Grammar Practice

Direct and indirect speech

Grammar Reference p173–175
9 Read this report of a conversation between a reporter and Mr Slade, then rewrite it in
direct speech.
The reporter told Mr Slade that she was doing a survey on people who did regular
exercise and she wondered if he would mind answering a few questions. Mr Slade
asked if it would take very long. She said it would take hardly any time at all. Mr
Slade told her to go ahead. The reporter asked Mr Slade when he had first become
interested in weightlifting. My Slade said that he couldn’t remember exactly, but he
thought it was about two years previously. The reporter asked him how often he went
to the gym. Mr Slade said that he tried to go every day but that sometimes he was too
busy. The reporter asked him if he had ever done any other sports. Mr Slade said that
he used to do karate, kick boxing and sky diving, but that he had to give them up a
few months before. The reporter asked Mr Slade if he had any problems with his
health. Mr Slade said he felt very fit and that he would probably be running in the
Boston marathon in a month’s time.The reporter asked him how old he was. Mr Slade
said he was a bit older than her. She asked how old he thought that was. Mr Slade
replied that he was nearly ninety seven, but that he felt like a young man of seventy-
five.

Reporter: I’m doing a survey on people who do regular exercise and wonder if you
would mind answering a few questions?
Mr Slade: ………………………………………………………………………
Reporter: ………………………………………………………………………
Mr Slade: ………………………………………………………………………
Reporter: ………………………………………………………………………
Mr Slade: ………………………………………………………………………
Reporter: ………………………………………………………………………
Mr Slade: ………………………………………………………………………
Reporter: ………………………………………………………………………
Mr Slade: ………………………………………………………………………
Reporter: ………………………………………………………………………
Mr Slade: ………………………………………………………………………
Reporter: ………………………………………………………………………
Mr Slade: ………………………………………………………………………
Reporter: ………………………………………………………………………
Mr Slade: ………………………………………………………………………

10 Complete each of sentences a–g with one of these verbs in a suitable form.

promise boast blamed apologise order recommend warn

a My coach ……………… training at five o’clock every morning.
b Everyone ……………… them that the sea was dangerous at high tide.
c Sergeant Smith ……………… the men to march faster towards the army camp.
d The World Bank ……………… to cancel the African country’s debt.
e None of the men ……………… for doing anything wrong.
f All the Directors ……………… the Sales Manager for not meeting his sales targets.
g Jack Smith was the sort of man who always ……………… about his achievements.