Exercises for changing Direct Speech into Indirect

Exercise

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 books into the room nor ask me

questions about what I have told you to do.”

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.”

Exercise

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?” asked 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 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, stroking 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 ?”