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REPORTED SPEECH/ INDIRECT SPEECH
I. GRAMMAR 2
1. WHAT IS REPORTED SPEECH? 2
DIFFERENT TYPES OF SENTENCES 2
2. REPORTING STATEMENTS 2
a. Pronouns 2
b. Tenses 2
c. Place, demonstratives and time expressions 3
3. REPORTING QUESTIONS 3
4. REPORTING REQUESTS / COMMANDS 4
5. CONDITIONAL SENTENCES 4
a. Zero conditional 4
b. First conditional 4
c. Second conditional 4
d. Third conditional 4
6. OTHER TRANSFORMATIONS 5
II. PRACTISE EXERCISE 5
a. Rewrite into reported speech: 5
b. Multiple choice 7
III. ANSWER KEYS 13
a. Rewrite into reported speech 13
b. Multiple choice 15


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I. GRAMMAR
1. What is reported speech?
Reported speech is when you tell somebody else what you or a person said before.

Distinction must be made between direct speech and reported speech.
Direct speech
Reported speech
She says: "I like tuna fish."
She says that she likes tuna fish.
She said: "I'm visiting Paris next weekend"
She said that she was visiting Paris the following weekend.
Different types of sentences
When you use reported speech, you either report:
 statements
 questions
 requests / commands
 conditional sentences
 other types
2. Reporting Statements
When transforming statements, check whether you have to change:
 pronouns
 tense
 place and time expression
a. Pronouns
In reported speech, you often have to change the pronoun depending on who says what.
Ex:
She says, “My dad likes roast chicken.” => She says that her dad likes roast chicken.
b. Tenses
 If the sentence starts in the present, there is no backshift of tenses in reported speech.
 If the sentence starts in the past, there is often backshift of tenses in reported speech.

Direct speech
Reported speech
(no backshift)

“I write poems.”
He says that he writes poems.
(backshift)
“I write poems.”
He said that he wrote poems.
* No backshift
Do not change the tense if the introductory clause is in a present tense (e. g. He says). Note, however, that
you might have to change the form of the present tense verb (3rd person singular).
Ex:
He says, “I write poems.” – He says that he writes English.
* Backshift
You must change the tense if the introductory clause is in a past tense (e. g. He said).
Ex:
He said, “I am happy.” – He said that he was happy.
Examples of the main changes in tense:
Direct Speech
Reported Speech
Simple Present
He said: "I am happy".
Simple Past
He said that he was happy.
Present Progressive
He said: "I'm looking for my keys".
Past Progressive
He said that he was looking for his keys.
Simple Past
He said: "I visited New York last year".
Past Perfect Simple
He said that he had visited New York the previous year.
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Present Perfect
He said: "I've lived here for a long time".
Past Perfect
He said that he had lived there for a long time.
Past Perfect
He said: "They had finished the work when I
arrived".
Past Perfect
He said that they had finished the work when he had
arrived.
Past Progressive
He said: "I was playing football when the
accident occurred".
Past Perfect Progressive
He said that he had been playing football when the
accident had occurred.
Present Perfect Progressive
He said: "I’ve been playing football for two hours."
Past Perfect Progressive
He said that he had been playing football for two hours.
Past Perfect Progressive
He said: "I had been reading a newspaper when the
light went off".
Past Perfect Progressive
He said that he had been reading a newspaper when the
light had gone off.
The modal verbs could, should, would, might, needn't, ought to, and used to do not normally change.
Ex:
He said, "She might be right." – He said that she might be right.

Other modal verbs may change:
Modal
Direct speech
Reported speech
can
"I can do it."
He said he could do it.
may
"May I go out?"
He wanted to know if he might go out.
must
"She must apply for the job."
He said that she had to apply for the job.
will
"They will call you."
He told her that they would call her.
shall
“Today we shall eat out.”
He said that that day they should eat out.
c. Place, demonstratives and time expressions
Place, demonstratives and time expressions change if the context of the reported statement (i.e. the location
and/or the period of time) is different from that of the direct speech.
In the following table, you will find the different changes of place; demonstratives and time expressions.
Direct speech
Reported speech
Time Expressions
today
that day
now
then

yesterday
the day before
… days ago
… days before
last week
the week before
next year
the following year
tomorrow
the next day / the following day
Place
here
there
Demonstratives
this
that
these
those

3. Reporting Questions
When transforming questions, check whether you have to change:
 pronouns
 place and time expressions
 tenses (backshift)
Also note that you have to:
 transform the question into an indirect question
 use the question word (where, when, what, how) or if / whether
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Direct speech
Reported speech
WH-questions
"Why" don’t you speak English?”
He asked me why I didn’t speak English.
Yes/No questions
“Do you speak English?”
He asked me whether / if I spoke English.
4. Reporting requests / commands
When transforming requests and commands, check whether you have to change:
 pronouns
 place and time expressions
Direct speech
Reported speech
“Nancy, do the exercise.“
He told Nancy to do the exercise.
"Nancy, give me your pen, please."
He asked Nancy to give him her pen.

Tenses are not relevant for requests – simply use to / not to + verb (infinitive without "to")

Ex:
She said, “Sit down." => She asked me to sit down.
She said, "Don't be lazy." => She asked me not to be lazy.
For affirmative use to + infinitive (without to)
For negative requests, use not to + infinitive (without to).
5. Conditional sentences
a. Zero conditional
When we report zero conditionals, the following tense changes may occur:
Anne: If John is cursing, it means that he is very angry.

=> Anne said that if John is cursing, it means that he is very angry. (It is still/always true)
=> Anne said that if John was cursing, it meant that he was very angry. (Referring to a past habit)
b. First conditional
When we report first conditionals, the following changes may occur:
Mark: If we leave now, we can catch the train.
=> Mark said that if we leave now, we can catch the train. (Reported simultaneously; we can still catch the
train)
=> Mark said that if we left, we could catch the train. (The reported words are out-of-date; the train has
already left)
c. Second conditional
When we report second conditionals, the following changes may occur:
 Future time
Catherine: If I lost my job, I would be in serious trouble. (Referring to a possible future situation)
=> Catherine said that if she lost her job, she would be in serious trouble. (The reported words are true; she
might still lose her job)
=> Catherine said that if she had lost her job, she would have been in serious trouble. (The reported words
are out-of-date; it's not possible that she will lose her job)
 Present time
Paul: If I knew the answer, I'd tell you. (Referring to an unreal present situation)
=> Paul said that if he knew the answer, he'd tell us.
d. Third conditional
When we report third conditionals, there are no changes in the verb forms:
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Tom: If we had booked our flight earlier, it would have been cheaper. (Referring to an unreal past situation)
=> Tom remarked that if they had booked their flight earlier, it would have been cheaper.
6. Other transformations
 Expressions of advice with must, should and ought are usually reported using advise / urge.
Ex:
“You must read this book.” => He advised / urged me to read that book.

 The expression let’s is usually reported using suggest. In this case, there are two possibilities for
reported speech: gerund or statement with should.
Ex:
“Let’s go to the cinema.”
1. He suggested going to the cinema.
2. He suggested that we should go to the cinema.
 Unreal tenses after wish / if only, would rather / would sooner, it's (high) time and as if / as though do
not change in indirect speech.
Ex:
- Susan: “I wish I lived in the mountains.”
=> Susan said she wished she lived in the mountains.
- Charles: “If only we hadn't missed the train.”
=> Charles wished they hadn't missed the train.
- Carol: “I'd rather go by bike than walk.”
=> Carol said that she would rather go by bike than walk.
- Mr. Wilkins: “I would rather you didn't smoke in here.”
=> Mr. Wilkins said he would rather I didn't smoke in his office.
- Newspaper article: “It's high time the government did something about this problem.”
=> The article said that it was high time the government did something about the problem.
- Jane: “He looks as if he knew the answer.”
=> Jane said that he looked as if he knew the answer.

II. PRACTISE EXERCISE
a. Rewrite into reported speech:
1. The spokesman said: “I can’t understand why billiards has been prohibited.”
2. Gihan exclaimed: “We have had too many prohibitions.”
3. The young lady said: “I did not make such a mistake.”
4. She said: “We’ll go and get some food.”
5. Winston Churchill said: “I wake up at six every day”
6. A company representative said: “This probably won’t happen.”

7. A farmer said: “If the situation goes on like this, we will lose the consumers” confidence forever”.
8. He added: “We need someone who will realize that celibacy has to be a personal choice”.
9. She said: “I think the amount of immigrants right now is OK, but I don’t think we need any more”.
10. He said: “In Japan paper-folding was valued for its decorative function”.
11. “If I don’t win this game, I will retire, ” Kasparov said.
12. The police said: “Youssef planned the World Trade Centre bombing”.
13. She said: “As a woman, my life will change with the new millennium”.
14. “I watched a documentary about dolphins on TV yesterday, ” said John.
15. “I’m living the adventure of my life, ” Banderas said.
16. Al Gore said: “As a teenager, one of the books that I read was Silent Spring.”
17. “I was taught information technology in this course, ” she said.
18. My aunt said: “Single men should drive slowly if they want to live longer.”
19. He said: “We are here today to reach consensus”
20. Last week Julia said: “We will meet our new instructor tomorrow”
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21. He said to one of them: “Let me see the streets once more before I die. I’ll be back in five minutes.”
22. “Please, don’t say anything to him”, he said.
23. “Don’t talk to me like that, ” said his mother.
24. She said: “Don’t smoke if you want to save money.”
25. “Buy me the paper if you’re going out”, Alice asked her brother.
26. He asked: “Do you often play rugby?”
27. The doctor asked: “Do you ever feel this pain in your stomach before meals?”
28. Michael asked her: “Where did you find these trainers?
29. Michael wondered: “Why do I do this every day?”
30. “What time did the film start?” she asked.
31. Her parents asked her: “Why do you want to become a bullfighter?”
32. They asked her mother: “Does he often come home late from school?”
33. The judge asked Karl: “How long have you known the accused?”
34. “What do you want?” she asked him.

35. “Are you coming with us?” he asked me.
36. He asked, “When do you intend to make the payment?”
37. “Do you come from China?” said the prince to the girl.
38. The poor man exclaimed, “Will none of you help me?”
39. “Which way should I go?” asked the little girl.
40. Aladdin said to the magician, “What have I done to deserve so severe a punishment?”
41. “Don’t you know the way home?” I said to her.
42. “Do you write a good hand?” the teacher said to the student.
43. “Have you anything to say on behalf of the accused?” said the judge finally.
44. “Have you anything to tell me, little bird?” asked Ulysses.
45. “Who are you, sir, and what do you want?” they asked.
46. The king was impressed with the magician and asked, “What can I do for you?”
47. She asked, “What is it that makes you stronger and braver than other men?”
48. “Can you solve this problem?” he asked me.
49. Jack: "I'll lend you my grammar book if you think it will help.
50. The doctor: "I'll send you the results as soon as they arrive."
51. She said “I´ve found my keys!”
52. They asked me “Did you see Tom at the cinema last night?”
53. He asked me “Do you know where the post office is?”
54. “Her parents are getting married next Friday” she assured us.
55. The news said “There has been a big earthquake in Japan”.
56. “Stop making so much noise!” the mother said to the children.
57. “Pam visited us yesterday” Pete said.
58. I told them “I was late for work this morning”.
59. The criminal confessed “Yes, I lied to the police”.
60. Their friends told them “We are going to be a bit late next Monday”.
61. Mary said: “My father died a year ago”.
62. “Must you go now?”, said Mr. Brown.
63. John said: “I have finished studying my lesson”.
64. He asked me: “Why didn’t you come to class yesterday?”

65. “Remember to buy some sugar”, my mother said.
 My mother asked
66. He said: “If I were you, I would tell her about that”
 He advised
67. “Don’t take more than two of these at once”, said the doctor.
 The doctor asked
68. The traveler asked: “How long does it take you to get to London?”
69. “Did you phone me yesterday?” Tom asked Mary.
70. “Would you like to have dinner with us tonight,” Mike said.
 Mike invited
71. “Why don’t you organize an English competition for our students?” said Ms. Lien.
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 Ms. Lien suggested
72. “You won the scholarship. Congratulations!” Mary told me.
 Mary congratulated
73. “You were cheating” said David to Henry.
 David accused
74. “It was kind of you to help me with my homework” Lan said to Hoa.
 Lan thanked
75. “I’m sorry I’m late, said Mr. Thanh.
 Mr. Thanh apologized
b. Multiple choice
1. Julia said that she ___________ there at noon.
A. is going to be B. was going to be C. will be D. can be
2. He _______ that he was leaving way that afternoon.
A. told me B. told to me C. said me D. says to me
3. She said to me that she __________ to me the Sunday before.
A. wrote B. has written C. was writing D. had written
4. I _________ him to sell that old motorbike.

A. said to B. suggested C. advised D. recommended
5. My parents reminded me ________ the flowers.
A. remember to plant B. plant C. to plant D. planting
6. I asked Martha ______ to enter law school.
A. are you planning B. is she planning C. was she planning D. if she was planning
7. Nam wanted to know what time ________.
A. does the movie begin B. did the movie begin
C. the movie begins D. the movie began
8. I wondered_______ the right thing.
A. whether I was doing B. if I am doing C. was I doing D. am I doing
9. The scientist said the earth ________ the sun.
A. goes round B. is going around C. went around D. was going around
10. Peter said that if he ________rich, he _________ a lot.
A. is – will travel B. were- would travel
C. had been – would have travelled D. was – will travel
11. They said that they had been driving through the desert__________.
A. the previous day B. yesterday C. the last day D. Sunday previously
12. He asked the children _________too much noise.
A. not to make B. not making C. don’t make D. if they don’t make
13. The man said that money ___________ the passport to everything.
A. will be B is C. was D. can be
14. The teacher said Columbus _________America in 1942.
A. discovered B. had discovered C. was discovering D. would discover
15. John said he _________ her since they ________ school.
A. hasn’t met – left B. hadn’t met - had left C. hadn’t met left D. didn’t meet – has left
16. The woman asked __________get lunch at school.
A. can the children B. whether the children could
C. if the children can D. could the children
17. Laura said that when she_________ to school, she saw an accident.
A. was walking B. has walked C. had been walking D. has been walking

18. He asked, “Why didn’t she take the final exam?” - He asked why __________ the final exam.
A. she took B. did she take C. she hadn’t taken D. she had taken
19. Ba said he__________ some good marks the semester before.
A. gets B. got C. had gotten D. have got
20. They told their parents that they___________ their best to do the test.
A. try B. will try C. are trying D. would try
21. She asked me where I___________ from.
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A. come B. coming C. to come D. came
22. She_________ me whether I liked classical music or not.
A. ask B. asks C. asked D. asking
23. He asked me who____________ the editor of that book.
A. was B. were C. is D. has been
24. He wants to know whether I ___________ back tomorrow.
A. come B. came C. will come D. would come
25. I wonder why he___________ love his family.
A. doesn’t B. don’t C. didn’t D. hasn’t
26. They asked me how many children___________.
A. if I had B. had I C. I have D. have I
27. Thu said she had been___________ the day before.
A. here B. there C. in this place D. where
28. The student said that the English test_______ the most difficult.
A. is B. was C. will be D. have been
29. He wanted to know _______ shopping during the previous morning.
A. if we had been going B. that if we had been going
C. we were going D. that we were going
30. He asked me _______ Robert and I said I did not know _______.
A. that did I know / who were he B. that I knew / who he had been
C. if I knew/ who he was D. whether I knew / who had he been

31. The mother asked her son _______.
A. where he had been B. whether I had been C. where has he been D. where had he been
32. Martin asked me _______.
A. how is my father B. how my father is C. how was my father D. how my father was
33. The host asked Peter _______ tea or coffee.
A. whether he preferred B. that he preferred C. did he prefer D. if he prefers
34. She asked me _______ my holidays _______.
A. where I spent / the previous year B. where I had spent/ the previous year
C. where I spent / last year D. where did I spend / last year
35. He advised _______ too far.
A. her did not go B. her do not go C. her not to go D. she did not go
36. John often says he _______ boxing because it _______ a cruel sport.
A. doesn’t like/ is B. did not like / were C. not liked / had been D. had not liked / was
37. Nancy asked me why I had not gone to New York the summer _______.
A. before B. ago C. last D. previous
38. He asked _______ him some money.
A. her to lend B. she to lend C. she has lent D. she lends
39. Andrew told me that they _______ fish two _______ days.
A. have not eaten / ago B. had eaten/ previous C. did not eat / before D. would not eat / last
40. Jason told me that he _______ his best in the exam the _______ day.
A. had done / following B. will do / previous C. would do/ following D. was going / previous
41. John asked me _______ in English.
A. what does this word mean B. what that word means
C. what did this word mean D. what that word meant
42. The mother told her son _______ so impolitely.
A. not behave B. not to behave C. not behaving D. did not behave
43. She said she _______ collect it for me after work.
A. would B. did C. must D. had
44. She said I _______ an angel.
A. am B. was C. were D. have been

45. I have ever told you he _______ unreliable.
A. is B. were C. had been D. would Be
46. I told him _______ the word to Jane somehow that I _______ to reach her during the early hours.
A. passing / will try B. he will pass / tried C. to pass/ would try D. he passed / have tried
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47. Laura said she had worked on the assignment since _______.
A. yesterday B. two days ago C. the day before D. the next day
48. John asked me _______ interested in any kind of sports.
A. if I were B. if were I C. if was I D. if I was
49. John asked me _______ that film the night before.
A. that I saw B. had I seen C. if I had seen D. if had I seen
50. The guest told the host that _______.
A. I must go now B. he must go now C. he had to go now D. he had to go then
51. Last week, our teacher told us that we __________ a spelling test at the end of the week on Friday.
A. can have B. did have C. would have D. had had
52. Three days ago a friend told me that she was going to visit me ____________ but she didn't arrive.
A. tomorrow B. next day C. the day before D. the next day
53. When I spoke to Belen, yesterday, she said that she ________ to a party the night before.
A. went B. had gone C. was going D. did go
54. The teacher asked us about our favorite sports and everybody said that they _____ football.
A. liked B. are liking C. were liking D. had like
55. I spoke to John on his mobile and asked him where he was. He told me that he ___________ in the
airport, waiting for his flight.
A. sat B. was sitting C. had sat D. has sat
56. On Tuesday, Abdul told the teacher that he had missed the lesson ______________ because he had gone
to the embassy in London.
A. yesterday B. before day C. the before day D. the day before
57. Last week, David telephoned the school and said that he _____________ to school because he had a
headache.

A. didn't come B. couldn't come C. doesn't come D. wasn't come
58. Guillermo told us that he _____ studying in England but that he didn't like English food.
A. likes B. liked C. had liked D. was liking
59. When we asked her, Jiang told us that she ______________ a ghost.
A. never saw B. never seen C. had never seen D. did never see
60. Maria told us that she was going to visit ___ parents in Italy the next week and wouldn't come to class.
A. my B. her C. your D. their
61. Peter said that he ________ Brad Pitt on a street in Bristol the day before but nobody believed him.
A. saw B. had saw C. seen D. had seen
62. I remember last month our teacher told us he would buy us chocolate _____________ but he forgot and
he never bought us any.
A. next week B. the next week C. the after week D. after week
63. He said he…………… at the “Ritz” Hotel.
A. is staying B. has stayed C. was staying D. will stay
64. He asked me where I…………….
A. have studied B. study C. am studying D. studied
65. Tina asked me how long I…………… a teacher.
A. have been B. had been C. am D. will be
66. She asked me…………….I liked pop music.
A. if B. whether C. that D. A&B
67. The students asked if I was going to teach them physics………………
A. the next day B. next day C. day next D. the day next
68. John asked me _______ in English.
A. what does this word mean B. what that word means
C. what did this word mean D. what that word meant
69. She said I _______ an angel.
A. am B. was C. were D. have been
70. Laura said she had worked on the assignment since _______.
A. yesterday B. two days ago C. the day before D. the next day
71. John asked me _______ interested in any kind of sports.

A. if I were B. if were I C. if was I D. if I was
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72. John asked me _______ that film the night before.
A. that I saw B. had I seen C. if I had seen D. if had I seen
73. “Go home,” said the teacher to us.
A. The teacher told us to go home B. The teacher said us to go home
C. The teacher told us go home D. The teacher told to us to go home
74. “Please bring me some fish soup,” he said to the waitress.
A. He asked the waitress bring him some fish soup.
B. He asked the waitress to bring her some fish soup.
C. He asked the waitress to bring him some fish soup.
D. He asked the waitress bring her some fish soup.
75. I said to Nick: “Where are you going?”
A. I asked Nick where was he going. B. I asked Nick where he was going.
C. I asked Nick where is he going. D. I asked Nick where he is going.
76. “You’d better apologise for being late,” said my mother.
A. My mother advised me to apologise for being late.
B. My mother suggested me to apologise for being late.
C. My mother suggested apologising for being late.
D. My mother warned me to apologise for being late.
77. “Don’t open your books, ” the teacher said to the pupils.
A. The teacher told the pupils to not open their books.
B. The teacher told the pupils did not open their books.
C. The teacher told the pupils not open their books.
D. The teacher told the pupils not to open their books.
78. He said, “My wife has just bought a diamond ring.”
A. He said that his wife had just bought a diamond ring.
B. He said that my wife had just bought a diamond ring.
C. He said that his wife has just bought a diamond ring.

D. he said that his wife just bought a diamond ring.
79. “I will come with you as soon as I am ready”, she said to Philip.
A. She said to Philip he will come to see you as soon as he I am ready.
B. She told Philip she will come to see her as soon as she was ready.
C. She told Philip she would come to see you as soon as she was ready.
D. She told Philip she would come to see him as soon as she was ready.
80. “I wrote to him yesterday”
A. She said to me I wrote to him the day before.
B. She told me she wrote to him yesterday.
C. She told me she had written to him yesterday.
D. She told me she had written to him the day before.
81. “He is talking to your sister”, She said to me.
A. She told me he was talking to your sister.
B. She told me she was talking to my sister.
C. She told me he was talking to my sister.
D. She told me he was talking to her sister.
82. Miss White said to him, “Why are you so late? Did your car have a flat fire?”
A. Miss White told him why was he so late and did your car have a flat fire.
B. Miss White asked him why was he so late and did your car have a flat fire.
C. Miss White asked him why was he so late and if your car have a flat fire.
D. Miss White asked him why he was so late and whether his car had a flat fire.
83. He said "If I had enough money, I could buy that dictionary."
A. He said if he had enough money, he could buy that dictionary
B. He said if he had had enough money, he could buy that dictionary.
C. He said if he had enough money, he could have bought that dictionary.
D. He said if he had had enough money, he could have bought that dictionary.
84. Tom: “Why don’t you study hard for the coming exam, Ba”
A. Tom advised me not to study hard for the coming exam
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B. Tom advised me to study hard for the coming exam
C. Tom advised Ba not to study hard for the coming exam
D. Tom advised Ba to study hard for the coming exam.
85. He asked me what………………………………………
A. time was it B. time is it
C. time it was D. none is correct.
86. She asked me…… the seat……… or not
A. If / had occupied B. Whether / was occupied
C. If / has been occupied D. Whether / occupied
87. The policeman asked us………
A. had any of us seen the accident happen. B. If had any of us seen the accident happen
C. Whether any of us had seen the accident happen D. that if any of us had seen the accident happen
88. I asked him ………., but he said nothing
A. what the matter was B. what was the matter
C. the matter was what D. what’s the matter was
89. James……… him up when the bus reached the square
A. told me wake B. asked me to wake C. said me to wake D. requested me waking
90. I wonder………….we’ll catch the bus………we’ll take a taxi
A. if / and whether B. whether / or that C. if / or that D. whether / or whether
91. Excuse me. Could you tell me………………?
A. what time is it B. what is the time C. what time it is D. it is what time
92. We wonder……….from his office after that scandal
A. why did he not resign B. why he did not resign
C. why he not resign D. why didn’t he resign
93. Jeff wanted to know……………
A. that why were his friends laughing B. why were his friends laughing
C. why his friends were laughing D. the reason why his friends laughing
94. Mr. Hawk told me that he would give me his answer the……… day
A. previous B. following C. before D. last
95. She…………him whether he liked the steak she cooked

A. asks B. wondered C. wanted to know D. asked
96. His neighbors sometimes wondered……….he did for a living
A. why B. when C. where D. what
97. Could you please tell me……………?
A. It is how far to the nearest bus stop B. how far is it to the nearest bus stop
C. how far to the nearest bus stop is it D. how far it is to the nearest bus stop
98. Marigold wondered……… Kevin and Ruth would be at the party
A. that B. whether C. if D. b& c
99. He asked me…………….
A. How long you have studied English. B. How long had you studied English
C. How long you had study English D. How long you had studied English
100. The passenger asked…………….we landed
A. what B. when C. if D. why
101. “I’ll tell you about this tomorrow, Mary.” said Tom.
A. Tom said to Mary that he will tell her about that the next day.
B. Tom told Mary that I would tell you about that the next day.
C. Tom told Mary that he would tell her about that the next day.
D. Tom told Mary that she would tell him about that the next day.
102. “I have something to tell you” Kerry said to Cheryl.
A. Kerry told Cheryl I had something to tell her.
B. Kerry told Cheryl he had something to tell her.
C. Kerry told Cheryl she had had something to tell him.
D. Kerry told Cheryl he had had something to tell her.
103. He said, “My wife has just bought a diamond ring.”
A. He said that his wife had just bought a diamond ring.
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B. He said that my wife had just bought a diamond ring.
C. He said that his wife has just bought a diamond ring.
D. he said that his wife just bought a diamond ring.

104. “I will come with you as soon as I am ready”, she said to Philip.
A. She said to Philip he will come to see you as soon as he I am ready.
B. She told Philip she will come to see her as soon as she was ready.
C. She told Philip she would come to see you as soon as she was ready.
D. She told Philip she would come to see him as soon as she was ready.
105. “I wrote to him yesterday”
A. She said to me I wrote to him the day before.
B. She told me she wrote to him yesterday.
C. She told me she had written to him yesterday.
D. She told me she had written to him the day before.
106. “He is talking to your sister”, She said to me.
A. She told me he was talking to your sister.
B. She told me she was talking to my sister.
C. She told me he was talking to my sister.
D. She told me he was talking to her sister.
107. “It is the time to check what you have done”, the father said to the boys.
A. The father said to the boys it was time to check what they had done.
B. The father told the boys it was time to check what they had done.
C. The father told the boys it was time to check what they have done.
D. The father told the boys it is time to check what they had done.
108. “You will like my sister when you meet her”
A. He told me you will like her sister when you meet her.
B. He told me I will like his sister when I met her.
C. He told me I would like his sister when I met her
D. He told me I would be liked his sister when I met her.
109. “I didn’t meet Susan last week”
A. He said he didn’t meet Susan the week before.
B. He said he hasn’t met Susan last week.
C. He said he hadn’t met Susan last week.
D. He said he hadn’t met Susan the week before.

110. “I didn’t break your watch”
A. The boy told the girl he hadn’t broken her watch.
B. The boy asked the girl he hadn’t broken her watch.
C. The boy told the girl he didn’t break her watch.
D. The boy told the girl he hadn’t broken your watch.
111. “I found a lot of mistakes in your plan”. Catherine said to Kevin.
A. Catherine told Kevin she found a lot of mistakes in his plan.
B. Catherine told Kevin she has found a lot of mistakes in his plan.
C. Catherine told Kevin she had found a lot of mistakes in his plan.
D. Catherine told Kevin she had found a lot of mistakes in her plan.
112. “I have just seen your mother this morning”.
A. Laura told Lewis I have just seen your mother this morning.
B. Laura told Lewis she had just seen his mother that morning.
C. Laura told Lewis she has just seen his mother that morning.
D. Laura told Lewis he had just seen her mother that morning.
113. “We are ready to come with our friends”
A. They told us they are ready to come with their friends.
B. They told us they were ready to come with our friends.
C. They told us we were ready to come with our friends.
D. They told us they were ready to come with their friends.
114. “I couldn’t get into the house because I had lost my key”
A. He said he couldn’t get into the house because he had lost my key.
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B. He said he hadn’t been able to get into the house because he had lost his key.
C. He said he had been able to get into the house because he had lost his key.
D. He said he hadn’t been able to get into the house because he lost his key.
115. “I was intending to meet you tomorrow”.
A. She told me she was intending to meet me tomorrow.
B. She told me she had intending to meet me the next day.

C. She told me she had been intending to meet me tomorrow.
D. She told me she had been intending to meet me the next day.
116. “Don’t make noise because I am listening music now”
A. He asked me not to make noise because I am listening music now
B. He asked me not to make noise because I was listening music then
C. He asked me not to make noise because he was listening music then
D. He asked me to make noise because I was listening music then
117. Cindy said that “I haven’t seen John since last month.”
A. Cindy said she doesn’t see John since the previous month.
B. Cindy said she wasn’t seen John since the previous month.
C. Cindy said she hasn’t seen John since the previous month.
D. Cindy said she hadn’t seen John since the previous month
118. He said me if I had done my homework.
A B C D
119. They wanted to know how much could you pay for it.
A B C D
120. You promised you will go on a picnic with us the next Sunday.
A B C D
121. They asked me what did happen last night, but I was unable to tell them.
A B C D
122. Ron said that he wasn’t sure, but the storm may stop already.
A B C D
123. The Captain said to his men, “Stand at ease.”
A. The Captain told his men that they should stand at ease.
B. The Captain wanted his men to stand at ease.
C. The Captain urged his men to stand at ease.
D. The Captain commanded his men to stand at ease.
124. The teacher said to Mahesh, “Congratulations! Wish you success in life.”
A. The teacher said congratulations to Mahesh and wished him success in life.
B. The teacher wished congratulations and success in life to Mahesh.

C. The teacher congratulated Mahesh and said with you success in life.
D. The teacher congratulated Mahesh and wished him success in life.
125. He said to the interviewer, “Could you please repeat the question?”
A. He requested the interviewer if he could repeat the question.
B. He requested the interviewer to repeat the question.
C. He requested the interviewer to please repeat the question.
D. He requested the interviewer if he could please repeat the question.
III. ANSWER KEYS
a. Rewrite into reported speech
1. The spokesman said that he couldn’t understand why billiards had been prohibited.
2. Gihan exclaimed that they had too many prohibitions.
3. The young lady said that she had not made such a mistake.
4. She said that that they would go and get some food.
5. Winston Churchill said that he woke up at six every day.
6. A. company representative said that probably wouldn’t happen.
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7. A. farmer said that if the situation went on like that they would lose the consumers’ confidence for ever.
8. He added that they needed someone who would realize that celibacy had to be a personal choice.
9. She said that she thought the amount of immigrants at that moment was OK, but she didn’t think they
needed any more.
10. He said that in Japan paper-folding had been valued for its decorative function.
11. Kasparov said that if he didn’t win that game he would retire.
12. The police said that Youssef had planned the World Trade Centre bombing.
13. She said that as a woman, her life would change with the new millennium.
14. John said that he had watched a documentary about dolphins on TV the day before.
15. Banderas said that he was living the adventure of his life.
16. Al Gore said that as a teenager, one of the books that he had read had been Silent Spring.
17. She said that she had been taught information technology in that course.
18. My aunt said that single men should drive slowly if they wanted to live longer.

19. He said that they were there that day to reach consensus.
20. Last week Julia said that they would meet their new instructor the following day.
21. He asked one of them to let him see the streets once more before he died, and then he promised to be
back in five minutes.
22. He begged her not to say anything to him.
23. His mother told him not to talk to her like that.
24. She advised him not to smoke if he wanted to save money.
25. Alice asked her brother to buy her the paper if he was going out.
26. He asked if he often played rugby.
27. The doctor asked me if I ever felt that pain in my stomach before meals.
28. Michael asked her where she had found those trainers.
29. Michael wondered why he did that every day.
30. She asked what time the film started.
31. Her parents asked her why she wanted to become a bullfighter.
32. They asked her mother if she often came home late from school.
33. The judge asked Karl how long he had known the accused.
34. She asked him what he wanted.
35. He asked me if I was coming/going with them.
36. He enquired when I/he/she intended to make the payment.
37. The prince asked the girl if she came from China.
38. The poor man exclaimed whether none of them would help him.
39. The little girl asked which way she should go.
40. Aladdin asked the magician what he had done to deserve so severe a punishment.
41. I asked her whether she did not know the way home.
42. The teacher asked the student if he/she wrote a good hand.
43. The judge finally asked whether he/she had anything to say on behalf of the accused.
44. Ulysses asked the little bird whether it had anything to tell him.
45. They asked who he was and what he wanted.
46. The king was impressed with the magician and asked what he could do for him.
47. She asked him what it was that made him stronger and braver than other men.

48. He asked me if I could solve that problem.
49. Jack said he would lend me his grammar book if I thought it would help.
50. The doctor said he would send me/us the results as soon as they arrived.
51. She said that she had found her keys.
52. They asked me if I had seen Tom at the cinema the night before / the previous night.
53. He asked me if I knew where the post office was.
54. She assured us that her parents were getting married the following Friday.
55. The news said that there had been a big earthquake in Japan.
56. The mother said to the children to stop making so much noise.
57. Pete said that Pam had visited them the day before / the previous day.
58. I told them that I had been late for work that morning.
59. The criminal confessed that he had lied to the police.
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60. Their friends told them that they were going to be a bit late the following Monday.
61. Mary said that her mother had died a year before.
62. Mr. Brown asked whether/ If I had to go then.
63. John said he had finished studying his lesson.
64. He asked me why I hadn’t come to class the previous day/ the day before.
65. My mother asked me to buy some sugar.
66. He advised me to tell her about that.
67. The doctor asked not to take more than two of them at once.
68. The traveler asked how long it took me to get to London.
69. Tom asked Mary whether/ if she had phoned him the day before/ the previous day.
70. Mike invited me to have dinner with them that night.
71. Ms. Lien suggested organizing an English competition for their students.
72. Mary congratulated me on winning the scholarship.
73. David accused Henry of cheating.
74. Lan thanked Hoa for helping her with her homework.
75. Mr. Thanh apologized for being late.

b. Multiple choice
1 B
26 C
51 C
76 A
101 C
2 A
27 B
52 D
77 D
102 B
3 D
28 B
53 B
78 A
103 A
4 C
29 A
54 A
79 D
104 D
5 C
30 C
55 B
80 D
105 D
6 D
31 A
56 D
81 C

106 C
7 D
32 D
57 B
82 D
107 B
8 A
33 A
58 B
83 A
108 C
9 A
34 B
59 C
84 D
109 D
10 B
35 C
60 B
85 C
110 A
11 A
36 A
61 D
86 B
111 C
12 A
37 A
62 B
87 C

112 B
13 B
38 A
63 C
88 A
113 D
14 A
39 B
64 D
89 B
114 B
15 B
40 C
65 B
90 D
115 D
16 B
41 D
66 D
91 C
116 C
17 C
42 B
67 A
92 B
117 D
18 C
43 A
68 D
93 C

118 A
19 C
44 B
69 B
94 B
119 C
20 D
45 A
70 C
95 D
120 B
21 D
46 C
71 D
96 D
121 B
22 C
47 C
72 C
97 D
122 D
23 A
48 D
73 A
98 D
123 D
24 A
49 C
74 C
99 D

124 D
25 A
50 D
75 B
100 B
125 B