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Group Activities for Advanced ESL Students

USING Reported SpeEch

From the author
This activity has been designed for advanced ESL students as a grammar review of how to change direct speech to
reported speech. Students should have already been exposed to this grammar point. This activity contains a grammar
review sheet, a pre-quiz, detailed teacher’s notes, 36 two-sided flash cards, and a final quiz.
Indirect Spee
What is a Aren’t all ch
This activity was designed to I was talkin
g to you!
Indirect
Speech “free” gift? gifts free?
Mira asked
what
• review the formation and use of reported speech “free” grift wa a
Lucy sa s.
id that Moe asked
• practice the grammar structure in a meaningful way she wa
s talkin gifts weren’t
if all
to me/u g free.
• encourage group interaction and discussions s.
Indirect Sp
asked ... eech
Mira asked ... Moe
• increase individual student’s speaking time during class It sta
Lucyrte
sad ...
id wh
I began sm en Indirect Speech
You must help us
if we’re gonna survive.
oking. The oran
guta
• reinforce grammar using humorous comics and photos that we ha ng said
d to help
them if th
• expose students to new vocabulary and expressions Max said (that)
it ey w
going to su ere
he rvive.
had started when
ng.
had begun smoki
Paul Hamel has been teaching ESL for over 40 years and is currently teaching Max said ... The orangutang said ...
at the American Language Center at UCLA Extension

TEACHER’S NOTES
Introduction Flash Card Activity
• Ask a student a simple question. After the student answers the • Break up the class into groups of three or four.
question, immediately ask another student what the first student
• Distribute the cards equally among the groups.
said. Ask “What did he/she say?” Elicit a sentence in reported
speech which begins with “He/said ....” Continue with several • Tell the students to place the cards in the middle of the group
other questions. with the photo or illustration face up.
Review Grammar Rule • As each student takes a turn choosing a card, they must change
the wording to reported speech.
• Review the grammar rules for using reported speech. Use the
Grammar Review: Reported Speech worksheet. • As groups finish their collection of cards, have them exchange
cards and continue the activity. (For large classes you may want
Review Pre-Quiz
to make extra copies so that each group can have all 36 cards.)
• Have the students work with a partner or in small groups of
• After the activity, collect the cards and save them for a future
three or four. Go over the directions and examples at the top of
class.
the page.
Final Quiz
• Tell the students to fold the sheet in half along the dotted line.
• Distribute the final quiz and have the students complete the
• Tell them to discuss the sentences and change them from direct
sentences below the pictures using reported speech.
to reported speech.
• The answers to the quiz are at the bottom of the page.
• Tell them to use the verbs said, asked, or told.
• To quickly correct the written quiz, try making an overhead
• Have them begin each sentence with “Nick said, told, asked ...”
transparency and projecting the written quiz directly onto a
• Then, tell them to unfold their sheet and check their answer. chalkboard/whiteboard where the students can write their
answers.
Making the Flash Cards
• This activity will require you to make double-sided photocopies.
This may take a little effort, but once you have the cards, you will
have a group activity that will last you many years. Card stock is
recommended, but regular paper is fine.
• When photocopying, place the sheets containing the photos
followed by the sheets containing the answers. For example,
Sheet 1A should be followed by the Sheet 1B, etc. There are
three different sets of sheets of cards for a total of 36 cards.
• After you have made the two-sided photocopies, cut the
sheets along the dotted line to form cards. Place them in a small
envelope for easy access for future classes.

eslworksheetsandlessonplans.com © Paul J. Hamel 2012 • Lesson 0173

Flash Card Activity: Photo copy sheets 1A & 1B back to back. Then, cut along the dotted line to make cards. SHEET 1A

Why do people say Slow down, Ok, I’m It started when

“heads up” when they please! slowing up. I began smoking.
should say “duck?”

Jane told the driver ...

The duck questioned ... The driver responded ... Max said ...

Don’t worry Who We may be a

because was that little late for dinner.
I’m here fantastic
for you. man?

Cindy told her brother ... Sally asked ... Jerry said ...

Would you I was talking to you! How come you

like to go out stopped calling?
Not really.
on a date
sometime?

Ken asked Pearl ...

Pearl told Ken ... Lucy said ... Smiley asked ...

I had to chop the tree down Didn’t you understand?

I didn’t
before chopping it up. No, I didn’t.
attend the
funeral,
but I sent a
nice letter
saying I
approved Mark Twain
of it. Humorist
The boss asked the trainee ... 1835-1910
Bucky the beaver said ... The trainee said ... Mark Twain said ...
Flash Card Activity: Photo copy sheets 1A & 1B back to back. Then, cut along the dotted line to make cards. SHEET 1B

Indirect Speech Indirect Speech Indirect Speech

Jane told the driver

Max said (that) it to slow down. The duck questioned
had started when he why people say
The driver “heads up” when they
had begun smoking. responded (that) should say “duck.”
he was slowing up.

Indirect Speech Indirect Speech Indirect Speech

Jerry said that Sally asked who Cindy told her

they might be that fantastic brother (that) she
a little late for dinner. man was. was here for him.

Indirect Speech Indirect Speech Indirect Speech

Ken asked Pearl if she

Lucy said that
Smiley asked how would like to go out on
she had been
come (why) I/we had a date sometimes.
talking
stopped calling. to me/us. Pearl told Ken (that)
she really wouldn’t.

Indirect Speech Indirect Speech Indirect Speech

Mark Twain said that The boss asked the

he hadn’t attended the trainee if she had Bucky the beaver
funeral, but he had sent understood. said that he had had
a nice letter saying that The trainee said to chop the tree down
he had approved of it. that she hadn’t before chopping it up.
(understood).
Flash Card Activity: Photo copy sheets 2A & 2B back to back. Then, cut along the dotted line to make cards. SHEET 2A

Why is the Because all

little boy ant of his uncles
I practiced What does this confused? are aunts!
before word mean?
JIM the game
started.
It means
“danger.”
Jim said ... The first ant asked ...
We asked ...
We were told ... The second ant said ...

Say you You love May I hold No thanks, it If we become What’s

love me! me ... your hand? isn’t heavy. engaged, will your phone
you give me number?
a ring?

Jill told Jack ... Jack told Jill ... Jeff asked ... Beth told him ... Betty asked ... Billy asked ...

I love you How soon Would you like

your coffee black? Leave it
and I would would alone, and
die for you! that be? What other colors let the bee
do you have?
be.

The waitress asked ...

James said ... Carol asked ... The customer asked ... Ella told Andy ...

Can I borrow I was I have a sore That’s funny.

thinking throat, and I’m You don’t look
a dollar? a little hoarse. like a horse.
about you.
I’ll pay you
back tomorrow.

Emily asked her brother ...

Then, she said ... Alice told her boyfriend ... The boy said ...The horse said ...
Flash Card Activity: Photo copy sheets 2A & 2B back to back. Then, cut along the dotted line to make cards. SHEET 2B

Indirect Speech Indirect Speech Indirect Speech

The first ant asked Jim said

We asked what
why the little boy (that) he had
this word meant.
ant was confused. practiced before the
The second ant We were told (that) game had started.
answered (that) all his it meant “danger.’
uncles were aunts!

Indirect Speech Indirect Speech Indirect Speech

Jeff asked her (Beth)
Betty asked Billy if if he might hold her
they became engaged, Jill told Jack to say
hand. (that) he loved her.
would he give her a
ring. Beth told him no and Jack told Jill (that)
Billy asked what her that it (her hand) she loved him.
phone number was. wasn’t heavy.

Indirect Speech Indirect Speech Indirect Speech

The waitress asked the James said that he

Ella told Andy customer if he would loved her (Carol) and
to leave it (the bee) like his coffee black. he would die for her.
alone and (to) let
The customer asked
the bee be. Carol asked how
what other colors she
soon that would be.
(the waitress) had.

Indirect Speech Indirect Speech Indirect Speech

The boy said that he had a Emily asked her

sore throat, and that he (the Alice told her brother if she could
boy) was a little hoarse.
boyfriend (that) borrow a dollar.
The horse said (that) that she had been Then, she said that she
was funny and (that) he (the thinking would pay him back the
boy) didn’t look like a horse. about him. next/following day.
Flash Card Activity: Photo copy sheets 3A & 3B back to back. Then, cut along the dotted line to make cards. SHEET 3A

What’s the difference between

“partly cloudy” and “partly sunny?”
What is a Aren’t all
“free” gift? gifts free?

Have you ever

read about a
psychic winning
the lottery?

The psychic asked ... Paul asked himself ... Mira asked ... Moe asked ...

My girlfriend is HALLOWEEN contest I arrived I got here at

indescribable. Which witch at two to two to two, too.
do you like two.
Isn’t that best?
describing her?

Albert said ... Jim asked ... The witch asked ... Frick said ... Frack said ...

Have you Practice Then why

Never makes Nobody’s should I I haven’t seen Neither
ever had a
had one. perfect. perfect. practice? Julie lately. have I.
nickname?

NICK Mom said ...

Billy told her ...
Kim asked Nick ... Nick replied ... Joey asked ... Tom said ... Pam added ...

Could you I would You must help us Would you mind not
help me? if I could, if we’re gonna survive. staring at me!?
but I can’t
so I won’t.

Buddy asked ... Princess replied ... The orangutang said ... Max told us ...
Flash Card Activity: Photo copy sheets 3A & 3B back to back. Then, cut along the dotted line to make cards. SHEET 3A

Indirect Speech Indirect Speech Indirect Speech

Mira asked what a Paul asked himself

The psychic asked if
“free” grift was. what the difference
I/we had ever heard
between “partly
Moe asked if all about a psychic
cloudy” and “partly
gifts weren’t free. winning the lottery.
sunny” was.

Indirect Speech Indirect Speech Indirect Speech

Frick said (that) he had Albert said that

arrived at two to two. The witch asked his girlfriend was
which witch indescribable.
Frack said (that) he
had gotten there I/we liked best. Jim asked if that
at two to two, too. wasn’t describing her.

Indirect Speech Indirect Speech Indirect Speech

Mom said that practice
Tom said (that) he
makes perfect. Kim asked Nick if
hadn’t seen Julie lately.
Billy told her that he had ever had a
Pam added neither had nickname.
nobody was perfect.
she. (or)
Joey asked why he Nick said that he
Pam added (that) she
should practice. had never had one.
hadn’t either.

Indirect Speech Indirect Speech Indirect Speech

Buddy asked (Princess)

The orangutang said
Max asked us if she could help him.
that we had to help
if we would mind Princess replied that
them if they were
not staring at him. she would if she could,
going to survive.
but she couldn’t
so she wouldn’t.
 Pre-Quiz: Reported Speech
Directions: Work with a partner. Fold the sheet in half along the dotted line. Discuss the sentences below and
change them from direct to reported speech. Use the verbs said, asked, or told. Begin each sentence with
“Jim said, told, asked ...” Then, unfold your sheet and check your answer. See the examples below.
Direct speech Direct question Polite request
I like to play basketball. Do you have a nickname? Don’t be late for the game.

NICK
NICK NICK
Reported speech Reported speech Reported speech
Nick said that he liked to play basketball. Jill asked Nick if he had a nick name. Nick told Jill not to be late for the game.

1. Nick plays basketball. 1. Nick said (that) he played basketball.

2. Nick is playing basketball. 2. Nick said (that) he was playing basketball.
3. Nick played basketball. 3. Nick said (that) he had played basketball.
4. Nick has played basketball. 4. Nick said (that) he had played basketball.
5. Nick was playing basketball. 5. Nick said (that) he had been playing basketball.
6. Nick had been playing basketball. 6. Nick said (that) he had been playing basketball.
7. Nick had played basketball. 7. Nick said (that) he had played basketball.
8. Nick will play basketball. 8. Nick said (that) he would play basketball.
9. Nick can play basketball. 9. Nick said (that) he could play basketball.
10. Nick must play basketball. 10. Nick said (that) he had to play basketball.
11. Nick should play basketball. 11. Nick said (that) he should play basketball.
12. Nick may play basketball. 12. Nick said (that) he may/might play basketball.
13. Nick might play basketball. 13. Nick said (that) he might play basketball.
14. Nick ought to practice. 14. Nick said (that) he ought to practice.
15. Jill, would you go to the game with me? 15. Nick asked if she would go to the game with him.
16. Do you like basketball? 16. Nick asked if Jill liked basketball?
17. Please don’t be late! 17. Nick told Jill not to be late.
18. Could you sit with me, please? 18. Nick asked Jill to sit with him.
19. Hurry up, Jill! 19. Nick told Jill to hurry up.
20. Don’t be late, Jill! 20. Nick told Jill not to be late.
eslworksheetsandlessonplans.com © Paul J. Hamel 2012 • Lesson 0173
 Grammar Review: Reported Speech
In reported speech, we usually report
what was said at a different time, and so
we change the tense to reflect a past time.
We use a reporting verb like say and tell.
Direct speech Reported later
I like to play Nick said that
basketball. he liked to play
basketball.
NICK
Here are some examples of tense changes:
Simple Present
Nick plays basketball.
Jill said (that) Nick played basketball.
Present Continuous
Nick is playing basketball.
Jill said (that) Nick was playing
basketball.
Simple Past
Nick played basketball.
Jill said that Nick had played basketball.
Present Perfect
Nick has played basketball.
Jill said that Nick had played basketball.
Past Continuous
Nick was playing basketball.
Jill said that Nick had been playing
basketball.
Present Perfect Continuous (no change)
Nick had been playing basketball.
Jill said that Nick had been playing
basketball.
Past Perfect (no change)
Nick had played basketball.
Jill said (that) Nick had played basketball.
Future
Nick will play basketball.
Jill said (that) Nick would play basketball.
Can
Nick can play basketball.
Jill said (that) Nick could play basketball.
Must
Nick must play basketball.
Jill said (that) Nick had to play basketball.
eslworksheetsandlessonplans.com
Pronoun Changes Yes/No Questions
Sometimes we need to change the There are no question words so just use
pronouns such as “I ” to “he”, for example. “if” and change the verb.
We also may need to change words like
Direct: “Do you like basketball?”
“my,” “his,” “her,” and “your.” Also change
Reported: Jill asked Nick if he liked
words about place and time.
basketball.
Direct: I played with my friend last week.
Direct: Have you ever been to a
Reported: Nick said (that) he had played
basketball game?
with his friend the week before.
Reported: Nick asked Jill if she had ever
No Verb Change been to a basketball game.
Sometimes, we don’t change the present Polite Request
tense into the past if the information is still
Use “ask + to + infinitive.”
true or a general fact.
(It is not necessary to report every word.)
Direct: Nick is still a great player.
Direct: Would you please go to the
Reported: Jill said (that) Nick is still a
basketball game with me?
great player.
Reported: Nick asked Jill to go to the
Modals basketball game.
Modal verbs like “could, might, would, Direct: Would you mind driving me to the
should, ought to, had better” usually game?
do not change in reported speech. Reported: Jill asked Nick to drive her to
the game.
Direct: Nick should play basketball.
Reported: Jill said (that) Nick should Direct: Please don’t be late!
play basketball. Reported: Nick asked Jill not to be late.
Direct: Nick may play basketball. Direct Speech: Could you stay after the
Reported: Jill said (that) Nick may/might game, please?
play basketball. Reported Speech: Nick asked Jill to
stay after the game.
Direct: Nick might play basketball.
Reported: Jill said (that) Nick might play Giving an Order
basketball.
Instead of using the word “ask,” use “tell
Direct: Nick ought to practice. + to + infinitive.”
Reported: Jill said (that) Nick ought to
Direct: Hurry up, Jill!
practice.
Reported: Nick told Jill to hurry up.
Direct Questions Direct: Don’t hurt yourself!
When we tell the question to someone Reported: Jill told Nick not to hurt
else, it isn’t a question any more so we himself.
need to change the grammar to a normal
positive sentence. Remove the question
Other Reporting Verbs
words “do” and “does” and change the When using reported speech, most people
verb to the simple past. learn to use “say” and “tell.” However,
there are a number of other reporting
Direct: Where do you live?
verbs which can more accurately describe
Reported: She asked me where I lived.
what someone has said. Here are a few:
Direct Questions with “be” added mentioned
We change the position of the subject and announced replied
verb and put the verb in the past tense. communicated reported
Direct: Where is the gym?” declared rumored
Reported: Nick asked Jill where the gym was. disclosed shouted
Direct: What are you doing?” expressed suggested
Reported: Jill asked Nick what he was guessed whispered
doing. lectured yelled
© Paul J. Hamel 2012 • Lesson 0173
 Final Written Quiz: Reported Speech
Directions: Complete the sentences below the pictures using reported speech.

Can I borrow What’s the difference between I haven’t seen Neither

“partly cloudy” and “partly sunny?” Julie lately. have I.
a dollar?
I’ll pay you
back tomorrow.

3. Tom said _______________

Example: Emily asked her _________________________
brother ifshe could borrow a dollar. 2. Paul asked himself _______ _________________________
1. Then, she said __________ _________________________ 4. Pam added _____________
_________________________ _________________________ _________________________
_________________________ _________________________ _________________________

It started when You must help us I was talking to you!

I began smoking. if we’re gonna survive.

5. Max said _______________ 6. The orangutang said ______ 7. Lucy said _______________
_________________________ _________________________ _________________________
_________________________ _________________________ _________________________

Don’t worry I was We may be a

because thinking little late for dinner.
I’m here about you.
for you.

8. Cindy told her brother _____ 9. Alice told her boyfriend ____ 10. Jerry said _____________
_________________________ _________________________ _________________________
_________________________ _________________________ _________________________
_________________________ ________________________ _________________________
to worry because she was here for him. 9. Alice told her boyfriend (that) she had been thinking about him. 10. Jerry said (that) they may/might be a little late for dinner.
ing. 6. The orangutang said that I/we had to help them if they were going to (gonna) survive. 7. Lucy said that she had been talking to me/us. 8. Cindy told her brother not
Tom said (that) he hadn’t seen Julie lately. 4. Pam added (that) neither had she. or Pam added (that) she hadn’t either. 5. Max said (that) it started when he began smok-
Answers: 1. Then, she said (that) she would pay him back the next day. 2. Paul asked himself what the difference between “partly cloudy” and “partly sunny” meant. 3.

eslworksheetsandlessonplans.com © Paul J. Hamel 2012 • Lesson 0173