Direct and Indirect Speech is an important topic in English grammar for Class 9 and Class 10 students. It is also useful for school examinations and competitive exams.
Direct Speech reports the exact words spoken by a person, while Indirect Speech reports the same meaning without using the speaker's exact words.
This article contains 100 Direct and Indirect Speech questions with answers covering statements, questions, commands, requests, advice, exclamatory sentences, and mixed practice.
Basic Rules of Direct and Indirect Speech
Before solving the questions, remember these important rules:
Remove quotation marks when changing Direct Speech into Indirect Speech.
Use a suitable reporting verb according to the meaning of the sentence.
Pronouns may change according to the speaker and listener.
Tenses usually change when the reporting verb is in the past tense.
Words showing time and place may change.
Questions are changed into statement word order in Indirect Speech.
Yes/No questions generally use if or whether.
Commands and requests generally use to + verb.
Negative commands use not to + verb.
Universal truths generally do not change tense.
Part A: Simple Statements
Questions 1–10
1. Ravi said, "I am tired."
A) Ravi said that I am tired.
B) Ravi said that he was tired.
C) Ravi says that he was tired.
D) Ravi told that he is tired.
Answer: B) Ravi said that he was tired.
2. She said, "I am happy."
A) She said that she was happy.
B) She said that I was happy.
C) She told she is happy.
D) She says that she was happy.
Answer: A) She said that she was happy.
3. Mohan said, "I have a new bicycle."
A) Mohan said that I have a new bicycle.
B) Mohan said that he had a new bicycle.
C) Mohan told that he has a new bicycle.
D) Mohan says that he had a new bicycle.
Answer: B) Mohan said that he had a new bicycle.
4. Anita said, "I like this book."
A) Anita said that she liked that book.
B) Anita said that I liked this book.
C) Anita told that she likes that book.
D) Anita says that she liked this book.
Answer: A) Anita said that she liked that book.
5. Rahul said, "I will help you."
A) Rahul said that he will help me.
B) Rahul said that he would help me.
C) Rahul told that I would help him.
D) Rahul says that he would help you.
Answer: B) Rahul said that he would help me.
6. Priya said, "I can solve this problem."
A) Priya said that she could solve that problem.
B) Priya said that I could solve this problem.
C) Priya told that she can solve that problem.
D) Priya says that she could solve this problem.
Answer: A) Priya said that she could solve that problem.
7. He said, "I am reading a newspaper."
A) He said that he is reading a newspaper.
B) He said that he was reading a newspaper.
C) He told that I was reading a newspaper.
D) He says that he was reading a newspaper.
Answer: B) He said that he was reading a newspaper.
8. Sita said, "I went to Delhi yesterday."
A) Sita said that she had gone to Delhi the previous day.
B) Sita said that she went to Delhi yesterday.
C) Sita told that I had gone to Delhi the previous day.
D) Sita says that she went to Delhi yesterday.
Answer: A) Sita said that she had gone to Delhi the previous day.
9. The boy said, "I have finished my homework."
A) The boy said that he had finished his homework.
B) The boy said that I have finished my homework.
C) The boy told that he has finished his homework.
D) The boy says that he had finished my homework.
Answer: A) The boy said that he had finished his homework.
10. Neha said, "I was watching television."
A) Neha said that she was watching television.
B) Neha said that she had been watching television.
C) Neha told that she is watching television.
D) Neha says that she had watched television.
Answer: B) Neha said that she had been watching television.
Part B: Statements with Different Tenses
Questions 11–20
11. He said, "I play cricket every Sunday."
Answer: He said that he played cricket every Sunday.
12. She said, "I am learning French."
Answer: She said that she was learning French.
13. They said, "We have completed the work."
Answer: They said that they had completed the work.
14. Rohan said, "I bought a new phone."
Answer: Rohan said that he had bought a new phone.
15. She said, "I was sleeping."
Answer: She said that she had been sleeping.
16. He said, "I had finished the work."
Answer: He said that he had finished the work.
17. Meena said, "I will visit my grandmother."
Answer: Meena said that she would visit her grandmother.
18. They said, "We can complete the project."
Answer: They said that they could complete the project.
19. Raj said, "I may attend the meeting."
Answer: Raj said that he might attend the meeting.
20. She said, "I must leave now."
Answer: She said that she had to leave then.
Part C: Universal Truths and General Facts
Questions 21–30
21. The teacher said, "The Earth revolves around the Sun."
Answer: The teacher said that the Earth revolves around the Sun.
22. The scientist said, "Water boils at 100°C."
Answer: The scientist said that water boils at 100°C.
23. The teacher said, "The Sun rises in the east."
Answer: The teacher said that the Sun rises in the east.
24. He said, "Honesty is the best policy."
Answer: He said that honesty is the best policy.
25. The teacher said, "Two and two make four."
Answer: The teacher said that two and two make four.
26. The guide said, "The Earth is round."
Answer: The guide said that the Earth is round.
27. The teacher said, "Plants need sunlight to grow."
Answer: The teacher said that plants need sunlight to grow.
28. The doctor said, "Exercise is good for health."
Answer: The doctor said that exercise is good for health.
29. The teacher said, "Air occupies space."
Answer: The teacher said that air occupies space.
30. The professor said, "Light travels faster than sound."
Answer: The professor said that light travels faster than sound.
Part D: Yes/No Questions
For Yes/No questions, use if or whether in Indirect Speech.
Questions 31–40
31. He said to me, "Are you ready?"
Answer: He asked me if I was ready.
32. She said to Rahul, "Do you know the answer?"
Answer: She asked Rahul if he knew the answer.
33. The teacher said to the student, "Have you completed your homework?"
Answer: The teacher asked the student if he had completed his homework.
34. Mother said to me, "Did you eat breakfast?"
Answer: Mother asked me if I had eaten breakfast.
35. He said to her, "Can you swim?"
Answer: He asked her if she could swim.
36. Riya said to me, "Will you help me?"
Answer: Riya asked me if I would help her.
37. The officer said to the man, "Do you have an identity card?"
Answer: The officer asked the man if he had an identity card.
38. She said to him, "Are you coming with us?"
Answer: She asked him if he was coming with them.
39. He said to me, "Have you seen my pen?"
Answer: He asked me if I had seen his pen.
40. Father said to me, "Did you lock the door?"
Answer: Father asked me if I had locked the door.
Part E: Wh-Questions
In Indirect Speech, the question word is retained, but the sentence changes to statement word order.
Questions 41–50
41. He said to me, "Where do you live?"
Answer: He asked me where I lived.
42. She said to him, "What are you doing?"
Answer: She asked him what he was doing.
43. The teacher said to the boy, "Why are you late?"
Answer: The teacher asked the boy why he was late.
44. Mother said to me, "When will you return?"
Answer: Mother asked me when I would return.
45. He said to her, "Who is your teacher?"
Answer: He asked her who her teacher was.
46. Rohan said to me, "How did you solve this problem?"
Answer: Rohan asked me how I had solved that problem.
47. The policeman said to the man, "Where were you going?"
Answer: The policeman asked the man where he had been going.
48. She said to me, "Why did you call me?"
Answer: She asked me why I had called her.
49. The teacher said, "Who broke the window?"
Answer: The teacher asked who had broken the window.
50. Father said to me, "What do you want?"
Answer: Father asked me what I wanted.
Part F: Commands and Orders
Commands are generally reported using verbs such as ordered, commanded, instructed, told and are followed by to + verb.
Questions 51–60
51. The teacher said to the students, "Open your books."
Answer: The teacher told the students to open their books.
52. The officer said to the soldier, "Stand straight."
Answer: The officer ordered the soldier to stand straight.
53. Mother said to me, "Clean your room."
Answer: Mother told me to clean my room.
54. The captain said to the players, "Follow my instructions."
Answer: The captain ordered the players to follow his instructions.
55. The teacher said to the boy, "Write your name."
Answer: The teacher told the boy to write his name.
56. The police officer said to the driver, "Show me your license."
Answer: The police officer ordered the driver to show him his license.
57. Father said to me, "Switch off the fan."
Answer: Father told me to switch off the fan.
58. The doctor said to the patient, "Take this medicine."
Answer: The doctor advised the patient to take that medicine.
59. The manager said to the employee, "Complete the report today."
Answer: The manager instructed the employee to complete the report that day.
60. The teacher said to the students, "Maintain silence."
Answer: The teacher ordered the students to maintain silence.
Part G: Negative Commands
Negative commands are generally changed using not to + verb.
Questions 61–70
61. Mother said to me, "Do not waste food."
Answer: Mother advised me not to waste food.
62. The teacher said to the students, "Do not make noise."
Answer: The teacher ordered the students not to make noise.
63. Father said to me, "Do not go outside."
Answer: Father told me not to go outside.
64. The doctor said to him, "Do not eat junk food."
Answer: The doctor advised him not to eat junk food.
65. The officer said to the people, "Do not cross the line."
Answer: The officer ordered the people not to cross the line.
66. She said to her brother, "Do not touch my books."
Answer: She told her brother not to touch her books.
67. The teacher said to the boy, "Do not be careless."
Answer: The teacher advised the boy not to be careless.
68. Father said to his son, "Never tell a lie."
Answer: Father advised his son never to tell a lie.
69. The guard said to us, "Do not enter the room."
Answer: The guard warned us not to enter the room.
70. The coach said to the players, "Do not lose hope."
Answer: The coach advised the players not to lose hope.
Part H: Requests, Advice and Suggestions
Questions 71–80
71. He said to me, "Please help me."
Answer: He requested me to help him.
72. She said to the teacher, "Please explain this question."
Answer: She requested the teacher to explain that question.
73. The old man said to the boy, "Please help me cross the road."
Answer: The old man requested the boy to help him cross the road.
74. Mother said to me, "Please bring some water."
Answer: Mother requested me to bring some water.
75. The doctor said to me, "You should exercise regularly."
Answer: The doctor advised me to exercise regularly.
76. Father said to me, "You should work hard."
Answer: Father advised me to work hard.
77. The teacher said to the students, "You should revise your lessons."
Answer: The teacher advised the students to revise their lessons.
78. He said to me, "Please wait here."
Answer: He requested me to wait there.
79. She said to him, "Please give me your notebook."
Answer: She requested him to give her his notebook.
80. The doctor said to the patient, "You should take proper rest."
Answer: The doctor advised the patient to take proper rest.
Part I: Exclamatory Sentences
Exclamatory sentences express joy, sorrow, surprise, admiration, or other strong feelings. Reporting verbs such as exclaimed with joy, exclaimed with sorrow, exclaimed with surprise, or exclaimed with admiration may be used.
Questions 81–90
81. He said, "What a beautiful flower!"
Answer: He exclaimed with admiration that it was a very beautiful flower.
82. She said, "What a lovely day!"
Answer: She exclaimed with joy that it was a very lovely day.
83. He said, "Alas! I have lost my wallet."
Answer: He exclaimed with sorrow that he had lost his wallet.
84. She said, "Hurrah! We have won the match."
Answer: She exclaimed with joy that they had won the match.
85. The boy said, "Wow! What a beautiful painting!"
Answer: The boy exclaimed with admiration that it was a very beautiful painting.
86. He said, "Alas! My friend is dead."
Answer: He exclaimed with sorrow that his friend was dead.
87. She said, "What a wonderful performance!"
Answer: She exclaimed with admiration that it was a wonderful performance.
88. The children said, "Hurrah! We are going on a picnic."
Answer: The children exclaimed with joy that they were going on a picnic.
89. He said, "Oh! I have forgotten my keys."
Answer: He exclaimed with surprise that he had forgotten his keys.
90. She said, "How beautiful the rainbow is!"
Answer: She exclaimed with admiration that the rainbow was very beautiful.
Part J: Mixed Direct and Indirect Speech Practice
Questions 91–100
91. Ravi said, "I am going to school."
Answer: Ravi said that he was going to school.
92. She said to me, "Do you like music?"
Answer: She asked me if I liked music.
93. The teacher said to the students, "Work hard."
Answer: The teacher advised the students to work hard.
94. He said, "I have completed my project."
Answer: He said that he had completed his project.
95. Mother said to me, "Where are you going?"
Answer: Mother asked me where I was going.
96. The doctor said to the patient, "Do not smoke."
Answer: The doctor advised the patient not to smoke.
97. Rahul said, "I will meet you tomorrow."
Answer: Rahul said that he would meet me the next day.
98. The teacher said, "The Earth moves around the Sun."
Answer: The teacher said that the Earth moves around the Sun.
99. She said, "Hurrah! I have passed the examination."
Answer: She exclaimed with joy that she had passed the examination.
100. Father said to me, "Please complete your homework before dinner."
Answer: Father requested me to complete my homework before dinner.
Direct and Indirect Speech: Quick Reference
| Direct Speech | Indirect Speech |
|---|---|
| Present Simple | Past Simple |
| Present Continuous | Past Continuous |
| Present Perfect | Past Perfect |
| Present Perfect Continuous | Past Perfect Continuous |
| Past Simple | Past Perfect |
| Past Continuous | Past Perfect Continuous |
| Will | Would |
| Can | Could |
| May | Might |
| This | That |
| These | Those |
| Now | Then |
| Today | That day |
| Tomorrow | The next day |
| Yesterday | The previous day |
| Here | There |
Important Reporting Verb Changes
| Type of Sentence | Common Reporting Verbs |
|---|---|
| Statement | said, told |
| Question | asked, enquired |
| Command | ordered, commanded |
| Request | requested, begged |
| Advice | advised |
| Warning | warned |
| Exclamation | exclaimed |
How to Practice Direct and Indirect Speech
Students can improve their grammar by following these steps:
Learn the basic tense changes.
Practice pronoun changes carefully.
Memorize common changes of time and place.
Practice Yes/No questions using if or whether.
Practice Wh-questions without changing the question word.
Learn the correct reporting verbs for commands and requests.
Practice negative commands using not to.
Revise universal truths, where the tense generally remains unchanged.
Solve mixed questions regularly.
Write both Direct and Indirect forms to understand the structure.
Conclusion
Direct and Indirect Speech is an important part of English grammar for Class 9 and Class 10 students. Regular practice helps students understand tense changes, pronoun changes, reporting verbs, questions, commands, requests, and exclamatory sentences.
Use these 100 Direct and Indirect Speech Questions with Answers for school examinations, grammar practice, quizzes, and competitive exam preparation.
