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DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL Assignment Booklet
Indirapuram, Ghaziabad (Class – VII : ENGLISH)

Module : (16)
NOTES
DIRECT & INDIRECT SPEECH
DIRECT AND INDIRECT (OR REPORTED) SPEECH
There are two ways of relating what a person has said: Direct and Indirect

Direct Speech reports the exact words of the speaker.

e.g. -- She said, „I am going to Paris.‟---------------In this sentence the exact words of the
speaker are reproduced and is put within inverted commas.
The verb introducing the actual words of the speaker is called the Reporting Verb .In the
above example, the verb „said‟ is called the Reporting Verb.

Indirect Speech or Reported Speech reports what the speaker said without quoting his
or her exact words.
e.g.-- She said that she was going to Paris.----------------Here the words of the speaker
are reproduced in the past tense and are not within inverted commas.

GENERAL RULES FOR CHANGING DIRECT SPEECH (DS) INTO

INDIRECT SPEECH (IS)

1. Change in PRONOUNS
a. The pronouns of the First Person in the direct speech change into the
person and gender of the subject of the Reporting Verb in the indirect speech.
e.g.— He said, “I am not guilty.”(DS)
He said that he was not guilty.(IS)
b. The pronouns of the Second Person change into the person and gender of the
object of the Reporting Verb.
e.g.– He said to me, “You are right”(DS)
He told me that I was right.(IS)
c. The pronouns of the Third Person suffer no change.
e.g.– He said to her, “He is writing.”
He told her that he was writing.

2. Change in words and expressions of TIME and PLACE

The words and expressions showing nearness in time and place in the direct speech are
changed into words and expressions showing distance.

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DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL Assignment Booklet
Indirapuram, Ghaziabad (Class – VII : ENGLISH)

DIRECT SPEECH INDIRECT SPEECH

Ago before
Just then
Now then
Here there
This that
These those
Today that day
Tonight that night
Yesterday the previous day/ the
day before
Tomorrow the next day/ the
following day
Last night the previous night/the
night before
The next day the following day
The last night the previous night
Next week the following week

A. Rules for changing of STATEMENTS into Indirect Speech

1. The conjunction THAT is generally used before the reported speech in the form of a
statement.

2. If the reporting verb is in the present tense or future tense, the tense of the verb in
the reported Speech is not changed at all.
e.g.-The lady says, “I am a good cook.”(DS)
The lady says that she is a good cook. (IS)

The trainer will say, “The children are ready for the tournament.”(DS)
The trainer will say that the children are ready for the tournament.(IS)

3. If the reporting verb is in the past tense, the verb in the direct speech is changed into
the corresponding past form in the reported speech.
a. Simple present in the direct speech changes ---------TO-------------
Simple past in the indirect .

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DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL Assignment Booklet
Indirapuram, Ghaziabad (Class – VII : ENGLISH)

The boy said.”I am ill”

The boy said that he was ill.
b. Present continuous in the direct speech changes --------TO-----------Past
continuous in the indirect.
He said,” My mother is cooking food.”
He said that his mother was cooking food.
c. Present perfect in the direct speech changes---------TO----------Past
perfect in the indirect.
They said, ”We have finished our homework.”
They said that they had finished their homework.
d. Present perfect continuous in the direct speech changes -------
TO----------Past perfect continuous in the indirect.
He said, ”I have been waiting here for a long time”
He said that he had been waiting there for a long time.
e. The Simple Past in the direct speech changes---------To--------- Past
Perfect in the indirect.
He said, ”I bought a house in New Delhi.”
He said that he had bought a house in New Delhi.
f. The Past Perfect in the direct speech does not undergo any
change in the indirect speech
He said,” I had a wonderful dream last night”
He said that he had a wonderful dream the previous night.
g. The Past continuous in the direct speech changes ------TO-------
-Past perfect continuous in the indirect.
He said,” Ashok was swimming in the pool.”
He said that Ashok had been swimming in the pool.

B. Rules for changing QUESTIONS into Indirect

1. The Reporting Verb is changed into asked, inquired, demanded, wondered,

etc.
2. The word THAT is NEVER USED before a question in the indirect form.
3. When an interrogative sentence is introduced by an Auxiliary verb[ have, has,
may, do, did, are, were, will ,etc.]in the direct speech and the answer to these
questions is either YES or NO, then if or whether is used after such reporting verb
in the indirect speech.
4. All the questions beginning with interrogative words like-----how, why, where,
who, which, when, etc .do not take the word if or whether.

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DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL Assignment Booklet
Indirapuram, Ghaziabad (Class – VII : ENGLISH)

5. The question mark is dropped in the indirect speech.

e.g.-----I said to him, ”Is your brother at home?”
I asked him if his brother was at home.

The teacher asked me, ”What is your name?”

The teacher asked me what my name was.

She asked me,”Why did you insult me in the presence of my husband?”

She demanded of me why I had insulted her in the presence of her husband.

C. Rules for changing IMPERATIVE SENTENCES(commands, requests and

suggestions) into indirect.

1. The reporting verb is changed into ----- requested, commanded, begged,

entreated, ordered, advised ,threatened, etc.

2. The verb in the reported speech is put into the infinitive.

e.g.---He said to the students,” Do not make noise”
He forbade the students not to make noise.

“Shoot the prisoner,” said the tyrant.

The tyrant commanded them to shoot the prisoner.

He said, “Please give me another chance”

He begged them to give him another chance.

3. When LET in the direct speech expresses a proposal or suggestion, we use should
for let and change the reporting verb into proposed or suggested. But when
LET does not express proposal it should be changed into might or might be
allowed or into some other form according to the sense.
He said to me,” Let us go home.”
He proposed or suggested to me that we should go home.

He said, “Let me come in.”

He requested that he might be allowed to come in.

He said,” Let me have some milk.”

He wished that he might have some milk.

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DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL Assignment Booklet
Indirapuram, Ghaziabad (Class – VII : ENGLISH)

D. Rules for changing EXCLAMATIONS into indirect

1. The reporting verb is changed into exclaimed with joy/sorrow/ regret/ delight,
etc or any other verb that properly conveys the tone of the exclamation.

2. The exclamatory sentence is changed into an assertive one in the indirect speech.
He said,” What a fine bird it is!”
He exclaimed that it was a fine bird.

Alas! ------------exclaimed with sorrow

Hurrah!---------exclaimed with joy/ happiness
Ah!---------------exclaimed with delight
Oh!--------------exclaimed with regret
Ouch!-----------exclaimedwith pain
e.g. She said,” Hurrah! We have won the match.”
She exclaimed with joy that they had won the match.

The captain said to the goalkeeper,”Bravo! Well done!”

The captain applauded the goalkeeper .
E. EXCEPTIONS

1. If the direct speech consists of any universal truth or an established

/habitual fact, its tenses remain unchanged in the indirect speech.

e.g.---The teacher told the class,” The sun is a star.”

The teacher told the class that the sun is a star.

Section - B (Writing Skill)

As a Head Boy of Delhi Public School, Indirapuram, write a notice in not more than 50
words to be put up on the school notice board, asking the students to throw their waste
papers and other waste material at appropriate place. Warn the defaulters of suitable
punishment/penalty.

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DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL Assignment Booklet
Indirapuram, Ghaziabad (Class – VII : ENGLISH)

Section - C (Grammar)
I. Put these sentences into indirect speech:
(i) She says,” I like going to the sea side.”
(ii) One of the sailors said to Columbus, “When shall we reach our destination?”
(iii) I said to her, “Has anybody been unkind to you?”
(iv) My mother said to me,” Leave me alone for a while for I am too tired to help you
do your work.”
(v) She said,” Alas! I am the only cause of your sorrows.”
Section - D (Literature)
I. Answer with reference to context: -
1. “Where did you hear it”?
(i) Who does „you‟ refer to?
(ii) What is „it‟ that the speaker is talking about?
(iii) Where did the person hear it? Explain.

2. “Still, there‟s no harm in trying, I‟ll go to the fort today just to see.”
(i) What is the speaker going to try?
(ii) Why will the speaker go to the fort?
Vocabulary Enhancement- 16

A. Here are some phrases coined around the parts of your body. Match them with
their meanings.
Phrases Meanings
(i) to pull someone‟s leg a .to pay a very heavy price
(ii) to grease someone‟s palm b. to avoid friendship with someone
(iii) to put one‟s foot down c. to pay a bribe
(iv) to have one‟s tongue in one‟s cheek d. to say something with firmness
(v) to keep one‟s fingers crossed e. to tell one something in a joke,
which initially shocks or hurts
(vi) to pay through the nose f. not being sincere or serious about
something
(vii) to keep someone at arm‟s length g. to hope that everything will
happen as desired but to fear that
there may perhaps be some mishap

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DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL Assignment Booklet
Indirapuram, Ghaziabad (Class – VII : ENGLISH)

Proverb Time
P.29 It is always darkest before dawn
(The most difficult time is just before a problem is solved)
P.30 Learn to walk before you run
(Don‟t risk into doing something until you know how to do it)
==============================================

Module : (17)
Section - D (Literature)
D.1 Complete the following:
(a) The difficulties faced by Columbus on his voyage were ____________
(b) Columbus is called a wise man because ______________
D.2 Answer with reference to context:
(i) Still this brave man kept sailing on
In spite of sea or crew.
(a) Who is this brave man?
(b) Why was he sailing?
(c) What was wrong with the sea and the crew?

(ii) And that is why we celebrate Columbus Day each year”

(a) Who does‟ we‟ refer to?
(b) Why do they celebrate Columbus Day.?
Vocabulary Enhancement -17
A. Write words having almost the same meaning as the following. Select words from the
box below.
(i) aid ______ (iv) brief ______ (vii) miserly ______
(ii) pain______ (v) mourn______ (viii) shameful______
(iii) zeal______ (vi) allow ______ (ix) suitable______

help agony
permit disgraceful appropriate
stingy concise grieve enthusiasm
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DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL Assignment Booklet
Indirapuram, Ghaziabad (Class – VII : ENGLISH)

REVISION ASSIGNMENT-1
Section – A (Reading)
A. Read the passage carefully.

STRIPED SQUIRRELS
One of the trees in my compound is a Beri It is a large tree, the fruit is good, but we
hardly get any to eat. Birds and squirrels finish them much before they ripen.
It is amazing to watch a squirrel come and eat a ber. It plucks a fruit, holds it in its claws
and nibbles. It loses its grip and the fruit falls to the ground. The squirrel climbs down,
picks it up and starts eating it again. Squirrels are very economical. They do not waste.
Man should learn his economics from squirrels. Preserve and consume, rather than
consume and waste. The squirrels run around playfully and jump from one branch to the
other. As they move, the pretty stripes on their backs shake, weaving patterns of joy.
Stripes of squirrel attract many. I have seen people killing squirrels and stuffing the skin
to decorate their drawing rooms. What a callous aesthetic sense! The desire to possess
seems to have become stronger than the desire to enjoy. It is easier to possess a dead
squirrel (or any animal) than a live one. And man is busy destroying living beings and
adding non-living things on the planet earth in his possession spree.
A.1. On the basis of your reading of the above passage. Complete the following
statements.
(i) Squirrels are very agile creatures. This is evident from the following
(a) ________________ (b) ________________
(ii) The economic lesson squirrels can teach man is ___________
(iii) The author experiences joy in watching the squirrels eat fruit and ___________
(iv) Complete the following list of a squirrel‟s characteristics.
(a) humble (b) _________ (c) ____________
(v) The beautiful stripes of the squirrel sometimes prove fatal for her because ______.
A.1.2. Find words from the passage, which mean the same as the following:
(i) take small bites ________________
(ii) concerned with beauty ________________
(iii) to own ________________
(iv) insensitive and cruel ________________

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DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL Assignment Booklet
Indirapuram, Ghaziabad (Class – VII : ENGLISH)

Section – B (Writing Skill)

B.1. With the help of the notes given below write a paragraph on:

Women are as brave as men

“Woman‟s place is at home” a meaningless saying ……. “fair sex” no longer “protected species”
……….. respectable position in society……… honoured in any field of life……… examples of
great women in history………… good administrators ……….. examples, praiseworthy
politicians …………. Examples……….. defence, police forces how open to them………….
women fighter pilots, drivers,…………. Wherever a man, woman not far behind.

Section – C (Grammar)
C.1. Complete the paragraph by writing correct form of adjectives.
The elephant is the _________ (big) and the ________ (strong) of all animals. It is a
_______ (wisdom) animal and is very _________ (loyalty) to its master. It has a
_________ (power) sense of smell and can walk through _________ (rock) terrain.
C.2. Read the following conversation between Anuj and Anne and then complete the
passage that follows.

Is your book I like it.

interesting?

It is about an
What is it inquisitive fool
about? like you.

Anne
Anuj
Anuj saw a classmate Anne reading a book. He asked her ______. Anne replied
______ Anuj became serious and inquired ______. A giggling Anne commented that
_______.

C.3. The following passage has not been edited. There is an error in each of the lines.
Underline the incorrect word and the correction against the lines.
Recently I had to attend the birthday

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DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL Assignment Booklet
Indirapuram, Ghaziabad (Class – VII : ENGLISH)

party of an one-year old, the arrangements 1 ________________

for which were make at a five star 2 ________________
hotel . I went with mine friend. 3 ________________
I do not know what present to take 4 ________________
with such a small child. 5 ________________
Section – D (Literature)
D.1. Answer the questions:
(i) Why did Columbus sail across the sea?
(ii) What were Sarah‟s greatest strengths?
==============================================
REVISION ASSIGNMENT-2
Section – C (Grammar)
1. Do as directed:
(i) I ___________ for Jaipur tonight. (present continuous. of „leave‟)
(ii) The patient __________ before the doctor arrived (past perfect of „die‟)
(iii) She _________ two oranges already. (present perfect of „have‟)
(iv) Why _________the people ________ at me? (past continuous of „look‟)
(v) She __________ the poem. (present prefect continuous of „learn‟)
2. Fill in the blanks with appropriate kinds of adjectives indicated in the brackets.
(i) ________ girl is my sister. (Demonstrative)
(ii) ___________ subjects do you like? (Interrogative)
(iii) This is _______ book. (Possessive)
(iv) May I have ___________ tea? (Quantity)
3. Fill in the blanks with pronouns or conjunctions.
(i) There was noise around me_________ I was not disturbed.
(ii) Will you take _______dress to the dry cleaners?
(iii) Prem Chand is quite rich, _________ he is not contented.
(iv) I have no sympathy for those ______ lie.
(v) You must apologize, _______ you will be expelled from the school
4. Use the correct word from brackets and fill in the blanks.
(i) We will play the game __________. (fair / fairly)
(ii) The kite did not go very ______. (high / highly)
(iii) What a pity; there aren‟t _____pink roses. (some / any)
(iv) Only a _________students have come today. ( little / few)

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DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL Assignment Booklet
Indirapuram, Ghaziabad (Class – VII : ENGLISH)

(v) His eldest son __________ he loved so dearly settled abroad (who/ whom)
(vi) Take it. It is ___________ book. (your/ yours)
5s. Change these sentences from Active to Passive voice.
(i) Your conduct puzzles me.
(ii) A timely warning prevented the accident.
(iii) The teachers were discussing the examination results.
(iv) Somebody has stolen all the real roses.
Section – D (Literature)
Reference to context:
1. “This is hardly the place to accept a disciple.”
(i) Who is the speaker?
(ii) Who was the speaker going to accept as a disciple? Why?
(iii) What was the place like?
2. Answer the following questions:
(i) What happened when Sarah tried to speak? Why would she cry in frustration?
(ii) Who was the man who came to Salim? Why did he offer to teach music to Salim?
(iii) Why do you think Columbus is called a wise man?
Section – A (Reading)
-Read the poem carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Mother
Up before the sun
each day
churning butter
milling grain
while I lay lulled
by rhythms
she worked each step
of her destiny, locked
Within the halo of praise.
Did she ever sleep?
I have no memory of it.
Looking back
these ages of time
robust in my youth
I wonder now

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DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL Assignment Booklet
Indirapuram, Ghaziabad (Class – VII : ENGLISH)

what was milled

My mother
or the grain.
1. Given below is the summary of the poem. Complete it by writing the missing word /
words.
My mother worked very hard. Each day, she _________early in the morning
________the sun rose. She ____________butter and milled ________ while I ________
soundly _______ by these rhythms. I do not _______ if she ever slept. What I know is
that it was ________ who was milled and not the grain, by excessive hard work.

Section – B (Writing)
1. A book fair in collaboration with Scholastic will be held in your school next week. A
large number of books for all age groups will be available at concessional rates. You
are the head boy / girl of the school. Write a notice for the school notice board
inviting students to visit the fair.
2. You hate cruelty to animals and you are hurt to see the ill treatment given to the
animals. Write a letter to the Editor of a national newspaper on the need for a better
treatment of animals and calling for a total ban on their use in hazardous work and
sports.

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