Free Direct and Indirect Speech MCQs with Answers
306 Direct and Indirect Speech MCQs from English, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Direct speech gives a speaker’s exact words, whereas indirect speech reports the meaning without quotation marks. Questions cover reporting verbs, pronoun changes, tense backshift, time and place expressions, punctuation, and the transformation of questions, commands and requests, including cases where backshift is not required.
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306 questions · page 6 of 16
- A. They exclaimed with wonder that she look very beautiful.
- B. They exclaimed with sorrow that she looks very beautiful.
- C. They exclaimed with wonder, that she looked very beautiful.
- D. They exclaimed with wonder that she looked very beautiful.
Explanation: The original sentence is an exclamation of admiration, and the correct reported speech uses the verb "exclaimed" to convey the strong…
Correct answer: They exclaimed with wonder that she looked very beautiful.- A. He said that it is time they began planning their holidays.
- B. He said that it was time they had begun planning their holidays.
- C. He said it is time they begin planning their holidays.
- D. He said that it was time they began planning their holidays.
Explanation: He said that it was time they began planning their holidays.The original sentence is a statement about the timing of planning holidays…
Correct answer: He said that it was time they began planning their holidays.- A. He urged me to going home together.
- B. He suggested me that we should go home together.
- C. He suggested to me that we should go home together.
- D. He suggested me to let's go home with him
Explanation: The original sentence is a suggestion or invitation, and the correct reported speech uses the verb "suggested" to convey the idea.
Correct answer: He suggested to me that we should go home together.- A. The poet says that the butterflies could fly, but humans could not.
- B. The poet says that the butterflies can fly, but humans cannot.
- C. The poet says that the butterflies could fly, but humans cannot.
- D. The poet said that the butterflies can fly, but humans cannot.
Explanation: The original sentence is a statement about the ability of butterflies and humans, and the correct reported speech maintains the same tense…
Correct answer: The poet says that the butterflies can fly, but humans cannot.- A. Juliet told that they had better stay at home.
- B. Juliet said that they had better stayed at home.
- C. Juliet said that they had better stay at home.
- D. Juliet said that they had better to stay at home.
Explanation: The original sentence is a statement advising someone to stay at home, and the correct reported speech maintains the same wording and tense.
Correct answer: Juliet said that they had better stay at home.- A. They tell me that they are ready to help us.
- B. They said that we are ready to help us.
- C. They told me that they were ready to help me.
- D. They say that I am ready to help them.
Explanation: The original sentence is an offer of assistance, and the correct reported speech maintains the same wording and tense, with a change in…
Correct answer: They told me that they were ready to help me.- A. would - wanted
- B. can - wanted
- C. would - wants
- D. could - wanted
Explanation: He said that I would work hard if I wanted to pass.This option is correct because "would" is the conditional form of "will," which fits…
Correct answer: would - wanted- A. that what
- B. if what
- C. what
- D. whether what
Explanation: He asked me if what had happened.This option is incorrect because "if what" is not a proper conjunction for forming indirect questions.
Correct answer: what- A. If
- B. Whether
- C. That
- D. Both A and B
Explanation: In indirect speech, when converting a yes/no question, we use 'if' or 'whether' to introduce the clause.
Correct answer: Both A and B110. He asked me--------.
- A. where was my mother
- B. if was my mother
- C. where my mother was
- D. my mother was
Explanation: "He asked me where my mother was."This option is correct because it follows the correct word order for indirect questions, with the…
Correct answer: where my mother was- A. Knows
- B. Know
- C. Knew
- D. Knowing
Explanation: The teacher asked the little boy if he knew the correct answer to the question.This option is correct because it uses the past tense…
Correct answer: Knew- A. I want
- B. I am wanting
- C. I did wanted
- D. I wanted
Explanation: "Mother allowed me to go wherever I wanted."This option is correct because it uses the past tense "wanted" which is appropriate for…
Correct answer: I wanted- A. Has
- B. Would
- C. Had
- D. Could
Explanation: "She requested him to take her to the doctor as she had very high fever."This option is correct because "had" is past tense and correctly…
Correct answer: Had- A. Would has
- B. Would had
- C. Would have
- D. Will have
Explanation: When my boss said that he was coming to see me the next day, I wondered what problem he would have with me.This option is correct because…
Correct answer: Would have- A. Does not give
- B. Did not give
- C. Does not gives
- D. Has not given
Explanation: "I suggested that she should stay at home if it rained but she did not give any answer."This option is correct because "did not give" is…
Correct answer: Did not give- A. Had I
- B. I have
- C. I had
- D. Have I
Explanation: "He asked me why I had to often when I knew there would be fewer buses on the road that day."This option is correct because "had" is the…
Correct answer: I had- A. Could she
- B. Would she
- C. She could
- D. She would
Explanation: "My friend asked me what she would do for me in that critical situation."This option is correct because it forms a grammatically correct…
Correct answer: She would- A. Continued
- B. Continuing
- C. Continue
- D. To continue
Explanation: "The Government warned the multiplexes that if they continued charging prices higher than MRP, their licenses would be canceled."This…
Correct answer: Continued- A. I worked
- B. I have worked
- C. I work
- D. I do work
Explanation: "My father told me that if I worked for the betterment of mankind, God would certainly do good to me."This option is correct because…
Correct answer: I worked- A. May
- B. Might
- C. Can
- D. Could
Explanation: "She says, 'I studied hard so that I may get good marks.'"This option indicates a possibility of getting good marks with "may" suggesting…
Correct answer: May