Competitive English (Change of Speech) 4

Question 1

She said, 'I used to walk to school.' — Which is the correct indirect speech?

Accepted Answer

She said that she used to walk to school.

Answer

'Used to' does not change in indirect speech as it already expresses a past habitual action.

Question 2

He said, 'I can swim very well.' — Identify the correct indirect speech.

Accepted Answer

He said that he could swim very well.

Answer

The modal 'can' shifts to 'could' in indirect speech.

Question 3

She said to me, 'Do you know the answer?' — Which is the correct indirect form?

Accepted Answer

She asked me whether I knew the answer.

Answer

Yes/no questions use 'whether/if' and 'know' shifts to 'knew' in indirect speech.

Question 4

He said, 'I must complete this project.' — Which is the correct indirect speech?

Accepted Answer

He said that he had to complete that project.

Answer

'Must' expressing obligation shifts to 'had to' in indirect speech.

Question 5

She said, 'How beautiful the sunset is!' — Identify the correct indirect speech.

Accepted Answer

She exclaimed that the sunset was very beautiful.

Answer

Exclamatory sentences are reported with 'exclaimed that' and converted to a statement form.

Competitive English Practice Test