Direct and Indirect Speech - Problem Set for Exams

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Direct and Indirect Speech - Problem Set

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Direct and Indirect Speech - Problem Set MCQ & Objective Questions

Understanding Direct and Indirect Speech is crucial for students preparing for school exams and competitive tests. This topic not only enhances your grammar skills but also plays a significant role in scoring well in exams. Practicing MCQs and objective questions related to Direct and Indirect Speech helps reinforce your knowledge and boosts your confidence in tackling important questions during your exam preparation.

What You Will Practise Here

Conversion of Direct Speech to Indirect Speech and vice versa
Understanding the rules of punctuation in Direct and Indirect Speech
Identifying reporting verbs and their impact on speech conversion
Recognizing changes in tense, pronouns, and time expressions
Practicing with varied sentence structures and complex sentences
Analyzing common examples and scenarios in Direct and Indirect Speech
Solving previous years' questions related to Direct and Indirect Speech

Exam Relevance

Direct and Indirect Speech is a recurring topic in various examinations, including CBSE, State Boards, NEET, and JEE. Students often encounter questions that test their understanding of speech conversion, making it essential to master this area. Common question patterns include identifying the correct form of speech, converting sentences accurately, and applying the rules of grammar effectively. Being well-prepared in this topic can significantly enhance your performance in both school and competitive exams.

Common Mistakes Students Make

Confusing the rules for changing tenses during conversion
Neglecting the changes in pronouns and time expressions
Incorrectly punctuating sentences in Direct Speech
Overlooking the significance of reporting verbs
Failing to recognize complex sentence structures

FAQs

Question: What is the difference between Direct and Indirect Speech?
Answer: Direct Speech quotes the exact words spoken, while Indirect Speech paraphrases the words without quoting them directly.

Question: How do I convert a sentence from Direct to Indirect Speech?
Answer: Change the tense, pronouns, and time expressions as per the rules, and remove the quotation marks.

Ready to enhance your skills? Dive into our practice MCQs and test your understanding of Direct and Indirect Speech. With consistent practice, you can master this topic and excel in your exams!

Q. Convert to direct speech: He said he would help me.

A. He said, 'I will help you.'
B. He said, 'I would help you.'
C. He said, 'I help you.'
D. He said, 'I am helping you.'

Solution

Direct speech requires quoting the exact words, changing 'would' to 'will'.

Correct Answer: A — He said, 'I will help you.'

Q. Convert to indirect speech: 'John said, "I have finished my homework."'

A. John said that he has finished his homework.
B. John said that he had finished his homework.
C. John said he finished his homework.
D. John said he finishes his homework.

Solution

In indirect speech, the present perfect changes to past perfect.

Correct Answer: B — John said that he had finished his homework.

Q. Convert to indirect speech: 'They exclaimed, "What a beautiful day!"'

A. They exclaimed that it was a beautiful day.
B. They exclaimed what a beautiful day it was.
C. They said it was a beautiful day.
D. They said that it is a beautiful day.

Solution

In indirect speech, exclamations are often reported with 'that'.

Correct Answer: A — They exclaimed that it was a beautiful day.

Q. Identify the correct form of indirect speech: 'He said, "I am learning French."'

A. He said that he is learning French.
B. He said that he was learning French.
C. He said he learns French.
D. He said he was learn French.

Solution

The present continuous tense changes to past continuous in indirect speech.

Correct Answer: B — He said that he was learning French.

Q. Identify the error in this sentence: 'She said that she can help you.'

A. No error.
B. Change 'can' to 'could'.
C. Change 'said' to 'says'.
D. Change 'that' to 'if'.

Solution

In indirect speech, 'can' should change to 'could' to reflect past tense.

Correct Answer: B — Change 'can' to 'could'.

Q. Identify the error in: 'He asked me where is the station.'

A. No error.
B. Should be 'was' instead of 'is'.
C. Should be 'where the station is.'
D. Should be 'where the station was.'

Solution

In indirect questions, the subject and verb order changes.

Correct Answer: C — Should be 'where the station is.'

Q. Identify the indirect speech form of: 'She said, "I will go to the market."'

A. She said that she will go to the market.
B. She said that she would go to the market.
C. She says that she will go to the market.
D. She said she is going to the market.

Solution

In indirect speech, the future tense changes to the conditional 'would'.

Correct Answer: B — She said that she would go to the market.

Q. What is the correct indirect speech for: 'He said, "I am happy."'

A. He said that he is happy.
B. He said that he was happy.
C. He said he is happy.
D. He said he was happy.

Solution

In indirect speech, present tense changes to past tense.

Correct Answer: B — He said that he was happy.

Q. What is the correct indirect speech for: 'She asked, "Are you coming?"'

A. She asked if I was coming.
B. She asked if I am coming.
C. She asked whether I come.
D. She asked if you are coming.

Solution

In indirect speech, the present tense changes to past tense.

Correct Answer: A — She asked if I was coming.

Q. What is the correct indirect speech for: 'They said, "We are leaving now."'

A. They said that they are leaving now.
B. They said that they were leaving now.
C. They said they leave now.
D. They said they will leave now.

Solution

In indirect speech, present tense 'are' changes to past tense 'were'.

Correct Answer: B — They said that they were leaving now.

Q. What is the correct punctuation for direct speech?

A. He said, I am happy.
B. He said, 'I am happy.'
C. He said 'I am happy.'
D. He said: 'I am happy.'

Solution

Direct speech must be enclosed in quotation marks and properly punctuated.

Correct Answer: B — He said, 'I am happy.'

Q. What is the indirect speech version of: 'They said, "We are going to the party."'

A. They said that they are going to the party.
B. They said that they were going to the party.
C. They said they are going to the party.
D. They said they were going to party.

Solution

In indirect speech, present tense changes to past tense.

Correct Answer: B — They said that they were going to the party.

Q. Which of the following is an error in direct speech?

A. 'Where are you going?' she asked.
B. 'I don't know,' he said.
C. 'He said he would come,' she said.
D. 'I will go to the store.' she said.

Solution

The period should be inside the quotation marks.

Correct Answer: D — 'I will go to the store.' she said.

Q. Which of the following is an error in the sentence: 'He said he will help us.'?

A. No error.
B. Should be 'would' instead of 'will'.
C. Should be 'helped' instead of 'help'.
D. Should be 'he said that he will help us.'

Solution

In indirect speech, 'will' changes to 'would'.

Correct Answer: B — Should be 'would' instead of 'will'.

Q. Which of the following is an example of reported speech?

A. 'I love chocolate,' she said.
B. She said she loves chocolate.
C. She said, 'I love chocolate.'
D. 'I will love chocolate,' she said.

Solution

Reported speech conveys what someone said without quoting their exact words.

Correct Answer: B — She said she loves chocolate.

Q. Which of the following sentences is in direct speech?

A. He said that he was tired.
B. 'I am tired,' he said.
C. He is tired.
D. He said he is tired.

Solution

Direct speech quotes the exact words spoken, indicated by quotation marks.

Correct Answer: B — 'I am tired,' he said.

Q. Which of the following sentences is incorrectly punctuated?

A. 'It's a lovely day,' she said.
B. 'Can you believe it?' he asked.
C. 'I can't wait!' she exclaimed.
D. He said, 'I can't wait!'.

Solution

The period should not be outside the quotation marks.

Correct Answer: D — He said, 'I can't wait!'.

Q. Which sentence correctly converts to indirect speech? 'He asked, "Are you coming?"'

A. He asked if I am coming.
B. He asked if I was coming.
C. He asked whether I come.
D. He asked if I will come.

Solution

In indirect speech, the present tense 'are' changes to past tense 'was'.

Correct Answer: B — He asked if I was coming.

Q. Which sentence is an example of a common error in direct speech?

A. She said, 'I am going to the store.'
B. He said, 'I will be there soon.'
C. He said, 'I am tired.'
D. He said, I am tired.

Solution

Direct speech must be enclosed in quotation marks; this sentence lacks them.

Correct Answer: D — He said, I am tired.

Q. Which sentence is an example of direct speech?

A. He told me that he was busy.
B. He said he is busy.
C. He said, 'I am busy.'
D. He is busy.

Solution

Direct speech quotes the speaker's exact words.

Correct Answer: C — He said, 'I am busy.'

Q. Which sentence is an example of reported speech?

A. 'I will help you,' she promised.
B. She promised that she would help me.
C. 'I can do it,' he said.
D. He said, 'I can do it.'

Solution

Reported speech conveys what someone said without quoting them directly.

Correct Answer: B — She promised that she would help me.

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