Question

EXERCISES OF REPORTED SPEECH
CHANGE THESE SENTENCES INTO REPORTED SPEECH
“I’m going out now, but I’ll be in by nine”, he said.
He said that he was going out then, but he would be in by nine.
“I can’t live on my basic salary”, said Peter. “I’ll have to offer to do overtime.”
Peter said that he couldn’t live on his basic salary and he would have to offer to do overtime.
“We are waiting for the school bus”, said the children. “It is late again.”
The children said that they were waiting for the school bus and it was late again.
“The ice will soon be hard enough to skate on”, said Tom. “I’ll look for my skates when I get home”, Ann said.
Tom said that the ice would soon be hard enough to skate on.
“Don’t lend Harry any money”, said Lucy. “He never pays his debts.”

“Get into the right lane”, said the driving instructor.
“Who has been using my typewriter?” he asked.
“Would you like to come with us?” they asked

The following sentences are direct speech:

Now choose one of these to complete each sentence below. Use the reported speech.
Sarah was driving too fast, so I asked her to slow down
I didn’t want to delay Ann, so I said…..
John was in love with Mary, so he ….
Sue was very pessimistic about the situation. I said….

Complete the sentences with SAY or TELL.
Ann said goodbye to me and left.
Tell us about your holidays. Did you have a nice time?
Jack told me that he was fed up with his job.
Don’t tell anybody what I say. It’s a secret just between us.
George couldn’t help me. He told me to ask Kate.
George couldn’t help me. He said to ask Kate.
I wonder where Sue is. She told me she would be here at 8 o’clock.
The doctor told me that I should rest for at least a week.

Answer 1

Lucy said not to lend Harry any money because he never pays his debts.

The driving instructor said to get into the right lane.

He asked who had been using his typewriter.

They asked if I would like to come with them.

Sarah was driving too fast, so I told her to slow down.

I didn't want to delay Ann, so I said that I had to go.

John was in love with Mary, so he said that he loved her.

Sue was very pessimistic about the situation, I told her to stay positive.

Ann told me goodbye and left.

Tell us about your holidays. Did you have a nice time?

Jack said that he was fed up with his job.

Don't tell anybody what I say. It's a secret just between us.

George couldn't help me. He told me to ask Kate.

I wonder where Sue is. She said she would be here at 8 o'clock.

The doctor said that I should rest for at least a week.