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Direct and Indirect Speech question test your ability to convert spoken sentences (direct speech) into reported speech (indirect speech). They appear in English or communication skills sections of competitive exams like banking, defense, UPSC CSAT, SSC CGL, etc. By understanding how to change question structure, verb tense, and pronouns, you can accurately report what someone said. Focus on mastering these grammar rules to get these questions correct in exams.
Table of Contents
What is Direct and Indirect Speech? What are Direct and Indirect Speech Problems?
Direct and indirect speech question deal with how we report what someone said.Direct speech quotes the exact words spoken, enclosed in quotation marks. For example, “I love pizza!” is a direct speech. Indirect speech reports the content of what someone said without using their exact words. We use a reporting verb like “said” or “asked” and adjust the structure and tense. So, you could say, “She said she loved pizza.” This is indirect speech.
Direct and indirect speech question might ask you to:
- Change a sentence from direct to indirect speech, requiring adjustments to tense, pronouns, and punctuation.
- Identify the correct indirect speech version of a given sentence.
- Choose the appropriate reporting verb based on the context.
Must Read: How to Change Sentences into Indirect Speech
Tips to Solve Direct and Indirect Speech Questions
SInce direct and indirect speech questions form such an important portion of competitive exams. Below we have mentioned some tips to solve Direct and Indirect Speech questions-
- Spot words like “said,” “asked,” and “reported,” as they introduce the indirect speech.
- In indirect speech, quotation marks disappear, replaced by a full stop.
- Past tense verbs in direct speech often shift to past perfect in indirect speech.
- “I” becomes “he/she/they” and “you” becomes “I/we/they” when moving from direct to indirect speech.
- Question words (“when,” “where,” and “why”) usually stay the same, but the sentence structure might change.
- Words like “now” or “here” might change to “then” or “there” to reflect the reporting time.
- Commands in direct speech become reported statements with verbs like “ordered” or “requested.”
- Use “that” to connect the reporting verb to the indirect speech.
Must Read: Direct and Indirect Speech Guide with Exercises
50 + Direct and Indirect Speech Question and Answers
Understanding direct and indirect speech helps in effective communication by conveying someone’s words accurately without direct quoting. Here we have provided 50+ direct and indirect speech question and answers for your practice:
1. In direct speech, what punctuation is used to enclose the actual words spoken?
a) Parentheses
b) Quotation marks
c) Brackets
d) Hyphens
Answer: b) Quotation marks
2. What change occurs to the reporting verb when transforming a direct speech question to indirect speech?
a) It remains unchanged
b) It is replaced by “asked”
c) It is removed entirely
d) It is replaced by “said”
Answer: b) It is replaced by “asked”
3. When converting a direct speech question to an indirect speech, what happens to the question mark?
a) It remains unchanged
b) It is replaced by an exclamation mark
c) It is removed
d) It is replaced by a comma
Answer: c) It is removed
4.What conjunction is used in indirect speech when the sentence begins with a helping verb?
a) And
b) Or
c) If
d) But
Answer: c) If
5.In indirect speech, if a sentence begins with “where” or “how,” what happens to the conjunction?
a) It remains unchanged
b) It is replaced by “when”
c) No conjunction is used
d) It is replaced by “whether”
Answer: c) No conjunction is used
6.In direct speech, what verb form is used in the transformation to indirect speech?
a) Present tense
b) Past tense
c) Future tense
d) Present perfect tense
Answer: b) Past tense
7. When transforming direct speech to indirect speech, what is done with pronouns?
a) They remain unchanged
b) They are always removed
c) They are replaced with the speaker’s name
d) They are altered according to the context
Answer: d) They are altered according to the context
8. In direct speech, what punctuation follows the reported speech?
a) Period
b) Comma
c) Colon
d) Question mark
Answer: d) Question mark
9. What word is commonly used to introduce a direct speech question?
a) Asked
b) Said
c) Wondered
d) Inquired
Answer: a) Asked
10. In direct speech, what is enclosed in quotation marks?
a) Reported speech
b) Reporting verb
c) Conjunction
d) None of the above
Answer: a) Reported speech
11. When transforming a direct speech question to indirect speech, what tense is often used for the reporting verb?
a) Present tense
b) Past tense
c) Future tense
d) Present perfect tense
Answer: b) Past tense
12. In indirect speech, what is typically done to the word order compared to direct speech?
a) It remains unchanged
b) It is reversed
c) It becomes more formal
d) It is altered according to the context
Answer: d) It is altered according to the context
13. Which of the following is true regarding the transformation of direct speech to indirect speech?
a) Exact words are always preserved
b) Exact words are paraphrased
c) No changes are made
d) Exact words are replaced with synonyms
Answer: b) Exact words are paraphrased
14. In direct speech, what punctuation is commonly used to introduce the reported speech?
a) Exclamation mark
b) Question mark
c) Quotation marks
d) Apostrophe
Answer: c) Quotation marks
15. What conjunction is typically used to introduce indirect speech questions?
a) And
b) Or
c) If
d) But
Answer: c) If
16. When converting a direct speech question to indirect speech, what happens to the tense of the verb?
a) It remains unchanged
b) It shifts to the past tense
c) It shifts to the future tense
d) It becomes more emphatic
Answer: b) It shifts to the past tense
17. In indirect speech, what pronouns are used to refer to the speaker and the listener?
a) Third-person pronouns
b) First-person pronouns
c) Second-person pronouns
d) No pronouns are used
Answer: a) Third-person pronouns
18. What is the primary purpose of using indirect speech?
a) To directly quote the speaker’s exact words
b) To paraphrase the speaker’s words
c) To add emphasis to the reported speech
d) To confuse the reader
Answer: b) To paraphrase the speaker’s words
19. When transforming a direct speech question to indirect speech, what punctuation is typically used to end the reported speech?
a) Period
b) Comma
c) Colon
d) Exclamation mark
Answer: a) Period
20. In indirect speech, what is the function of the reporting verb?
a) To introduce the reported speech
b) To emphasize the reported speech
c) To express the speaker’s emotions
d) To indicate the time frame of the reported speech
Answer: d) To indicate the time frame of the reported speech
21. Which of the following conjunctions is commonly used to introduce indirect speech questions?
a) And
b) Or
c) If
d) But
Answer: c) If
22. When converting direct speech to indirect speech, what happens to the tense of the reporting verb?
a) It remains unchanged
b) It shifts to the past tense
c) It shifts to the future tense
d) It becomes more emphatic
Answer: b) It shifts to the past tense
23. In indirect speech, what is typically done to the punctuation of the reported speech?
a) It remains unchanged
b) It is removed
c) It is replaced with parentheses
d) It is replaced with quotation marks
Answer: b) It is removed
24. What is the primary purpose of using indirect speech?
a) To directly quote the speaker’s exact words
b) To paraphrase the speaker’s words
c) To add emphasis to the reported speech
d) To confuse the reader
Answer: b) To paraphrase the speaker’s words
25. When transforming a direct speech question to indirect speech, what happens to the pronouns?
a) They remain unchanged
b) They are always removed
c) They are altered according to the context
d) They are replaced with synonyms
Answer: c) They are altered according to the context
26. In indirect speech, what pronouns are typically used to refer to the speaker and the listener?
a) Third-person pronouns
b) First-person pronouns
c) Second-person pronouns
d) No pronouns are used
Answer: a) Third-person pronouns
27. When transforming a direct speech question to indirect speech, what happens to the question mark?
a) It remains unchanged
b) It is replaced by an exclamation mark
c) It is removed
d) It is replaced by a comma
Answer: c) It is removed
28. In indirect speech, what conjunction is used if the sentence begins with a helping verb?
a) And
b) Or
c) If
d) But
Answer: c) If
29. In direct speech, what verb form is typically used in the transformation to indirect speech?
a) Present tense
b) Past tense
c) Future tense
d) Present perfect tense
Answer: b) Past tense
30. What is commonly used to introduce a direct speech question?
a) Asked
b) Said
c) Wondered
d) Inquired
Answer: a) Asked
31.What punctuation is commonly used to enclose the actual words spoken in direct speech?
a) Parentheses
b) Quotation marks
c) Brackets
d) Hyphens
Answer: b) Quotation marks
32. In direct speech, what punctuation follows the reported speech?
a) Period
b) Comma
c) Colon
d) Question mark
Answer: d) Question mark
33. What conjunction is typically used to introduce indirect speech questions?
a) And
b) Or
c) If
d) But
Answer: c) If
34. In indirect speech, what pronouns are used to refer to the speaker and the listener?
a) Third-person pronouns
b) First-person pronouns
c) Second-person pronouns
d) No pronouns are used
Answer: a) Third-person pronouns
35. When converting a direct speech question to indirect speech, what happens to the tense of the verb?
a) It remains unchanged
b) It shifts to the past tense
c) It shifts to the future tense
d) It becomes more emphatic
Answer: b) It shifts to the past tense
36. In indirect speech, what is typically done to the punctuation of the reported speech?
a) It remains unchanged
b) It is removed
c) It is replaced with parentheses
d) It is replaced with quotation marks
Answer: b) It is removed
37. What is the primary purpose of using indirect speech?
a) To directly quote the speaker’s exact words
b) To paraphrase the speaker’s words
c) To add emphasis to the reported speech
d) To confuse the reader
Answer: b) To paraphrase the speaker’s words
38. When transforming a direct speech question to indirect speech, what happens to the pronouns?
a) They remain unchanged
b) They are always removed
c) They are altered according to the context
d) They are replaced with synonyms
Answer: c) They are altered according to the context
39. In indirect speech, what conjunction is used if the sentence begins with a helping verb?
a) And
b) Or
c) If
d) But
Answer: c) If
40. In direct speech, what verb form is typically used in the transformation to indirect speech?
a) Present tense
b) Past tense
c) Future tense
d) Present perfect tense
Answer: b) Past tense
41.What punctuation is commonly used to enclose the actual words spoken in direct speech?
a) Parentheses
b) Quotation marks
c) Brackets
d) Hyphens
Answer: b) Quotation marks
42.In direct speech, what punctuation follows the reported speech?
a) Period
b) Comma
c) Colon
d) Question mark
Answer: d) Question mark
43.What conjunction is typically used to introduce indirect speech questions?
a) And
b) Or
c) If
d) But
Answer: c) If
44.In indirect speech, what pronouns are used to refer to the speaker and the listener?
a) Third-person pronouns
b) First-person pronouns
c) Second-person pronouns
d) No pronouns are used
Answer: a) Third-person pronouns
45.When converting a direct speech question to indirect speech, what happens to the tense of the verb?
a) It remains unchanged
b) It shifts to the past tense
c) It shifts to the future tense
d) It becomes more emphatic
Answer: b) It shifts to the past tense
46.In indirect speech, what is typically done to the punctuation of the reported speech?
a) It remains unchanged
b) It is removed
c) It is replaced with parentheses
d) It is replaced with quotation marks
Answer: b) It is removed
47.What is the primary purpose of using indirect speech?
a) To directly quote the speaker’s exact words
b) To paraphrase the speaker’s words
c) To add emphasis to the reported speech
d) To confuse the reader
Answer: b) To paraphrase the speaker’s words
48.When transforming a direct speech question to indirect speech, what happens to the pronouns?
a) They remain unchanged
b) They are always removed
c) They are altered according to the context
d) They are replaced with synonyms
Answer: c) They are altered according to the context
49.In indirect speech, what conjunction is used if the sentence begins with a helping verb?
a) And
b) Or
c) If
d) But
Answer: c) If
50.In direct speech, what verb form is typically used in the transformation to indirect speech?
a) Present tense
b) Past tense
c) Future tense
d) Present perfect tense
Answer: b) Past tense
Must Read: Learn the types of Reported Speech
Change Into Indirect Speech Questions and Answers
Understanding how to convert direct speech into indirect speech is important for effective communication and writing. It helps convey someone’s words or thoughts without quoting directly, maintaining coherence and clarity. Solve these questions to gain confidence :
1.Direct speech: “Where are you going?” she asked.
A) She asked where he was going.
B) She asked where are you going.
C) She asked where am I going.
2.Direct speech: “What time does the movie start?” he asked.
A) He asked what time the movie starts.
B) He asked what time does the movie start.
C) He asked what time did the movie start.
3.Direct speech: “How long have you been waiting?” she inquired.
A) She inquired how long had he been waiting.
B) She inquired how long he had been waiting.
C) She inquired how long have you been waiting.
4.Direct speech: “Why did you leave early?” he questioned.
A) He questioned why did she leave early.
B) He questioned why she left early.
C) He questioned why she leave early.
5.Direct speech: “Are you coming to the party?” she asked.
A) She asked if he was coming to the party.
B) She asked if are you coming to the party.
C) She asked if I am coming to the party.
6.Direct speech: “Have you finished your homework?” he asked.
A) He asked if she has finished her homework.
B) He asked if have you finished your homework.
C) He asked if I have finished my homework.
7.Direct speech: “Did you enjoy the concert?” she wondered.
A) She wondered if he enjoyed the concert.
B) She wondered if you enjoyed the concert.
C) She wondered if I enjoyed the concert.
8.Direct speech: “Will you help me with this project?” he requested.
A) He requested if he will help with the project.
B) He requested if you will help with the project.
C) He requested if I will help with the project.
9.Direct speech: “Can you lend me some money?” she asked.
A) She asked if he can lend her some money.
B) She asked if you can lend her some money.
C) She asked if I can lend her some money.
10.Direct speech: “How did you learn to play the guitar?” he inquired.
A) He inquired how she learned to play the guitar.
B) He inquired how did she learn to play the guitar.
C) He inquired how she learns to play the guitar.
11.Direct speech: “Are you going to the gym tomorrow?” she asked.
A) She asked if he is going to the gym tomorrow.
B) She asked if are you going to the gym tomorrow.
C) She asked if I am going to the gym tomorrow.
12.Direct speech: “When did you arrive?” he asked.
Indirect speech: A) He asked when she arrived.
B) He asked when did she arrive.
C) He asked when does she arrive.
13.Direct speech: “Why didn’t you call me?” she questioned.
A) She questioned why he didn’t call her.
B) She questioned why didn’t he call her.
C) She questioned why he doesn’t call her.
14.Direct speech: “Have you ever been to Paris?” he asked.
A) He asked if she ever has been to Paris.
B) He asked if you ever have been to Paris.
C) He asked if I ever have been to Paris.
15.Direct speech: “Did you see the news?” she asked.
A) She asked if he saw the news.
B) She asked if did he see the news.
C) She asked if he see the news.
16.Direct speech: “Will you be attending the meeting?” he inquired.
A) He inquired if she will be attending the meeting.
B) He inquired if you will be attending the meeting.
C) He inquired if I will be attending the meeting.
17.Direct speech: “Can you pass me the salt?” she requested.
A) She requested if he can pass her the salt.
B) She requested if you can pass her the salt.
C) She requested if I can pass her the salt.
18.Direct speech: “Did you read the book I lent you?” he asked.
A) He asked if she read the book he lent her.
B) He asked if you read the book he lent you.
C) He asked if I read the book he lent me.
19.Direct speech: “Would you like some coffee?” she asked.
A) She asked if he would like some coffee.
B) She asked if would he like some coffee.
C) She asked if he likes some coffee.
20.Direct speech: “How much does this cost?” he asked.
A) He asked how much did this cost.
B) He asked how much does this cost.
C) He asked how much it costs.
Answer Key for Change Into Indirect Speech Questions and Answers
| 1. (B) | 2. (B) | 3. (B) | 4. (C) | 5. (B) |
| 6. (B) | 7. (B) | 8. (D) | 9. (B) | 10. (B) |
| 11. (C) | 12.(E) | 13. (B) | 14.(E) | 15. (C) |
| 16.(C) | 17. (D) | 18.(D) | 19. (B) | 20.(B) |
FAQs
Direct: She said, “I am going to the store.”
Indirect: She said that she was going to the store.
“I love ice cream,” said John.
“Where are you going?” asked Sarah.
“I’ll be back soon,” promised Tom.
“Let’s go for a walk,” suggested Emily.
“How was your day?” inquired Lisa.
“Don’t touch that!” warned David.
Direct: “What is your name?”
Indirect: He asked what my name was.
To change a direct question to indirect speech, we usually use the reporting verb “asked” or an appropriate synonym. The tense of the verb is shifted, and the question mark is replaced with a comma.
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