Exercise 1
Here are some things that Sarah said to you:
I’ve never been to the United States.
I don’t have any brothers or sisters.
I can’t drive.
I don’t like fish.
Jane has a very well-paid job.
I’m working tomorrow evening.
Jane is a friend of mine.
Dave is lazy.
But later Sarah says something different to you. What do you say?
|
|
Sarah |
You |
|
1 |
Dave works very hard. |
But you said he was lazy. |
|
2 |
Let’s have fish for dinner. |
But ……………………. |
|
3 |
I’m going to buy a car. |
……………………. |
|
4 |
Jane is always short of money. |
……………………. |
|
5 |
My sister lives in Paris. |
……………………. |
|
6 |
I think New York is a great place. |
……………………. |
|
7 |
Let’s go out tomorrow evening. |
……………………. |
|
8 |
I’ve never spoken to Jane. |
……………………. |
Answers
1
2 But you said you didn’t like fish.
3 But you said you couldn’t drive.
4 But you said she had a very well-paid job.
5 But you said you didn’t have any brothers or sisters.
6 But you said you’d / you had never been to the United States.
7 But you said you were working tomorrow evening.
8 But you said she was a friend of yours.
Exercise 2
Complete the sentences with say or tell (in the correct form). Use only one word each time.
1 Ann ……………………. goodbye to me and left.
2 ……………………. us about your holiday. Did you have a nice time?
3 Don’t just stand there! ……………………. something!
4 I wonder where Sue is. She ……………………. she would be here at 8 o’clock.
5 Dan ……………………. me that he was bored with his job.
6 The doctor ……………………. that I should rest for at least a week.
7 Don’t ……………………. anybody what I ……………………. it’s a secret just between us.
8 ‘Did she ……………………. you what happened?’ ‘No, she didn’t ……………………. anything to me.’
9 Gary couldn’t help me. He ……………………. me to ask Chris.
10 Gary couldn’t help me. He ……………………. to ask Chris.
Answers
2
1 said
2 Tell 7 tell … said
3 Say 8 tell … say
4 said 9 told
5 told 10 said
6 said
Exercise 3
The following sentences are direct speech:
Don’t wait for me if I’m late.
Mind your own business.
Don’t worry, Sue.
Please slow down!
Can you open your bag, please?
Could you get me a paper?
Hurry up!
Will you marry me?
Do you think you could give me a hand, Tom?
Now choose one of these to complete each of the sentences below. Use reported speech.
1 Will was taking a long time to get ready, so I …………………….
2 Sarah was driving too fast, so I asked …………………….
3 Sue was nervous about the situation. I told …………………….
4 I couldn’t move the piano alone, so I …………………….
5 The security guard looked at me suspiciously and …………………….
6 Tom was going to the shop, so I …………………….
7 The man started asking me personal questions, so I …………………….
8 John was in love with Marianne, so he …………………….
9 I didn’t want to delay Helen, so I …………………….
Answers
3
1 told him to hurry up
2 her to slow down
3 her not to worry
4 asked Tom to give me a hand or … to help me
5 asked me to open my bag
6 asked him to get (me) a paper
7 told him to mind his own business
8 asked her to marry him
9 told her not to wait (for me) if I was
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