parker ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W511rtnnlZM&t=135s ). For B1 students that video was perfect.

Thanks for your comment! Exactly, we can choose here any interview by Vogue which we find suitable for our students.

Thank you for your help! I could find the worksheets! Excellent materials!!

Thank you! very useful! I am learning all about computing skills these days! Thank you for the help!

Hi! Thanks for the class. I’d just like to let you know there’s a mistake on the worksheet and the slides: Activity 1 (direct speech – indirect speech): “I’ve always dreamt of seeing you in that show” said Joe’s father Joe’s father said that he ______________ of seeing me in your show!

You probably forgot to change the pronouns in the indirect speech sentence.

The class was amazing, though! Thanks for everything!

Hi! Thanks for spotting that! You’re correct. We’ve just updated the worksheets and the slides 🙂

Hi! I think, there is a mistake in the sentence in the reported speech: David said that Joe is a master at storytelling! I guess, Joe was, right?

Hi there! Actually, it’s not a mistake and the sentence you’ve mentioned refers to the rule in the next exercise (ex. 2), i.e. ‘if something that a person says is still true we can keep the same tense’.

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Reported Speech Exercises

Perfect english grammar.

Here's a list of all the reported speech exercises on this site:

( Click here to read the explanations about reported speech )

Reported Statements:

• Present Simple Reported Statement Exercise (quite easy) (in PDF here)
• Present Continuous Reported Statement Exercise (quite easy) (in PDF here)
• Past Simple Reported Statement Exercise (quite easy) (in PDF here)
• Present Perfect Reported Statement Exercise (quite easy) (in PDF here)
• Future Simple Reported Statement Exercise (quite easy) (in PDF here)
• Mixed Tense Reported Statement Exercise (intermediate) (in PDF here)
• 'Say' and 'Tell' (quite easy) (in PDF here)

Reported Questions:

• Present Simple Reported Yes/No Question Exercise (intermediate) (in PDF here)
• Present Simple Reported Wh Question Exercise (intermediate) (in PDF here)
• Mixed Tense Reported Question Exercise (intermediate) (in PDF here)

Reported Orders and Requests:

• Reported Requests and Orders Exercise (intermediate) (in PDF here)
• Reported Speech Mixed Exercise 1 (difficult) (in PDF here)
• Reported Speech Mixed Exercise 2 (difficult) (in PDF here)

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Questions in Reported Speech

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Questions in reported speech are a common feature of the English language. This reference will guide you through the basics of reported speech questions, including what they are, how to use them, and common mistakes to avoid.

What are reported questions?

Reported questions, also known as indirect questions, are questions that are reported or repeated by someone else. They are used to convey what someone else has asked, and they are often used in formal and informal settings. Reported questions are different from direct questions, which are the questions that we ask directly.

For example, a direct question would be "What time is the meeting?" A reported question would be "She asked what time the meeting was." In the second sentence, the question is reported indirectly, and the tense is changed to reflect the past tense.

The basics of reported speech questions

When reporting questions, we usually use a reporting verb, such as "asked," "enquired," or "wondered." The reporting verb is followed by the question itself, which is often a statement that begins with "if" or "whether."

For example, "He asked if you were coming to the party." In this sentence, the reporting verb is "asked," and the question itself is "if you were coming to the party."

When reporting questions, we also need to consider the tense, word order, and pronouns. The tense is usually changed to reflect the past tense. The word order is often changed to reflect a statement instead of a question, and the pronouns are changed to reflect the speaker or the person being spoken about.

Examples of reported speech questions

Here are some examples of reported speech questions:

• Direct question : "What time is it?"
• Reported question : "He asked what time it was."
• Direct question: "Are you coming to the party?"
• Reported question : "She wondered if you were coming to the party."
• Direct question : "Why did you do that?"
• Reported question : "He asked why you had done that."
• Direct question : "Where are you going?"
• Reported question : "She enquired where you were going."

Changes in tense and pronouns when reporting questions

When reporting questions, we need to change the tense to reflect the past tense . For example, if the direct question is in the present tense , we need to change it to the past tense when reporting it.

We also need to change the pronouns to reflect the speaker or the person being spoken about. For example, if the direct question is "Are you coming to the party?" and the person being spoken about is John, we need to change it to "She asked if John was coming to the party."

Common reporting verbs used with questions

Here are some common reporting verbs that are used with questions:

• wanted to know

Note that the choice of reporting verb depends on the context and the tone of the conversation.

Reported speech questions vs. direct questions

Reported speech questions are different from direct questions in several ways. Direct questions are the questions that we ask directly, whereas reported questions are questions that are reported or repeated by someone else.

Direct questions typically start with a question word, such as "what," "where," "when," "who," "why," or "how." Reported questions, on the other hand, often start with "if" or "whether."

In direct questions, the subject usually comes before the verb . In reported questions, the subject usually comes after the verb.

Common mistakes

Things to avoid when using reported speech questions:

• Forgetting to change the tense to reflect the past tense.
• Using the wrong reporting verb for the context or tone of the conversation.
• Forgetting to change the pronouns to reflect the speaker or the person being spoken about.
• Using a direct question instead of a reported question.

Reported speech questions are an important aspect of English grammar that enables us to report what someone else has said. When reporting questions, we need to use a reporting verb, change the tense, word order, and pronouns, and consider the context and tone of the conversation.

By following the guidelines outlined in this reference, you should get it right every time. Check out more handy English lessons below!

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Reported Speech – Advanced Grammar Lesson – 1 Hour

Reported speech is a rule heavy grammar topic, so one of the best ways to introduce the topic is through guided discovery and speaking practice !

Guided discovery is when you allow students to discover rules on their own rather than telling them the rules. Use the following worksheet to allow students to discover the rules for reported speech on their own before putting it into action.

1. Allow students to answer the first three pages of the worksheet on their own or in small groups.

Do not do the practice page until you have checked their answers for the guided discovery .

2. Check their answers together as a class using the PDF or PPTX presentation.

When students have answered all the guided discovery questions, you can show them the rules/answers using the following presentation.

3. Give students a chance to practice reported speech using the fourth page of the worksheet.

When you have finished learning all of the rules, try answering the practice questions. (You can find this practice on the last page of the PDF worksheet.)

Directions: Change the sentences from direct speech to reported speech.

• He asked her, “Do you like pizza?”
• “I am going,” she said.
• “Where is he?” they asked.
• “I ate at the shopping mall,” Tim said.
• “We can read a book,” he said.
• “I will visit you next week,” Anita told George.
• “That dinosaur is so cute,” said the child.
• “What are we waiting for?” she asked.
• “Did they finish their homework?” asked the teacher.
• She asked her, “Have you ever tried sushi?”

4. Let students use the discussion question to practice reported speech.

After students have had some practice, try answering these discussion questions , which are also in the reported speech PPTX/PDF.

And it’s as simple as that!

By allowing the students to discover the rules slowly on their own, it’ll make it easier to remember and head off a lot of the confusion that comes with harder topics like reported speech.

I hope this lesson helped you and your students!

If you want more advanced lessons, try this one hour lesson that encourages students to discuss radical work ideas.

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Tags: advanced conversation ESL free grammar guided discovery Lesson Questions reported speech tefl Worksheet

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Direct Indirect Speech Questions and Answers PDF

Direct Indirect Speech Questions and Answers PDF for SSC CGL, CHSL, Bank Competitive Exams for free download. 400 + most important MCQs from the previous year exam questions paper for preparation of upcoming exams.

Direct Indirect Speech Questions

Few MCQs from the PDF are illustrated below. The PDF include more than 400 such MCQs with answer and explanation.

In the following questions, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect. Out of the four alternatives suggested,

Select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Direct/Indirect.

Q.: “You did not return your book yesterday”, said the librarian. (a) The librarian said that he had not returned his book the previous day. (b) The librarian said that he had not returned his book yesterday. (c) The librarian said the book not been returned the previous day. (d) The librarian said that you had not returned your book yesterday. Hence, the correct option is (a).

Q.: Walter said, “I cannot do it now”. (a) Walter says that he cannot do it now. (b) Walter said that he could not do it now. (c) Walter says that he cannot do it then. (d) Walter said that he could not do it then. Hence, the correct option is (d).

Q.: Amelia is going to ask the principal for permission to go on a study tour. (a) Amelia is going to say to the principal, “Might we have your permission to go on a study tour?” (b) Amelia is going to say to the principal, “Would we have your permission to go on a study tom?” (c) Amelia is going to say to the principal, “Should we have your permission to go on a study tour?” (d) Amelia is going to say to the principal, “May we have your permission to go on a study tour?” Hence, the correct option is (d).

Q.: Jennifer said, “What will you do when you leave school?” (a) Jennifer said what she will do when she leaves school. (b) Jennifer asked her what she will do when she would leave school. (c) Jennifer asked her what she would do when she leaves school. (d) Jennifer asked me what you would do when you left school. Hence, the correct option is (c).

Q.: The headmaster said to the student, “You are expelled for attempting to copy in the examination.” (a) The headmaster remonstrated the student informing him that he was expelled for attempting to copy in the examination. (b) The headmaster ordered the student that he was expelled for attempting to copy in the examination. (c) The headmaster briefed the student that he had been expelled for attempting to copy in the examination. (d) The headmaster said to the student that he was expelled for attempting to copy in the examination. Hence, the correct option is (d).

Q.: “Sam, will you help me carry my bags?” asked the old woman. (a) The old woman asked to Sam to help her carry her bags. (b) The old woman told Sam to help her carry her bags. (c) The old woman said to Sam to help her carried her bags. (d) The old woman asked Sam whether he would help her carry her bags. Hence, the correct option is (d).

Q.: The teacher said, “Don’t come to school on Monday because it is a holiday.” (a) The teacher asked if we were coming to school on Monday because it is a holiday. (b) The teacher told us not to come to school on Monday because it is a holiday. (c) The teacher told us don’t come to school on Monday because it is a holiday. (d) The teacher asked us don’t come to school on Monday because it is a holiday. Hence, the correct option is (b).

Q.: “Oh! How foolish I have been in money matters!” (a) He confessed regretfully that he had been very foolish in money matters. (b) He confessed to himself that he is being very foolish in money matters. (c) He exclaimed regretfully that he was very foolish in money matters. (d) He expressed with regret that he could be so foolish in money matters. Hence, the correct option is (a).

Q.: My friend told me, “This is not a good book to read.” (a) My friend told me that that was not a good book to read. (b) My friend told me that that is not a good book to read. (c) My friend told me that that will not be a good book to read. (d) My friend told me that this was not a good book to read. Hence, the correct option is (a).

Q.: Anne said, “It is time to leave for the meeting.” (a) Anne said that it was time to leave for the meeting. (b) Anne told that it is time to leave for the meeting. (c) Anne said it’s time to leave for the meeting. (d) Anne said that it was time for the meeting. Hence, the correct option is (a).

Download : Direct Indirect Speech Questions and Answers PDF

Name : Direct/Indirect Speech Medium : English More than 400 + MCQs from previous paper Useful for SSC CGL, CHSL, Bank Competitive exams. Number of pages : 81 Free download from the below link:

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