Choose the right one: 1.
a) He told me that he had arrived yesterday.
b) He told me that he had arrived the day before.
c) He told me he arrived the day before.
2.
a) Jane said she was so sorry that I was leaving.
b) Jane said she was very sorry that I was leaving.
c) Jane said she is very sorry that I was leaving.
3.
a) She informed me that her brother was away today.
b) She informed me that her brother was away that day.
c) She informed me that her brother has been away that day.
4.
a) I couldn’t say whether I was happy or not.
b) I couldn’t say whether I am happy or not.
c) I couldn’t say whether I have been happy or not.
5.
a) He told us that he was now writing a historical novel.
b) He told us that he was then writing a historical novel.
c) He told us that he is now writing a historical novel.
6.
a) I answered that I knew Jack so well.
b) I answered that I had known Jack so well.
c) I answered that I knew Jack very well.
7.
a) The jury declared that nobody had won the first prize.
b) The jury declared that nobody won the first prize.
c) The jury declared that nobody has won the first prize.
8.
a) It was reported that the terrorists were captured.
b) It was reported that the terrorists had been captured.
c) It was reported that the terrorists have been captured.
9.
a) The Managing Director declared that during the last year the company’s
profits had been steadily increasing.
b) The Managing Director declared that during the previous year the company’s
profits had been steadily increasing.
c) The Managing Director declared that during the previous year the company’s
profits were steadily increasing.

2. Choose the alternative that best corresponds to the sentence with indirect
speech:
1. He said to the boy: “Come here.”
a) He ordered the boy come here.
b) He ordered the boy to come there.
c) He said to the boy to come there.
2. Holmes said to me: “When I whistle, rush in here as fast as possible.”
a) Holmes asked me to rush in there as fast as possible when he whistled.
b) Holmes asked me to rush in here as fast as possible when he whistled.
c) Holmes said to me to rush in there as fast as possible when he whistled.
3. I said to her: “You can rely on me.”
a) I told her to rely on me.
b) I assured her that she could rely on me.
c) I assured her that she can rely on me.
4. Alice said to us: “It’s late. Take a taxi.”
a) Alice advised us to take a taxi as it was late.
b) Alice said to us to take a taxi as it was late.
c) Alice advised us to take a taxi. It’s late.
5. I said to her: “Shall I make a reservation for you?”
a) I offered her to make a reservation for her.
b) I advised her to make a reservation for her.
c) I advised her making a reservation for her.
6. Poirot said: “Thank you for your help, Miss Gray.”
a) Poirot said thank you to Miss Gray for her help.
b) Poirot said that thanks Miss Gray for her help.
c) Poirot thanked Miss Gray for her help.
7. I said to them: “Good night!” and left.
a) I wished them good night and left.
b) I said to them good night and left.
c) I told good night and left.
8. Jane said to us: “You are welcome to my new home.”
a) Jane welcomed us to her new home.
b) Jane said we were welcome to her new home.
c) Jane asked us to welcome to her new home.
9. Mother said; “Buy some bread on your way home.”
a) Mother asked me buy some bread on my way home.
b) Mother said to me to buy some bread on my way home.

c) Mother asked me to buy some bread on my way home.
10. She said to the boy: “Don’t open the door to anybody.”
a) She told the boy not open the door to anybody.
b) She told the boy not to open the door to anybody.
c) She told the boy not to open the door to anybody.
3. Choose the correct alternative:
1. I (understood/was understanding) that he (didn’t listen / was not listening) to
what I (told/was telling) him.
2. He went over in his mind all that (appeared/had appeared) in the papers about
the Island.
3. He laid the paper down and (glanced/had glanced) out of the window.
4. Mentally she reread the letter which she (already read/had already read) so
many times.
5. Asher (came round and threaten/used to come round and threaten) her now
and again and she (gave/used to give) him money to get rid of him.
6. Our ring at the bell (was being answered/was answered) by a pretty dark-
haired girl.
7. I think you (were misinformed/have been misinformed). The things are quite
different.
8. The door (was opened/had been opened) after some delay.
9. I (returned/was returning) to this house at 5.30 precisely. The church clock
(chimed/had chimed), I (looked/was looking) at my watch and (found/had found) it
(was/had been) 5 minutes slow.
10. I thought the shop (was/had been) shut. But it wasn’t. I (went in/had gone
in), there wasn’t any one about. I (hammered/was hammering) on the counter and
(waited/was waiting) a bit. Nobody (came/had come), so I (went out/had gone out)
again. That’s all I can tell you.