Reported Speech

"I am reading a book," he said.

• He said he is reading a book.

• He said he was reading a book.

• He said he had read a book.

• He said he read a book.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'He said he was reading a book' because it accurately reflects the past tense of the original statement, maintaining the meaning while converting direct speech to reported speech.

"You must complete the assignment by tomorrow," the teacher said.

• The teacher said we had to complete the assignment by the next day.

• The teacher said we must complete the assignment by the next day.

• The teacher said we have to complete the assignment by tomorrow.

• The teacher said we should complete the assignment by tomorrow.

Answer explanation

The correct choice conveys the same meaning as the original statement, using 'had to' for past obligation and 'next day' for 'tomorrow', which aligns with the teacher's instruction.

"Don't forget to call me when you arrive," he said.

• He asked me to not forget to call him when I arrive.

• He told me I shouldn't forget calling him when I arrived.

• He said not to forget to call him when I arrive.

• He reminded me to call him when I arrived.

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'He reminded me to call him when I arrived,' accurately reflects the original statement's intent, emphasizing the reminder aspect of the request.

"I have been working here for five years," he said.

• He said he has been working there for five years.

• He said he had been working here for five years.

• He said he had been working there for five years.

• He said he was working there for five years.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'He said he had been working there for five years.' This uses the past perfect tense 'had been' to indicate that his five years of work was completed before the time he was speaking.

"Why didn't you call me yesterday?" she asked.

• She asked why I hadn't called her the day before.

• She asked why I didn't call her the day before.
  

• She asked why hadn't I called her yesterday.

• She asked why didn't I call her yesterday.

Answer explanation

The correct choice rephrases the question accurately in reported speech, using the past perfect 'hadn't called' to indicate the action was not completed before the time referenced (the day before).

Direct: "We will meet at 5 PM," John said to me.
Reported: John said that __ would meet at 5 PM.

Answer explanation

In reported speech, the pronoun changes to reflect the speaker's perspective. Since John is speaking, 'we' becomes 'they' in reported speech. Therefore, the correct answer is 'they', not 'we'.

In reported speech, present simple tense in direct speech usually changes to past simple tense.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

In reported speech, the present simple tense in direct speech typically changes to the past simple tense. Therefore, the statement is true.

Pronouns must always remain the same when converting direct speech to reported speech.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The statement is false because pronouns often change when converting direct speech to reported speech. For example, 'I' may change to 'he' or 'she' depending on the context.

When reporting yes/no questions, the conjunction 'that' is used before the reported question.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The statement is false because when reporting yes/no questions, 'that' is not always used. For example, one can report a question without 'that', such as 'He asked if she was coming.'

I will have finished the project by next week," she said.

• She said she will have finished the project by next week.

• She said she would have finished the project by next week.

• She said she would have finished the project by the following week.

• She said she will have finished the project by the following week.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'She said she would have finished the project by the following week.' This reflects the past tense 'would' for reported speech and 'the following week' aligns with the original 'next week'.