Q.

Read the conversation between a teacher and student and

complete the passage that follows. (CBSE Set 2, 2022)
Neha: I’m really looking forward to the class picnic tomorrow.
Namita: Yes, after a long time we will be meeting our friends and teachers.
Neha told Namita (1) ______________ looking forward to the class picnic _____________.
Namita agreed that after a long time (2) ______________ friends and teachers.

Answers:
(1) that she was really, the next day
(2) they would be meeting their

Q. Read the conversation and complete the passage that follows:

(OD 2022)
Ritika: Can I borrow your Math book for a couple of days?
Mohit: Yes certainly, I have already studied for the test tomorrow.
Ritika asked Mohit (1) ……………. for a couple of days. Mohit agreed and said that (2)
……………. .
Answers:
(1) if she could borrow his Math book
(2) he had already studied for the test the next day.

Q. Read the conversation between a teacher and student and

complete the passage that follows. (Term 2 SQP 2021-22)
Biology Teacher: I instructed you to draw the diagram of bacteria. Why did you
submit a blank sheet?
Sameer: Sir, I had drawn the diagram of bacteria, but you can’t see it because it is
not visible to the naked eye
The biology teacher had instructed Sameer to draw the diagram of a bacterial cell
and asked him (a) ……..… a blank sheet. Sameer respectfully answered that he had
drawn the diagram but (b) …….…. to the naked eye.

Answers:
(a) why he had submitted
(b) he/ the teacher couldn’t see it because it is not visible
Q. Read the following dialogue between a mother and her son.
Complete the paragraph that follows by filling in the gaps
appropriately. (2012)
Marie: Did you see my new umbrella? Isn’t it fine?
Tony: Yes, it is! Did you buy it from the mall?
Marie: No, your father has brought it for me.
Marie asked her son Tony (a) …………… and she wanted to know whether it was a fine
one. Tony agreed and asked his mother (b) …………… His mother replied in the
negative and added that (c) ……………

Answers:
(a) if he had seen her new umbrella
(b) if she had bought it from the mall
(c) his father had brought it for her.

Note: A sentence in Simple Past (verb 2nd form or Did + Verb 1st form) need not always be
converted to Past Perfect (had + Verb 3rd form). But it is safe to convert to Past Perfect
as others (evaluators) may not be knowing it. Even CBSE marking schemes seem to
follow the safe rule i.e. Changing Past Tense to past Perfect tense. An example is
given below.
Direct: He said, “I saw the thief myself.”

Indirect: he said that he had seen the thief himself. (The safe rule to follow)
OR
He said that he saw the thief himself. (It is also correct – but mostly not followed)

Q. Read the following dialogue between Garima and Karan.

Complete the paragraph that follows by filling in the gaps
appropriately. [AI 2011]
Garima: So, after a decade in the industry, are you truly ‘satisfied’?
Karan: I love the film industry. It has its flaws though.
Garima: What do you mean by this statement?
Karan: We are a bunch of competitive, ambitious, sometimes petty people. But the
passion cements us together.
Garima asked Karan if after a decade in the industry (a) _________. Karan told her (b)
_________ although it had its flaws. Garima then enquired (c) _________. Karan
explained that they were a bunch of competitive, ambitious, sometimes petty people
but the passion cemented them together.

Answers:
(a) he was truly ‘satisfied’
(b) that he loved the film industry
(c) what he meant by that statement

Q. Choose the correct options to fill in the blanks to complete

Venu’s narration. [SQP 2020]
I saw Supanddi standing in the field. When I -(A)- doing there, he -(B)- he was trying
to win a Nobel prize. I was confused and enquired how standing in the rice field
would help him do so. He stumped me by saying that he -(C)- won Nobel prizes had
all been outstanding in their fields!
(A) (a) exclaimed what he was (b) told him what he was (c) asked him what he was
(d) says to him about what
(B) (a) ordered that (b) refused that (c) questioned that (d) replied that
(C) (a) has heard that people who has (b) was hearing that people who were (c) had
heard that people who had (d) did hear that people who had

Answers:
(A) – (c)
(B) – (d)
(C) – (c)

Q. Choose the correct options to fill in the blanks to complete the

narration of Patty’s conversation with Charlie. [SQP 2020]
Charlie: Dear Santa, here is a list if what I want.
Patty: How do you suppose Santa Claus can afford to give away all those toys?
Charlie: Promotion! Don’t kid yourself……Everything these days is promotion! I will
bet if the truth were brought about, you will find that he’s being financed by some big
eastern chain!
While making the list of what Charlie wanted from Santa Claus, he asked Patty how
…..(A)….. all those toys. She said that …..(B)….. and that it was possible as Santa
…..(C)….. big eastern chain.
(A) (a) Santa Claus could afford to give away
(b) will give away
(c) gave away
(d) giving away
(B) (a) everything these days were promotion
(b) everything these days was promotion
(c) everything those days was promotion
(d) everything these days was going to be promotion
(C) (a) was financing by some big eastern chain
(b) had been financed by some big eastern chain
(c) was being financed by some big eastern chain
(d) will be financed by some big eastern chain
Answers:
(A) – (a)
(B) – (c)
(C) – (c)

Q. Read the following sentences and change them into reported speech.

1. Mimi said, “I have been writing this letter.”

2. I said, “Sam’s driving the car.”

3. My uncle said, “I am cooking lunch.”

4. My brother said, “I had already eaten.”

5. The old lady said to the girl, “Where do you come from?”

6. Jon said, “I like to play rugby.”

7. My mother said, “I get up early every morning.”

8. The maths teacher said, “Three divided by three is one.”

9. Mohit said, “Switzerland is a very beautiful country.”

10. Ruben said, “It is very cold outside.”

11. The teacher said, “The French Revolution took place in 1789.”

12. Uma said, “I saw a Royal Bengal Tiger in the zoo.”

13. Luke said, “I can do this homework.”

14. Aswini said to her mother, “I have passed the test”.

15. Daphne said to Antony, “I will go to London tomorrow.”

16. The boy said, “My father is sleeping.”

17. The traffic police said to us, “Where are you going?”

18. The man shouted, “Let me go.”

 19. Shivina said, “Alas! I am lost.”

20. “I know her contact number,” said Helena.

21. Stefen said, “My granny is making pasta.”

22. Raj said to Simran, “Have you ever been to the National Museum?”

23. Anish said to Sid, “Please lend me the book.”

24. The teacher said to the parents, “Shelly is working very hard.”

25. Joshua said, “I have completed my assignment.”

26. I said to Alka, “How long will you stay here?”

27. The child told his dad, “I want an ice cream.”

28. Meera said, “I am not feeling well.”

29. The teacher said to Vivek, “Draw the diagram of the plant’s parts.”

30. Irin said, “I am playing the piano.”

31. My mother said to me, “Help me carry this bag.”

32. Rahul said, “My sister is very helpful.”

33. The news reporter said, “The flight will be delayed by a few hours due to heavy rains.”

34. Urmi said to her mother, “I want a slice of pizza.”

35. I said to Daniel, “Are you reading this book?”

Answers

1. Mimi said that she had been writing that letter.

2. I said that Sam was driving the car.

3. My uncle said that he was cooking lunch.

4. My brother said that he had already eaten.

5. The old lady asked the girl where she came from.

6. Jon said that he likes to play rugby.

7. My mother said that she gets up early every morning.

8. The maths teacher said that three divided by three is one.

9. Mohit said that Switzerland was a very beautiful country.

10. Ruben said that it was very cold outside.

11. The teacher said that the French Revolution took place in 1789.

12. Uma said that she saw a Royal Bengal Tiger in the zoo.

13. Luke said that he could do that homework.

14. Aswini told her mother that she had passed the test.

15. Daphne informed Antony that she would go to London the next day.

16. The boy said that his father was sleeping.

17. The traffic police asked us where we were going.

18. The man shouted to them to let him go.

19. Shivina exclaimed sadly that she was lost.

20. Helena said that she knew her contact number.

21. Stefen said that his granny was making pasta.

22. Raj asked Simran if she had ever been to the National Museum.

23. Anish requested Sid to lend him the book.

24. The teacher told the parents that Shelly was working very hard.

25. Joshua said that he had completed his assignment.

26. I asked Alka how long she would stay there.

27. The child told his dad that he wants an ice cream.

28. Meera said that she was not feeling well.

29. The teacher instructed Vivek to draw the diagram of the plant’s parts.

30. Irin said that she was playing the piano.

31. My mother asked me to help her carry the bag.

 32. Rahul said that his sister was very helpful.

33. The news reporter said that the flight would be delayed by a few hours due to heavy
rains.

34. Urmi said to her mother that she wanted a slice of pizza.

35. I asked Daniel if he was reading that book

Q. Read the following sentences and change them into reported speech

1. Suman said, “I get up early every morning.”

2. The maths teacher said, “three multiplied by three is nine.”

3. The tourist said, “India is a very beautiful country.”

4. Tina said, “It is hot outside.”

5. The teacher said, “The Sepoy Mutiny took place in 1857.”

6. Ira said, “I saw an elephant in the zoo.”

7. Peter said, “I can do this work.”

8. Uma said to her mother, “I have passed the exam”.

9. Ajay said to Lucy, “I will go to Bangalore tomorrow.”

10. Lewis said, “my mother is sleeping.”

11. Tamal said to Naira, “When are you leaving?”

12. “Where do you live?” the old man asked Timothy.

13. The teacher asked Arjun, “Why are you talking?”

14. Olena said to Andrew, “Bring me my rifle.”

15. “Call the first convict,” said the jury.

16. “Please call the ambulance,” said the woman.

17. Betty said to me, “I will cook today’s dinner.”

18. The teacher said to me, “You are very intelligent.”

19. My mother said to me, “Please wait here till I come back.”

20. The coach said to David, “Bravo! You have played well.”

21. Ramen said, “Alas! My kitten passed away.”

22. Bruce said, “I may go to the party.”

23. Miss Davis said to the student, “Did you listen to me?”

24. The lady said, “Let me come in.”

25. Granny said to me, “May God bless you.”

26. The policeman said to us, “Where are you going?”

27. The boy shouted, “Let me go.”

28. Shilpa said, “Alas! I am undone.”

29. “I know his address,” said Rupert

30. Punit said, “My mother is writing letters.”

31. Rishav said to Roshni, “Have you ever been to the Taj Mahal?”

32. Anu said to Shivina, “Please lend me a pencil.”

33. Logan said, “When are you coming home?”

34. Rory said to her colleagues, “We have successfully achieved our goal.”

35. The teacher said to the students, “Make sure you hand over your papers before 12 p.m.”

36. My mom said, “Everything is going to be fine.”

37. Luke said, “I will cook for you tomorrow.”

38. Manisha said, “I think I will have a shot at it next year.”

39. Soumia said, “I am wearing a black dress for Achu’s reception.”

40. The manager said, “All the rooms have been allocated according to your choices.”
41. My grandmother said, “I have some work to do.”

42. Lakshmi said, “I am a tailor.”

43. Madhav said, “The cricket team did their best.”

44. Dhoni said, “Can you help me with the luggage?”

45. My parents said, “We loved the passion fruit dessert.”

46. Danny said, “I am starting work from tomorrow.”

47. The police officer said, “We are investigating the matter.”

48. Emily said to Richard, “You are raising your voice.”

49. Josh said, “I love shrimp.”

50. Naomi said, “Was Farsana present yesterday?”

Answers

1.Suman said that she got up early every morning.

2. The maths teacher said that three multiplied by three is nine

3. The tourist said that India was a very beautiful country.

4. Tina said that it was hot outside.

5. The teacher said that the Sepoy Mutiny took place in 1857.
6. Ira said that she saw/had seen an elephant in the zoo.

7. Peter said that he could do that work.

8. Uma told her mother that she had passed the exam.

9. Ajay informed Lucy that he would go to Bangalore the next day.

10. Lewis said that his mother was sleeping

11. Tamal asked Naira when she was leaving.

12. The old man asked Timothy where he lived.

13. The teacher asked Arjun why he was talking.

14. Olena ordered Andrew to bring her rifle.

15. The jury ordered to call the first convict.

16. The woman requested to call an ambulance.

17. Betty said to me that she would cook that day’s dinner.

18. The teacher told me that I was intelligent.

19. My mother requested me to wait there till she returned.

20. The coach applauded David, saying that he had played well.

21. Ramen exclaimed sadly that his kitten had passed away.
22. Bruce said that he might go to the party.

23. Miss Davis asked the student if he was listening to her.

24. The lady asked to let her come in.

25. Granny prayed that God might bless me.

26. The policeman enquired where we were going.

27. The boy shouted to them to let him go.

28. Shilpa exclaimed sadly that she was undone.

29.Rupert said that he knows/knew his address.

30. Punit said that his mother was writing letters.

31. Rishav asked Roshni if she had ever been to the Taj Mahal.

32. Anu requested Shivina to lend her a pencil.

33. Logan asked when I was coming home.

34. Rory said to her colleagues that they have successfully achieved their goal.

35. The teacher told the students to make sure that they handed over their papers before
12:00 p.m.

36. My mom said that everything was going to be fine.

37. Luke said that he would cook for me the next day.
38.Manisha said that she thought she would have a shot at it the next year.

39.Soumia said that she was wearing a black dress for Achu’s reception.

40. The manager said that all the rooms have been allocated according to their choices.

41. My grandmother said that she had some work to do.

42. Lakshmi said that she was a tailor.

43. Madhav said that the cricket team did/had done their best.

44. Dhoni asked if I could help him with the luggage.

45. My parents said that they loved the passion fruit dessert.

46. Danny said that he was starting work from the next day.

47. The police officer said that they were investigating the matter.

48. Emily said to Richard that he was raising his voice.

49. Josh said that he loved shrimp.

50. Naomi asked if Farsana was present the previous day.

*Q. Change the following sentences into Indirect Speech.*

1. “Are there any more files?” He asked. “Yes, sir,” said the peon.

2. . The teacher said to Rena, “Did you break the window pane?” “No, sir,” said Reena, “I did
not.”
3. “If you find my answers satisfactory, will you give me five rupees?” said the astrologer.
“No,” replied the customer.

4. I said to him, “Do you want to go to Delhi?” He said, “No, sir.”

5. Rahul said to me, “Does Mohit still play?” I said, “Yes, sir.”

6. Malik said to her, “Has Sara invited you to dinner?”

7. I said to her, “Did you enjoy the film?” She said, “No, sir.”

8. Sachin said, “Sonam, do you see what I see?” Sonam said, “Yes.”

9. He said, “Do you not like it?” She said, “Yes.”

10. She said to me, “Shall we ever see each other again?” I said, “Perhaps, never.”

Answers

1. He asked the peon if there were any more files. The peon replied respectfully in the
affirmative.

2. The teacher asked Reena if she had broken the window pane. Reena replied respectfully
that she had not done it.

3. The astrologer asked the customer if he would give him five rupees if he found his
answers satisfactory. The customer replied in negative.

4. I asked him if he wanted to go to Delhi and he replied respectfully in negative.

5. Rahul asked me if Mohit still played and I replied respectfully in positive.

6. Malik asked her if Sara had invited her to dinner.

7. I asked her if she had enjoyed the film. She replied respectfully in negative.

8. Sachin asked Sonam if she saw what he saw. She replied in affirmative.

9. He asked if she did not like that and she replied in affirmative.

10. She asked me if we would ever see each other again but I replied that we would perhaps
never.

II – Interrogative Sentences – Q. Word Type (Question begins with a Q. Word)

Q. Change the following sentences into indirect speech.

1. He said to me, “Whom does she want to contact?”

2. They said to her, “Whose house are you purchasing?”

3. You said to him “Why are you making mischief?”

4. They said to us, “How have you solved this sum?”

5. We said to them, “Who has misguided you?”

6. They said to him, “Where have you been wandering since yesterday?”

7. She said to me, “Why were you hiding today?”

8. Raja said to us, “When do you expect to see me again?”

9. He said to her, “What shall I be offering you with tea?”

10. We said to them, “When shall we have paid you a visit?”

Answers

1. He asked me whom she wanted to contact.

2. They asked her whose house she was purchasing.

3. You asked him why he was making mischief.

4. They asked us how we had solved that sum.

5. We asked them who had misguided them.

6. They asked him where he had been wandering since the previous day.

7. She asked me why I had been hiding that day.

8. Raja asked us when we expected to see him again.

9. He asked her what he would be offering her with tea.

10. We asked them when we would have paid them a visit.

Miscellaneous Exercises on Interrogative Sentences

I. Change the following sentences into Indirect Speech.

1. “What is your name?” asked the teacher.

2. “Where did you go yesterday?” she asked me.

3. “Are you feeling better now?” he asked her.

4. “Will you come with me?” he asked her.

5. “Why did you break the vase?” he asked his son.

6. “What are you doing here?” asked John.

7. “Have you finished your homework?” the teacher asked.

8. “Why did you leave the party so early?” she asked

9. “Are you going to the concert tonight?” said Tom.

10. Where did you put my phone?” asked Sarah.

Answers:

1. The teacher asked me what my name was.

2. She asked me where I had gone the previous day.

3. He asked her if she was feeling better then

4. He asked her if she would go with him

5. He asked his son why he had broken the vase.

6. John asked what I was doing there.

7. The teacher asked if I had finished my homework.

8. She asked why I had left the party so early.

9. Tom asked if I was going to the concert that night.

10. Sarah asked where I had put her phone.

Q. Change the speech

1.The doctor said to me, "Stop smoking!".

The doctor advised me to stop smoking.

2."Get out of the car!" said the policeman.

The policeman ordered him to get out of the car.

3."Could you please be quiet," she said.

She asked me to be quiet.

4.The man with the gun said to us, "Don't move!"

The man with the gun warned us not to move

5."Can I have an apple?", she asked.

She asked for an apple.

6."Can I have the newspaper, please?"

He asked for the newspaper.

7."May I have a glass of water?" he said.

He asked for a glass of water.

8."Sugar, please." She said

She asked for the sugar.

9."Could I have three kilos of onions?"

He asked for three kilos of onions.

10.She said, "Why don't you get a mechanic to look at the car?"

She suggested that I should get a mechanic to look at the car. OR

She suggested I should get a mechanic to look at the car. OR

She suggested that I get a mechanic to look at the car. OR

She suggested I get a mechanic to look at the car.

11."Why don't you go to the doctor?" he said.

He suggested I go to the doctor. OR

He suggested that I go to the doctor. OR

He suggested I should go to the doctor. OR

He suggested that I should go to the doctor.

12."It would be a good idea to see the dentist", said my mother.

My mother suggested to see the dentist.

13.The dentist said, "I think you should use a different toothbrush".

The dentist recommended using a different toothbrush.

14.My manager said, "I think we should examine the budget carefully at this meeting."

My manager proposed to examine the budget carefully at that meeting.