Punctuation Mastery: Direct Speech Quiz

1. What is direct speech?

When a writer tells the main idea of a story.

When a writer explains what someone said without using their exact words.

When a writer shows the exact words a person says, using quotation marks.

When a writer only describes how someone feels.

Direct speech uses the speaker's exact words and puts them inside quotation marks.

Explanation

Direct speech uses the speaker's exact words and puts them inside quotation marks.

2. Which sentence shows correct direct speech?

Lisa said I love reading.

Lisa said, I love reading.

Lisa said, "I love reading."

Lisa, I love reading said.

Direct speech needs a comma after said and quotation marks around the exact words spoken.

Explanation

Direct speech needs a comma after said and quotation marks around the exact words spoken.

3. Direct speech shows exactly what a person says, word for word.

True

False

Direct speech does not change the speaker's words; it shows them exactly.

Explanation

Direct speech does not change the speaker's words; it shows them exactly.

4. We use quotation marks in direct speech to show the exact words a person speaks.

True

False

Quotation marks act like a frame around the spoken words in direct speech.

Explanation

Quotation marks act like a frame around the spoken words in direct speech.

5. Which sentence is written in direct speech?

Tom said that he was tired.

Tom said, "I am tired."

Tom was tired after school.

Tom felt very tired.

Only B shows Tom's exact words inside quotation marks.

Explanation

Only B shows Tom's exact words inside quotation marks.

6. Which of these sentences are examples of direct speech?

Mia whispered, "Be very quiet."

Mia whispered that we should be very quiet.

"I can't find my pencil," Ben said.

Ben could not find his pencil.

Our teacher told us about direct speech.

A and C both use quotation marks to show the speaker's exact words.

Explanation

A and C both use quotation marks to show the speaker's exact words.

Submit

7. In direct speech, the exact words a person says are placed inside __________ marks.

We use quotation marks before and after the spoken words in direct speech.

Explanation

We use quotation marks before and after the spoken words in direct speech.

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8. Which sentence correctly shows direct speech with capital letters and punctuation?

Emma said, "i like math"

Emma said "i like math".

Emma said, "I like math".

Emma said I like math.

The first word inside the quotation marks is capitalized and the period comes before the closing quote.

Explanation

The first word inside the quotation marks is capitalized and the period comes before the closing quote.

9. In direct speech, a comma usually comes before the opening quotation marks when the reporting verb comes first.

True

False

We often write patterns like She said, "..." with a comma before the quoted words.

Explanation

We often write patterns like She said, "..." with a comma before the quoted words.

10. In the sentence "Jamal asked, \"Can I borrow your ruler?\"" which part is the direct speech?

Jamal asked

Can I borrow your ruler?

Ruler

Borrow your ruler

The direct speech is the exact question Jamal speaks inside quotation marks.

Explanation

The direct speech is the exact question Jamal speaks inside quotation marks.

11. Which sentences are NOT examples of direct speech?

Sara said, "We have a test tomorrow."

Sara said that we have a test tomorrow.

They shouted, "We won!"

They shouted that they won.

"We won!" they shouted.

B and D tell what was said without using quotation marks, so they are not direct speech.

Explanation

B and D tell what was said without using quotation marks, so they are not direct speech.

Submit

12. Complete the direct speech sentence: Max said, "__________" to greet his friend.

A simple greeting like Hello can be shown as direct speech inside quotation marks.

Explanation

A simple greeting like Hello can be shown as direct speech inside quotation marks.

Submit

13. A thought written without quotation marks, like He wondered if it would rain, is an example of direct speech.

True

False

Direct speech needs quotation marks and shows the exact words spoken, not just thoughts.

Explanation

Direct speech needs quotation marks and shows the exact words spoken, not just thoughts.

14. In the sentence ""I love science," said Maya," what is the reporting part (who is speaking)?

"I love science,"

Love science

Said Maya

Science

The words 'said Maya' tell us who is speaking and are called the reporting clause.

Explanation

The words 'said Maya' tell us who is speaking and are called the reporting clause.

15. Which option best explains direct speech in the sentence "Leo asked, \"Where is my backpack?\""?

It shows Leo's exact question inside quotation marks.

It explains that Leo lost his backpack but not his exact words.

It only tells what Leo was thinking.

It describes Leo's backpack in detail.

The quoted question is exactly what Leo says, so it is direct speech.

Explanation

The quoted question is exactly what Leo says, so it is direct speech.

16. Direct speech shows a speaker's __________ words inside quotation marks.

Direct speech does not change or summarize the words; it shows them exactly.

Explanation

Direct speech does not change or summarize the words; it shows them exactly.

Submit

17. In direct speech, quotation marks can come before or after the reporting words, depending on where the spoken words are in the sentence.

True

False

We can write patterns like "I am ready," she said or She said, "I am ready.".

Explanation

We can write patterns like "I am ready," she said or She said, "I am ready.".

18. When might an author use direct speech in a story?

To show a real conversation between characters.

To make the dialogue feel lively and real.

To hide what the characters are saying.

To show the exact words a character shouts or whispers.

To make the reader guess what was said.

Direct speech brings characters' exact words onto the page, making conversations clear and lively.

Explanation

Direct speech brings characters' exact words onto the page, making conversations clear and lively.

Submit

19. Which sentence does NOT use direct speech?

"Please pass the salt," my dad said.

My dad said, "Please pass the salt."

My dad asked me to pass the salt.

"Pass the salt," he said.

Sentence C reports the request without quotation marks, so it is not direct speech.

Explanation

Sentence C reports the request without quotation marks, so it is not direct speech.

20. Direct speech uses commas and __________ to show what someone says in a sentence.

Punctuation like commas and quotation marks help readers see the spoken words clearly.

Explanation

Punctuation like commas and quotation marks help readers see the spoken words clearly.

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