REPORTED SPEECH

Teacher: Hong Hung – Student:……………………………..

1. Underline the correct word or phrase in each sentence.

a) The government spokesperson denied/refused that there was a crisis.
b) Jane said me/told me there was nothing the matter.
c) Peter persuaded me/insisted me to stay to dinner.
d) The director of studies advised me/suggested me to spend more time in the library.
e) Sheila explained me/warned me not to leave the heater on all night.
f) The chairperson mentioned us/reminded us that time was extremely short.
g) Bill answered them/replied them with a detailed description of his plans.
h) Michael and Sarah announced/reported that they were going to get married,
i) Paul accepted/expected that he had made a mistake, and apologised,
j) The manager confirmed/reassured that our room had been reserved.

2. Rewrite each sentence in reported speech, using the verbs given in the
appropriate verb form. Some may be negative.
a) 'I think I'll take the brown pair/ said the customer.
 …………………………………………………………………………. (decide)
 …………………………………………………………………………. (decide) + (will)
 …………………………………………………………………………. (say) + (will)

b) 'Me? No, I didn't take Sue's calculator.' said Bob.

 …………………………………………………………………………. (deny)
c) 'Don't forget to buy some milk, Andy,' said Clare
 …………………………………………………………………………. (remind)
 …………………………………………………………………………. (say) + (should)
 …………………………………………………………………………. (remind) + (need)
d) 'I'm sorry I couldn't come on Saturday,' said David
 …………………………………………………………………………. (say) + (could)
 …………………………………………………………………………. (say) + (be able to)
 …………………………………………………………………………. (apologise for)
e) 'Why don't you go back to Singapore, Brian?' I said.
 …………………………………………………………………………. (ask) + (do)
 …………………………………………………………………………. (suggest) + (should)
 …………………………………………………………………………. (suggest)
f) 'Make sure you don't take the A20, Tim,' said Jack
 …………………………………………………………………………. (say) + (should)
 …………………………………………………………………………. (warn)

3 Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first
sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given.
a) 'Helen, would you like to come to lunch on Sunday?' asked Mary. if
Mary ………………………………………………………….. to come to lunch on Sunday
b) 'You are not allowed to smoke in your room, Dick/ said his mother. forbade
Dick's mother ………………………………………………………….. in his room.
c) Sue thought it would be a good idea for me to see a doctor. advised
Sue ………………………………………………………….. see a doctor.
d) The minister proposed regular meetings for the committee. suggested
The minister ………………………………………………………….. should meet regularly.

Teacher: Hong Hung Nguyen Page 1

 REPORTED SPEECH

e) Jack demanded urgent action from the police. do

Jack demanded ………………………………………………………….. something urgently.
f) My bank manager invited me to visit him at home. could
My bank manager ………………………………………………………….. visit him at home.
g) 'No, I really don't want to stay the night, Sophia,' Ann said. Staying
An insisted ………………………………………………………….. the night at Sophia's house.

h) 'I'll call off the football match if you don't behave,' the teacher said. Threatened
The teacher ………………………………………………………….. the children's behaviour improved.

i) 'Ok mum, I'll do my homework, I promise,' said Laura. That

Laura ………………………………………………………………………………….. do her homework.
j) 'Congratulations on getting engaged, Sue,' said Harry. congratulated
Harry ………………………………………………………….. …………………………..engagement.

4 Underline the most suitable word to complete each sentence.

a) I thought Jim would say something about his new job. But he didn't mention/state/declare it.
b) Sorry, I wasn't being insulting. I simply offered/reassured/remarked that you seem to have put on rather a
lot of weight recently.
c) The police requested/estimated/advised that the crowd was under 50,000, although the organisers of the
march put it at nearer 100,000.
d) The children complained/threatened/persuaded that their parents were always checking up on them.
e) It has been objected/hoped/predicted that by the year 2050 some capital cities will be almost uninhabitable
because of the effects of air pollution.
f) During the months before Smith's transfer from City, it had been rumoured/doubted/threatened that he and
the manager had come to blows in the dressing-room, though this was denied by the club.
g) Brown forbade/recommended/claimed that the arresting officers had treated him roughly, and that one of
them had punched him in the eye.
h) An army spokesman stressed that all troops patrolling the streets had been denied/ordered/announced to
issue clear warnings before firing any shots.
i) Although he didn't say so directly, the Prime Minister told/ordered/suggested that an agreement between the
two sides was within reach.
j) The witness suggested/insisted/gave her name and address to the court before the cross-examination began.
5 Complete the text with one word in each space.
The case of the break-in at a Cambridge home entered its third day today. The accused's defence was based on
the fact that he (1) ...could….. not have entered the house at 6.30. He claimed (2) ……………………………..
have been playing football at the time, and stated that several witnesses could confirm this. At this point, the
prosecution (3) …………………………….. him of changing his story, as he had previously stated that he had
been at home at the (4) …………………………….. of the break-in. The defendant agreed that his memory
(5) …………………………….. not in the best of shape, as he had been (6) …………………………….. from
bouts of depression. The judge stepped in, reminding the defendant that he (7) ……………………………..
taken an oath to tell the truth, and warning (8) …………………………….. of the severe consequences of
lying in court. The defendant said that he had simply forgotten (9) …………………………….. the football
match, and insisted (10) …………………………….. he was not changing his story .

Teacher: Hong Hung Nguyen Page 2