Reported speech I can report what people have

He said he was leaving the next day. said.

1 LANGUAGE IN CONTEXT
A Read the following email in which a student wants to ask for some information
about a course he’d like to take. What course would he like to take?

Dear Sir/ Madam,

I am 22 years old and I am at university studying engineering. I take my final
exams next month and I will finish university in July.
I want to travel round the world after I’ve finished my course at the university. I will
need to make some money while I am travelling, so I want to learn to teach English
as a second language so that I can make some money while I am abroad. A friend of
mine has recommended your course very highly. She also gave me some details,
but I need some more information.
When do your courses start? How much do they cost? Is there an examination at
the end?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Andrew Brown

B Report what Andrew said in the email by completing the summary with the words
in the box.

cost had finished had recommended needed

started was (2) wanted would need was traveling

Andrew said that when he 1___________ 22, he was an engineering student in his last
month at university. He 2___________ to travel abroad after he 3___________ his
course at the university, but he 4___________ to earn some money while he
5
___________ so he wanted to learn to teach English as a foreign language. A friend
6
___________ a course but Andrew 7___________ more information, so he wrote to
the school and asked them when their courses 8___________ and how much they
9
___________. He also wanted to know if there 10___________ an examination at the
end of the course.

2 GRAMMAR: Reported speech

A Look at these words in the email. How do they change in the reported summary?
1. am  was
2. want  __________
3. have finished  __________
4. will need  __________
5. am traveling  __________
6. has recommended  __________
7. need  __________

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B Look at these questions from the email. How are they reported in the
summary?

1. “When do your courses start?”

He asked them ____________________________________________
2. “How much do they cost?”
He asked them ____________________________________________
3. “Is there an examination at the end?”
He wanted to know _________________________________________

Remember
 When we report what someone says, the reported verb usually goes back one
tense.
– Simple present  Simple past
– Present continuous  Past continuous
– Present perfect  Past perfect
– Past simple  Past perfect
– Will  Would…
 When we report questions, the subject comes before the verbs, like in
statements.
“When do your courses start?”
 He asked them when their courses started.
 For Yes/ No questions, we start the reported questions with if or whether.
“Is there an examination at the end?”
 He wanted to know if/ whether there was an examination at the end.
 We also change some pronouns and words referring to time and place in the
reported speech.
– “When do your courses start?”
 He asked them when their courses start.
– Direct speech Reported speech
tomorrow the next day/ the following day
today that day
yesterday the day before
here there
this that
now then
(2 days) ago (2 days) before

3 GRAMMAR PRACTICE
1 Take turns saying your direct statement or question for your partner to report
it. (Speaking cards)

Example A: My boyfriend said: “I’m in love with another woman.”

B: My boyfriend said he was in love with another woman.

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 Student A Student B
1. My brother said, “I’m giving away 1. My parents asked, “When are you
all my books.” leaving?”
2. She asked him, “Have you ever 2. Emma told me, “I’ve booked the
been engaged?” flights.”
3. My mother told me, “Your new 3. Anna asked Liam, “Will you be home
dress doesn’t suit you.” early?”
4. My classmate asked me, “Where 4. Matt said, “I may not be able to go to
do you buy your clothes?” the party.”
5. Jenny said, “I won’t wear these 5. I asked him, “Did you wear a suit to
shoes again.” the job interview?”
6. I asked Lisa, “Do you ever go to 6. My girlfriend said, “I didn’t buy you a
the theatre?” present.”

2 Complete the survey in groups and report the answers.

Student A
Find someone in class who says ‘yes’ to each question and take notes.
0. Can you play a musical instrument? What? Anna, the piano
1. Have you ever been abroad? Where? ...................
2. Did you go to bed early last night? What time? ...................
3. Did you have a big breakfast last week? What? ...................
4. Are you going out on Saturday night? Where to? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5. Did someone call you last night? Who? ...................
6. Do you want to learn a new skill? What? ...................
Report to your partner.
I asked Anna if she could play a musical instrument and she said she could play the
piano.

Student B
Find someone in class who says ‘yes’ to each question and take notes.
0. Can you play a musical instrument? What? Anna, the piano
1. Do you want to take up a new hobby? What? ...................
2. Are you scared of any animals or insects? ...................
What? ...................
3. Do you have a favorite sports team? What? ...................
4. Did you get up late this morning? What time? ...................
5. Are you going abroad next summer? Where to? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6. Did you meet your friend last week? Who?
Report to your partner.
I asked Anna if she could play a musical instrument and she said she could play the
piano.

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3 Work in pairs. Take turns choosing one message card and reporting the
message to your partner.
Example: A: Have you got a message for you from the bank?
B: No, I haven’t. What is that?
A: They said that your overdraft had been approved.
Message cards
From: bank
Message: Your overdraft
has been approved.
From: boss
Message: You have been
promoted to senior
manager. Can you sign
your new contract
tomorrow?
From: colleague
Message: The monthly
report is ready. When do
you need it?
From: school
Message: Classes are
canceled. Your teacher
has won the lottery and
has left the school.
From: Jim
Message: Can you meet
me at the bar at 6 p.m.
tomorrow?
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From: phone company
From: travel agent
Message: Your new phone
Message: We managed
line is going to be installed
to get a cheap flight to
on Saturday morning. Will
Italy for your holiday.
you call to confirm?
From: landlord
From: car mechanic
Message: The rent is
Message: Your car needs
overdue. When can you pay
a new engine.
your rent?
From: brother
From: plumber
Message: I’m having a
Message: The drain is
barbeque on Saturday
blocked. Can we fix it
afternoon. Do you want to
tomorrow?
join me?
From: doctor
From: girlfriend
Message: Your health
Message: I’m going
check-up is overdue. Can
shopping with my friend this
you make an
evening. I’ll be home late.
appointment soon?
From: phone repair shop
From: mom
Message: Your phone
Message: There’s a power
has been repaired. When
outage at home. Can you
can you come to pick it
call the electricity station?
up?
4 Take turns picking a number and invite a classmate to answer the question in
the card.

4 PROGRESS CHECK

Today I can…
 report what people have said.

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