Competitive English (Direct and Indirect) 3

Question 1

Convert to direct speech: He asked me where I lived.

Accepted Answer

He said, "Where do you live?"

Answer

When reversing indirect speech to direct, the past 'lived' reverts to present 'live' and the pronoun shifts to 'you.'

Question 2

Which reporting verb is most appropriate for: "I promise I'll return the book," John said.

Accepted Answer

John promised that he would return the book.

Answer

When the direct speech contains a promise, 'promised' is the most accurate reporting verb to convey intent.

Question 3

Identify the error in this indirect speech: She said that she has gone to the market.

Accepted Answer

'Has gone' should be 'had gone' to follow backshift rules.

Answer

In indirect speech with a past reporting verb, the present perfect 'has gone' must backshift to 'had gone.'

Question 4

Select the correct indirect form of a wh-question: "What time does the train arrive?" he asked.

Accepted Answer

He asked what time the train arrived.

Answer

Wh-questions in indirect speech use statement word order and shift tense; 'does arrive' becomes 'arrived.'

Question 5

Which pronoun change is correct when converting: "I lost my umbrella," she said.

Accepted Answer

She said that she had lost her umbrella.

Answer

First-person 'I/my' shifts to third-person 'she/her' when the speaker is referred to in indirect speech.

Competitive English Practice Test