This set of English Grammar Exercises (MCQs) focuses on “Conversion of Indirect into Direct Speech”.
1. What are the rules to be followed while converting indirect to direct speech?
a) The adverb now changes to later
b) Change of pronouns from first to second person
c) Change of present tense to future tense
d) Use of inverted commas to mark of the words of the speaker
View Answer
Explanation: While writing Direct speech, it is important to use inverted commas to mark off the exact words of the speaker. It is the characteristic feature of direct speech.
2. Convert the following sentence to direct speech.
She enquired if he was John’s father.
a) She said, are you John’s father?
b) She asked him are you John’s father?
c) She said to him, “Are you John’s father?”
d) She asked him if he was John’s father.
View Answer
Explanation: Inverted commas are used in direct speech in order to highlight the exact words of the speaker in the sentence. A comma is used either before or after the dialog.
3. What is the correct answer?
The teacher _______________, “Do not chew gum in class.”
a) instructed him
b) commanded him
c) said to him
d) urged him
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Explanation: ‘Said is usually used in direct speech. It may be used right before or after the inverted commas depending on the position of the dialog.
4. Choose the correct answer.
She asked George to go shopping with her.
a) She said to George, “Come shopping with me.”
b) She asked George, “Please come shopping with me.”
c) “Will you go shopping with me?”, she said to George.
d) She asked George please go shopping with me.
View Answer
Explanation: The most common verb used to depict the action of speech in direct speech is ‘said’. It does not use verbs such as requested. It must also include inverted commas.
5. Which of the following is correct?
Indirect – He asked the postman when the next set of letters would be delivered.
Direct – He said to the postman, “ __________________ ?”
a) when is the next delivery
b) When will the next set of letters be delivered
c) when will you deliver again
d) When will you come with the letters
View Answer
Explanation: The exact words in direct speech which are highlighted by inverted commas must always begin with a capital letter. It must follow this rule in all cases.
6. Which of the following is the correct word?
Indirect – She exclaimed sadly that all the milk was spoilt.
Direct – “____________“, she said.
a) So help me God! The milk is spoilt
b) All the milk is spoilt
c) Alas! All the milk is spoilt
d) The milk was spoilt
View Answer
Explanation: When exclamations are to be expressed in the direct speech, the most common word used is ‘Alas’. This is always followed by an exclamatory mark.
7. State whether true or false.
Exclamation marks are necessary when writing in direct speech.
a) True
b) False
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Explanation: Exclamation marks are necessary when writing in direct speech. This helps to set the tone of the sentence or the statement.
8. Is the following statement true or false?
Do not mention the speaker before or after the words set inside the quotation marks.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: It is necessary to mention the speaker before or after the words set inside the quotation marks. This is one of the rules to be followed while converting to direct speech.
9. Which of the following is not a rule while converting indirect to direct speech?
a) Do not change the actual words spoken by the speaker.
b) Separate the actual words spoken from the rest of the sentence by using a comma.
c) Place the actual words of the speaker within brackets.
d) Begin the first word inside the quotation marks with a capital letter.
View Answer
Explanation: These are all the rules to be followed while changing the indirect speech to direct speech. The actual words of the speaker must be placed withing quotations or inverted commas.
10. Which of the following changes in tense does not occur when transforming to direct speech?
a) simple past to simple present
b) present perfect to past perfect
c) past perfect to simple past
d) past perfect continuous to past continuous
View Answer
Explanation: Changes in tense also occur when a sentence is converted from indirect speech to direct speech. When this change occurs, past perfect changes to present perfect and not vice versa.
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