reported speech exercises online quiz

Reported Speech Quiz

Test your understanding of Reported Speech in English with this Reported Speech Quiz. Reported Speech, also known as indirect speech, is used to convey what someone else said without quoting their exact words. It often involves changes in tense, pronouns, and time expressions to suit the reporting context. For example, direct speech: “ I am learning English, ” becomes in reported speech: “ She said she was learning English. ” This quiz has 15 questions and each question will ask you to change the direct speech into reported speech. Take The Quiz Below!

Direct: "I am watching a movie." Reported: She said that she __________ a movie.

Direct: "I will go to the store." Reported: He said that he __________ to the store.

Direct: "We have finished our homework." Reported: They said that they __________ their homework.

Direct: "I can play the piano." Reported: She said that she __________ the piano.

Direct: "I am going to watch a movie tonight." Reported: He said that he __________ a movie that night.

Direct: "We are meeting our friends tomorrow." Reported: They said that they __________ their friends the next day.

Direct: "I have been reading a book." Reported: She said that she __________ a book.

Direct: "I ate pizza last night." Reported: He said that he __________ pizza the night before.

Direct: "We will finish the project by tomorrow." Reported: They said that they __________ the project by the next day.

Direct: "I saw him yesterday." Reported: She said that she __________ him the day before.

Direct: "I must leave now." Reported: He said that he __________ right away.

Direct: "We can't come to the party." Reported: They said that they __________ to the party.

Direct: "I did not see him at the event." Reported: She said that she __________ him at the event.

Direct: "I have been feeling unwell." Reported: He said that he __________ unwell.

Direct: "We were planning to visit you." Reported: They said that they __________ to visit you.

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Not learned about reported speech yet? Then check out this Reported Speech Guide which includes lots of examples to help you master this important part of English grammar.

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Reported Speech Quiz

In this reported speech quiz you get to practice online turning direct speech into indirect speech.

Remember that to turn direct speech to reported speech you need to use backshifting with the tenses. So for example, the present simple turns to the past simple and the past simple turns to the past perfect. Pronouns can also change.

It can be difficult if you are new to it, so if you are unsure of how to do it, before taking the quiz check out the reported speech tense conversion rules . 

• John said, "I want to see a film".
• Tina said, "I am tired".
• He said, "Tom hit me very hard".
• I said, "I feel happy".
• She said, "We are learning English".
• Sandra said, "I liked him a lot".
• He said, "We all eat meat".
• Max said, "I will help".
• Gene said, "I must leave early".
• She said, "I had tried everything".

More on Reported Speech:

Direct and Indirect Speech: The differences explained

Direct and indirect speech are different because in direct speech the exact words said are spoken, but in indirect or reported speech, we are reporting what was said, usually using the past tense.

Reported Speech Tenses Chart: How to convert tenses

Reported speech tenses may differ from the tense of the direct speech. The general rule for tenses in reported speech is that it changes to the past tense. This is called backshifting.

Examples of Direct and Indirect Speech

In these examples of direct and indirect speech you are given a sentence in direct speech which is then connected to indirect speech.

Reported Speech Imperatives: Reporting commands in indirect speech

Reported speech imperatives, also known as reported commands, follow a slightly different structure to normal indirect speech. We use imperatives to give orders, advice, or make requests.

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Reported Speech Quizzes

Preview 20 Quizzes about Reported Speech

Six people applied for the job, but four of them were ______.

A. looked up

B. dealt with

C. turned down

E. put up with

Martin asked me _______.

A. how is my father

B. how my father is

C. how was my father

D. how my father was

Harold said, “Don’t bring sodas near the computers!”

A. Harold told us not to bring sodas near the computers. B. Harold asked us if we were bringing sodas near the computers. C. Harold told to us that we had bringed sodas near the computers D. Harold said to bring sodas near the computers.

Robert said, “I want to renew my domain.”

A. Robert said that I want to renew my domain. B. Robert said that he wanted to renew his domain. C. Robert said that he will renew his domain. D. Robert said that he renews his domain.

The policeman wondered, “Why didn’t you stop at the traffic lights?”

A. The policeman wondered why I hadn’t stopped at the traffic lights.

B. The policeman wondered why I didn’t stop at the traffic lights.

C. The policeman wondered why I haven’t stopped at the traffic lights.

I wonder why he___________ love his family.

Is this sentence correct or incorrect?

He said me that he could help me. _ A. Correct

B. Incorrect

My mum ___________ she was having a great time.

A. said her

B. told to her

Where is the error?

Janet asked Mary if she would be free the previous day. _ A. asked

C. would be

D. previous day

” I have done it yesterday” said Ela

A. Ela said that she has done it yesterday.

B. Ela said she had done it yesterday.

C. Ela said she had done it the day before.

Danny: ‘I’m going to be late’. Danny told me that he _______________ to be late.

A. will be going

B. is going

C. was going

The mother told her daughter _______ late at night.

A. to come home

B. not to come home

C. come home

D. don’t come home

‘Did you see the parade?’ She asked us …

A. where we’d seen the parade.

B. whether we’d seen the parade.

C. if did we see the parade.

‘Did you see Jack last night?’

A. He asked me if I’d seen Jack the night before.

B. He asked me if I saw Jack the night before.

Baruch said, “I might teach ESL next semester.”

A. Baruch said that he is going to teach ESL next semester. B. Baruch said that he will teach ESL next semester. C. Baruch said that he might teach ESL next semester. D. Baruch said that he could teach ESL next semester.

‘I can’t go out to the cinema today,’ Karla said.

A. She said she can’t go out to the cinema today.

B. She said she could not go out to the cinema that day.

C. She said she couldn’t go out to the cinema today.

D. She said she can’t go out to the cinema that day .

My mom: “Do your homework”

My mom ____________

A. told me to do my homework

B. told me do my homework

C. told me that I did my homework

‘What were you doing at the time?’ She asked me …

A. what I’d been doing at the time.

B. what was I doing at the time.

C. what had I been doing at the time.

‘What can we do about this?’ We wanted to know …

A. whether we could do about it.

B. what we could do about it.

C. what could we do about it.

Match the direct speech to the verb tense changes in reported speech choosing the correct option.

“Imperative ”

A. Present simple

B. Infinitive

C. The same tense

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Tips : If this page always shows the same questions, make sure you correct the question first by pressing the "check answer" button.

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Reported Speech – Free Exercise

Write the following sentences in indirect speech. Pay attention to backshift and the changes to pronouns, time, and place.

• Two weeks ago, he said, “I visited this museum last week.” → Two weeks ago, he said that   . I → he|simple past → past perfect|this → that|last …→ the … before
• She claimed, “I am the best for this job.” → She claimed that   . I → she|simple present→ simple past|this→ that
• Last year, the minister said, “The crisis will be overcome next year.” → Last year, the minister said that   . will → would|next …→ the following …
• My riding teacher said, “Nobody has ever fallen off a horse here.” → My riding teacher said that   . present perfect → past perfect|here→ there
• Last month, the boss explained, “None of my co-workers has to work overtime now.” → Last month, the boss explained that   . my → his/her|simple present→ simple past|now→ then

Rewrite the question sentences in indirect speech.

• She asked, “What did he say?” → She asked   . The subject comes directly after the question word.|simple past → past perfect
• He asked her, “Do you want to dance?” → He asked her   . The subject comes directly after whether/if |you → she|simple present → simple past
• I asked him, “How old are you?” → I asked him   . The subject comes directly after the question word + the corresponding adjective (how old)|you→ he|simple present → simple past
• The tourists asked me, “Can you show us the way?” → The tourists asked me   . The subject comes directly after whether/if |you→ I|us→ them
• The shop assistant asked the woman, “Which jacket have you already tried on?” → The shop assistant asked the woman   . The subject comes directly after the question word|you→ she|present perfect → past perfect

Rewrite the demands/requests in indirect speech.

• The passenger requested the taxi driver, “Stop the car.” → The passenger requested the taxi driver   . to + same wording as in direct speech
• The mother told her son, “Don’t be so loud.” → The mother told her son   . not to + same wording as in direct speech, but remove don’t
• The policeman told us, “Please keep moving.” → The policeman told us   . to + same wording as in direct speech ( please can be left off)
• She told me, “Don’t worry.” → She told me   . not to + same wording as in direct speech, but remove don’t
• The zookeeper told the children, “Don’t feed the animals.” → The zookeeper told the children   . not to + same wording as in direct speech, but remove don’t

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Online resources for English teachers and students

• Reported Speech (Statements) Quiz

Try this quiz to test your understanding of reported speech (statements) . 

Download quiz with answers in printable PDF.

More resources on the Site:

Reported Speech (Imperatives) Quiz

Reported Speech (Questions) Quiz

Reported Speech

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Reported Speech Exercise 1

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Here's an exercise about reported statements.

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Reported Speech Quiz For Class 9: Master Indirect Speech Conversion

Step into the world of reported speech with our dedicated quiz designed for Class 9 students! This quiz is expertly crafted to assess your proficiency in converting direct speech into indirect or reported speech, a crucial aspect of English grammar. Reported speech allows you to convey messages spoken by yourself or others, often in the past tense. Whether you're a passionate grammar enthusiast or a diligent student seeking to hone your language skills, this MCQ online test is the perfect tool to evaluate your expertise in this domain. It presents a variety of questions that will challenge Read more your ability to transform direct statements into indirect speech accurately. By mastering the art of reported speech, you'll elevate your ability to communicate with precision and fluency. So, are you ready to put your skills to the test? Dive into the quiz and discover just how adept you are at converting direct speech into reported speech. Best of luck, and enjoy the journey of learning!

Reported Speech Questions and Answers

Robert said, "i want to renew my insurance policy." .

Robert said that he wanted to renew my insurance policy.

Robert said that he wanted to renew his insurance policy.

Robert said that he would renew his insurance policy.

Robert said that he renewed his insurance policy.

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Elena said, "I am unable to upload files on my computer."

Elena said that she was unable to upload files on her computer.

Elena told me that she is unable to upload files on my computer.

Elena said that we are unable to upload files on my computer.

Elena said I was unable to upload files on my computer.

Tania said to us, "Could you change my domain name?"

Tania asked if she could change the domain name.

Tania asked if we could change her domain name.

Tania asked if I could change my domain name.

Tania wanted to know if she could change her domain name.

Jerry said, "I want to close my bank account."

Jerry said that he wanted to close his bank account.

Jerry said that he would close his bank account.

Jerry said that I wanted to close my account.

Jerry said he wanted to close his bank account.

Billy said, "Why did you charge me?"

Billy asked why you charged me.

Billy asked why he had been charged.

Billy asked why we charged him.

Billy asked if we charged him.

Ruby said, "I need extra disk space."

Ruby said that she needed extra disk space.

Ruby said that she would need extra disk space.

Ruby said that I needed extra disk space.

Ruby said that she may need extra disk space.

My mother said, "I will update my credit card details within two days."

My mother told me that she would update my credit card details within two days.

My mother said that I would update her credit card details within two days.

My mother said that she would need to update her credit card within two days.

My mother said that she would update her credit card details within two days.

Wanda said, "I don't want to continue with this membership."

Wanda said that she won't continue with this membership.

Wanda said that she did not want to continue with that membership.

Wanda said that she did not want to continue with this membership.

Wanda said that she would not want to continue with that membership.

Cody said, "Why are my e-mails bouncing back?" 

Cody wanted to know why his e-mails were bouncing back.

Cody wants to know why his e-mails are bouncing back.

Cody said that is why his e-mails are bouncing back.

Cody said that my e-mails were bouncing back.

Emma said, "I have finished my lunch."

Emma said that I have finished my lunch.

Emma said that she had finished her lunch.

Emma said that she has finished her lunch.

Emma said that she had finished his lunch.

Quiz Review Timeline +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

• Current Version
• May 23, 2024 Quiz Edited by ProProfs Editorial Team Expert Reviewed by Heather Baxter
• Aug 14, 2009 Quiz Created by Susangeorge

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Reported speech Multiple choice quiz

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Reported speech mcq - exercise 4

Choose the correct endings in the multiple choice test on reported speech (special cases).

"I am reading an interesting book," he told me. He told me that ___ an interesting book. (he's been reading, he was reading)

Check test Answer key Clear test

Reported speech multiple choice exercises and gap-filling + grammar rules.

For intermediate and advanced learners of English.

Direct and Indirect Speech Quiz Online Test

Challenge yourself with our engaging Direct and Indirect Speech Quiz Online Test. Test your grammar prowess, enhance your reporting skills, and elevate your language abilities today!

Welcome to our dynamic online quiz designed to put your knowledge of direct and indirect speech to the test. Whether you’re a language enthusiast or a student looking to sharpen your grammar skills, this interactive quiz offers an opportunity to explore the nuances of reporting speech accurately.

Through a series of questions and scenarios, you’ll navigate the world of transforming spoken words into written form, honing your language expertise along the way.

How It Works:

Our online quiz consists of 30 carefully crafted questions that cover various aspects of direct and indirect speech. Read each question and select the most appropriate answer from the provided choices. Once you complete the quiz, you’ll receive immediate feedback on your performance, allowing you to identify areas where you excel and areas where you can further improve.

Quiz: Exploring Direct and Indirect Speech Quiz Online Test

Direct Indirect Speech Quiz

Test your knowledge yourself with our engaging online quiz on direct and indirect speech.

Diya said to Maya, ‘I am going to the park now’ (Fill in the blanks)

Diya __________ Maya______ going to the park then.

We said, ‘Let him tell the story’’ (Fill in the blanks)

 ‘Are you weeping?’, he asked her.’ (Fill in the blanks)

He ____________ her _________

He said, ‘What is your problem?’ (Fill in the blanks)

He asked ____________________

Mother said to me, ‘Please tidy the room’ (Fill in the blanks)

Mother __________ me ______ tidy the room.

"David asked, 'Why did you arrive late?'"

The teacher said to me,’ You must do your homework every day.’ (Fill in the blanks)

The teacher __________ me that _________ must do my homework every day.

He said, ‘Good-bye, my friends’ (Choose the Correct option)

He said to them, ‘How are you?’’ (Choose the Correct option)

He said to me, ‘I shall play football’ (Choose the Correct option)

Sangeeta said, ‘I went to bed early last night (Fill in the blanks)

Sangeeta said that ___________ to bed early the night before.

Mum said,” I am angry with you.’ (Fill in the blanks)

Mum said that she ___________ angry with me.

She said, ‘If I were a bird!’ ( Choose the Correct option)

‘Where is my umbrella?’, He asked. (Fill in the blanks)

He asked __________________

He said,  ‘I bought a pen yesterday.’ (Fill in the blanks)

He said __________ he _______ a pen the previous day.

He said to me, ‘Happy Christmas’ (Choose the Correct option)

Mother said to me, ‘May God bless you.’ (Fill in the blanks)

Mother ___________ that God __________

"Tom said, 'Are you coming to the party?'"

"John said, 'I will attend the meeting tomorrow.'"

"She exclaimed, 'What a beautiful painting!'"

I said to the man, ‘Who are you?’ (Choose the Correct option)

"Mary said, 'I love this song.' She told me that she liked the song."

He said to me, ‘Please Open the door’ (Fill in the blanks)

He ____________ me _________ open the door.

He said, ‘Let us keep quiet in this matter.’ (Fill in the blanks)

He ________ that we ___________ quiet in this matter.

"Mom said, 'Clean your room.'"

He asked, ‘Do I have to do it?’ (Choose the Correct option)

"Teacher said, 'Open your textbooks at page 50.'"

"Lucy said, 'I will be studying all night.'"

He whispered, 'It's a secret.'"

"She said that she will finish the project yesterday."

Your score is

The average score is 63%

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People also ask

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions): Direct and Indirect Speech Quiz Online Test

Q: how does the online quiz work.

A: The online quiz consists of 10 questions related to direct and indirect speech. Select the correct answers and receive immediate feedback on your performance.

Q: Is the quiz suitable for beginners?

A: Yes, the quiz is designed for learners of all levels, from beginners to those seeking to refine their grammar skills.

Q: How long does the quiz take to complete?

A: The quiz can be completed in a short span of time, typically within 10-15 minutes.

Q: Is there a time limit for each question?

A: No, there is no time limit. You can take your time to read and answer each question.

Q: Can I retake the quiz?

A: Absolutely! You can retake the quiz as many times as you’d like to reinforce your understanding of direct and indirect speech.

Conclusion:

Congratulations on completing our interactive direct and indirect speech quiz! By engaging in this online test, you’ve embarked on a journey to refine your language skills and elevate your understanding of reporting speech. Remember, effective communication relies on the accurate use of direct and indirect speech, and your efforts to master this aspect of grammar will undoubtedly enhance your written and spoken expressions.

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Reported Speech Quiz for English Learners

Making the necessary changes in reported speech

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• Tom said he wants to visit his friends that weekend.
• Tom said he wanted to visit his friends that weekend.
• Tom said he wanted to visit his friends this weekend.

 Make sure to change both the pronoun and the time indicator (this to that) in reported speech . 

• Jerry said he was studying English a lot at that moment.
• Jerry said he was studying English a lot at the moment.
• Jerry said I was studying English a lot at that moment.

 Change 'the moment' to 'that moment' in reported speech. 

• They said they have lived there for a long time.
• They said they lived here for a long time.
• They said they had lived there for a long time.

 Move the present perfect tense into the past perfect tense in the reported speech. 

• He asked me if had I finished reading the newspaper.
• He asked me if I had finished reading the newspaper.
• He asked me if I finished reading the newspaper.

 Change questions from their inverted question structure back to standard sentence structure in the reported speech. 

• Peter said he got up every morning at seven o'clock.
• Peter said I got up every morning at seven o'clock.
• Peter said he had got up every morning at seven o'clock.

Make sure to change pronouns when using reported speech . 

• Susan told me I could come that night.
• Susan told me she could come that night.
• Susan told me she could come tomorrow evening.

 Change 'tonight' to the 'that night' in the reported speech. 

• She told me she really wished she bought that new car.
• She told me she really had wished she had bought that new car.
• She told me she really wished she had bought that new car.

 The past perfect remains the past perfect in reported speech. 

• Jack said he must have been guilty.
• Jack said he must have be guilty.
• Jack said he must has been guilty.

 Use the past modal verb of probability when reporting 'must'. 

• Cheryl asked her how long she has lived there.
• Cheryl asked her how long she lived there.
• Cheryl asked her how long she had lived there.

 Change the present perfect to the past perfect in reported speech . 

• He told me he had to get going. Otherwise, he was going to be late.
• He told me he had to get going. Otherwise, I was going to be late.
• He told me he has to get going. Otherwise, he was going to be late.

 'Had to' can be used as the past of the modal verb 'must'.

• Lenny sang, 'I want to get away, I want to fly away.'
• Lenny sang he wanted to get away, he wanted to fly away.
• Lenny sings he wanted to get away, he wanted to fly away.
• Lenny sang he wanted to get away, he wants to fly away.

 Change the present simple to the past simple as well as pronouns when using reported speech. 

You understand the changes necessary when using reported speech. Well done! Follow up by studying and practicing some more advanced level grammar forms.  

 Good try! You obviously understand reported speech, but are having some difficulty with some of the minor changes necessary. Keep practicing and you will mast reported speech soon. 

 You still need to practice reported speech. Remember that the tense of the original statement moves one step back in reported speech. In other words, the present simple becomes the past simple. Keep working and you'll understand and be able to use the form soon. 

• Indirect Speech in the English Language
• Using Reported Speech: ESL Lesson Plan
• Reporting Verbs for English Language Learners
• Essential Basic English Lessons
• How to Teach Reported Speech
• Parallelism in Writing for English Learners
• A Short Guide to Punctuation
• Advanced English Grammar Review Quiz
• How Many Verb Tenses Are There in English?
• Sentence Type Basics for English Learners
• Learn to Order Events for Narrative Writing Assignments
• Past Perfect Worksheets
• Various Future Forms for English Learners
• Rhetorical Questions for English Learners
• Indirect Speech Definition and Examples
• How to Write a Business Report for English Learners

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Reported speech, b1 grammar topics.

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• Both, either, neither  
• Conditional, 2nd  
• Conditional, 3rd  
• Connecting words  
• Embedded questions  
• Future Continuous  
• So, such, too, enough  
• May, might + adverbs of probability  
• Modals for Recommendations  
• Modals for Past Deduction  
• Modals for Present Deduction  
• Prepositions of place  
• Prepositions of time  
• Present Perfect Continuous  
• Present Perfect vs Past Simple  
• Passives  
• Past Perfect  
• Reported Speech  
• Question Tags  
• Should have  

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Reported Speech (Indirect Speech)

Exercises on reported speech.

If we report what another person has said, we usually do not use the speaker’s exact words (direct speech), but reported (indirect) speech. Therefore, you need to learn how to transform direct speech into reported speech. The structure is a little different depending on whether you want to transform a statement, question or request.

When transforming statements, check whether you have to change:

• present tense verbs (3rd person singular)
• place and time expressions
• tenses (backshift)

→ more on statements in reported speech

When transforming questions, check whether you have to change:

Also note that you have to:

• transform the question into an indirect question
• use the interrogative or if / whether

→ more on questions in reported speech

→ more on requests in reported speech

Additional Information and Exeptions

Apart from the above mentioned basic rules, there are further aspects that you should keep in mind, for example:

• main clauses connected with and / but
• tense of the introductory clause
• reported speech for difficult tenses
• exeptions for backshift
• requests with must , should , ought to and let’s

→ more on additional information and exeptions in reported speech

Statements in Reported Speech

• no backshift – change of pronouns
• no backshift – change of pronouns and places
• with backshift
• with backshift and change of place and time expressions

Questions in Reported Speech

Requests in reported speech.

• Exercise 1 – requests (positive)
• Exercise 2 – requests (negative)
• Exercise 3 – requests (mixed)

Mixed Exercises on Reported Speech

• Exercise on reported speech with and without backshift

Grammar in Texts

• „ The Canterville Ghost “ (highlight direct speech and reported speech)

Topic: REPORTED SPEECH (indirect)

Level: intermediate.

Reported speech - 1

Reported speech - 2

Reported speech - 3

Worksheets - handouts

Reported speech

Worksheets - pdf exercises.

• Reported statements - worksheet
• Worksheet - reported questions
• Reported yes/no questions
• Worksheet - reported speech
• Reported speech - exercises pdf
• Indirect speech - exercises
• Reported speech - exercises
• Mixed reported speech 1
• Mixed reported speech 2
• Reported speech 1 
• Reported speech 2  
• Reported speech 3 
• Reported speech 4
• Reported speech 5
• Reported wh- questions
• Reported speech - worksheet 
• Reported commands
• Reported questions
• Reported speech 1
• Reported speech 2
• Reported requests and orders
• Reported speech exercise
• Reported questions - worksheet
• Indirect speech - worksheet
• Worksheets pdf - print
• Grammar worksheets - handouts

Grammar - lessons

• Reported speech - grammar notes
• How to use reported speech - lesson
• Tense changes - grammar