Chapter 17
Narration (Direct and Indirect Speech)
Introduction
There are two ways of reporting a speech: (1) Direct
Speech and (2) Indirect Speech or Reported Speech.
In direct speech we repeat the original speakers’ exact
words. For example,
He said, “I have lost my umbrella.”
In indirect speech we give the exact meaning of a
remark or a speech, without necessarily using the
speaker’s exact words. For example,
He said that he had lost his umbrella.
There is no comma after ‘say’ in indirect speech, ‘that’
can usually be omitted after ‘say’ and ‘tell+object’.
Indirect speech is normally used when conversation
is reported verbally.
Direct Speech: Structure
In direct speech, the actual words of a speaker are
repeated, marking them off by a pair of inverted
commas, at the beginning and at the end. For example,
She said, “I am learing English”.
He said, “Congratulations!”
The structure of direct speech is:
Reporting clause+reported clause (in inverted commas)
Note: (a) Reporting Verb/introducing verb: The
verb that report a speech (reported clause)
is called ‘the reporting verb’. It is also called
the ‘introducing verb’ or ‘the introductory
verb’. ‘Said’ is the reporting verb in the
example above.
(b) Reported clause: The reported matter is
calle d ‘the reporte d clause ’. In Direct
Speech a reported clause is marked off by
inve rte d commas, but not in Indire ct
Speech. For example,
He said, “I am directing a new film”.
He said that he was directing a new film.
Note that the reported clause is not the same thing
as reported speech.
(c) Reporting clause: ‘Subject+reporting
verb’ forms a clause called ‘re porting
clause’. For example, ‘He said’ is a reporting
clause.
Structure of Reporting Clause
The structure of a reporting clause can take many
forms:
(i) subject+say (without to + object)
It can be placed before or after the direct speech. For
example,
He said, “I have learnt a new song”.
“I have learnt a new song”, he said.
Note: Inversion of the subject and reporting verb is
archaic, particularly when the subject is pronoun.
We don’t say: “I love you”, said she.
(ii) Subject+verb (adm it/an swer/as sur e/
complain/explain/pray)etc without to+object)
It is usually placed after the direct speech. For
example,
“I will give you some money”, he assured/promised.
“I feel too tired”, he complained.
(iii) subject+say+to+object (personal object)
(iv) subject+tell+object (personal object)
Both are usually placed after the direct speech. For
example,
“I like this book”, he said to me.
“I admire you”, she told me.
(v) A reporting clause can have a medial position as
well. Look at the example give below.
“I hope”, she said, “you will rise high in life”.
Notice that a comma is used before a reporting clause
when it follows direct speech; when it introduces direct
speech, the comma is placed after a reporting clause.
Indirect Speech: Structure
The structure of Indirect Speech is as given below:
Reporting Clause + Reported Clause (not inverted
commas)
In Indirect Speech, the words of the speaker are
not reported, instead the meaning or substance of
the speech is conveyed.
There are rules for conversion of direct speech to
indirect speech, but very often, blind and mechanical
applications of rules will give rise to inappropriate
expressions. In such situations, rules can be violated
in order to make the sentence sound proper.
Rules Governing Changes in Indirect
Speech
In Indirect Speech changes are made according to two
sets of rules:
(a) General rules
(b) Special rules
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General rules apply to all kinds of sentences. The Indirect: The teacher said that the earth pulls objects
general rules effect: towards its centre.
(1) Change of tense Here a scientific fact which is true of all times is
(2) Change of pronouns/adjectives expressed in the spoken sentence. In this case there
(3) Change of expressions of time/place is no change in tense.
(4) Change of vocative case/parenthesis (ii) The present continuous in Direct Speech is
Special rules are there to take care of different changed to past continuous in Indirect Speech. For
kinds of sentences. Depending on the sentence type, example,
different rules apply to effect a change of structure.
Direct: He said, “I am leaving for Mumbai tonight”.
Indirect: He said that he was leaving for Mumbai that
General Rules night”.
Direct: She said, “He is taking his examination”.
(1) Change of tense: Change of tense is usually
governed by the tense of the reporting verb. Look at Indirect: She said that he was taking his examination.
the Rules given below: (iii) The present perfect in Direct Speech is changed
to past perfect in Indirect Speech. For example,
Rule 1
Direct: He said, “I have finished the work”.
When the reporting verb is in the present or future Indirect: He said that he had finished the work.
tense there is no change in the tense of the reported Direct: He said, “I have seen the Taj Mahal”.
Indirect: He said that he had seen the Taj Mahal.
clause. For example,
Direct: Saraswati says, “I like sweets”. (iv) The present perfect continuous in Direct
Indirect: Saraswati says that she likes sweets. Spe ech changes to past perfect continuous in
Direct: Hemant says, “I will learn English”. Indirect Speech. For example,
Indirect: Hemant says that he will learn English. Direct: He said, “The audience has been waiting for
Direct: He says, “I went home on Monday”. the minister’s arrival.”
Indirect: He says that he went home on Monday. Indirect: He said that the audience had been waiting
for the minister’s arrival.
Rule 2 Direct: He said, “This milkman has been giving us

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When the reporting verb is in the past tense the verb
of the re porte d clause is change d into the
corresponding past tense. For example,
Direct: Ramu said, “I have written a novel”.
Indirect: Ramu said that he had written a novel.
Direct: Seeta said, “I waited for Ramu till 10 o’clock”.
Indirect: Seeta said that she had waited for Ramu till
10 o’clock.
Direct: Rahim said, “Jav ed will hav e met the
Governor”.
Indirect: Rahim said that Javed would have met the
governor.
In indirect speech the reporting verb is most often in
the past tense (said, told, asked, replied, declared etc),
because we seldom report what someone speaks at
the same time as he speaks and very rarely do we
report what someone is going to say. Hence in most
cases of Indirect Speech, the tense changes will
become necessary. Below are examples of the changes
we make in the tense forms of verbs when something
said in the past is put into the indirect form.
(i) The present simple in Direct Speech is changed
to past simple in Indirect Speech. For example,
Direct: He said, “I don’t like this film”.
Indirect: He said that he didn’t like that film.
Direct: He said, “My sister cooks our breakfast”.
Indirect: He said that his sister cooked their breakfast.
Exception:
Direct: The teacher said, “The earth pulls objects
towards its centre”.
very good milk”.
Indirect: He said that that milkman had been giving
them very good milk.
(v) Look at the examples given below:
Direct: He said, “I saw the procession”.
Indirect: He said that he had seen the procession.
Direct: They said, “W e heard the news ov er t he
radio”.
Indirect: They said that they had heard the news over
the radio.
The examples show that the simple past is changed
to the past perfect.
There are some exceptions to this rule:
Look at this example,
Direct: The teacher said, “India became independent
in 1947”.
Indirect: The t eacher said that India became
independent in 1947.
Here a historical event in the past is referred to in
the spoken sentence. In this case there is no change
in the tense.
Look at this example,
Direct: He said, “When t he chief guest ar r iv ed
everyone stood up.”
Indirect: He said that when the chief guest arrived
every one stood up.
Here two past actions taking place at the same time
are referred to in the spoken sentence. In this there
is no change in the tense either.
(vi) There is no change of the tense form when the
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verb in the spoken sentence is in the Past Perfect Direct: She said, “When I lived/was living in a
Tense. For example, village I faced a lot of hardships”.
Indirect: She said that when she lived/was living in
Direct: He said, “I had waited for half an hour for a village she faced a lot of hardships. (not,
the bus”. had lived/had been living)
Indirect: He said that he had waited for half an hour Direct: He said, “As/while I was hav ing dinner
for the bus. robbers broke into my house”.
Direct: He said, “They had already published the Indirect: He said that as/while I was having dinner
results”. robbers broke into his house. (not, had been)
Indirect: He said that they had already published the
results. (d) Unreal past tense (subjunctive mood) after wish/
it is time remains unchanged. For example,
(vii) Look at these examples:
Direct: She said, “I wish I were a princess.”
Direct: He said, “We were watching the game.”
Indirect: She said that she wished she were a princess.
Indirect: He said that they had been watching the
(not, had been)
game.
Direct: He said, “It is time I went to bed.”
Direct: He said, “They were waiting for half an hour.”
Indirect: He said that it was time he went to bed. (not,
Indirect: He said that they had been waiting for half
had gone)
an hour.
(e) would rather/would sooner/had better remains
The examples show that the past continuous is
unchanged. For example,
changed to the past perfect continuous.
(viii) Look at these examples: Direct: He said, “I would rather starve than beg”.
Indirect: He said that he would rather starve than beg.
Direct: He said to the murderer, “God will punish Direct: She said, “You had better stay indoors”.
you for this”. Indirect: She advised me that I had better stay indoors.
Indirect: He said to the murderer that God would
punish him for that. (f) Verbs used in clause expressing improbable or
Direct: He said to me, “I shall meet you at t he impossible condition remain unchanged. For example,
station”.
Direct: She said, “If I won the election I would become
Indirect: He said that he would meet me at the station.
a minister”.
Direct: He said, “I shall have f inished the work
Indirect: She said that if she won the election she

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tomorrow.”
would become a minister.
Indirect: He said that he would have finished the
Direct: He said, “If I had gone to the circus I would
work the next day.
have seen the clown”.
The examples show that verbs in the future forms Indirect: He said that if he had gone to the circus he
in Indirect Speech are changed to their past forms. would have seen the clown’.
(ix) Look at these sentences: Also note that the change of tense in the clause is
Direct: He said, “I can do it myself”. realised on the auxiliary elements when they are
Indirect: He said that he could do it himself. present, not on the main verb.
Direct: He said to me, “You may go”. With modal auxiliaries, note that the change in
Indirect: He said to me that I might go. person in the reported speech results in a change in
Direct: He said, “We must wait for the result”. the modal. For example,
Indirect: He said that we must (or had to) wait for the
result. Direct: She said, “Shall I ever win a gold medal?”
Indirect: She wondered if she would ever win a gold
Note that here modal auxiliaries are put in their past medal. (not, should)
form. Direct: She said, “Shall I close the door, madam?”
Note: Indirect: She asked if she should close the door. (not,
(a) Present simple used as a future form becomes would)
would+infinitive, not past simple. For example, Direct: He said, “You mustn’t break your promise”.
Indirect: He said that I mustn’t break my promise. (not,
Direct: He said, “My wif e leav es f or Vienna wouldn’t have to)
tomorrow”. Direct: He said, “He must be crazy”.
Indirect: He said that his wife would leave for Vienna Indirect: She said that he must be crazy. (not, would
the next day. (not, left) have to be)
(b) Present Progressive used as a future form becomes
would be+present participle, not Past Progressive. Rule 3
For example,
When the direct speech expresses universal truth
Direct: He said, “I am seeing the dentist next week”. (fundamental truths of science) sayings/proverbs/
Indirect: He said that he would be seeing the dentist habitual action, the tense does not chnage. For
the following week. (not was seeing)
example,
(c) Past Simple/Past Progressive in adverb clauses of Direct: He said, “The earth moves round the sun”.
time do not usually change into the corresponding Indirect: He said that the earth moves round the sun.
past tense. For example, (not, moved)
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Direct: They said, “A bad carpenter quarrels with (b) this+time expression, change to, that+time
his tools”. expression. For example,
Indirect: They said that a bad carpenter quarrels with
his tools. (not, quarrelled) Direct: He said, “I will go home this week”.
Direct: She said, “One swallow does not make a Indirect: He said that he would go home that week.
summer”. (c) The empty ‘it’ (or introductory ‘it’) does not change
Indirect: She said that one swallow does not make a to ‘that’ in indirect speech. For example,
summer. (not, did not)
Direct: He said, “It is time to leave”.
(2) Change of Pronouns Indirect: He said that it was time to leave.

Rule 4 (4) Change of Vocative Case/Comment Clause etc

When reporting takes place, it becomes ncecessary Rule 6

to change the personal pronouns to match the context
of reporting. If the subject of the reporting clause is
in the third person, the first and second persons in
the reported clause change to third person. For
example,
Direct: Raghu said to Raju, ‘You may accompany me’.
Indirect: Raghu told Raju that he might accompany
hi m.
The change in the pronouns is determined by the
context and the speaker’s (ie reporter’s) point of view,
as shown by the following examples:
Direct: “I will go home soon”, John said to Mary.
Indirect: John told Mary that he would go home soon.
Direct: “You are innocent”, John said to Mary.
Indirect: Join said to Mary that she was innocent.
(a) A noun/pronoun in the vocative case is made
the object of a reporting verb or left out.
(b) A comment clause (parenthesis) is left out.
For example, you see, as you know, to tell you frnakly
etc.
(c) Words of expressions used just to introduce a
sentence are left out. For example, well, very well,
now, so etc.
The use of vocative case/comment clause etc in
the Indirect Speech makes the construction clumsy,
so they are always avoided. For example,
Direct: The t eacher said, ‘Now, list en t o me,
children’.
Indirect: The teacher asked the children to listen to
him. (‘now’ left out)

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Direct: “You have passed the exam”, he told me.
Indirect: He told me that I had passed the exam.
Direct: “You have to work harder”, I told them. Special Rules
Indirect: I told them that they had to work harder.
Direct: “He (Raghu) is guilty”, I told them. Rule 7
Indirect: I told them that he (Raghu) was guilty.
Direct: “I’ll give you a pen”, he assured me. Statements in Indirect Speech
Indirect: He assured me that he would give me a pen. A direct statement is turned into indirect speech in this
way:
(3) Change of Expression of Time/Place (a) re porting ve rb without an obje ct re mains
unchanged, so say/admit/answer etc is not changed.
Rule 5 (b) say+to+object is usually changed into tell+object.
Expressions of time and place indicating nearness For example,
She told me that.... (not, told to me that....)
are changed into one of distance:
(c) ‘that’ can be placed before the Indirect Speech but
Direct Indirect
ago before in common speech it is very often left out. For example,
(a week/month+ago) (a week/month+before) Direct: He said, “I am an orphan”.
today that day Indirect: He said (that) he was an orphan.
tomorrow next day/the following day
yesterday the day before/the previous day
Look at these conversions:
the day before yesterday two days before Direct: She said, “I have written a story”.
the day after tomorrow in two days Indirect: She said (that) she had written a story. (not,
last week/month/year the previous week/month/year she told that)
last night the previous night Direct: “You have spoken the truth”. I said to him.
next week/month/year the following week/month/year Indirect: I told him that he had spoken the truth. (not,
now then I said to him that)
this/it that
these those Questions in Indirect Speech
here there
Note: A question is changed into a statement (subject+verb).
(a) this/that/these/those (demonstratives) change to For example,
‘the’. For example, Direct: “How are you feeling?” he said to me.
Indirect: He asked me how I was feeling. (not, how
Direct: He said, “I have bought this ring for you”.
was I feeling)
Indirect: He said that he had bought the ring for her.
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Note: All the questions in direct speech are converted
into statement, and tense, too, is changed in all the
parts, if necessary. For example,
Direct: “Do you know when she will go home?” I
said to him.
Indirect: I asked him if he knew when she would go
home.
Rule 8
Yes/No Question
A direct Yes/No question is turned into Indirect
Speech in this way:
(i) reporting verb is changed into ask/inquire or
ask+object (person addressed)
(ii) if/whether is used when it is a yes/no question.
Note: (a) Of the two, if and whether, whether is the
more usual when yes/no question e xpresses an
alternative (or). For example,
Direct: She said, “Are you writing a poem or a story?”.
Indirect: She asked me whether I was writing a poem
or a story.
(b) When a yes/no question contains an if-clause,
‘whether’ must be used to avoid repetition of ‘if....if’.
For example,
Direct: He said, “If it rains will you play the match?”.
Indirect: He asked me whether we would play the
match if it rained.
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Rule 9
Question-word questions
A question-word is repeated after the reporting verb
when it is a question-word question. For example,
Direct: She said, “Why didn’t he come?”.
Indirect: She asked me why he didn’t come.
The use of if/whether is not permissible before a
question word.
Note: (a) ‘As to’ is not used before ‘if/whether’ or a
question word because it is superfluous.
We don’t say:
I asked her as to whether she would have a
cup of tea.
He asked me as to when I would get back.
(b) ‘That’ is not used before ‘if/whether’ or a
question word.
We don’t say:
I asked them that why they came so late.
Rule 10
Questions beginnig with ‘shall I/shall we’
Questions beginning with ‘shall I/shall we’ to express
request/advice/instruction are changed like yes/no
questions. For example,
Direct: She said, “Shall I switch on the fan?”
Indirect: She asked whether she should switch on
the fan.
English Language and Comprehension 195
Notice that ‘shall’ becomes ‘should’ not ‘would’.
‘Shall’ becomes ‘would’ when such questions express
request for information. For example,
Direct: She said, “Shall I ever get a job?”
Indirect: She wondered if she would ever get a job.
Rule 11
Question tags
Question tags are changed like yes/no questions. The
statement part is left out and the tag is expanded to
a full question. For example,
Direct: She said, “You don’t like him, do you?”
Indirect: She asked me if I liked him.
Note: Here the tag is ‘do you’ and its expanded form
is ‘do you like him?’
Rule 12
Yes/no in indirect speech
Yes/no as answer to a question is turned into indirect
speech in this way: subject+auxiliary verb (statement)
Direct: He said, “Can you help me?” I said, ‘Yes’.
Indirect: He asked me if I could help him and I said
that I could.
Direct: I said, “Will you go home” She said, ‘No’.
Indirect: I asked her whether she should go home
and she replied that she wouldn’t.
Note: It sounds pedantic (of or like a person who is
too concerned about small details or ruels especially
when learning or teaching.) to change ‘Yes’ into ‘reply’
in the ‘affirmative’ and ‘No’ into ‘reply’ in the
‘negative’.
Rule 13
Command/request in Indirect Speech
A direct command/request/advice/suggestion is turned
into Indirect Speech in this way:
(i) reporting verb ‘(say)’ is changed into ask/advise/
tell/request+object (person addressed).
order/command+object is used only when the command
is very strong.
Note: (a) These verbs are not used without an object,
so if the reporting verb is without an object, it (usually
first or third person pronoun) is supplied. For example,
Direct: He said, “Sit down”.
Indirect: He asked me/her to sit down. (not, He asked
to sit down.)
Direct: “Come in”, he said to her.
Indirect: He asked her to come in. (not, He asked to
come in)
Direct: “Open fire”, the District Magistrate said to
the police.
Indirect: The District Magistrate ordered/commanded
the police to open fire.
(b) say+to+object is not used in an indirect command.
For example, we can’t say,
I said to him to sit down.
196 English Language and Comprehension
(c) suggest is used with to+object:
I suggest to him to take some exercise.
(not, suggested him)
(ii) A verb in the imperative is changed into a to-
infinitive (non-finite clause) and placed after the
reporting clause. For example,
Direct: I said, “Take your seat”.
Indirect: I told/asked him to take his seat. (‘take’
changes to ‘to take’)
Direct: He said, “Give me some food, please”.
Indirect: He requested me to give him some food. (‘give’
changes to ‘to give’)
(iii) ‘that’ is never used to link the two clauses in
imperatives.
We don’t say:
I asked him that take your seat.
He told me that make tea for me.
(iv) ‘you’ (subject) is left out. For example,
Direct: “You call a taxi”, he said to me.
Indirect: He asked me to call a taxi.
(not, he asked me you call a taxi.)
(v) ‘do’ used in an emphatic imperative is left out. For
example,
Direct: She said, “Do start at once”.
Indirect: She asked me to start at once. (not, to do
start at once)
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Note: ‘Do’ used as an ordinary verb is not left out.
For example,
Direct: “Do as I do”. She said to the children.
Indirect: She asked the children to do as she did.
(vi) ‘please/kindly’ is left out because its sense is
expressed by the reporting verb.
(vii) ‘don’t’ (negative imperative) is changed into
not+infinitive (not+to+verb)
Direct: “Don’t write on walls”. He told us.
Indirect: He asked us not to write on walls.
Notice how ‘do’ is left out and ‘not’ is placed before
the ‘to-infinitive’, not after.
We don’t say:
He asked us to not pick roses.
She asked him don’t to whistle in the class.
Not e: (a) no t+inf initive can be re place d by
forbid+infinitive. For example,
Direct: He said, “Don’t sleep in the class”.
Indirect: He asked me not to sleep in the class.
Indirect: He forbade me to sleep in the class.
(b) mustn’t infinitive
‘Mustn’t’ can be turned into Indirect Speech either
as a state me nt or as a ne gative command
(prohibition). For example,
Direct: She said, “You mustn’t drive rashly”.
Indirect: She said that I must n’t driv e r ashly.
(statement)
Indirect: She asked me not to drive rashly. (negative
command)
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Rule 14
Imperative with had better (advice)
An imperative with you + better/had better expressing
advice is turned into Indirect Speech like an ordinary
imperative. For example,
(i ) reporting verb is changed into advise + object.
(ii) better/had better is left out.
(iii)full infinitive (to+verb) is used instead of bare
infinitive.
For example,
Direct: He said, “You better/had better see a doctor”.
Indirect: He advised me to see a doctor. (better/had
better left out)
Direct: The doctor said, “You had better not work
hard”.
Indirect: The doctor advised me not to work hard. (had
better left out)
Rule 15
Imperative with must/should/ought to
An imperative with you+must/should/ought to
expressing advice is turned into Indirect Speech like
an ordinary imperative.
(i ) reporting verb is changed into advise + object.
(ii) must/should/ought to is left out.
(iii)full infinitive (to+verb) is used instead of bare
infinitive.
For example,
Direct: He said, “You must/should take some exercise
every day”.
Indirect: He advised me to take some exercise every
day. (must/should left out)
Direct: She said, “You ought to love animals”.
Indirect: She urged me to love animlas. (ought to left
out)
Rule 16
Imperative with might (request)
An imperative with you+might expressing request is
turne d into Indire ct Spe e ch like an ordinary
imperative:
(i ) reporting verb is changed into request + object.
(ii) might is left out.
(iii)full infinitive (to+verb) is used instead of bare
infinitive.
Direct: She said, “You might attend the meeting on
my behalf”.
Indirect: She requested me to attend the meeting on
her behalf.
Rule 17
Question expressing command/request
Questions beginning with you/would you/could you
e xpre ssing co mman d/reques t/inv itation are
converted into Indirect Speech in this way:
(i ) reporting verb is changed into ask/request +
object.
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(ii) verb in the imperative is changed into a to-
infinitive as in an ordinary imperative.
(iii)will you/would you/could you is left out.
(iv ) please/kindly is left out.
For example,
Direct: She said, “Would you close the gate, please?”
Indirect: She requested me/him to close the gate.
(would you and please left out)
Direct: He said, “will you keep quiet?”
Indirect: He asked me to keep quiet. (will you left
out)
These are questions only in form, not in sense. They
do not seek information. Therefore they are not
changed like yes/no questions. However, note that
such questions when the y seek information are
changed like ordinary yes/no questions. For example,
Direct: She said, ‘Will you go home by bus?’
Indirect: She asked me if I would go home by bus.
Rule 18
Imperative+question tag
A question tag at the end of an imperative is left out,
when the sentence is converted into reported speech.
For example,
Direct: “Shut the door, will you?” I said to her.
Indirect: I asked/request ed her to shut the door.
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(question tag left out)
Rule 19
Imperative with ‘let me/us’ (proposal/suggestion)
An imperative with ‘let me/us’ expressing proposal/
suggestion is turned into Indirect Speech like a
statement:
(i ) reporting ve rb is change d into ‘prop ose/
suggest’.
(ii) ‘that’ is used as in a statement.
(iii)‘let’ is changed into ‘should’.
(iv ) obje ctive case (me/ us) is change d into
subjective case (I/we)
For example,
Direct: I said, “Let me have a rest”.
Indirect: I suggested that I should have a rest.
Direct: I said, “Let’s sing together”.
Indirect: I proposed/suggested that we should sing
together.
Rule 20
Imp erat ive with ‘let +third p erso n’ ( order/
command)
An imperative with let + third person expressing
order/command is turned into Indirect Speech like
a statement:
(i ) reporting verb is changed into ask/order/
command + object.
English Language and Comprehension 197
(ii) ‘that’ is used as in a statement.
(iii)‘let’ is changed into ‘should’.
(iv) objective case (him/her/them) is changed into
the subjective case (he/she/they).
For example,
Direct: The teacher said, “Let them go out”.
Indirect: The teacher ordered that they should go out.
Direct: The officer said, “Let the police open fire”.
Indirect: The officer ordered that the police should
open fire.
Rule 21
An imperative with let+first/third person expressing
permission is turned into Indirect Speech like an
ordinary imperative:
(i ) reporting verb is changed into ask/ request +
object.
(ii) imperative verb ‘let’ is changed into a full
infinitive (to + let + object)
For example,
Direct: “Let me drive the car”. I told the driver.
Indirect: I asked the driver to let me drive the car.
Direct: “Let them play in the park”, she told the
watchman.
Indirect: She asked the watchman to let them play in
the park.
Direct: “Let me go out, Sir”, he said to the teacher.
Indirect: He requested the teacher to let him go out.
Note: ‘don’t’ be come s ‘not to’ as in a ne gative
imperative.
Rule 22
Exclamations in Indirect Speech
Exclamations are turned into Indirect Speech in this
way:
(i ) reporting veb changed into exclaimed with joy/
sorrow/anger/contempt/surprise/applause
etc.
(ii) ‘that’ is used as in a statement.
(iii) interjections like ‘alas’ are left out.
(iv ) e xclamations are re porte d as statements.
Words like ‘how’, ‘what’, are change d
accordingly.
For example,
Direct: He said, “How beautiful a place!”.
Indirect: He exclaimed with admiration that it was a
very beautiful place.
Sudde n short crie s/incomple te se nte nce s are
expressed in full sentences. For example,
Direct: She said, “What a man!”.
Indirect: She exclaimed with surprise that he was a
peculiar man.
Direct: I said, “Oh, enough”.
I said, “It is enought”.
Indirect: I exclaimed with disgust that it was enough.
198 English Language and Comprehension Narration

Rule 23 (iii)a sentence expressing a wish/desire is changed

into a statement.
Wish/D esir e in Ind irect Sp eech (Op tative For example,
Sentence) Direct: “May you live long”, She said.
A wish/desire in the Direct Speech is turned into Indirect: She wished/prayed that I may live long.
Indirect Speech in this way: Direct: “Many happy returns of the day”, said Mary.
Indirect: Mary wished him many happy returns of the
(i ) reporting verb is changed into wish/pray/
day.
bless/curse.
(ii) ‘that’ is used as in a statement. Note: In traditional grammar a sentence expressing
‘wish/desire’ is called an ‘Optative Sentence’.

Exercise-1
Change the following into indirect speech: 41. He said, ‘What a lovely garden?
1. Mukul says, ‘I am going to Delhi.’ 42. ‘What a terrible storm it is! he said.
2. Rama say, ‘Sita will dance.’ 43. He said,‘Good-bye, my friend.’
3. He said, ‘I will try it.’ 44. He said,‘God save the King.’
4. She said, ‘I don’t like this.’ 45. They said, ‘Hurrah! We have won the cup.’
5. He said, ‘My mother cooks our breakfast.’ 46. He said, ‘Bravo! You have done well.’
6. She said, ‘He is taking his examination.’ 47. Moti said, ‘Alas! I am undone.’
7. He said, ‘I have finished the work.’ 48. ‘Hello! How are you ?’ he said.
8. He said, ‘Hari has been giving us very good milk.’ 49. She said, ‘Alas! How foolish I have been.
9. Mr Jha said ‘I saw the Taj Mahal.’ 50. He said, ‘Farewell, my countrymen.’
10. She said, ‘I had waited for the bus for an hour.’ 51. He said, ‘May God bless her with long life and
11. The boys said,‘We were watching the game’. prosperity.’
12. He said, ‘God is everywhere.’ 52. ‘Oh dear! I have lost my money.’ he said.

K KUNDAN
13. Mohan will say,‘I want two persons to help me.’ 53. ‘What a lot of food there is to eat!’ she said.
14. He said, ‘I can do it myself.’ 54. He said, I’II come here again tomorrow.’
15. He said, ‘We must wait for the result’. 55. The teacher said to the boys, ‘Don’t write on
16. I said, ‘I am tired.’ both sides,’
17. He said to me,‘You may go,’ 56. The clerk said to the Manager, ‘Please don’t
18. Tom said to me, ‘I shall meet you at the station.’ refuse leave to me.’
19. He said,‘Man is mortal.’ 57. He said, ‘Congratulations.’
20. He said to me ‘Where is your book ? 58. He said, ‘You needn’t wait.’
21. He said to me,‘What is your name ? 59. He said, ‘Hello! Where are you going ?
22. He said to me, ‘Do you know the way ? 60. He said, ‘Let me have some tea.’
23. The teacher said to me, ‘What are you doing ? 61. Ali said to his friends, ‘Let me do my work, please,’
24. He asked,‘What is the time ? 62. She said to us, ‘Let us have some music,’
25. Mohan asked,‘Are the boys here ? 63. He said to me, ‘Please wait here till I return.’
26. Reeta asked, ‘Where were you ? he asked me. 64. He said,‘After the class I had to return home.’
27. ‘Can you see me tomorrow?’ he asked me. 65. He said, ‘Thank you.’
28. He said, ‘Is Raju your brother? 66. He said,‘Curse the fog.’
29. He said, ‘Good morning.’ 67. He said, ‘Happy Christmas.’
30. He said to his servant, ‘Leave my house at once.’ 68. He said, ‘Liar,’
31. He said, ‘May God bless you.’ 69. He said, ‘Do you like it? She said, ‘Yes.’
32. I said, ‘Go home.’ 70. He said, ‘Let’s go.’
33. He said, ‘Has Ramesh spent all the money ?’ 71. ‘Let me go!’ the boy said to the policeman.
34. The teacher said to the boys, ‘Take back your 72. He said, ‘You must be silent.’
books.’ 73. He said, ‘What a fool Tom is!’
35. He said,‘Lie down, Mukul.’ 74. The teacher asked the boys, ‘Where do you want
36. He said, ‘Please say anything about it.’ to go!’
37. He said, ‘Don’t move, boys.’ 75. ‘Why does the child cry?’ Mr Sinha asked his
38. ‘Please grant me leave for a day’ the peon said servant.
to the Principal. 76. ‘What a nice man Mr Prasad is!’ one of the guests
39. ‘Don’t let anybody in,’ said the master to the at the party said.
servant. 77. He said, ‘Thank you very much for your help.
40.‘What a beautiful view! my friend said. 78. He said, ‘Do you know who is coming?
Narration
79. She said, I’ve lost my key. Can I borrow yours.?’
80. He said,‘Will you come out with me? No, I said
81. He asked me,‘Do you like this?’
82. He asked, ‘Are you a student?’ and I said, ‘No.’
83. The teacher said, ‘Don’t sleep late and miss the
train.’
84. Prospero said, ‘Can you remember a time before
you came to this cell? I think you cannot, for
you were not then three years of age.’
85. She called out angrily, ‘So you have been hitting
Exercise-2
Turn the following into Indirect Speech:
1. He said to me, “I have often told you not to play
with fire.”
2. “You have all done very badly!” remarked the
teacher.
3. They wrote, “It is time we thought about settling
this matter.”
4. The teacher promised. “If you will come before
school tomorrow, I will explain it.”
5. She wrote, “I am waiting and watching and longing
for my son’s return.”
6. The examiner’s orders were, “No one is to bring
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books into the room nor ask me questions about
what I have told you to do.”
Exercise-3
Turn the following into Indirect Speech:
1. “What do you want?” he said to her.
2. He said, “How’s your father ?”
3. “Are you coming home with me ?” he asked.
4. He enquired, “When do you intend to pay me ?”
5. He said to us, “Why are you all sitting about
there doing nothing ?”
6. “Do you really come from China?” said the prince.
7. The poor man exclaimed,“ Will none of you help
me ?”
8. “Which way did she go?” aske d the young
Rakshas.
9. Aladdin said to the magician, “What have I done
to deserve so severe a blow?”
10. “Don’t you know the way home ?” asked I.
11. “Do you write a good hand?” he said.
12. “Have you anything to say on behalf of the
prisoner?” said the judge finally.
13. “Which is the proper way to answer this question,
father?” the boy enquired.
14. “Have you anything to tell me, little bird ?” asked
English Language and Comprehension 199
Makhan again ? Phatik answered indignantly,
‘No, I haven’t; who told you that?
86. The robber said to Alexander, ‘I am thy captive; I
must hear what thou art pleased to say, and
endure what thou art pleased to inflict.’
87. The teacher became angry and said to the student,
‘Why haveyou disturbed the class again? I have
told you before thatyou should be silent when I
am speaking. Leave the room and do not return
again today.’
7. The dwarf said to her, “Promise me that when
you are Queen you will give me your first-born
child.”
8. “That is my horse,” said he, “and if I do not prove
it in a few minutes I will give up my claim.”
9. “I will avenge your wrongs.” He cried, “I will not
enter Athens until I have punished the king who
had so cruelly treated you.”
10. He wrote and said. “I am unable to come just
now because I am ill, but I will certainly start
as soon as I am well enough to do so.”
11. One day he sent for Cassim and said to him.
“You are now old enough to earn your living, so
you must set off, and make your own way in the
world.”
Ulysses.
15. The young sparrow said, “Mother, what is that
queer object ?”
16. Then aloud he said, “Tell me, boy, is the miller
within ?”
17. “Who are you, sir , and what do you want ?” they
cried.
18. “Dear bird,” she said, strocking its feathers,
“have you come to comfort me in my sorrow?”
19. The Rajah was deeply grieved, and said to his
wife, “What can I do for you ?”
20. When the sun got low, the king’s son said, “Jack,
since we have no money, where can we lodge
this night ?”
21. She said to him “What is it that makes you so
much stronger and braver than any other man ?”
22. When the Brahmin approached, the first thief
said, “Why do you carry a dog on your back ? Are
you not ashamed?”
200 English Language and Comprehension Narration

Exercise-4
Put the following in Indirect Speech: 7. “Hurry up,” he said to his servant,“ do not waste
1. “Bring me a drink of milk,” said the swami to the time.”
villagers. 8. “Run away, children,” said their mother.
2. “Sit down, boys.” said the teacher. 9. He said, “Daughter, take my golden jug, and fetch
3. “Halt!” shouted the officer to his men. me some water from the well,”
4. “Take off your hat,” the king said to the Hatter. 10. “Go down to the bazaar, Bring me some oil and a
5. The teacher said to him.“ Do not read so fast.” lump of ice,” ordered his master.
6. He said to me,“ Wait until I come.”

Exercise-5

Put the following in Indirect Speech: you have done your work!”
1. “ What a rare article milk is, to be sure, in 6. “How smart you are!” she said.
London!” said Mr Squeers with a sigh. 7. He said, “Oh! that’s a nuisance.”
2. “ What a stupid fellow you are!” he angrily 8. He said, “How cruel of him!”
remarked. 9. He said, “What a pity you did not come!”
3. He said, “My God! I am ruined.” 10. “Ah me!” exclaimed the Queen, “What a rash
4. He said, “Alas! our foes are too strong .” and bloody deed you have done!”
5. He said, “What a lazy boy you are! How badly

Exercise-6
Put
1.
2.
3.

4.
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the following in Direct Speech:
He asked Rama to go with him.
Rama replied that he could not do so.
He asked his father when the next letter would
come.
His father replied that there might not be another
that year.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
The stranger asked Alice where she lived.
I asked Mary if she would lend me a pencil.
He told us that he had waited an hour.
The lady inquired if he was now quite well again.
He said that he had come to see them.
He said that though he had come, it was against
his will.
5. Rama asked me what had become of Hari. 27. The speaker said that it gave him great pleasure
6. I told him that I had not seen him for months. to be there that evening.
7. The master requested that they would attend 28. He asked them whether they would listen to
carefully to what he was saying. such a man.
8. I wrote that I would visit him next day. 29. He asked me if I would accompany him.
9. He observed that he had never liked doing that. 30. He ordered him to leave the room and forbade
10. I told them to be quiet. him to return.
11. He asked me if I had anything to say. 31. The mother asked her boy where he had been all
12. Rama asked Hari if he would change places with the afternoon.
him. 32. Hari asked Rama if he had read the letter.
13. He said that he was tired, and that he wished to 33. The King aske d the philosophe r whom he
go to bed. considered the happiest man living.
14. An old mouse asked who would bell the cat. 34. The magistrate asked the prisoner what he was
15. John said that he wanted to be a soldier. doing with his hand in the gentleman’s pocket.
16. He asked me where I was going. 35. The fox cried out to the goat that a thought had
17. He asked me what I wanted. just come into his head.
18. Abdul said that he had seen that picture. 36. He advised his sons not to quarrel amongst
themselves, when he was dead but to remain
19. The boy said that he would go with us.
united.
20. He said that the earth moves round the sun.
Narration
Exercise-7
Change the speech from Direct to Indirect.
1. “Where do you live?” asked the stranger.
2. The policeman said to us, “Where are you going?”
3. He said “Will you listen to such a man?”
4. “Do you suppose, you know better than your own
father ?” jeered his angry mother.
5. Rama said to Arjun “Go away.”
Exercise-8
Change the speech from Direct to Indirect.
1. “I will average your wrongs,” he cried, “I will not
enter Athens until I have punished the King who
had so crudely treated you.”
2. He wrote and said “I am unable to come just
now because I am ill, but I will certainly starts
as soon as I am well enough to do so.
3. Aladdin said to the magician, “What have I done
to deserve so severe a blow?”
4. She said to him, “What is it that makes you so
much stronger and braver than any other man ?”
5. “Bring me a glass of milk,” said to the swami to
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villagers.
6. “Hurry up,” he said to his servant, “do not waste
time.”
Exercise-9
Change the speech from Indirect to Direct.
1. He asked his father when the next letter would
come.
2. The master requested that they would attend
carefully to what he was saying.
3. He observed that he never liked doing that.
4. He said that he was tired, and that he wished to
go to bed.
5. The lady inquired if he was now quite well again.
Exercise-10
Directions: A sentence has been given in
Direct/Indirect form. Out of the four alternatives
suggested, select the one which best expresses
the same sentence in Indirect/Direct form and
mark your answer in the Answer-Sheet.
1. “Please could you tell me the way?” He said.
a) He asked me please could I tell him the way.
b) He asked me to please tell him the way.
English Language and Comprehension 201
6. “Call the first witness,” said the judge.
7. He shouted “let me go.”
8. He said, “Alas! I am undone.”
9. Sudha said, “How clever I am !”
10. “So help me Heaven!” he cried, “I will never steal
again.”
7. “What a stupid fellow you are !” he angrily
remarked.”
8. He said, “What a lazy boy you are ! How badly
you have done your work !”
9. The general addressing his mutinous troops said,
“You have brought disgrace upon a famous
regiment. If you had grievances, why did you not
lay them before your own officers? Now you must
first suffer punishment for your offence before
your own officers before your complaints can be
heard.”
10. The traveller said “Can you tell me the way to
the nearest inn?” “Yes,” said the peasant, “do
you want one in which you can spend the night?”
“No,” replied the traveller, “I only want a meal”.
6. The speaker said that it gave him great pleasure
to be there that evening.
7. He ordered him to lave the room and forbade
him to return.
8. The mother asked her boy where he had been all
the afternoon.
9. Hari asked Rama if he had read the letter.
10. The King aske d the philosophe r whom he
considered the happiest man living.
c) He requested me to tell him the way, please.
d) He requested me to tell him the way.
2. The y said to him, “we will de stroy your
homestead”.
a) The y said to him the y will de stroy his
homestead.
b) The y told him the y would de stroy their
homestead.
202 English Language and Comprehension
c) The y told him that they can destroy his
homestead.
d) They told him that they would destroy his
homestead.
3. “You can phone from my office,” he said.
a) He said that he could phone from my office.
b) He said you could phone from his office.
c) He said that I can phone from your office.
d) He said I can phone from my office.
4. “Please sit down,” he said.
a) He asked her to sit down.
b) He said that she could sit down.
c) He told her that sit down.
d) He said her to sit down.
5. Keats wrote “a thing of beauty is a joy forever”.
a) Keats wrote that a thing of beauty is a joy
forever.
b) Keats wrote that a thing of beauty was a joy
forever.
c) A thing of beauty was a joy forever is written
by Keats.
d) Keats has written that a beautiful thing is
always joyful.
6. “What did you eat for breakfast today?” the doctor
asked the patient.
a) The doctor asked the patient whether he had
eaten breakfast that day.
b) The doctor asked the patient what he had
K KUNDAN
eaten for breakfast that day.
c) The doctor asked the patient whether he has
eaten breakfast that day.
d) The doctor asked the patient whether he was
eaten breakfast that day.
7. The employer said to him, “I shall pay your wages
tomorrow.”
a) The employer said that he shall pay your
wages the next day.
b) The employer told him that he would pay his
wages the next day.
c) The employer said that I shall pay my wages
the next day.
d) The employer said that he shall pay his wages
the next day.
8. “Why are you looking through the key hole?” I
said
a) I asked him why he was looking through the
key hole.
b) I said to him why he is looking through the
key hole.
c) I said to him that why he was looking through
the key hole.
d) I asked you why you are looking through the
key hole.
9. “How cruel the boss is!” said the clerk.
a) The clerk said that the boss was very cruel.
b) The clerk said that the boss is very cruel.
c) The clerk exclaimed that the boss was very
cruel.
Narration
d) The clerk exclaimed that the boss is very cruel.
10. My husband said to me, “Wait for me outside”.
a) My husband told me to wait for him outside.
b) My husband said that I have to wait for him
outside.
c) My husband wanted me to wait for him only
outside.
d) My husband angrily asked me to wait outside.
11. Looking at the accident, the passenger said,
“What a tragedy it is!”
a) Looking at the accide nt, the passe nge r
exclaimed that it was a great tragedy.
b) Looking at the accident, the passenger said
what a tregedy it was.
c) The passenger said it was a tragedy.
d) The passenger was surprised at the terrible
tragedy.
12. The speaker said to the audience, “Lend me your
ears and make note of my speech.”
a) The speaker ordered the audience to lend their
ear to him and make note of his speechs.
b) The speaker requested the audience to lend
him their ears and make note of his speech.
c) The speaker told that the audience should
lend their ears to him and make note of his
speech.
d) The speaker wanted the audience to lend their
ears and make note of his speech.
13. You said to me last week, “You are my best
friend.”
a) You told me last week that I was your best
friend.
b) You told me last week he is my best friend.
c) You told me last week she is his best friend.
d) You told me last week you are my best friend.
14. “I don’t know the way. Do you?” He asked me.
a) He said that he didn’t know the way and I
knew it.
b) He told me that he didn’t know the way and
asked me whether I did.
c) He said to me that I should find the way for
him.
d) He asked me to show the way as he didn’t
know it.
15. The children’s mother warned them not to go
near the sea.
a) The children’s mother said, “Don’t you go near
the sea, children”.
b) The children’s mother asked them “Don’t you
go near the sea?”
c) The children’s mother said her children, “You
should not go near the sea.”
d) The children’s mother ordered them, “You
ought not to go near the sea.”
16. The priest asked what the confessions were that
he was prepared to make.
a) The priest said, “What are the confessions
you are prepared to make?”
Narration
b) The priest said to him “What confessions are
you prepared to make?”
c) The priest asked, “What are the confessions
you are to make?”
d) The priest said, “What confessions are you
going to make?”
17. The officer said to the man, “You must show me
the papers tomorrow.”
a) The officer demanded that the man show him
the papers the next day.
b) The officer wanted to see the papers tomorrow.
c) The officer told the man he had seen the
papers yesterday.
d) The officer ordered the man to show the
papers.
18. The fox cried out to the goat that a thought has
just come into my mind.
a) The fox cried out to the goat that a thought
has just come into my mind.
b) The fox cried out to the goat that a thought
has just gone into his mind.
c) Cried the fox to the goat that a thought has
come just in my mind.
d) The fox cried out to the goat that a thought
had just come into his mind.
19. “Have you told your father to meet me?” The
principal asked me.
The Principal
K KUNDAN
a) asked me if I had told my father to meet him.
b) asked my father if he had told me to meet
him.
c) asked me to tell my father to meet him.
d) expected of me to tell my father to meet him.
20. The teacher said, “Nina, come here at once!”
a) The teacher requested Nina to come at once
b) The teacher ordered Nina to come immediately
c) The teacher told Nina to go to her
d) The teacher said that Nina would come at once
21. I said to her, “He is a good boy.”
a) I told her that he is a good boy.
b) I told her that he was a good boy.
c) I asked her that he is a good boy.
d) I asked her that he was a good boy.
22. Rahim said, “I will watch a horror movie tonight”.
a) Rahim said that he will watch a horror movie
tonight.
b) Rahim said that he would watch a horror movie
tonight.
c) Rahim said that he would watch a horror movie
that night.
d) Rahim said that he should watch a horror
movie tonight.
23. Manu said, “I am busy now”.
a) Manu said that he was busy then.
b) Manu said that he is busy now.
c) Manu said that he was busy now.
d) Manu told that he was busy now.
24. He said to me, “where are you going?”
English Language and Comprehension 203
a) He told me where I was going.
b) He asked me where I was going.
c) He told to me where he was going.
d) He asked him where was he going?
25. He said, “Please give me another chance”.
a) He requested him to give another chance.
b) He requested them to give another chance.
c) He re que ste d the m to have be e n give n
another chance.
d) He requested that another chance should be
given to him.
26. Gita said, “This is my book”.
a) Gita said that this is her book.
b) Gita told that this was her book.
c) Gita said that it was her book.
d) Gita said that this was her book.
27. He said to me, “I am sorry to hear that you have
lost your dog.”
a) He told me I was sorry I had lost my dog.
b) He was sorry I had lost the dog.
c) He comforted me on the death of my dog.
d) He sympathised with me on hearing I had lost
my dog.
28. He replied, “I have promised to reward my
servants.”
a) He replied that he had promised to reward my
servants.
b) He promise d that he would re ward his
servants.
c) He replied that he had promised to reward
his servants.
d) He had promised that he would reward his
servants.
29. “This is the best book I’ve e ve r read,” the
professor told the class.
a) The professor told the class that that was the
best book they could ever read.
b) The professor told the class that that was the
best book he would ever read.
c) The professor told the class that this was the
best book he had ever read.
d) The professor told the class that it was the
best book he had ever read.
30. “It is a pleasure to do business with you”, He
said
a) He said that it was a pleasure to do business
with me.
b) He said that it is a pleasure to do business
with you.
c) He conveyed the pleasure to do business with
you.
d) He wondered at the pleasure to do business
with you.
31. The Colonel said to the soldier, “Next month’
you will be promoted.”
a) The Colonel commanded the soldier that he
must be promoted.
b) The Colonel told the soldier he would be
promoted the following month.
204 English Language and Comprehension
c) The Colonel promised the soldier that he
would promote him next month.
d) The Colonel said the soldier will be promoted
the following month.
32. He said to his friends, “Let us go out.”
a) He requested his friends to go out.
b) He proposed to his friends that they should
go out.
c) He suggested that his friends should go out.
d) He proposed for his friends to go out.
33. The teacher said, “The earth revolves round the
sun.”
a) The teacher told that the earth had revolved
round the sun.
b) The teacher said that the earth revolves round
the sun.
c) The teacher informed that the earth revolved
round the sun.
d) The teacher said that the earth has been
revolving round the sun.
34. The boys are sure to say, “We are going by
ourselves.”
a) The boys will say that we are going by
ourselves.
b) The boys will say that they were going by
themselves.
c) The boys will say that they were going by
themselves.
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d) The boys will say that they would be going by
themselves.
35. My friend said to me, “Beware of cheats.”
a) My friend assured me to beware of cheats.
b) My friend told me to beware of cheats.
c) My friend warned me against cheats.
d) My friend asked me if I was beware of cheats.
36. Socrates said, “Virtue is its own reward.”
a) Socrates said that virtue had its own rewards.
b) Socrates says that virtue is its own reward.
c) Socrates said that virtue is its own reward.
d) Socrates said that virtue was its own reward.
37. He said to the interviewer, “Could you please
repeat the question?”
a) He requested the interviewer if he could
please repeat the question.
b) He requested the interviewer to please repeat
the question.
c) He requested the interviewer to repeat the
question.
d)He requested the interviewer if he could repeat
the question.
38. He said, “It used to be a lovely, quiet street.”
a) He said that it used to be a lovely, quiet
street.
b) He pointed out that it had used to be a lovely,
quiet street.
c) He said that there used to be a lovely, quiet
street.
d) He inquired whether there was a lovely, quiet
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street.
39. The Prime Minister said that no one would be
allowed to disturb the peace.
a) The Prime Minister said, “We shall not allow
anyone to disturb the peace.”
b) The Prime Minister said, “We would not allow
no one to disturb the peace.”
c) The Prime Minister said, “No one will disturb
the peace.”
d) The Prime Minister said, “No one can disturb
the peace.”
40. The spectators said, “Bravo! Well done, players.”
a) The spectators shouted that the players were
doing very well.
b) The spectators exclaimed with joy that the
players were doing very well.
c) The spectators applauded the players saying
that they had done well.
d) The spectators applauded the players joyfully
to do well.
41. I said to my friend, “Good Morning. Let us go for
a picnic today.”
a) I told good morning to my friend and asked to
go for a picnic that day.
b) I wished my friend good morning and proposed
that we should go for a picnic that day.
c) I wished my friend good morning and proposed
that they should go for a picnic that day.
d)I told good morning to my friend and suggested
to go for a picnic today.
42. The new student asked the old one, “Do you know
my name?”
a) The new student asked the old one if he knew
his name.
b) The new student asked the old one that
whether he knew his name.
c) The new student asked the old one did he
know his name.
d)The new student asked the old one if he knows
his name.
43. I warned her that I could no longer tolerate her
coming late.
a) I said to her, “You can no longer tolerate my
coming late.”
b) I said to her, “I can no longer tolerate your
coming late.”
c) I said to her, “He can no longer tolerate her
coming late.”
d) I said to her, “I can no longer tolerate she
coming late.”
44. I said to my mother, “I will certainly take you to
Bangalore this week.”
a) I told my mother he would certainly take her
to Bangalore that week.
b) I told my mother that I would certainly take
her to Bangalore that week.
c) I told my mother that she would certainly take
her to Bangalore that week.
Narration
d) I told to my mother that I would take you to
Bangalore that week.
45. “How long doe s the journe y take ”, my co-
passenger asked me.
a) My co-passenger asked me how long does the
journey take ?
b) I asked my co-passenger how long the journey
would take.
c) My co-passenger wanted to know how long the
journey would take.
d) My co-passenger asked me how long the
journey did take.
46. “How clever of you to have solved the puzzle so
quickly,” said the mother.
a) The mother exclaimed admiringly that it was
very clever of him to have solved the puzzle
so quickly.
b) The mother expressed that he was so clever
to have solved the puzzle quickly.
c) The mother told that he was very clever in
solving the puzzle so quickly.
d) The mother exclaimed with joy that he was
clever enough to solve the puzzle so quickly.
47. He said he goes for a walk every morning.
a) He said, “I went for a walk every morning”.
b) He said, “I go for a walk every morning”.
c) He said, “I will go for a walk every morning”.
d) He said, “He goes for a walk every morning”.
K KUNDAN
48. I reiterated, “I don’t care about the job.”
a) I reiterated I didn’t care about the job.
b) I said again and again I didn’t care about the
job.
c) I reiterated that I did not care about the job.
d) I repeatedly said that I cared about the job.
49. I said to my brother, “Let us go to some hill
station for a change.”
a) I suggested to my brother that they should go
to some hill station for a change.
b) I suggested to my brother that we should go
to some hill station for a change.
c) I suggested to my brother that let us go to
some hill station for a change.
d) I suggested to my brother that let them go to
some hill station for a change.
50. I wonde re d how many discove rie s we nt
unheeded.
a) I said, “How many discoveries have gone
unheeded ?”
b) I said, “How many discove rie s we nt
unheeded ?”
c) I said, “Do discoveries go unheeded ?”
d) I said, “How many discoveries go unheeded ?”
51. Gopan said to me, “Can you do these sums for
me ?”
a) Gopan asked me if I could do those sums for
him.
b) Gopan asked me if I can do those sums for
him.
English Language and Comprehension 205
c) Gopan asked me if I can do these sums for
him.
d) Gopan asked if I could do these sums for him.
52. The boss said, “It’s time we began planning our
work”.
a) The boss said that it was time they had begun
planning their work.
b) The boss said that it was time we had begun
planning our work.
c) The boss said that it was time they began
planning their work.
d) The boss said that it was time we began
planning his work.
53. He said to the judge, “I did not commit this
crime.”
a) He told the judge that he did not commit the
crime.
b) He told the judge that he had not committed
the crime.
c) He told the judge that he had not committed
that crime.
d) He told the judge that he had not committed
this crime.
54. Rahul said, “I will do it now or never”.
a) Rahul said that he will do it now or never.
b) Rahul said that he will now or never do it.
c) Rahul said that he would do it then or never.
d) Rahul said that he would now or never do it.
55. My father once said to me, “If I can’t trust my
people, then I don’t want to be doing this.”
a) His father once told him that if he couldn’t
trust his people then he didn’t want to be
doing that.
b) My father once told me that if he couldn't trust
his people then he didn't want to be doing
that.
c) My father once told me that if he couldn't trust
my people then he didn’t want to be doing
that.
d) My father once told me that if he couldn’t trust
his people then he didn’t want to be doing
this.
56. Doshi said to his wife, “Please select one of these
necklaces.”
a) Doshi requested his wife to select one of
those necklaces.
b) Doshi said to his wife to please select one of
these necklaces.
c) Doshi told his wife to please select one of
those necklaces.
d) Doshi pleased his wife to select one of those
necklaces.
57. He wrote in his report, “The rainfall has been
scanty till now.”
a) He reported that the rainfall has been scanty
till now.
b) He reported that the rainfall had been scanty
till now.
206 English Language and Comprehension
c) He reported that the rainfall has been scanty
till then.
d) He reported that the rainfall had been scanty
till then.
58. “Govind,” said the manager sternly, “I command
you to tell me what the old man said.”
a) The manager sternly told Govind that he
commanded him to tell him what the old man
had said.
b) The manager commanded sternly to Govind
to tell him what the old man had said.
c) The manager commanded Govind to tell him
what the old man said.
d) The manager sternly commanded Govind to
tell him what the old man had said.
59. I said to him, “Where have you lost the pen I
brought for you yesterday?”
a) I asked him where he had lost the pen I had
brought for him the day before.
b) I asked him where he had lost the pen I had
brought for him the previous day.
c) I asked him where he had lost the pen I had
brought for him the next day.
d) I asked him where he had lost the pen I
brought for him the previous day.
60. She said to Rita, “Please help me with my
homework.”
a) She re que ste d Rita to he lp he r in he r
K KUNDAN
homework.
b) Rita re que ste d her to he lp he r with her
homework.
c) She requested Rita to help he r with her
homework.
d) She requested Rita to help her homework.
61. Kiran asked me, "Did you see the cricket match
on television last night?"
a) Kiran asked me whether I saw the cricket
match on television the earlier night.
b) Kiran asked me whether I had seen the cricket
match on television the earlier night.
c) Kiran asked me did I see the cricket match
on television last night.
d) Kiran asked me whether I had seen the cricket
match on television last night.
62. David said to Anna, "Mona will leave for her
native place tomorrow."
a) David told Anna that Mona will leave for her
native place tomorrow.
b) David told Anna that Mona left for her native
place the next day.
c) David told to Anna that Mona would be leaving
for her native place tomorrow.
d) David told Anna that Mona would leave for
her native place the next day.
63. I said to him, "Why are you working so hard?"
a) I asked him why he was working so hard
b) I asked him why was he working so hard
c) I asked him why he had been working so hard
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d) I asked him why had he been working so hard
64. He said to her, "What a cold day!"
a) He told her that it was a cold day.
b) He exclaimed that it was a cold day.
c) He exclaimed sorrowfully that it was a cold
day.
d) He exclaimed that it was a very cold day.
65. The tailor said to him, "Will you have the suit
ready by tomorrow evening?"
a) The tailor asked him that he will have the
suit ready by the next evening.
b) The tailor asked him that he would had the
suit ready by the next evening.
c) The tailor asked him if he would have the suit
ready by the next evening.
d) The tailor asked him if he will like to have the
suit ready by the next evening.
66. He said to the interviewer, "Could you please
repeat the question?"
a) He requested the interviewer if he could
please repeat the question.
b) He requested the interviewer to please repeat
the question.
c) He requested the interviewer to repeat the
question.
d) He requested the interviewer if he could
repeat the question.
67. He said, "Be quiet and listen to my words."
a) He urged them to be quiet and listen to his
words.
b) He urged them and said be quiet and listen
to words.
c) He said they should be quiet and listen to
his words.
d) He said you should be quiet and listen to my
words.
68. He said to me, "I have often told you not to play
with fire."
a) He said that he has often been telling me not
to play with fire.
b) He told me that he had often told me not to
play with fire.
c) He reminded me that he often said to me not
to play with fire.
d) He said to me that he often told me not to
play with fire.
69. The Captain said to his men, "Stand at ease."
a) The Captain urged his men to stand at ease.
b) The Captain wanted his men to stand at ease.
c) The Captain told his men that they should
stand at ease.
d) The Captain commanded his men to stand at
ease.
70. Pawan said to me, "If I hear any news, I'll phone
you."
a) Pawan told me that if he heard any news, he
will phone me.
b) Pawan told me that if he will hear any news,
Narration
he will phone me.
c) Pawan told me if he had heard any news, he
would phone me.
d) Pawan told me that if he heard any news, he
would phone me.
71. The teacher said to Mahesh, "Congratulations!
Wish you success in life."
a) The teacher congratulated Mahesh and said
wish you success in life.
b) The te ache r wishe d congratulations and
success in life to Mahesh.
c) The teacher said congratulations to Mahesh
and wished him success in life.
d) The teacher congratulated Mahesh and wished
him success in life.
72. The poor examinee said, "O God, take pity on
me."
a) The poor examinee prayed God to take pity on
him.
b) The poor examinee, invoking God, implored
him to take pity on him.
c) The poor examinee exclaimed that God take
pity on him.
d) The poor examinee asked God to take pity on
him.
73. "Where will you be tomorrow," I said, "in case I
have to ring you?"
a) I asked where you will be the next day in case
K KUNDAN
I will ring him.
b) I asked where he would be the next day in
case I had to ring him.
c) I said to him where he will be in case I have
to ring him.
d) I enquired about his whereabouts the next
day in case I would have to ring up.
74. Seeta said to me, "Can you give me your pen ?"
a) Seeta asked me can I give her my Pen.
b) Seeta asked me if I can give me your pen.
c) Seeta asked me if I could give her my pen.
d) Seeta asked me if I gave her my pen.
75. The father warned his son that he should be
beware of him.
a) The father warned his son, "Beware of him?"
b) The father warned his son, "Watch that chap!"
c) The father warned his son, "Be careful about
him."
d) The father warned his son, "Don't fall into
the trap."
76. Manna asked Rohan, "Have you sat in a trolley
bus before?"
a) Manna asked Rohan whether he had sat in a
trolley bus earlier.
b) Manna asked Rohan had he sat in a trolley
bus before.
c) Manna asked Rohan if he sat on a trolley bus
before.
d) Manna asked Rohan if he has ever sat in a
trolley bus.
English Language and Comprehension 207
77. Farhan asked Geeta, "Could you lend me a
hundred rupees until tomorrow ?"
a) Farhan asked Geeta whether she could lend
him a hundred rupees until tomorrow.
b) Farhan asked Geeta whether she could lend
him a hundred rupees until the next day.
c) Farhan asked Geeta whether she could lend
me a hundred rupees until the next day.
d) Farhan asked whether Geeta could lend me a
hundred rupees until the next day.
78. "What about going for a swim", he said, "It's quite
fine now."
a) He asked me what about going for a swim as
it was quite fine then.
b) He proposed going for a swim as it was quite
fine.
c) He suggested going for a swim as it was quite
fine.
d) He advised me to go for a swim as it was quite
fine.
79. "You can't bathe in this sea," he said to me,
"it's very rough."
a) He said that I can't bathe in this sea because
it's very rough.
b) He said that you couldn't bathe in that sea if
it was very rough.
c) He said that I couldn't bathe in that sea as it
was very rough.
d) He said that you can't bathe in this sea since
it was very rough.
80. Jagdish said, "We passed by a beautiful lake
when we went on a trip to Goa."
a) Jagdish said that they passed by a beautiful
lake when they had gone on a trip to Goa.
b) Jagdish said that they had passe d by a
beautiful lake when they went on a trip to
Goa.
c) Jagdish said that they had passe d by a
beautiful lake when they had gone on a trip
to Goa.
d) Jagdish said they passed by a beautiful lake
when they went on a trip to Goa.
81. He said to me, "I expect you to attend the
function."
a) He told me that he had expected me to attend
the function.
b) He told me that he expected me to attended
the function.
c) He told me that he expected me to have
attended the function.
d) He told me that he expected me to attend the
function.
82. He said, "Why didn't you send your application
to me ?"
a) He enquired why I had not sent my application
to him.
b) He enquired why I did not send my application
to him.
208 English Language and Comprehension
c) He enquired why had I not sent my application
to him.
d) He enquired why did I not send my application
to him.
83. Dinesh asked, "Are you going to the party
tomorrow, Eliza ?"
a) Dinesh asked whether Eliza was going to the
party the next day.
b) Dinesh asked Eliza whether you are going to
the party the next day.
c) Dinesh asked Eliza whether she was going to
the party the next day.
d) Dinesh asked Eliza are you going to the party
tomorrow.
84. John asked, "How long will it take to travel from
Germany to South Africa ?"
a) John asked how long it will take to travel from
Germany to South Africa.
b) John asked how long would it take to travel
from Germany to South Africa.
c) John asked how long it would take to travel
from Germany to South Africa.
d) John was asking how long must it take to
travel from Germany to South Africa.
85. "What did you see at the South Pole ?" Ashok
asked Anil.
a) Ashok asked Anil if he saw anything at the
South Pole.
K KUNDAN
b) Ashok asked Anil what he had seen at the
South Pole.
c) Ashok asked Anil what did he see at the South
Pole.
d) Ashok asked Anil that he saw anything at the
South Pole.
86. The boy said, “Bravo! You have done well.”
a) The boy said that he had done well.
b) The boy exclaimed that he had done well.
c) The boy applauded him, saying that he had
done well.
d) The boy said bravo he had done well.
87. I said to my siste r, “I brought you a doll
yesterday.”
a) I told my sister that I brought you a doll the
previous day.
b) I told my sister that I had brought her a doll
the previous day.
c) I told my sister that I had brought her a doll
yesterday.
d) I told my sister that I brought her a doll
yesterday.
88. The captain said to the army, '“March forward,
now.”
a) The captain said to the army that march
forward now.
b) The captain ordered the army to march forward
then.
c) The captain ordered the army to march on that
day.
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d) The captain ordered the army to attack the
enemy.
89. They said, “We’ve lived here for a long time.”
a) They said they have lived there for a long time.
b) They said they lived here for a long time.
c) They said they had lived there for a long time.
d) They said they have lived for a long time.
90. “Would you open the door please?” She said to
me.
a) She asked me to please open the door.
b) She requested me to open the door.
c) She requested me to please open the door.
d) She asked me open the door.
91. The teacher said, “Gandhiji was born in India.”
a) The teacher said that Gandhiji had been born
in India.
b) The teacher says that Gandhiji was born in
India.
c) The teacher said that Gandhiji was born in
India.
d) The teacher will say that Gandhiji was born
in India.
92. The teacher said to the student, “Why do you
disturb the class?”
a) The teacher said to the stude nt why he
disturbed the class.
b) The teacher told the student why he had
disturbed the class.
c) The te ache r aske d the stude nt why he
disturbed the class.
d) The teacher asked the student why he had
disturbed the class.
93. Rita said to me, “Will you lend me this classic ?”
Rita asked me
a) if I would lend her that classic.
b) if she would lend me that classic.
c) if 1 will lend her that classic.
d) would 1 lend her that classic ?
94. The lady said to the servant, “If you don’t wash
the clothes properly, I will dismiss you.”
a) The lady warned the servant that she would
dismiss her if she didn't wash the clothes
properly.
b) The lady told the servant that she would
dismiss her on the event of bad work.
c) The lady cautioned the servant that she must
wash the clothes properly.
d) The lady advised the servant to wash the
clothes properly.
95. “There are ceremonies going on”, he said to me.
a) He told me that there were ceremonies going
on.
b) He told that there have been ceremonies going
on.
c) He told that there had been ceremonies going
on.
d) He told that there are ceremonies going on.
96. He said to Manoj, “May you prosper.”
Narration
a) He wished that manoj should prosper.
b) He wished that Manoj may prosper.
c) He wished that Manoj might prosper.
d) He wished Manoj to prosper.
97. The mother said, “What can I do for you, my son”?
a) The mother said to her son what she could do
for him.
b) The mother asked her son what she did for
him.
c) The mother asked her son what she could do
for him.
d) The mother asked what she could do for him,
my son.
98. My Daddy always says, “Getting up early in the
morning is a good habit.”
a) My Daddy always says that to get up early in
the morning is a good habit.
b) My Daddy always says that getting up early in
the morning is a good habit.
c) My Daddy always advises that getting up early
in the morning was a good habit.
d) My Daddy always warns that to get up early in
the morning was a good habit.
99. “Be quiet”, I said to them.
a) I told them to be quiet.
b) I asked them to remain quiet.
c) I told to them for being quiet.
d) I ordered them to remain quiet.
K KUNDAN
100. The mother says to the child, “The Sun rises in
the East.”
a) The mother tells the child that the Sun rose
in the East.
b) The mother says the child that the Sun rises
in the East.
c) The mother tells the child that the Sun rises
in the East.
d) The mother informs the child that the Sun
rose in the East.
101. He said, “The teacher usually does not ask any
question.”
He said that
a) the teacher usually does not ask any question.
b) the teacher usually did not ask any question.
c) the teacher usually asked no question.
d) the te ache r usually did not aske d any
question.
102. “Where do you live?” Asked the stranger.
a) The stranger asked where I lived.
b) The stranger enquired where I was living.
c) The stranger questioned where did I live.
d) The stranger wanted to know where I live.
103. I said to him, “How do you know this?”
a) I asked him how I knew that.
b) I asked him that how he knew that.
c) I told him how l knew that.
d) I asked him how he knew I that.
104. He said, “We are all sinners.”
a) He said that we are all sinners.
English Language and Comprehension 209
b) He said they were all sinners.
c) He said that he was a sinner.
d) He said all were sinners.
105. “Would you mind taking off your shoes before
entering the house?” He said to the foreigner.
a) He requested the foreigner to take off his
shoes before entering the house.
b) He told the foreigner that he must take off
his shoes before entered the house.
c) He said the foreigner that to take off his shoes
before entered the house.
d) Before entering the house he said that shoes
must be taken off.
106. “I lost my book yesterday”, she said to her
teacher.
a) She admitted to her teacher that she had lost
her book the previous day.
b) To her teacher she was admitted that she has
lost her book the previous day.
c) She admitted losing her book to her teacher
yesterday.
d) She said to her teacher that I have lost my
book the previous day.
107. “Do you want some more sweets?” asked my
friend.
a) My friend asked me if I want some more
sweets.
b) My friend said to me if I wanted some more
sweets.
c) My friend asked me whether I wanted some
more sweets.
d) My friend asked me that I wanted some more
sweets.
108. “I have seen the film before”, Suneetha says.
a) Suneetha said that she had seen the film
before.
b) Suneetha says that she has seen the film
before.
c) Suneetha said that the film was seen by her
before.
d) Suneetha said that she saw the film earlier.
109. He ordered his servant to do as he was told.
a) He ordered his servant, "Do as you are told."
b) He said to his servant, "Do as you are told."
c) He said to his servant, "Do as I told you."
d) He said to his servant, "Do as you were told."
110. She said to the girl, "Did you do this ?"
a) She asked the girl that she did that.
b) She asked the girl if she did that.
c) She asked the girl if she had done that.
d) She told the girl that she had done that.
111. "Do you want balloons?" He said to the child.
a) He asked the child if it wanted balloons.
b) He asked the child whether it had wanted
balloons.
c) He asked the child did it want balloons.
d) He asked the child if it would want balloons.
112. She said, "How ugly I look in this dress!"
210 English Language and Comprehension
a) She said that how ugly she was looking in
that dress.
b) She exclaimed how ugly she looked in that
dress.
c) She expressed how ugly she looked in that
dress.
d) She exclaimed that she looked very ugly in
that dress.
113. She said, "You can leave the books here".
a) She said that they can leave the books there.
b) She said that they could leave the books there.
c) She said that they can leave the books here.
d) She said that they could leave the books here.
114. My friend said "I am leaving today".
a) My friend said that he is leaving today.
b) My friend said that he was leaving today.
c) My friend said that he leaves today.
d) My friend said that he was leaving that day.
115. Mukta said to Puneet, "My mother is a good
cook".
a) Mukta told Puneet that her mother was a good
cook.
b) Mukta told Puneet that my mother was a good
cook.
c) Mukta told to Puneet that her mother is a
good cook.
d) Mukta asked Puneet that her mother is a good
cook.
K KUNDAN
116. The commander said to the army, "March forward".
a) The commander asked the army march forward.
b) The commander ordered the army to march
forward.
c) The commander requested the army to go
forward.
d) The army requested the commander to march.
117. He promised, "I will do it tomorrow".
a) He promised that he will do it tomorrow.
b) He promised that he will do it the nex day.
c) He promised that he would do tomorrow.
d) He promised that he would do it the next day.
118. Geeta said, "I did not do this deliberately".
a) Ge e ta said that I had not done that
deliberately.
b) Ge e ta said that she had not done that
deliberately.
c) Ge e ta said that she has not done that
deliberately.
d) Ge e ta said that I have not done this
deliberately.
119. She exclaimed, "I'm afraid we are rather late!"
a) She exclaimed that they were frightened of
being late.
b) She exclaimed that she was afraid that they
were rather late.
c) She shouted that they were scared that they
would be late.
d) She screamed that she was worried that they
would all be late.
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120. She said to me, "What can I do for you?"
a) She asked me what she could do for me.
b) She asked me what can she do for me.
c) She asked me what she can do for me.
d) She asked me whether she can do anything
for me.
121. He said, “Alas! I am undone!”
a) He said that it was his undoing.
b) He e xclaime d pathe tically that he was
undone.
c) He stated that he was undone.
d) He cried that he was being undone.
122. "I shall unlock the secrets of their success," he
said.
a) He said that he shall unlock the secrets of
their success.
b) He said that he should unlock the secrets of
their success.
c) He said that he would unlock the secrets of
their success.
d) He said that he will unlock the secrets of
their success.
123. "I wonder what he wants of us," said Quint.
a) Quint said that he was wondering what he
wanted of them.
b) Quint said that he wondered what he wanted
of us.
c) Quint said he wondered what he wants of
them.
d) Quint said that he wondered what he wanted
of them.
124. Dinesh said, "I want to eat a good mango one of
these days".
a) Dinesh said he wants to eat a good mango
one of these days.
b) Dinesh said that he wanted to eat a good
mango one of those days.
c) Dinesh said that he wants to eat a good mango
one of those days.
d) Dinesh said that he wanted to eat a good
mango one of these days.
125. He said, "I intend to leave for Delhi tonight".
a) He said that he will intend to leave for Delhi
tonight.
b) He said that he should intend to leave for
Delhi that night.
c) He said that he intended to leave for Delhi
that night.
d) He said that his intention is to leave for Delhi
tonight.
126. He said, "The Sun rises in the east".
a) He said that the Sun rised in the east.
b) He said that the Sun rises in the east.
c) He said that the Sun will rise in the east.
d) He said that the Sun may rise in the east.
127. Ram asked Krishna, "Where are you going today ?"
a) Ram asked Krishna where he was going that
day.
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b) Ram asked Krishna as to where he was going
on the previous day.
c) Ram asked Krishna where was he going the
next day.
d) Ram asked Krishna where was he going the
day before.
128. He said, "What a fool Tom is!"
a) He exclaimed that he was a big fool.
b) He exclaimed that Tom was a big fool.
c) He wondered what kind of a fool Tom was.
d) He claimed that Tom was a big fool.
129. "What kind of scheme do you have ?" Amit asked
the insurance agent.
a) Amit asked the insurance agent what kind of
scheme he/she had.
b) Amit asked the insurance agent what kind of
scheme he/she has.
c) Amit asked the insurance agent what kind of
scheme he/she is having.
d) Amit asked the insurance agent what kind of
scheme he/she was having.
130. The doctor said to the patient, "Take complete
rest".
a) The doctor told to the patient that take
complete rest.
b) The doctor advised the patient to take complete
rest.
c) The doctor suggested the patient to take
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complete rest.
d) The doctor asked the patient to take complete
rest.
131. Mini said to me, "I have bought this flat for my
mother".
a) Mini told that she had bought that flat for her
mother.
b) Mini said that she bought that flat for her
mother.
c) Mini said she has bought that flat for her
mother.
d) Mini told me that she had bought that flat for
her mother.
132. He said, "I will come again".
a) He said that he will come again.
b) He says he is coming again.
c) He says he'll come again.
d) He said that he would come again.
133. "Don't do any more work until you have had a
rest," her mother advised her.
a) Her mother advised her not to do any more
work until she has had a rest.
b) Her mother advised her not to do any more
work until she had had a rest.
c) Her mother advised her that she would not
do any more work until she had had a rest.
d) Her mother advised her that she need not do
any more work until she had had a rest.
134. "Make me another suit like this," he said to the
tailor.
English Language and Comprehension 211
a) He asked the tailor to make him another suit
like this.
b) He asks the tailor to make him another suit
like this.
c) He asked the tailor to make him another suit
like that.
d) He asked the tailor to make me another suit
like this.
135. My Principal told me, "Don't conduct any test
tomorrow".
a) My Principal said to me not to conduct any
test tomorrow.
b) My Principal told me not to conduct any test
tomorrow.
c) My Principal ordered me don't conduct any
test.
d) My Principal ordered me not to conduct any
test the next day.
136. The stranger said, “Can you show me the way?”
a) The stranger said whether I can show him
the way.
b) The stranger asked whether he could show
me the way.
c) The stranger asked whether I could show him
the way.
d) The stranger said that I could show him the
way.
137. “Do the staff have any problem?”, the manager
asked.
a) The manager inquired whether the staff have
had any problem.
b) The manager inquired whether the staff have
had had any problem.
c) The manager inquired whether the staff had
had any problem
d) The manager inquired whether the staff had
any problem.
138. She said to him, “Who are you? Who are you
looking for?”
a) She asked him who he was and who he was
looking for.
b) She questioned him who he was and who was
he looking for.
c) She asked him who was he and who was he
looking for.
d) She asked him who are you and who are you
looking for.
139. Shreyas said to his brother, “Are you feeling
better?”
a) Shreyas asked his brother if he was feeling
better.
b) Shreyas told his brother are you feeling
better.
c) Shreyas told that he was feeling better.
d) Shreyas asked his brother are you feeling
better.
140. “Good Morning, Father!”, Baby Kochamma would
call out when she saw him.
212 English Language and Comprehension
a) Baby Kochamma would call out to Father in
the morning when she saw him.
b) Baby Kochamma would tell him it was morning
when she saw him.
c) When Baby Kochamma saw him, she would
wish the Father a good morning.
d) Baby Kochamma would call Father when she
saw him in the morning.
141. “What a beautiful gift!”, my friend said.
a) My friend retorted that the gift was beautiful.
b) My friend said that it is a beautiful gift.
c) My frie nd e xplaine d that the gift was
beautiful.
d) My frie nd e xclaime d that the gift was
beautiful.
142. “Are there no prisons?”, asked Scrooge.
a) Scrooge inquired about the status of prisons.
b) Scrooge wanted to know if there were no
prisons.
c) Scrooge asked if there were prisons.
d) Scrooge said if there were no prisons.
143. He complimented that she had done very well.
a) He said to her, “Alas! You did very well”.
b) He said to her, “Very good, she has done very
well.”
c) He said to her, “How should you do so well?
d) He said to her, “Very good, you have done
very well!”
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144. She said that she really liked the furniture.
a) “She really liked this furniture,” she said.
b) “She had really liked this furniture,” she said.
c) “I really like this furniture,” she said.
d) “I have really liked this furniture,” she said.
145. The mother claimed admiringly that it was very
clever of him to have solved the puzzle so quickly.
a) “You are a clever. That’s why you solved the
puzzle quickly,” said the mother.
b) The mother said, “How cleverly you solved
the puzzle.”
c) The mother said, “You solved the puzzle very
quickly!”
d) “How clever of you to have solved the puzzle
so quickly!”, said the mother.
146. He said, “Ravi, why are you sounding so
depressed today?”
a) He asked Ravi why did he sound so depressed
that day.
b) He asked Ravi why he was sounding so
depressed that day.
c) He told Ravi why he sounded so depressed
today.
d) He asked Ravi that why was he sounding so
depressed that day.
147. He asked me, “What time will the sun set
tomorrow ?”
a) He asked me what time does the sun set the
next day.
b) He asked me what time the sun would set
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tomorrow.
c) He asked me what time the sun would set
the next day.
d) He asked me what time would the sun set
the next day.
148. “Tinu, where have you been all these days?”
asked the Principal.
a) The Principal asked Tinu where he had been
all those days.
b) The Principal asked Tinu where he has been
all those days.
c) The Principal asked Tinu where had he been
all those days.
d) The Principal asked to Tinu where was he all
those days.
149. “Have you completed your assignment, Minu?”,
said her brother.
a) Minu’s brother aske d Minu if you have
finished your assignment.
b) Minu’s brothe r said to Minu if she had
finished her assignment.
c) Minu’s brother asked her if she had finished
her assignment.
d) Minu’s brother asked Minu if she has finished
her assignment
150. He says, “I go for a walk every morning.”
a) He says that he goe s for a walk e ve ry
morning.
b) He said that he used to go for a walk every
morning.
c) He said that he goes for a walk every morning.
d) He says he went for a walk every morning.
151. The Principal said, “Why didn’t you attend the
flag hoisting ceremony, Anuj?”
a) The Principal asked Anuj why hadn’t he
attended the flag hoisting ceremony.
b) The Principal asked to Anuj why he hadn’t
attended the flag hoisting ceremony.
c) The Principal asked Anuj why didn’t he attend
the flag hoisting ceremony.
d) The Principal asked Anuj why he didn’t attend
the flag hoisting ceremony.
152. I said to him, “Where have you lost the pen I
brought for you yesterday?”
a) I asked him where he had lost the pen I had
brought him yesterday.
b) I asked him where he had lost the pen I have
brought for him the previous day.
c) I asked him where he had lost the pen I had
brought for him the previous day.
d) I asked him where had he lost the pen I had
brought him the previous day.
153. He said, “Garima wants to take up a job while
her husband wants her to look after the family.”
a) He said that Garima wanted to take up a job
while her husband wanted her to look after
the family.
b) He said that Garima wants to take up a job
Narration
while her husband wanted her to look after
the family.
c) He told that Garima wanted to take up a job
while her husband wants her to look after
the family.
d) He said to Garima that though she wanted
to take up a job while her husband wanted
her to look after the family.
154. She said, “When I was a child, I wasn’t afraid of
ghosts.”
a) She said that when she was a child she wasn’t
afraid of ghosts.
b) She said that when she was a child she hadn’t
been afraid of ghosts.
c) She said that when she was a child she wasn’t
afraid of ghosts.
d) She said that when she had been a child she
wasn’t afraid of ghosts.
155. He said, “Reena, do you want to buy a house in
Noida?”
a) He told Reena if she wanted to buy a house
in Noida.
b) He asked that did she want to buy a house in
Noida.
c) He asked Reena if she wants to buy a house
in Noida.
d) He asked Reena if she wanted to buy a house
in Noida.
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156. I said to my friend, “Can I borrow your dictionary
for one day?”
a) I asked my friend if I could borrow his
dictionary for one day.
b) I asked my friend if I could borrow your
dictionary for one day.
c) I asked my friend if I can borrow his dictionary
for one day.
d) I asked my friend that if I can borrow his
dictionary for one day.
157. He said, “Let Hari come with us, mother. I’ll take
care of him”.
a) He requested his mother to let Hari come
with them as he will take care of him.
b) He informed his mother to let Hari come with
them as he would take care of him.
c) He told his mother to let Hari come with them
as he would take care of him.
d) He told to his mother let Hari come with us
as he would take care of him.
158. “No,” said the child, “I won’t kneel for if I do, I
shall spoil my new pair of trousers.”
a) The child said that he would not kneel for if
he did so he will spoil his new pair of
trousers.
b) The child said that he will not kneel for if he
kneels he will spoil his new pair of trousers.
c) The child said that he would not kneel for if
he did so he would spoil his new pair of
trousers.
English Language and Comprehension 213
d) The child said that I will not kneel for if he
did kneel, he should spoil his new pair of
trousers.
159. The chairman of the selection committee said,
“We shall finalise the rest of our team after we
have selected the skipper.”
a) The chairman of the selection committee told
that they would finalise the rest of our team
after we have selected the skipper.
b) The chairman of the selection committee said
that we would finalise the rest of our team
after we have selected the skipper.
c) The chairman of the selection committee said
that they would finalise the rest of their team
after they selected the skipper.
d) The chairman of the selection committee said
that they would finalise the rest of their team
after they had selected the skipper.
160. He said, “Has anybody been unkind to you?”
a) He asked me if anybody had been unkind to
me.
b) He asked me had anybody been unkind to
me.
c) He asked me if anybody had been unkind to
you.
d) He asked me if anybody had been unkind to
him.
161. The pilot said, “Please don’t panic but tighten
your seat belts”.
a) The pilot told to the passengers that they
should not panic but tighten the seat belts.
b) The pilot told the passengers to not panic
but to tighten their seat belts instead.
c) The pilot told the passengers not to panic
but to tighten your seat belts.
d) The pilot told the passenger not to panic but
tighten their seat belts.
162. He said, “Ravi, why are you sounding so dejected
today?”
a) He asked Ravi why he sounded so dejected
that day?
b) He asked to Ravi why he was sounding so
dejected that day.
c) He asked Ravi, why he was sounding so
dejected today.
d) He asked Ravi why he was sounding so
dejected that day.
163. “‘I shall remain here and the tailor won’t be able
to find me,” said she.
a) She said that she should remain there and
the tailor won’t be able to find me.
b) She said that she should remain there and
the tailor would not be able to find her.
c) She said that she would remain there and
the tailor would not be able to find her.
d) She said that, she could remain here and the
tailor would not find her.
164. Mother said, “Gaurav, you will be eligible for
214 English Language and Comprehension
voting when you are 18.”
a) Mother told Gaurav he would be eligible for
voting when he was 18.
b) Mother told Gaurav that he could vote only
after 18.
c) Mother told Gaurav you will be eligible for
voting when you are 18.
d) Mother told Gaurav that he would be eligible
for voting when he would be 18.
165. He said, “Bravo ! You have done well.”
a) He applauded him to say that he had done
well.
b) He applauded him and said that you have
done well.
c) He applauded him, saying that he has done
well.
d) He applauded him, saying that he had done
well.
166. He said to me, “You are getting lazy day by day.”
a) He informed me that I am getting lazy day by
day.
b) He told me that I have been getting lazy day
by day.
c) He told me that I was getting lazy day by day.
d) He told me that you were getting lazy day by
day.
167. “When will I be able to vote?” I asked my mother.
a) I asked my mother when would he be able to
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vote.
b) I asked to my mother when I will be able to
vote.
c) I asked my mother when I would be able to
vote.
d) I asked my mother when would I be able to
vote.
168. I said, “Father, when will you buy me a motor
cycle?”
a) I asked my father when will he buy me a
motorcycle.
b) I asked my father when he will buy me a
motor cycle.
c) I asked my father when would he buy me a
motor cycle.
d) I asked my father when he would buy me a
motor cycle.
169. He said to me, “Is there any possibility of my
getting promotion this year?”
a) He asked me if there was any possibility of
my getting promotion this year.
b) He asked me if there was any possibility of
his getting promotion this year.
c) He asked me if there was any possibility of
his getting promotion that year.
d) He asked me if there is any possibility of his
getting promotion this year.
170. The dealer said, “Either make your purchases or
walk out of my shop.”
a) The dealer told the customer that he would
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either make his purchases or walk out of his
shop.
b) The dealer ordered the customer to make his
purchases and walk out of his shop.
c) The dealer told the customer that he should
either make his purchases, or walk out of
his shop.
d) The dealer requested the customer to make
his purchases or walk out of his shop.
171. He said, “I do not wish to see any of you; go
away.”
a) He said that he had not wished to see any of
them and ordered them to go away.
b) He said that he did not wish to see any of
them and ordered them to go away.
c) He told that he did not wish to see any of
them and ordered them to go away.
d) He said that he does not wish to see any of
us and ordered us to go away.
172. He said to us, “Why are you all sitting about
there doing nothing?”
a) He asked us why are we all sitting about there
doing nothing
b) He asked us why we are all sitting about there
doing nothing.
c) He asked us why we were all sitting about
there doing nothing.
d) He asked us why were we all sitting about
there doing nothing.
173. He said to her, “Are you coming to the party?”
a) He asked her whether she was coming to
the party.
b) He told her if she was coming to the party.
c) He asked her if she was coming to the party.
d) He asked her if she will be coming to the
party.
174. The sage said, “God helps those who he lp
themselves.”
a) The sage said that God helps those who help
themselves.
b) The sage said that God helped those whose
helped themselves.
c) The sage said that God helps those who helped
themselves.
d) The sage said that God helped those who help
themselves.
175. “Please don’t go away”, she said.
a) She said to please her and not go away.
b) She told me not to go away.
c) She begged that I not go away.
d) She begged me not to go away.
176. He said, “I clean my teeth twice a day.”
a) He said that he cleaned his teeth twice a
day.
b) He said that he cleans his teeth twice a day.
c) He said that he used to clean his teeth twice
a day.
d) He said that he is used to cleaning his teeth
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twice a day.
177. He said to them, “Don’t make a noise.”
a) He told them that don’t make a noise.
b) He told them not to make noise.
c) He told them not to make a noise.
d) He asked them not to make a noise.
178. The teacher said, “Be quiet, boys.”
a) The teacher said that they boys should be
quiet.
b) The teacher called the boys and ordered them
to be quiet.
c) The teacher urged the boys to be quiet.
d) The teacher commanded the boys that they
be quiet.
179. My friend said to me, “Has your father returned
from Calcutta?”
a) My friend said to me that my father has
returned from Calcutta.
b) My friend asked me if my father had returned
from Calcutta.
c) My friend told me that his father had returned
from Calcutta.
d) My friend enquired me if his father had
returned from Calcutta.
180. He said, “Where shall I be this time next year!”
a) He asked that where should he be that time
next year.
b) He wondered where he should be that time
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the next year.
c) He contemplated where shall he be that time
the following year.
d) He wondered where he would be that time
the following year.
181. Rajesh said, “I bought a car yesterday.”
a) Rajesh said that I have bought a car the
previous day.
b) Raje sh told that he had bought a car
yesterday.
c) Rajesh said that he bought a car the previous
day.
d) Rajesh said that he had bought a car the
previous day.
182. The employer said to the workman, “I cannot
pay you higher wages.”
a) The employer told the workman that he could
not be paid higher wages.
b) The employer told the workman that he could
not pay him higher wages.
c) The employer forbade the workman to pay
higher wages.
d) The employer warne d the workman that
cannot pay him higher wages.
183. My cousin said, “My room-mate snore d
throughout the night.”
a) My cousin said that her room-mate had
snored throughout the night.
b) My cousin told me that her room-mate snored
throughout the night.
English Language and Comprehension 215
c) My cousin complained to me that her room-
mate is snoring throughout the night.
d) My cousin fe lt that he r room-mate may
snoring throughout the night.
184. He asked his teacher, “Need I read this chapter?”
a) He asked his teacher whether there was a
need to read that chapter.
b) He asked his teacher whether he needed read
this chapter.
c) He asked his teacher if it was necessary read
this chapter.
d) He asked his teacher if he had to read that
chapter.
185. He said, “What a beautiful scene!”
a) He said that what a beautiful scene it was.
b) He wondered that it was a beautiful seen.
c) He exclaimed what a beautiful scene it was.
d) He exclaimed that it was a very beautiful
scene.
186. He said, “I saw a book here.”
a) He said that he saw a book here.
b) He said that he saw a book there.
c) He said that he had seen a book here.
d) He said that he had seen a book there.
187. He said to me, “What time do the offices close?”
a) He wanted to know what time the offices
close.
b) He asked me what time did the offices close
c) He asked me what time the offices close.
d) He asked me what time the offices did close.
188. Pinki said to Gaurav, “Will you help me in work
just now?”
a) Pinki asked Gaurav if he would help her in
her work just then.
b) Pinki questioned to Gaurav that will you help
me in my work just now.
c) Pinki told Gaurav whether he will help her in
her work just now.
d) Pinki asked to Gaurav that will he help her in
her work just now.
189. Sarita said to me, “I will do it now or never.”
a) Sarita told me that I would do it then or never.
b) Sarita told me that she would do it now or
never.
c) Sarita told me that she will do that now or
never.
d) Sarita told me that she would do it then or
never.
190. She said to him, “Why don’t you go today?”
a) She said to him that why he don’t go today.
b) She asked him if he was going that day.
c) She asked him why he did not go today.
d) She asked him why he did not go that day.
191. Gavaskar said, “Bravo! Azhar, you have done well.”
a) Gavaskar exclaimed with joy that Azhar had
done well.
b) Gavaskar called Azhar and exclaimed that he
had done well.
216 English Language and Comprehension
c) Gavaskar congratulated Azhar, saying that he
had done well.
d) Gavaskar praised Azhar for his having done
well.
192. Me said to me, “Where is the post office?”
a) He wanted to know where the post office was.
b) He asked me that where the post office was.
c) He asked me where the post office was.
d) He asked me where was the post office.
193. He said, “The mice will play, when the cat is
away.”
a) He said that the mice will play when the cat
is away.
b) He said that the mice would play when the
cat was away.
c) He said that the mice would play when the
cat would be away.
d) He said that the mice shall play, when the
cat is away.
194. He said to his servant, “Why are you so lazy
today?
a) He asked his servant why he was so lazy that
day.
b) He asked his servant why he had been so
lazy that day.
c) He asked his servant why he was being so
lazy that day.
d) He asked his servant why was he so lazy that
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day.
195. He said, “Can you sing?” And I said, “No”.
a) He asked me that could I sing and I refused.
b) He asked me if I could sing and I said that I
couldn’t.
c) I denied, when he asked me if I could sing.
d) He asked me if I could sing and I said no.
196. He said to her, “May you succeed!”
a) He told her that she might succeed.
b) He prayed to God that she may succeed.
c) He wished her success.
d) He said to her that she might succeed.
197. He said, “May God grant peace to the departed
soul!”
a) He wished by God to grant peace to the
departed soul.
b) He wished that God may grant peace to the
departed soul.
c) He prayed that might God grant peace to the
departed soul.
d) He prayed that God would grant peace to the
departed soul.
198. “Are you alone, my son?” asked a soft voice close
behind me.
a) A soft voice from my back asked if I was alone.
b) A soft voice said to me are you alone son.
c) A soft voice asked that what I was doing there
alone.
d) A soft voice behind me asked if I was alone.
199. He said, “I must go next week”.
a) He said that he must go next week.
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b) He said that he must go the following week.
c) He said that he would have to go the following
week.
d) He said that he was to go the following week.
200. He said to her, “Don’t read so fast.”
a) He told her not to read so fast.
b) He advised her don’t read so fast.
c) He requested her not to read so fast.
d) He ordered her not to read so fast.
201. “I don’t know the way. Do you?”, he asked.
a) He said that he didn’t know the way and did I
know it.
b) He told that he was not knowing the way, but
wondered if I knew.
c) He said that he didn’t know the way and
asked me if I did.
d) He asked me if I knew the way which he didn’t.
202. He said, “Will you listen to such a man?”
a) He asked them will you listen to such a man.
b) He asked them are you listening to such a
man.
c) He asked them whether they would listen to
such a man.
d) He asked them whether they will listen to
such a man.
203. Mary said to Robert, “Let him come, then we
shall see.”
a) Mary said to Robert that if he came, they
would see him.
b) Mary told Robert that they shall see him if
he came.
c) Mary told Robert that once he came, they
would see him.
d) Mary told Robert that they would see him if
he might come.
204. He said, “I have often told you not to waste your
time.”
a) He said that he had often told not to waste
your time.
b) He said that he had often told him not to
waste his time.
c) He said that he had often suggested to him
not to waste his time.
d) He told that he had often told him not to
waste his time.
205. Rajan said, “O that I were a child again!”
a) Rajan exclaimed with wonder that he was a
child again.
b) Rajan wondered that were he a child again.
c) Rajan strongly wished that he had been a
child again.
d) Rajan prayed that he were a child again.
206.1 said to my brother, “Let us go to some hill
station for a change.”
a) I asked my brother to go to some hill station
for a change.
b) I asked my brother if he would go to some
hill station for a change.
Narration English Language and Comprehension 217

c) I permitted my brother to go to some hill me where is the nearest inn?”

station for a change.
d) I suggested to my brother that we should go
to some hill station for a change.
207. The Manager said, “Well, what can I do for you?”
a) The Manager asked what he could do for him.
b) The Manager wondered what he could do for
him.
c) The Manager wanted to know what he could do
for him.
d) The Manager said that he couldn’t do anything
for him.
208. The traveller enquired of the farmer if he could
tell him the way to the nearest inn.
a) The traveller said to the farmer, “Where is
the nearest inn?”
b) The traveller said to the farmer, “Which is
the way to the nearest inn?”
c) The traveller said to the farmer, “Can you tell
me the way to the nearest inn?”
d) The traveller said to the farmer, “Can you tell
209. The spectators said, “Bravo! well played, Ravi”.
a) The spectators called Ravi bravo because he
had played well.
b) The spectators said that Ravi played well and
applauded him.
c) The spectators encouraged Ravi saying that
he played well.
d) The spectators applauded Ravi, saying that
he had played well.
210. “If you don’t keep quiet I shall shoot you”, said
to her in a calm voice.
a) He warned her to shoot if she didn’t keep
quiet calmly.
b) He said calmly that I shall shoot you if you
don’t be quiet.
c) He warned her calmly that he would shoot
her if she didn’t keep quiet.
d) Calmly he warned her that be quiet or else
he will have to shoot her.

Answers and explanations

K KUNDAN
Exercise–1

1. Mukul says that he is going to Delhi. 30. He ordered his servant to leave his house at once.
2. Rama says that Sita will dance. 31. He prayed that God might bless me.
3. He said that he would try it. 32. I asked (ordered/told) him to go home.
4. She said that she didn’t like that. 33. He wanted to know (or, enquired) if Ramesh had
5. He said that his mother cooked their breakfast. spent all the money.
6. She said that he was taking his examination. 34. The teacher asked the boys to take back their books.
7. He said that he had finished the work. 35. He told Mukul to lie down.
8. He said that Hari had been giving them very good 36. He asked me to tell any thing about it.
milk. 37. He told the boys not to move.
9. Mr Jha said that he had seen the Taj Mahal. 38. The peon requested the Principal to grant him leave
10. She said that she had waited for the bus for an for a day.
hour. 39. The master ordered (told) the servant not to let
11. The boys said that they had been watching the game. anybody in.
12. He said that God is everywhere. 40. My friend exclaimed that it was a very beautiful view.
13. Mohan will say that he wants two persons to help 41. He remarked what a lovely garden it was.
him. 42. He exclaimed that it was very terrible storm.
14. He said that he could do it himself. 43. He bade good-bye to his friends.
15. He said that we must (or, had to) wait for the result. 44. He prayed that God might save the king.
16. I said that I was tired. 45. They exclaimed with delight that they had won the
17. He told me that I might go. cup.
18. Tom told me that he would meet me at the station. 46. He applauded (or praised) him saying that he had
19. He said that man is mortal. done well.
20. He asked me where my book was. 47. Moti exclaimed with sor row that he was undone.
21. He asked me what my name was. 48. He greeted me and asked me how I was.
22. He enquired of me if I knew the way. 49. She confessed with regret that she had been very
23. The teacher asked me what I was doing. foolish.
24. He asked (me) what the time was. 50. He bade farewell to his countrymen.
25. Mohan asked (me) whether the boys were there. 51. He prayed that God might bless her with long life
26. Reeta asked (me) where. I had been. and prosperity.
27. He asked me if I could see him the next day. 52. He exclaimed that he had lost his money.
28. He asked (me)whether Raju was his brother. 53. She exclaimed what a lot of food there was to eat.
29. He wished me a good morning. Or, She exclaimed that there was a lot of food to eat.
218 English Language and Comprehension Narration

54. He said that he would go there again the next day. 76. One of t he guest s at the par t y remar ked wit h
55. The teacher asked the boys not to write on both appreciation that Mr Prasad was a very nice man.
sides. 77. He thanked me (him) very much for my (his) help.
56. The clerk requested the manager not to refuse leave 78. He asked (me) if I knew who was coming.
to him. 79. She said that she had lost her key and asked me
57. He congratulated me. whether she could borrow mine.
58. He told me that I needn’t wait. 80. He asked me if I would go out with him but I said I
59. He greeted me and asked me where I was going. wouldn’t.
60. He wished that he might have some tea. 81. He asked (me) if I liked it and I said (that) I did.
61. Ali requested his friends that he might be allowed 82. He asked (me) if I was a student and I said that I
to do his work. wasn’t.
62. She proposed (or sug gested) to us that we should 83. The teacher advised (warned) us not to sleep late
have some music. and miss the train.
63. He requested him to wait there till he returned. 84. Prospero asked (her) whether she could remember a
64. He said that after the class he had to return home. time before she had come to that cell. He further
65. He thanked me. added that he thought she could not, for such was
66. He cursed the fog. not then three years of age.
67. He wished me a happy Christmas. 85. She called out angrily and asked (him) whether he
68. He called me a liar. had been hitting Makhan again. Phatik answered
69. He asked her if she liked it and she said that she indignantly that he hadn’t. He further asked (her)
did. who told her that.
70. He suggested going. 86. The robber told alexander that he was his captive
He suggested that they should go. and that he must hear what he (Alexander) was
71. The boy asked the policeman to let him go. pleased to say and that he (must) endure what he
72. He asked me to be silent. was pleased to inflict.
73. He exclaimed that Tom was a big fool. 87. The teacher became angry and asked the student
74. The teacher asked the boys where they wanted to why he had dis turbed the class again. He further
go. said he had told him before that he should be silent
75. Mr Sinha asked his servant why the child cried. when he (teacher) was speaking. He ordered him to
leave the room and not to return again that day.

1.

2.

3.

4.
K KUNDAN Exercise–2
He reminded me that he had often told me not to
play with fire.
The teacher remarked that they had all done it very
badly.
They wrote that it was time they had thought about
settling the matter.
The teacher promised that he would explain it if
they would come before school the next day.
8.

9.

5. She wrote that she was waiting and watching and
longing for her son’s return.
6. The examiner’s orders were that no one was to bring
books into the room nor ask him questions about
what he had told them to do.
7. The dwarf asked her to promise him that when she
10.
was Queen she would give him her first born child.
He said that that was his horse and ‘that if he did
not prove it in a few minutes he would give up his
claim.
He cried that he would avenge her/my wrongs and
that he would not enter Athens until he punished
the king who had so cruelly treated her/me.
He wrote and said that he was unable to come just
then because he was ill, but he would certainly start
as soon as he was well enough to do.
11. One day he sent for Cassim and told him that he
was t hen old enough t o ear n his living, so
he had to set off and make his own way in the
wor ld.

Exercise–3
1. He asked her what she wanted. 10. I asked whether he (she/they) did not know the
2. He asked how my (her/his) father was. way home.
3. He asked whether I (she/he) was going home with 11. He asked whether I (she/he) wrote a good hand.
him. 12. The judge f inally asked whet her he (she) had
4. He enquired when I (she/he) intended to pay him. anything to say on behalf of the prisoner.
5. He asked us why we were all sitting about there 13. The boy enquired of his father which the proper
doing nothing. way to answer the question was.
6. The prince asked whether I (she/he/we/they) really 14. Ulysses asked the bird whether it had anything to
came from China. tell him.
7. The poor man exclaimed whet her none of them 15. The young sparrow asked its mother what that queer
would help him. object was.
8. The young Rakshas asked which way she had gone. 16. Then aloud he asked the boy to tell him whether
9. Aladdin asked the magician what he had done to the miller was within.
deserve so severe a blow. 17. They asked who he was and what he wanted.
Narration English Language and Comprehension 219

18. Stroking the bird’s feathers, she asked affectionately no money.

whether it had come to comfort her in her sorrow.
19. The Rajah was deeply grieved and asked his wife
what he could do for her.
20. When the sun got low, the king’s son asked jack
where they could lodge that night, since they had
21. She asked him what was it that made him so much
stronger and braver than any other man.
22. When the brahmin approached, the first thief asked
why he carried a dog on his back and whether he
was not ashamed.

Exercise–4
1. The swami asked the villagers to bring him a glass 7. He told his servant to hurry up and not to waste
of milk. time.
2. The teacher told the boys to sit down. 8. Their mother told the children to run away.
3. The officer shouted to his men to halt. 9. He asked his daughter to take his golden jug and
4. The king ordered the Hatter to take off his hat. fetch him some water from the well.
5. The teacher advised him not to read so fast. 10. His master ordered him to go down to bazar and
6. He asked me to wait until he came. bring him some oil and a lump of ice.

Exercise–5
1. Mr, Squeers exclaimed with a sigh that milk was, to 6. She exclaimed that I/he was very smart.
be sure, a very rare article in London. 7. He exclaimed that it was a nuisance.
2. He angrily remarked that I (he/she) was a very stupid 8. He remarked that it was very cruel of him.
f ellow. 9. He exclaimed that it was a great pity I (she/he/
3. He exclaimed sadly that he was ruined. they/we) had not come.
4. He exclaimed sadly that their foes were too strong. 10. The Queen exclaimed sadly that he had done a very
5. He remarked that I/he was a very lazy boy and that rash and bloody deed.
I/he had done my/his work very badly.

Exercise–6
1.
2.
3.

4.

5.
6.
7.
K KUNDAN
He said to Rama, “Come with me.”
Rama replied, “I cannot do so.”
“When will the next letter come?” he said to his
father.
“There may not be another this year,” replied his
father.
Rama said to me, “What has become of hari?”
“I have not seen him for months,” I said to him.
The master said, “Please attend carefully to what I
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.

27.
The stranger said to Alice, “Where do you live?”
I said to Mary, “Will you lend me a pencil?”
He said to us, “I have waited an hour.”
“Are you now quite well again?” the lady inquired.
He said, “I have come to see you.”
He said, “Even though I have come, it is against my
will. ”
The speaker said, “It gives me great pleasure to be
here this evening.”
am saying.” 28. He said to them, “Will you listen to such a man?”
8. I wrote, “I shall visit him tomorrow.” 29. He said to me, “Will you accompany me?”
9. He observed, “I have never liked doing that.” 30. He said to me, “Leave the room and do not return.”
10. “Be quiet” I said to them. 31. The mother said to her boy, “Where have you been
11. “Have you anything to say?” he said to me. all the afternoon?”
12. Rama said to Hari, “Will you change place with me?” 32. Hari said to Rama, “Have you read the letter”?
13. “I am tired,” he said. “I wish to go to bed.” 33. The king said to the philosopher, “Whom do you
14. An old mouse said, “Who will bell the cat?” consider the happiest man living?”
15. John said, “I want to be a soldier”. 34. The magistrate said to the prisoner, “What are you
16. “Where are you going?” he said to me. doing with your hand in the gentleman’s pocket?”
17. “What do you want?” he said to me. 35. The fox cried out to the goat, “A thought has just
18. Abdul said, “I have seen this picture.” come into my head.”
19. The boy said, “I shall come with you.” 36. He said to his sons, “Do not quarrel among yourselves
20. He said, “The earth moves round the sun.” when I am dead but remain united.”

Exercise–7
1. The stranger asked me where I lived. 5. Rama ordered Arjun to go away.
2. The policeman enquired where we were going. 6. The judge commanded him to call the first witness.
3. He asked them whether they would listen to such a 7. He shouted to them to let him go.
man. 8. He exclaimed sadly that he was undone.
4. His angry mother jeered and asked whet her he 9. Sudha exclaimed that she was very clever.
supposed that he knew better than his own father. 10. He called upon Heaven to witness his resolve never
to witness again.
220 English Language and Comprehension Narration

Exercise–8
1. He cried that he would average her/my wrongs and
that he would not enter Athens until he punished
the King who had so cruelly treated her/me.
2. He wrote and said that he was unable to come just
then because he was ill, but he would certainly start
as soon as he was well enough to do so.
3. Aladdin asked the magician what he had done to
deserve so severe a blow.
4. She asked him what was it that made him so much
stronger and braver than any other man.
5. The swami asked the villagers to bring him a glass
of milk.
6. He told his servant to hurry up and not to waste
time.
7. He angrily remarked that I (he/she) was a stupid
f ellow.
8. He remarked that I/he was a very lazy body and that
I/he had done my/his work very badly.
9. The general told his mutinous troops that they had
brought disgrace upon a famous regiment. If they
had grievances, why had they not laid them before
their own officers. Now they must suffer punishment
for their offence before their complaints could be
heard.
10. The traveller asked the peasant if he could tell him
the way to the nearest inn. The peasant replied
that he could, and asked whether t he traveller
wanted one in which he could spend the night.
The traveller answered that he did not wish to stay
there, but only wanted a meal.

Exercise–9

1. “When will the next letter come?” he said to his 6. The speaker said, “It gives me great pleasure to be
father. here this evening.”
2. The master said, “Please attend carefully to what I 7. He said to him, “Leave the room and do not return.”
am saying”. 8. The mother said to her boy, “Where have you been
3. He observed, “I have never liked doing that.” all the afternoon?”
4. “I am tired,” he said. “I wish to go to bed.” 9. Hari said to Rama, “Have you read the letter?”
5. “Are you quite well again?” the lady inquired. 10. The king said to the philosopher, “Whom do you
consider the happiest man living?”

K KUNDAN
Exercise-10

1. d 2. d 3. b 4. a 5. a 106. a 107. c 108. b 109. b 110. d

6. b 7. b 8. a 9. c 10. a 111. a 112. d 113. b 114. d 115. a
11. a 12. b 13. a 14. b 15. a 116. b 117. d 118. b 119. b 120. d
16. b 17. a 18. b 19. a 20. b 121. b 122. b 123. d 124. b 125. c
21. b 22. c 23. a 24. b 25. d 126. b 127. a 128. b 129. a 130. b
26. d 27. d 28. c 29. c 30. a 131. d 132. d 133. b 134. c 135. d
31. b 32. b 33. b 34. c 35. b 136. c 137. c 138. a 139. a 140. c
36. c 37. d 38. a 39. a 40. b 141. d 142. b 143. d 144. c 145. d
41. c 42. a 43. b 44. b 45. c 146. b 147. c 148. a 149. c 150. a
46. d 47. b 48. c 49. b 50. d 151. d 152. c 153. a 154. c 155. d
51. a 52. a 53. c 54. c 55. b 156. a 157. c 158. c 159. d 160. a
56. a 57. d 58. d 59. b 60. c 161. d 162. d 163. b 164. a 165. d
61. d 62. d 63. c 64. d 65. c 166. c 167. c 168. d 169. c 170. c
66. c 67. a 68. b 69. d 70. d 171. b 172. c 173. c 174. a 175. d
71. d 72. a 73. b 74. c 75. a 176. b 177. d 178. c 179. b 180. d
76. a 77. b 78. a 79. c 80. c 181. d 182. b 183. a 184. d 185. d
81. a 82. a 83. c 84. b 85. b 186. d 187. c 188. a 189. d 190. d
86. c 87. b 88. b 89. c 90. b 191. c 192. c 193. a 194. a 195. b
91. c 92. c 93. a 94. a 95. a 196. c 197. d 198. d 199. c 200.a
96. c 97. c 98. b 99. a 100. c 201. c 202. c 203. d 204. b 205.c
101. b 102. a 103. d 104. b 105. a 206. d 207. c 208. c 209. d 210.c