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: Would it take very long?
Reporter: It would take hardly any time at all.
Mr Slade: Go ahead
Reporter: When did you first become intrested in weightlifting?
Mr Slade: I can´t remember exactly, but i think it was two years ago.
Reporter: How oftendo you go to the Gym?
Mr Slade: i try going every day, but sometimes i am too busy.
Reporter: Have you ever done any other sports?
Mr Slade: I used to do karate, kick boxing and sky diving, but i had to give them
up a few months ago
Reporter: Have you had any problems with your health?
Mr Slade: I feel very fit and i will probably be running the Boston Marathon in
one month time.
Reporter: How old are you?
Mr Slade: I´m a bit older than you
Reporter: How old do you think that is?
Mr Slade: I am nearly ninety seven, but i feel like a yung man of seventy-five

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 recommends training at five o’clock every morning.

b Everyone warned them that the sea was dangerous at high tide.
c Sergeant Smith ordered the men to march faster towards the army camp.
d The World Bank promised to cancel the African country’s debt.
e None of the men was blamed 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 boasted about his achievements.