Competitive English (Direct and Indirect) 5

Question 1

Which sentence correctly converts a mixed conditional to indirect speech: "If I were rich, I would travel the world," he said.

Accepted Answer

He said that if he were rich, he would travel the world.

Answer

Hypothetical conditionals with 'were' and 'would' do not backshift further in indirect speech as they are already in a past subjunctive form.

Question 2

Which option correctly converts the following question tag to indirect speech: "It's a lovely day, isn't it?" she said.

Accepted Answer

She remarked that it was a lovely day.

Answer

Question tags are dropped in indirect speech; the statement is simply reported as a declarative sentence with appropriate tense shift.

Question 3

Select the correctly reported indirect speech: "I had already submitted the form," she told the officer.

Accepted Answer

She told the officer that she had already submitted the form.

Answer

Past perfect 'had already submitted' does not backshift further in indirect speech as it is already the furthest past tense.

Question 4

Choose the correct indirect speech for: "Which route should I take?" the driver asked the navigator.

Accepted Answer

The driver asked the navigator which route he should take.

Answer

Wh-questions in indirect speech use statement word order; 'should he take' becomes 'he should take.'

Question 5

A reporter writes: "The minister warned that inflation could rise further." What was the minister's original direct speech?

Accepted Answer

"Inflation can rise further."

Answer

'Could' in the reported speech is the backshifted form of 'can,' so the original likely used 'can.'

Competitive English Practice Test