Applying Indirect Speech Rules Quiz: Tense Shifts

1. What is indirect speech?

The speaker’s exact words in quotation marks

Speech written as dialogue

Reporting what someone said without using exact words

A question spoken aloud

Indirect speech reports what was said without quoting the speaker directly.

Explanation

Indirect speech reports what was said without quoting the speaker directly.

2. Indirect speech usually removes quotation marks and may change verb tense.

True

False

These changes are standard when converting direct speech to indirect speech.

Explanation

These changes are standard when converting direct speech to indirect speech.

3. Which sentence is written in indirect speech?

She said, “I am tired.”

She said that she was tired.

She says, “I was tired.”

She said, “She is tired.”

Indirect speech removes quotation marks and adjusts verb tense.

Explanation

Indirect speech removes quotation marks and adjusts verb tense.

4. Which changes usually happen when converting direct speech to indirect speech?

Verb tense may change

Pronouns may change

Capital letters are added

Sentences become questions

Verb tense and pronouns often shift to match the reporting context.

Explanation

Verb tense and pronouns often shift to match the reporting context.

Submit

6. Which sentence correctly reports the direct speech: He said, “I like math.”

He said he likes math.

He said he liked math.

He said that I like math.

He says he liked math.

Like changes to liked in indirect speech.

Explanation

Like changes to liked in indirect speech.

7. Which word is often used to introduce indirect statements?

Because

But

That

And

That commonly introduces indirect speech.

Explanation

That commonly introduces indirect speech.

8. Which sentence correctly changes a question to indirect speech? Direct speech: She asked, “Where are you going?”

She asked where are you going.

She asked where was I going.

She asked where I was going.

She asked, “Where I was going?”

Indirect questions use statement word order.

Explanation

Indirect questions use statement word order.

9. Indirect speech uses quotation marks to show the speaker’s exact words.

True

False

Indirect speech does not use quotation marks.

Explanation

Indirect speech does not use quotation marks.

10. Match each sentence to the type of speech it shows.

She said that she was ready.

She said, “I am ready.”

They asked if we were coming.

They asked, “Are we coming?”

Quotation marks indicate direct speech.

Explanation

Quotation marks indicate direct speech.

Submit

11. Which sentence contains an error in indirect speech?

He said that he was ready.

She told me she liked reading.

They asked if we are coming.

The teacher explained that the test was tomorrow.

Are should change to were.

Explanation

Are should change to were.

12. Direct speech pronouns often change to match the new __________ and __________.

Pronouns shift to reflect who is speaking and who is being addressed.

Explanation

Pronouns shift to reflect who is speaking and who is being addressed.

Submit

13. Which sentence correctly reports a command? Direct speech: “Please sit down,” the teacher said.

The teacher said please sit down.

The teacher said that we sit down.

The teacher told us to sit down.

The teacher told us sit down.

Commands use told + object + to + verb.

Explanation

Commands use told + object + to + verb.

14. Match each verb change to its correct indirect speech form.

is →

will →

am →

Verb tense usually shifts back in indirect speech.

Explanation

Verb tense usually shifts back in indirect speech.

Submit

15. Why do writers often use indirect speech?

To copy exact words

To add dialogue

To report information smoothly

To make sentences longer

Indirect speech allows information to flow clearly and efficiently.

Explanation

Indirect speech allows information to flow clearly and efficiently.

Grammar Mastery: Applying Indirect Speech Rules Quiz