CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Direct and Indirect Narration
Change into indirect speech: He said, "I had already eaten before they arrived."
A. He said that he had already eaten before they arrived.
B. He said that he had already ate before they arrived.
C. He told that he had already eaten before they arrived.
D. He said that he has already eaten before they arrived.
Correct Answer: A
The form depends on the reporting context. Universal truths usually retain the present tense, while special expressions require an appropriate reporting verb.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Direct and Indirect Narration
Change into indirect speech: The guide said, "The museum opens at nine every day."
A. The guide said that the museum had opened at nine every day.
B. The guide said that the museum opened at nine every day.
C. The guide told that the museum opens at nine every day.
D. The guide said that the museum opens at nine every day.
Correct Answer: D
The form depends on the reporting context. Universal truths usually retain the present tense, while special expressions require an appropriate reporting verb.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Direct and Indirect Narration
Change into indirect speech: The teacher said, "Honesty is the best policy."
A. The teacher said that honesty had been the best policy.
B. The teacher said that honesty was the best policy.
C. The teacher told that honesty is the best policy.
D. The teacher said that honesty is the best policy.
Correct Answer: D
The form depends on the reporting context. Universal truths usually retain the present tense, while special expressions require an appropriate reporting verb.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Direct and Indirect Narration
Change into indirect speech: He will say, "I need more time."
A. He will say that he needs more time.
B. He will tell that he needs more time.
C. He will say that he needed more time.
D. He would say that he needs more time.
Correct Answer: A
The form depends on the reporting context. Universal truths usually retain the present tense, while special expressions require an appropriate reporting verb.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Direct and Indirect Narration
Change into indirect speech: She says, "I have finished my work."
A. She said that she has finished her work.
B. She says that she has finished her work.
C. She says that she had finished her work.
D. She tells that she has finished her work.
Correct Answer: B
The form depends on the reporting context. Universal truths usually retain the present tense, while special expressions require an appropriate reporting verb.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Direct and Indirect Narration
Change into indirect speech: He says, "I understand the rule."
A. He tells that he understands the rule.
B. He says that he understands the rule.
C. He says that he understood the rule.
D. He said that he understands the rule.
Correct Answer: B
When the reporting verb is in the present tense, the reported verb normally does not backshift.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Direct and Indirect Narration
Change into indirect speech: The scientist said, "Water expands when it freezes."
A. The scientist told that water expands when it freezes.
B. The scientist said that water had expanded when it froze.
C. The scientist said that water expanded when it froze.
D. The scientist said that water expands when it freezes.
Correct Answer: D
The form depends on the reporting context. Universal truths usually retain the present tense, while special expressions require an appropriate reporting verb.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Direct and Indirect Narration
Change into indirect speech: The teacher said, "The earth moves round the sun."
A. The teacher told that the earth moves round the sun.
B. The teacher said that the earth moved round the sun.
C. The teacher said that the earth had moved round the sun.
D. The teacher said that the earth moves round the sun.
Correct Answer: D
The form depends on the reporting context. Universal truths usually retain the present tense, while special expressions require an appropriate reporting verb.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Direct and Indirect Narration
Change into indirect speech: He said, "Alas! Our team has lost."
A. He exclaimed that alas their team had lost.
B. He exclaimed with sorrow that their team had lost.
C. He said that our team has lost.
D. He told that their team had lost.
Correct Answer: B
Exclamations and wishes are reported with verbs such as exclaimed, wished or prayed, while the original exclamatory form is changed into a statement.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Direct and Indirect Narration
Change into indirect speech: She said, "What an excellent idea!"
A. She exclaimed that what an excellent idea it was.
B. She said that it is an excellent idea.
C. She told that the idea had been excellent.
D. She exclaimed with admiration that it was an excellent idea.
Correct Answer: D
Exclamations and wishes are reported with verbs such as exclaimed, wished or prayed, while the original exclamatory form is changed into a statement.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Direct and Indirect Narration
Change into indirect speech: The old man said, "Would that I could see my village once more!"
A. The old man wished that he could see his village once more.
B. The old man said that he can see his village once more.
C. The old man told that he could see his village once more.
D. The old man wished to see that his village once more.
Correct Answer: A
Wishes introduced by expressions such as 'Would that' are reported with wished and a statement clause.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Direct and Indirect Narration
Change into indirect speech: Mother said to her son, "May God bless you!"
A. Mother prayed that God might bless her son.
B. Mother told that God might bless her son.
C. Mother said that God may bless her son.
D. Mother prayed her son that God might bless him.
Correct Answer: A
Exclamations and wishes are reported with verbs such as exclaimed, wished or prayed, while the original exclamatory form is changed into a statement.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Direct and Indirect Narration
Change into indirect speech: He said to me, "May you succeed!"
A. He told that I might succeed.
B. He wished me that I might succeed.
C. He said to me that I may succeed.
D. He wished that I might succeed.
Correct Answer: D
Exclamations and wishes are reported with verbs such as exclaimed, wished or prayed, while the original exclamatory form is changed into a statement.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Direct and Indirect Narration
Change into indirect speech: She said, "What a terrible storm!"
A. She exclaimed that what a terrible storm it was.
B. She said that it is a terrible storm.
C. She exclaimed with fear that it was a very terrible storm.
D. She told that it had been a terrible storm.
Correct Answer: C
Exclamations and wishes are reported with verbs such as exclaimed, wished or prayed, while the original exclamatory form is changed into a statement.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Direct and Indirect Narration
Change into indirect speech: He said, "How foolish I have been!"
A. He exclaimed that how foolish he had been.
B. He exclaimed with regret that he had been very foolish.
C. He told that he had been very foolish.
D. He said that he has been foolish.
Correct Answer: B
Exclamations and wishes are reported with verbs such as exclaimed, wished or prayed, while the original exclamatory form is changed into a statement.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Direct and Indirect Narration
Change into indirect speech: They said, "Hurrah! We have won the match."
A. They told that they had won the match.
B. They said that they have won the match.
C. They exclaimed that hurrah they had won the match.
D. They exclaimed with joy that they had won the match.
Correct Answer: D
Exclamations and wishes are reported with verbs such as exclaimed, wished or prayed, while the original exclamatory form is changed into a statement.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Direct and Indirect Narration
Change into indirect speech: She said, "Alas! I have lost my purse."
A. She told that she had lost her purse.
B. She said that she has lost her purse.
C. She exclaimed with sorrow that she had lost her purse.
D. She exclaimed that alas she had lost her purse.
Correct Answer: C
Exclamations and wishes are reported with verbs such as exclaimed, wished or prayed, while the original exclamatory form is changed into a statement.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Direct and Indirect Narration
Change into indirect speech: He said, "What a beautiful view!"
A. He exclaimed that what a beautiful view it was.
B. He told that the view was beautiful.
C. He said that it was a very beautiful view.
D. He exclaimed with admiration that it was a very beautiful view.
Correct Answer: D
Exclamations and wishes are reported with verbs such as exclaimed, wished or prayed, while the original exclamatory form is changed into a statement.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Direct and Indirect Narration
Change into indirect speech: The guide said to the tourists, "Stay together."
A. The guide advised that the tourists stayed together.
B. The guide said the tourists to stay together.
C. The guide advised the tourists to stay together.
D. The guide advised the tourists that stay together.
Correct Answer: C
Imperatives are normally reported with a suitable reporting verb plus object + (not) to-infinitive.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Direct and Indirect Narration
Change into indirect speech: She said to her brother, "Please do not make noise."
A. She requested her brother not to make noise.
B. She requested that her brother did not make noise.
C. She said her brother not to make noise.
D. She requested her brother to not made noise.
Correct Answer: A
Imperatives are normally reported with a suitable reporting verb plus object + (not) to-infinitive.