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All B1 questions for “Master Reported Speech: Historical Quotes & Interviews – B1 Practice”, each with the correct answer and a short explanation. Try the interactive exercises above, then check your answers here.
1. Direct: 'I am ready to go,' said Tom.
Answer: Tom said he was ready to go.
'Am' backshifts to 'was'.
2. Direct: 'We will win the game,' the coach promised.
Answer: The coach promised they would win.
'Will' backshifts to 'would', and 'we' changes to 'they'.
Keep practising with related reading and grammar units at your level.
3. Direct: 'I can't find my keys,' she said.
Answer: She said she couldn't find her keys.
'Can't' backshifts to 'couldn't', and 'my' changes to 'her'.
4. Direct: 'I have seen this movie before,' he told me.
Answer: He told me he had seen that movie.
Present Perfect backshifts to Past Perfect ('had seen').
5. Direct: 'I am working on a new project,' said Sarah.
Answer: Sarah said she was working on a new project.
Present Continuous backshifts to Past Continuous.
6. Direct: 'I'll call you tomorrow,' he said.
Answer: He said he would call me the next day.
'Will' becomes 'would' and 'tomorrow' becomes 'the next day'.
7. Direct: 'The museum is closed,' the guide said.
Answer: The guide said the museum was closed.
Simple present backshifted to simple past.
8. Direct: 'We live in London,' they told us.
Answer: They told us they lived in London.
'Tell' requires an object ('us'), and 'live' becomes 'lived'.
1. _____ the reporters that the long journey _____ the most challenging experience of his entire life. He _____ that the view of the Earth _____ the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. When they asked about the moon's surface, he explained that they _____ jump easily because the gravity was so weak. He also mentioned that he _____ never forget the moment he stepped off the ladder. He told the gathered world that _____ marked a new era for all of humanity. Finally, he admitted that he had felt extremely nervous _____ before the launch, but now he felt safe back on Earth. It was an interview that inspired millions.
Answer: told, had been, said, was, could, would, that day, the previous week
1. Which option does not belong?
Answer: He said me he was hungry.
'Say' cannot be followed directly by an object. It should be 'He told me' or 'He said TO me'.
2. Which option does not belong?
Answer: She said she will help me.
In reported speech, 'will' should backshift to 'would'.
3. Which option does not belong?
Answer: They told that they had arrived late.
'Tell' must be followed by an object (e.g., 'They told US').
4. Which option does not belong?
Answer: He said where I lived.
To report a question, use 'asked' or 'wanted to know', not 'said'.
1. Einstein said that he _____
Answer: had no special talent.
2. MLK said that he _____
Answer: had a dream.
3. Lennon said that he _____
Answer: was a dreamer.
4. The astronaut said that they _____
Answer: were landing then.
1. Report: 'I am tired.'
2. Report: 'I like cats.'
3. Report: 'I will help' (to me).
4. Report: 'We are ready.'
5. Report: 'I can swim.'
1. Question 1