Speech three ways | Exit Quiz | Oak National Academy

What is the purpose of a reporting clause?

• to say who spoke

• to say how they spoke

• to say what they said

• to say what they were doing as they spoke

Answer explanation

The reporting clause tells us who spoke and how; it can also tell us what they were doing as they spoke.

Which of the following can we see in this reporting clause? 'muttered Alex coldly, pushing his hair away from his eyes'

• a synonym for said

• an adverb

• a non-finite (-ing) clause

• an adverbial clause

Answer explanation

'Muttered' is a synonym for said; 'coldly' is an adverb; and 'pushing his hair away from his eyes' is a non-finite (-ing) clause.

Which speech second sentence is punctuated correctly?

• The woman enquired angrily, "Is no-one working here today"?

• The woman enquired angrily "Is no-one working here today?"

• The woman enquired angrily, "Is no-one working here today?"

Answer explanation

In a speech second sentence, a comma always follows the reporting clause. The closing punctuation (?!.) is always placed before the final inverted commas.

Which speech first sentence is punctuated correctly?

• "What's the problem" Aisha demanded crossly with her arms folded.

• "What's the problem?" Aisha demanded crossly with her arms folded.

• "what's the problem?" Aisha demanded crossly with her arms folded.

Answer explanation

The direct speech always begins with a capital letter and it ends with some closing punctuation before the second inverted commas.

Match the type of speech sentence to the example.

• speech second

• "Now," bellowed Mr Martinez, "let's get moving!"

• speech first

• "Now, let's get moving!" bellowed Mr Martinez.

• speech interrupted

• Mr Martinez bellowed, "Now, let's get moving!"

Answer explanation

A speech interrupted sentence has the reporting clause in between two pieces of direct speech. The reporting clause is followed by a comma.

Which speech interrupted sentence is punctuated correctly?

• "You have to come" whined Jacob, "or I'll be the only one there!"

• "You have to come," whined Jacob, "or I'll be the only one there!"

• "You have to come," whined Jacob, "Or I'll be the only one there!"

Answer explanation

In a speech interrupted sentence, both the first piece of direct speech and the reporting clause are followed by a comma. The second piece of direct speech has no capital letter (unless a name has been used).