Exercise 1: Change Direct Speech to Reported Speech

Convert the following sentences from direct speech to reported speech:

Direct Speech: She said, “I am going to the store.”

Reported Speech: She said that she was going to the store.

Direct Speech: He said, “I will finish the project by Friday.”

Reported Speech: He said that he would finish the project by Friday.

Direct Speech: “We have completed our homework,” they said.

Reported Speech: They said that they had completed their homework.

Direct Speech: “They are coming to the party,” she said.

Reported Speech: She said that they were coming to the party.

Direct Speech: “I can speak French,” he said.

Reported Speech: He said that he could speak French.

Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Reported Speech

Read the following sentences and choose the correct reported speech option:
Direct Speech: “I saw Sarah yesterday,” Tom said.

a) Tom said he had seen Sarah yesterday.

b) Tom said he sees Sarah yesterday.

Correct Answer: a) Tom said he had seen Sarah yesterday.

Direct Speech: “I’m going to the cinema tonight,” she said.

a) She said she was going to the cinema that night.

b) She said she is going to the cinema tonight.

Correct Answer: a) She said she was going to the cinema that night.

Direct Speech: “We will travel to Paris next week,” they said.

a) They said they will travel to Paris next week.

b) They said they would travel to Paris the following week.

Correct Answer: b) They said they would travel to Paris the following week.

Direct Speech: “I have finished my work,” he said.

a) He said he has finished his work.

b) He said he had finished his work.

Correct Answer: b) He said he had finished his work.

Direct Speech: “I’m cooking dinner right now,” she said.

a) She said she was cooking dinner right then.

b) She said she is cooking dinner right now.

Correct Answer: a) She said she was cooking dinner right then.

Exercise 3: Create Reported Speech

Form reported speech for the following direct speech sentences:

Direct Speech: “She will be here soon,” he said.

Reported Speech: He mentioned that she would be there soon.

Direct Speech: “I don’t like seafood,” she said.

Reported Speech: She expressed that she didn’t like seafood.

Direct Speech: “They were studying in the library,” he said.

Reported Speech: He mentioned that they had been studying in the library.

Direct Speech: “I am working on a new project,” she said.

Reported Speech: She mentioned that she was working on a new project.

Direct Speech: “We have completed the assignment,” they said.

Reported Speech: They confirmed that they had completed the assignment.

Exercise 4: Fill in the Blanks with the Appropriate Reported Speech

Practise the following direct sentences to appropriate report speech.

She said, “I have been to Paris before.”

Reported Speech: She mentioned that she had been to Paris before.
“We will come early,” they said.

Reported Speech: They said that they would come early.

“He’s writing a novel,” she said.

Reported Speech: She mentioned that he was writing a novel.

“I won’t be able to attend the meeting,” he said.

Reported Speech: He said that he wouldn’t be able to attend the meeting.

“We were watching a movie,” they said.

Reported Speech: They mentioned that they had been watching a movie.

Exercise 5
Change the following sentences into indirect speech:

He said, “Honesty is the best policy.”

He said, “The sun rises in the east.”
Rakesh said, “I am an early riser.”
She said, “God is omnipresent.”
The teacher said, “The First World War started in 1914.”
Exercise 1
Change the following sentences from direct to indirect speech.

She said, “ I live in Noida”.

He said,” I am going out”.
Sita said,” I have done my homework.”
Rohan said, “ I have finished”.
They said,” We are going to the market”.
She said, “ The concert starts at 7 pm”.
She said,” I ate an apple.”
They said,” We were there in the party.”
Soham said,” Two and two makes four.”
Rohan said, “ I love ice cream.”
Answers:

Match the following answers with the solved exercise:

Sita said that she had done her homework.

Rohan said that he had finished.
They said that they were going to the market.
She said that the concert started at 7 pm.
She said that she had eaten an apple.
They said that they had been there at the party.
Soham said that two and two made four.
Rohan said that he loved ice cream.
She said that she lived in Noida.
He said that he was going out.

Exercise 2
Change the following sentences from indirect to direct speech.

Rohan asked me when I was leaving.

The stranger asked Rohan where he lived.
The teacher asked Soham why he was talking.
The hunter ordered the group to shoot the tiger.
The judge ordered to call the first convict.
The women urged them to call an ambulance.
Brut said to me he would do the work.
My brother told me that I was wrong.
Mr Richav requested me to wait there till he returned.
The captain applauded Rohit, saying that he had played well.
Answers:

Match the following answers with the solved exercise:

Rohan asked, “When are you leaving?”
The stranger asked Rohan, “Where do you live?”
The teacher asked Soham, “Why are you talking?”
The hunter commanded the group, “Shoot the tiger.”
The judge said, “Call the first convict.”
The woman said, “Call an ambulance.”
Brut said, “I will do the work.”
My brother said, “You are wrong.”
Mr. Richav said, “Please wait here till I return.”
The captain said to Rohit, “You played well.”

Exercise 3
Fill in the following blanks with the appropriate words:

He asked me ________________.
She said that she ________________.
They wondered ________________.
He commanded that ________________.
Answers:

He asked me where I was going.

She said that she was going to the store.
They wondered where he had gone.
He commanded that everyone must stay quiet.
Exercise 4
Fill in the blanks.

She informed me that _ (she had already eaten).

They wondered _ (when the train was arriving).
He ordered _ (every one to remain seated).
He asked me _ (why I was late).
Exercise 5
Rewrite the following dialogue using indirect speech:

Peter: “Have you seen my phone?”

Mary: “No, I haven’t. Did you check your backpack?”

Peter: “Yes, I did. I can’t seem to find it anywhere.”

Mary: “Don’t worry, I’m sure it will turn up. Maybe you left it in your car?”

Peter: “That’s possible. I’ll go and check my car.”

Exercise 6
Identify the following sentences whether they are Direct Speech or Indirect
Speech. Write (DS) for Direct Speech and (IS) for Indirect Speech.

“I can’t believe I won the lottery!” she exclaimed.

He told me he was going camping next weekend.
“Please be careful crossing the street,” the teacher warned.
Did anyone ask why she was late?
“I’ll call you as soon as I arrive,” he promised.
Exercise 7
Rewrite the following sentences in indirect speech.

“Don’t you think it’s about time you apologized?” she said, her voice laced with
disappointment.
“The movie was fantastic,” she said.
“I will be back soon,” he promised.
“Have you seen my keys?” she asked.
Exercise 8
Convert the following sentences into indirect speech.

He said, ‘The rabbits have been fed.’

‘It is too late to go out,’ Mary said.
He said, ‘I am writing letters.’

Answers:

He said that the rabbits had been fed.

Mary said that it was too late to go out.
He said that he was writing letters.
He told me that he didn’t believe me.
Exercise 9
Change the following sentences into direct speech.

She informed me that she had already finished the task.

He inquired if I would be interested in joining them for dinner.
They mentioned that they might be visiting their grandparents soon.
Exercises 10
Match the sentences.

Indirect: She informed me that she wouldn’t be able to make it to the event.
Direct: (Choose the matching direct sentence)
a) I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it to the event tonight.
b) She mentioned she was feeling a bit under the weather.
c) She couldn’t wait to celebrate with everyone.
Indirect: He inquired if I had any plans for Monday.
Direct: (Choose the matching direct sentence)
a) Tell me, what are you up to this Monday?
b) Just curious, do you have anything exciting planned?
c) I hope you’re free for some fun!

Exercises of Direct and Indirect Speech Question Sentences

Let’s check your understanding with a few practical sentences:

The girl said to the boy “Is the mango sweet?”

The teacher said to Rahul, “Are you ill?”
I said to her, “Do you know the man?”
I said to her,” May I take your pen?”
Nita said to Mohan “Will you help me?”
I said to Manisha “Did you see our cow?”
The professor said to his students, “Can you answer this question?”
I said to Rohan, “Do you know my brother?”
Father said to my brother, “Do you have any problem?”
I said to her, “Have you had your tea?”
Answers to Direct and Indirect Speech Question Sentences
Match your answers with the solved sentences and analyze the understanding of
the concept.

1. The girl asked the boy if the mango was sweet.

2. The teacher asked Rahul if he was ill.

3. I asked her if she knew the man.

4. I asked her if I might take her pen.

5. Nita asked Mohan if he would help her.

6. I asked Manisha if she had seen our cow.

 7. The professor asked his students if they could answer that question.

8. I asked Rohan if he knew my brother.

9. Father asked my brother if he had any problems.

10.I asked her if she had had her tea.

Must Read: Figures of Speech: Types, Usage & Examples [Download PDF]

Exercise on Direct and Indirect Speech

Convert the following sentences from direct speech to indirect speech.

“I’m going to the library,” she said.

“Please don’t forget to lock the door,” he reminded me.
“I wish I had studied harder,” she sighed.
“I’ll be here tomorrow,” she promised.
“Give me the book,” he ordered.

Reported speech worksheet

FEBRUARY 25, 2016 – pdf
Sentences are given in direct speech. Change them into indirect speech.

1. The teacher said to the boys, ‘Have you done your homework?’

2. The little girl asked the man, ‘Will you help me?’

3. Janaki said, ‘I have been reading this book.’

4. Mother said to the daughter, ‘Go and change your dress.’

5. Susie said, ‘I had read this book before I gave it to you.’

6. Mike said, ‘I will bring my piano.’

7. The officer told the clerk, ‘Bring me that file.’

8. Jane asked, ‘Have you read that book?’

9. Malathi asked, ‘Where is your watch?’

10.Sophia said, ‘I watched this movie last week.’

 11.Mother asked, ‘What is the matter?’

12.Shyam said, ‘I can solve this problem.’

Answers

1. The teacher asked the boys if they had done their homework.

2. The little girl asked the man if he would help her.

3. Janaki said that she had been reading that book.

4. Mother told the daughter to go and change her dresses.

5. Susie said that she had read that book before she gave it to me.

6. Mike said that he would bring his piano.

7. The officer told the clerk to bring him that file.

8. Jane asked if I had read that book.

9. Malathi asked where my watch was.

10.Sophia said that she had watched that movie the previous week.

11.Mother asked what the matter was.

12.Shyam said that he could solve that problem.

Conversation given below and complete the paragraph that follow :

Son : Mummy, Where have I put my wallet ?

Mother: I don’t know. Ask your father.

Son : He will say the same thing.

Mother : Why don’t you put things in their proper place ?

A son asked his mother (a) _________ ? The mother replied that (b) _________and
advised him to ask his father. The son retorted saying that he would say the same 3
Page 7 of 7 thing. The mother asked him irritatingly (c) _________ The mother (c)
________

Q2. Read the conversation given below and complete the paragraph that follows.

Mother to me : Are you unwell today?

I to mother : No, Mummy, not at all.

Mother : Have you done any work today?

I replied : “Nothing”.

My mother asked me (a) __________. I replied to my mummy (b) __________.

My mother again asked me (c) ___________.

Q3. Read the conversation given below and complete the paragraph that follows.

PATENT : I want to see the doctor. I am very sick.

RECEPTIONIST : I am sorry. The doctor is very busy. You’ll have to wait for at
least one hour.

A patient went to his doctor’s clinic and told the receptionist (a) __________ The
receptionist (b) __________ She further added that (c) __________

Q4. Read the conversation given below and complete the paragraph that follows.

Biju : Bina why don’t you fold your umbrella?

Bina : It looks beautiful when it is kept open.

Biju : You should keep it folded otherwise it comes in the way.

Bina seldom folded her umbrella. Biju did not like it. He asked her (a)
__________. Bina replied that (b) __________ Biju advised her to keep it folded
otherwise (c) __________
Q5. Read the conversation given below and complete the paragraph that follows :

Ram : I want to meet the Principal.

Peon : Sir, he is not in his office.

Ram : When will he come back to the office ?

Peon : I think in another ten minutes.

Ram went to K.V.Jaipur for the admission of his daughter to that school. He went
to the Principal’s office and told the peon (a) -----------.Respectfully the peon told
him that (b) -------------------.So Ram asked him (c)------------ .The peon replied
that in his opinion the Principal would be back in another ten minutes.

Q6. Read the conversation given below and complete the paragraph that below.

Receptionist : Good morning. This is Hotel Oberoi, Bangalore.

Mr. Deepak : Good morning. I would like to make a booking in your hotel. Kindly
book a suite with attached bathroom and lobby for Monday, September 20, 2012.

Receptionist wished good morning to Mr. Deepak and told him that (a)
__________ , Bangalore. Mr. Deepak also (b) __________ and said that (c)
___________ make a booking in their hotel. He requested her to book a suite with
attached bathroom and lobby for Monday, September 20, 2012.
Q7. Read the conversation given below and complete the paragraph that follows :

Kokila : Maitryee ! My new dress is very pretty.

Maitryee : Will you show it to me?

Kokila : I will show it to you tomorrow when you come to my house.

Kokila told her friend Maitryee that (a) __________. Maitryee asked her if (b)
__________. She replied, that she would love to show it to her (c) ___________.

Q8. Read the conversation given below and complete the paragraph that follows :

Customer : Waiter, come here.

Waiter : Yes Sir.

Customer : Look, there are flies in my soup.

Waiter : But sir, they are fresh flies.

Customer : What do you mean ?

Waiter : They arrived only this morning Sir.

A customer in a restaurant complained that there were flies in his soup. The waiter
told the customer (a) __________ . When the customer asked (b) __________ , the
waiter replied that they (c) __________ .

Q9. Read the conversation given below and complete the paragraph.

Mother : What are you doing?

Rani : Just watching TV.

Mother : Turn off the TV and help me in cleaning room.

Mother asked Rani what she was doing. Rani replied that (a) __________ TV. The
mother asked her to turn it off and (b) __________ . Rani replied that (c)
__________ .

Q10. Read the conversation given below and complete the paragraph.

Berry : Daddy! I am the happiest girl in the world.

Daddy : Have you won a million dollar lottery?

Berry : No! I have got something much better.

Berry screamed with joy that (a) ______. Her father asked (b) ______ a million
dollar lottery. She replied that (c) ______ something much better.
Download Answer Key
Q11. Read the following conversation and complete the given paragraph. Write the
correct answer against the correct blank number. Do not copy the whole sentence.

Miss Grundy: Mohit, you spent time on this homework assignment and it really
shows.

Mohit: Thanks, Miss grundy. You mean it’s that good?

Miss Grundy : No, I mean it’s covered with stains from an evening’s worth of
snacks.

Mohit’s teacher, Miss Grundy told him that (a) ______ and it really showed. Mohit
thanked his teacher and asked her (b) ________. To that the angry teacher replied
that (c)_________.

Q12. Read the following conversation and complete the given paragraph. Write the
correct answer against the correct blank number. Do not copy the whole sentence.

Child: I want to buy a birthay card for my little sister.

Salesman: Do you want a small card or a big card?

Child: I want any cad that will show that I love my litle sister a lot.

Salesman: Then it would be better if you make one yourself.

A child told the salesman that (a)______________ his little sister. The sales man
asked him (b)_________________ a big card. The child said that he wanted any
card which would show his love for his sister a lot. The sales man then advised him
(c)_____________.

Q13. Read the conversation given below and then complete the report by
transforming sentences into reported speech.

Daughter: Will you allow me to go for trekking with my classmates?

Father: Dear, we are going to Singapore for a family holiday.

Daughter: The trekking camp will be in Chail and I may not get another chance to
visit this place.

Nandika asked her father (a)________________ to go for trekking with her

classmates. Her father replied that (b)_____________________ for a family
holiday. Nandika told her father that (c)____________________ might not get
another chance to visit that place.

Q14. Read the dialogue given below and complete the paragraph that follows :

Amit: Can you lend me your Physics book?

Sunil: Yes, but only for one day. Will you be able to return it to me tomorrow?
Amit: Definitely, Thanks.

Amit asked Sunil (a) __________ . Sunil replied in the affirmative but told him (b)
__________ . He then asked him (c) __________ . Amit replied that he would
definitely return it to him. He also thanked him.

Q15. Read the following dialogue given below and then complete the paragraph
transforming the sentences into reported speech. Write your answer in your answer
sheet with correct blank number. Do not copy the whole passage. Babita : where do
you want to go?

Pragati: I want to to to the drop point near the zoo.

Babita: In that case you will have to get down at the Laxmi Nagar bus stop and
take an auto.

Pragati: How long will I take to reach there?

Babita asked Pragati where she wanted to go. Pragati told her that (a) __________.
Babita told her that in that case (b) __________ and take an auto. Pragati asked
Babita (c) _____________.

Q16. Read the dialogue given below and complete the report by transforming the
sentences into reported speech. Write your answer in your answer sheet with
correct blank number. Do not copy the whole passage.

Seema: Do you know how to prepare custard?

Roma: I do not enjoy working in the kitchen.

Seema: But it is so easy.

Roma: I will ask my mother to teach me.

Seema asked Roma if (a) __________ prepare custard. Roma replied that (b)
__________ in the kitchen. Seema commented that it was so easy. Roma said that
(c) __________ teach her.

Q17. Read the following dialogue and then complete the paragraph by
transforming the sentences into reported speech. Write your answer in your answer
sheet with correct blank number. Do not copy the whole passage.

The Man scolded the servant (a) __________ . He questioned him if he had not
asked him to get his breakfast ready by 8 O‟ clock. The servant apologized to him
and explained that (b) __________ . The man asked him if he had not set the alarm
before going to sleep. The servant answered politely that he had done so. His
master further enquired the reason for the delay. The servant answered humbly that
(c) __________ .

Q18. Read the following dialogue and then complete the paragraph by
transforming the sentences into reported speech. Write your answer in your answer
sheet with correct blank number. Do copy the whole passage.

Riya: When are you leaving for Kolkata?

Sandhya: I will leave right after the examination.

Riya: would you like me to drop you at the station?

Sandhya: Thanks, it would really help me.

Rita met Sandhya and asked her (a) __________. Sandhya replied (b) _________ .
Rita then asked her (c) _________. Sandhy a thanked her and told her that it would
really help her.

Q19. Read the following dialogue and then complete the paragraph by
transforming the sentences into reported speech. Write your answer in your answer
sheet with correct blank number. Do not copy the whole passage.

Father: When is the fancy dress competition in your school?

Son: It is next week.

Father: Are you taking part in it?

Son: Yes, I am taking part as an engine driver.

Father: Why have you chosen that role?

Son: So that I can reach late.

Father asked his son when the Fancy Dress competition in his school was. Son
replied that (a) __________.Father enquired (b) _________.Son replied that he
would be an engine driver. Father asked why he had chosen that role. He answered
so that (c) __________.