11.1 Pretest EXERCISE 1. Choose the correct verb form to put the following statements into reported
speech:
1. “I’m going out now, but I’ll be in by nine,” he said.
He said he (will be/ is/ was) going out, but he (was/ will/ would) be in by nine.
2. “My young brother wants to be a tax inspector,” said Mary. “I can’t think why.”
Mary said her young brother (wanted/ want/ wants) to be a tax inspector, and she
(can’t/ couldn’t/ can) think why.
3. “I’ve made a terrible mistake!” said Peter. - “You’re always making terrible
mistakes,” I said. “You should be used to it by now.”
Peter said he (has/ had/ have) made a terrible mistake and I replied he (is/ are/ was) always making terrible mistakes and (should/ would/ shall) be used to it.
4. “I’m living with my parents at present,” she said, “but I hope to have a flat
of my own soon.”
She said she (was/ is/ were) living with her parents at present, but she (hope/ hopes/ hoped) to have a flat of her own soon.
5. “I’m leaving tomorrow,” she said. – “We’ll come and see you off,” we said.
She said she (will be/ was/ is) leaving the next day, we replied we (will/ would/ were) come and see her off.
6. “Do you want to see the cathedral?” said the guide.
The guide asked if we (wanted/ want/ wants) to see the cathedral.
7. “Can you tell me why Paul left the university without taking his degree?” Paul’s
sister asked.
Paul’s sister asked why (Paul had left/ had Paul left/ did Paul leave) the university
without taking his degree.
8. “How long have you been learning English?” the examiner said.
The examiner asked how long (had I been/ I have been/ I had been) learning English.
9. “Are there any letters for me?” said Mary.
Mary asked if (were there/ there were/ there are) any letters for her.
10. “Why aren’t you taking the exams?” said Paul.
Paul asked why (wasn’t I/ I wasn’t/ aren’t I) taking the exam.
11. “We’ll wait for you if you're late,” they said.
They said they (will wait/ would wait/ waited) for us if we (will be/ would be/ were) late.
12. He said, “If what you say is true I must go to the police.”
He said he (must/ has to/ had to) go to the police if what I (say/ said/ will say) was
true.