Cambridge Primary 5 English: Direct and Indirect Speech This lesson quiz helps learners recognise, punctuate and transform direct and indirect speech accurately.
Which sentence uses direct speech correctly?
A
Maya said, "I am ready."
B
Maya said I am ready.
C
"Maya said, I am ready.
D
Maya said "I am ready".
Explanation
Direct speech needs speech marks around the spoken words.
Which sentence is indirect speech?
A
Tom said that he was tired.
B
Tom said, "I am tired."
C
"I am tired," Tom said.
D
Tom shouted, "Stop!"
Explanation
Indirect speech reports what was said without speech marks.
Convert to indirect speech: Sara said, "I like chess."
A
Sara said that she liked chess.
B
Sara said, "She likes chess."
C
Sara says I like chess.
D
Sara liked said chess.
Explanation
Pronouns and tense change in reported speech.
Convert to direct speech: Ali said that he was hungry.
A
Ali said, "I am hungry."
B
Ali said that, "he was hungry."
C
Ali said I was hungry.
D
"Ali was hungry," he said.
Explanation
The spoken words are placed inside speech marks.
Where should the comma go? Ben said "Wait here."
A
Ben said, "Wait here."
B
Ben, said "Wait here."
C
Ben said "Wait, here."
D
Ben said "Wait here,"
Explanation
A comma separates the reporting clause from the speech.
Which sentence has correct speech punctuation?
A
"Come in," said the teacher.
B
"Come in", said the teacher.
C
Come in," said the teacher.
D
"Come in said the teacher."
Explanation
The comma belongs inside the closing speech mark.
Which reporting verb best replaces "said" in "Leave now!"?
A
whispered
B
ordered
C
wondered
D
muttered
Explanation
An exclamation command can be ordered.
Which reporting verb best replaces "said" in "Please help me."
A
pleaded
B
announced
C
boasted
D
laughed
Explanation
Please help me suggests pleading.
Convert: "We are late," said Noor.
A
Noor said that they were late.
B
Noor said that we are late.
C
Noor said, they were late.
D
Noor said late.
Explanation
We changes to they and are changes to were.
Convert: Dad said that he would call later.
A
Dad said, "I will call later."
B
Dad said, "He would call later."
C
Dad said I would call later.
D
Dad will said later.
Explanation
Indirect would often becomes will in direct speech.
Which sentence needs speech marks?
A
Lina asked, Can I join?
B
Lina asked whether she could join.
C
Lina wondered if she could join.
D
Lina wanted to join.
Explanation
The exact spoken question needs speech marks.
Which is correct?
A
"Where are you going?" asked Mum.
B
"Where are you going," asked Mum?
C
Where are you going? asked Mum.
D
"Where are you going"? asked Mum.
Explanation
A direct question keeps its question mark inside speech marks.
In indirect speech, "today" may change to __.
A
that day
B
this day always
C
yesterday always
D
never
Explanation
Time words often shift in reported speech.
In indirect speech, "I" changes depending on __.
A
who is speaking
B
the weather
C
the page number
D
the font
Explanation
Pronoun changes depend on speaker and context.
Which sentence is direct speech?
A
"I found it!" cried Emma.
B
Emma said that she found it.
C
Emma found it quickly.
D
Emma was excited.
Explanation
The exact words are inside speech marks.
Which sentence is indirect speech?
A
The guard warned us to stay back.
B
"Stay back!" warned the guard.
C
"Stay back," said the guard.
D
The guard shouted, "Stop!"
Explanation
It reports the warning without exact words.
Choose the correct punctuation: "I agree" said Omar.
A
"I agree," said Omar.
B
"I agree" said, Omar.
C
I agree," said Omar.
D
"I agree said Omar."
Explanation
The comma is inside the closing speech mark.
Which direct speech sentence has a new speaker rule?
A
Start a new line when a new person speaks.
B
Never use a new line.
C
Only use a new line for questions.
D
Use a new line after every word.
Explanation
Dialogue is clearer when each new speaker starts a new line.
Convert: "I can solve it," said Priya.
A
Priya said that she could solve it.
B
Priya said that I can solve it.
C
Priya said she can solved it.
D
Priya solve it said.
Explanation
Can changes to could in reported speech.
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
A
"That is amazing!" whispered Leo.
B
"That is amazing"! whispered Leo.
C
That is amazing!" whispered Leo.
D
"That is amazing! whispered Leo."
Explanation
The exclamation mark belongs inside speech marks.