Kerala SSLC · English · Class 10
Grammar – Reported Speech: Important Questions with Answers
These are 10 important multiple-choice questions from the Kerala SSLC English chapter “Grammar – Reported Speech” (Kerala SCERT syllabus). Each one shows the correct answer and a short explanation of why it is right. Try answering before you read the answer. ExamSummary has 10 practice questions on this chapter in total.
Q1.Choose the correct indirect speech for: "I am working hard," said Ali.
- A)Ali said that he is working hard.
- B)Ali said that he has been working hard.
- C)Ali said that he was working hard.
- D)Ali said that he had been working hard.
Answer: C) Ali said that he was working hard.
In reported speech, the present continuous tense ('am working') changes to past continuous ('was working') because the reporting verb is in the past tense. The pronoun 'I' also changes to 'he' to match the subject.
Q2.Select the correct conversion for: "I will visit Delhi tomorrow," he said.
- A)He said that he will visit Delhi the next day.
- B)He said that he would visit Delhi the next day.
- C)He said that he would visit Delhi tomorrow.
- D)He said that he will visit Delhi tomorrow.
Answer: B) He said that he would visit Delhi the next day.
The future tense 'will' changes to 'would', and the time expression 'tomorrow' changes to 'the next day' when converting to indirect speech. Both changes are required for grammatical correctness.
Q3.Identify the correct reported form of: "Where do you live?" she asked me.
- A)She asked me where did I live.
- B)She asked me where I lived.
- C)She asked me where do I live.
- D)She asked me where I do live.
Answer: B) She asked me where I lived.
In indirect questions, the sentence follows normal statement word order (subject + verb), so 'did I live' becomes 'I lived'. Additionally, the tense shifts from present simple to past simple.
Q4.Convert the following into indirect speech: "Are you hungry?" he asked.
- A)He asked if I am hungry.
- B)He asked whether I am hungry.
- C)He asked if I was hungry.
- D)He asked if were I hungry.
Answer: C) He asked if I was hungry.
Yes/No questions require 'if' or 'whether' to introduce the clause. Since the reporting verb is in the past, the present tense 'are' must change to past tense 'was'.
Q5.Choose the best option for: "Keep quiet," said the teacher.
- A)The teacher asked us to keep quiet.
- B)The teacher ordered us to keep quiet.
- C)The teacher told us keeping quiet.
- D)The teacher said us to keep quiet.
Answer: B) The teacher ordered us to keep quiet.
Imperative sentences expressing commands are converted using verbs like 'ordered' or 'told' followed by the infinitive 'to keep'. 'Ordered' fits the authoritative tone of a teacher better than 'asked'.
Q6.Select the correct transformation for: "The sun rises in the east," said the teacher.
- A)The teacher said that the sun rose in the east.
- B)The teacher said that the sun has risen in the east.
- C)The teacher said that the sun rises in the east.
- D)The teacher said that the sun will rise in the east.
Answer: C) The teacher said that the sun rises in the east.
Universal truths or facts do not undergo a tense change in reported speech, even if the reporting verb is in the past tense. Therefore, 'rises' remains 'rises'.
Q7.Identify the correct indirect speech for: "I have lost my pen," said Rohan.
- A)Rohan said that he has lost his pen.
- B)Rohan said that he had lost his pen.
- C)Rohan said that he lost his pen.
- D)Rohan said that he loses his pen.
Answer: B) Rohan said that he had lost his pen.
The present perfect tense ('have lost') changes to past perfect tense ('had lost') in reported speech when the reporting verb is in the past tense. This indicates the action happened before the moment of speaking.
Q8.Choose the appropriate conversion for: "Please open the window," said Gopal.
- A)Gopal told me to open the window.
- B)Gopal ordered me to open the window.
- C)Gopal requested me to open the window.
- D)Gopal said me to open the window.
Answer: C) Gopal requested me to open the window.
The word 'please' indicates a polite request rather than a command. Therefore, the reporting verb should be 'requested' instead of 'ordered' or 'told'. The structure uses 'to open'.
Q9.Convert the exclamatory sentence: "What a pity!" cried the man.
- A)The man exclaimed that it was a great pity.
- B)The man said that what a pity it was.
- C)The man exclaimed that it is a great pity.
- D)The man said that it was a pity.
Answer: A) The man exclaimed that it was a great pity.
Exclamatory sentences are introduced by 'exclaimed' or 'cried' followed by 'that'. The exclamation intensity is maintained by adding 'great' or 'very', and the tense shifts to past due to the reporting verb.
Q10.Select the correct reported form: "Did you finish your homework?" she asked.
- A)She asked if I finished my homework.
- B)She asked if I had finished my homework.
- C)She asked if have I finished my homework.
- D)She asked if I finish my homework.
Answer: B) She asked if I had finished my homework.
When the direct question is in the past simple tense ('Did you finish'), it changes to past perfect ('had finished') in indirect speech. The question structure also changes to a statement using 'if'.