Direct and Indirect Speech Quiz

Find the odd one out:

1. She asked whether he had been working late.
2. She asked, “Had you been working late?”
3. She said he had been working late.
4. She asked if he has been working late.

Answer: (d) She asked if he has been working late.

Find the odd one out:

1. He asked, “Where have you been all this time?”
2. He asked where I had been all that time.
3. He asked where had I been all this time.
4. He wanted to know where I had been all that time.

Answer: (c) He asked where had I been all this time.

Identify the error in the indirect speech conversion: Direct Speech: “Did you enjoy the concert?” asked the host. Indirect Speech: The host asked did I enjoy the concert.

1. The verb tense is incorrect.
2. The sentence structure is wrong for indirect speech
3. The question word is missing.
4. The reporting verb is wrongly used.

Answer: (b) The sentence structure is wrong for indirect speech

Read the following sentences in direct and indirect speech. One pronoun (reflexive/pronoun) in the indirect sentence is incorrect. Choose the correct version with the appropriate pronoun. Direct Speech: The artist said, “I taught myself how to sculpt during the lockdown.” Indirect Speech (with incorrect pronoun): The artist said that he had taught themselves how to sculpt during the lockdown.

1. The artist said that he had taught themselves how to sculpt during the lockdown.
2. The artist said that they had taught himself how to sculpt during the lockdown.
3. The artist said that he had taught herself how to sculpt during the lockdown.
4. The artist said that he had taught himself how to sculpt during the lockdown.

Answer: (d) The artist said that he had taught himself how to sculpt during the lockdown.

Match the rules of direct and indirect speech in Column A with their correct explanations or examples in Column B. Choose the correct option. Column A (Rules) Column B (Explanation/Example) 1 Change of pronouns a “today” changes to “that day”; “tomorrow” changes to “the next day” 2 Change of tense b “I am happy,” she said → She said that she was happy. 3 Change of time expressions c “We are playing,” they said → They said that they were playing. 4 Reporting verbs like "say," "tell," etc. d “He said to me” becomes “He told me”

1. 1-c, 2-b, 3-a, 4-d
2. 1-b, 2-c, 3-d, 4-a
3. 1-d, 2-a, 3-c, 4-b
4. 1-a, 2-d, 3-b, 4-c

Answer: (a) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a, 4-d

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb or structure, choosing the most appropriate option to complete the sentence in Indirect Speech. “Have you ever visited the Louvre?” she asked the tourist. → She asked the tourist whether he ____ visited the Louvre.

1. ever had
2. had ever
3. has ever
4. would ever

Answer: (b) had ever

Match the following: narration of the same statement in different tenses: Column A – Direct Speech Column B – Indirect Speech A The professor says, “I regard this manuscript as a milestone in literary history.” 1 The professor says that he regards that manuscript as a milestone in literary history. B The professor said, “I regarded this manuscript as a milestone in literary history.” 2 The professor said that he had regarded that manuscript as a milestone in literary history. C The professor will say, “I regard this manuscript as a milestone in literary history.” 3 The professor will say that he regards that manuscript as a milestone in literary history. D The professor said that he regarded that manuscript as a milestone in literary history. 4 (No indirect speech provided as it is already in indirect speech form)

1. A3, B2, C4
2. A4, B3, C2
3. A2, B4, C1
4. A2, B1, C3

Answer: (d) A2, B1, C3

Which of the following is the correct direct speech? Indirect Speech: She remarked that although the performance had started late, it had exceeded all her expectations.

1. She said, “Though the performance starts late, it exceeds all my expectations.”
2. She said, “Though the performance started late, it exceeded all my expectations.”
3. She remarked, “Although the performance had started late, it exceeded all my expectations.”
4. She said, “Though the performance had started late, it has exceeded all my expectations.”

Answer: (c) She remarked, “Although the performance had started late, it exceeded all my expectations.”

Complete the dialogue in direct speech: Officer: You were speeding. Can I see your license, please? Driver: __________________________

1. I apologise, officer. I didn’t realise I was over the speed limit. Here’s my license.
2. Sorry, I not realise I’m going too fast.
3. I am sorry, I don’t realise I speed.
4. Sorry, officer. I no realise the speeding.

Answer: (a) I apologise, officer. I didn’t realise I was over the speed limit. Here’s my license.

Complete the dialogue in indirect speech: Interviewer: Why do you want to leave your current job? Candidate said that __________________________.

1. he was wanted to leave his current job and explore other places.
2. he wants to leave his current job because he is looking for challenges.
3. he wanted to leave his current job because he was looking for new challenges and growth opportunities.
4. he want to leave his job as he was not growing.

Answer: (c) he wanted to leave his current job because he was looking for new challenges and growth opportunities.