Revision: active / passive voice

Use the most suitable tense-form of the verbs in brackets.

I. In 1980 a giant crater, 110 miles wide (discover) in Mexico. Many scientists believe it (cause) by a huge asteroid that fell on the Earth 65 million years ago and (kill) dinosaurs. Now scientists (find) another crater, in Australia, that (explain) an even earlier destruction of life on our planet. Tests on rocks from this crater (show) that it (form) 200 million to 280 million years ago – the same period when 90% of all animals, including early reptiles and sea creatures called trilobites, suddenly (become) extinct. An asteroid of this size (throw) tons of dust into the air, blotting out the sun. The earth (turn) dark, cold and hostile to life.

II. It happened on a very foggy day in London. The street traffic (move) with their lights on. Mr. Smith (expect) at a very important meeting in parliament. He (do) his best to get there on time. Soon he (understand) he (lose) in the fog. Suddenly he (run) into a man. “I (help) you?” the man asked. He promised that he would take Mr. Smith to Westminster. The fog (get) thicker every minute, but after a ten-minute walk they (find) themselves at Westminster. The expression on his guide’s face (strike) Mr. Smith as strange. The man’s eyes (not blink). The man (tell) Mr. Smith that he (be) blind since his birth. And that (make) him such a perfect guide in the fog.

III. Doctor Black was a well-known neurologist who could give good advice to his patients. One day he (sit) in his consulting room. He (see) a sad-looking man enter. The doctor (understand) that the man (worry) about something. “How you (feel)?” he asked the patient. The man explained to the Doctor that physically he (be) in the best form. After the patient (give) a check, the Doctor said “You (wear) out. Go to the theatre to see a silly play. That (make) you laugh.” The man said that he already (see) a lot of silly plays but it (not help). The Doctor said that the man would forget his depression if he (buy) a ticket for Mr. Sneerwell’s performance. “The famous comedian (know) how to bring a dead man back to life”, he said. But the patient (keep) repeating: “No use, Doctor.” Then he added: “The matter (be) that I (be) Mr. Sneerwell.”

The sequence of tenses direct and indirect speech

Exercise 1. Look at the examples and choose the correct forms of the rules.

I told the assistant that I wanted size 8. (NOT I told that I wanted size 8.)

I said that I wanted size 8.

I said to the assistant that I wanted size 8. (NOT I said the assistant that …)

I said to her ‘What are you doing?’ (NOT I told her ‘What are you doing?’)

I told him to hurry up. (NOT I said him to hurry up.)

1. After (say / tell), we normally say who is spoken to. We do not put ‘to’ before the object.

2. After (say / tell), we do not have to say who is spoken to. If we do, we put ‘to’ before the object.

3. (Say / Tell) means ‘inform’ or ‘instruct’. It can’t introduce questions.

4. (Say / Tell) can’t normally be used before an infinitive.

5. (Say / Tell) can be used without a personal object in a few expressions like (say / tell) a lie, (say / tell) the truth, (say / tell) a story, (say / tell) the time.

Exercise 2. Put in the correct forms of say or tell.

1. Ben … that the lift is out of order. 2. Lucy … Harris that she couldn’t go to the pictures with him. 3. What did she … you? 4. Please, don’t … Jim what had happened. 5. Ann … she didn’t like Peter. 6. Jack … me he was ill. 7. Why didn’t you … me the truth? 8. I … that I wasn’t ready. 9. … me what you need. 10. Have you … the doctor about it? 11. Did you … anything to me? 12. He doesn’t … me anything. 13. Mary … her mother she was going to the office. 14. Why didn’t she … goodbye? 15. I … him to be quiet. 16. Who … that? 17. … that you won’t forget me. 18. Could you … the time, please? 19. She … to me she didn’t know what to do. 20. That little boy is very bad. He … a lot of lies.

Exercise 3. Say whether the action of the object clause precedes, follows or is simultaneous with the action of the principal clause in the following sentences.

1. He asked me what work I was doing and whether I intended to go to a University. 2. She claimed that she had met Brenda on her way home. Brenda had told her that I would probably come to her place later. 3. Then I thought about Mother. She would certainly ask me where I had been all day. 4. She said she would be staying in town the next day to do some shopping. 5. I don’t think that I shall ever work for your father. 6. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the youths had stopped talking and were watching us. 7. I hope you know what you are doing. 8. In the hotel the waiter told me that an American had been staying there for three months. 9. It was also rumoured that Dan had got married.

Exercise 4. Explain how the rules of the Sequence of Tenses work in these clauses. Translate them into Russian.

1. She called my mother to say that they had just got a telegram from Boston announcing that Henry’s brother had got married in Germany. 2. I knew she was itching to tell me what had happened. 3. He knew that his mother would think he was seriously ill and would probably speak to the teacher. 4. He wanted to return to the house to see how Billy was doing and tell him that he would be going out to Carolina in two or three days. 5. Rudy decided that he would have to tell Bogart that it was impossible for him to appear before the board the next day, but that he would offer to do so any other day.

Exercise 5. Give your reasons as to why the rules of the Sequence of Tenses are not observed in the following sentences.

1. He said he is free tomorrow. 2. He spoke with the satisfaction of a competent workman who knows his job from A to Z. 3. He sought pleasure in the simple and natural things that life offers to everyone. 4. Monty told me that he had no permit for the gun, and that in England it is illegal to own a gun without a permit. 5. I knew I should go; but we sat there because it is difficult to go without any particular reason for living. 6. Billy folded his arms and leaned back. “I told you I don’t like milk.”

Exercise 6. Imagine these sentences were reported in another place a month later. Put in the ‘here’ and ‘now’ words.

e.g. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’ She said she’d see me the next day.

1. ‘My brother’s arriving here today.’ She said her brother was arriving … . 2. ‘I’ll phone you this evening.’ He said he’d phone her … . 3. ‘Do you like it here?’ She asked if I liked it … . 4. ‘My uncle died last week.’ He told me his uncle had died … . 5. ‘This meat tastes funny.’ She said … meat tasted funny. 6. ‘I’m leaving now.’ He said he was leaving … . 7. ‘I overslept this morning.’ She told him she had overslept … morning. 8. ‘The train leaves at 11.00 tonight.’ I was told the train left at 11.00 … 9. ‘Pete phoned me yesterday.’ He said Pete had phoned him … .10. ‘You look good today.’ Bill said she looked good … .

Exercise 7. Make the actions of the following object clauses simultaneous with those of the principal clauses.

1. I thought you (have) better sense. 2. She could not imagine what he (do) there. 3. She wanted Wilfred to forbid my walking in the park alone. She said it (be) dangerous. 4. I did not know whether the doctor (mean) what he (say) or whether he (have) a joke at my expense. 5. What surprised me was that Pat (be) so much at home there. 6. He asked me what work I (do) and whether I (intend) to go to a University. 7. I was surprised you (not know) my name. 8. He told his father that he (make) ten dollars a week less. 9. The last two weeks she had been saying to everyone who phoned her that she (be) unwell and (not leave) home. 10. When I knew him better he admitted that he (feel) lonely in London.

Exercise 8. Make the actions in the following object clauses precede those of the principal clauses.

1. At ten o’clock he telephoned again, saying that he (change) his mind. 2. I knew that for the past twenty-five years he (buy) the same paper each morning. 3. Indeed it was whispered that the headmaster (receive) a telegram from the boy’s father. 4. She seemed to have forgotten what (happen) a few minutes before. 5. But he was uneasy. His wife would easily find out that he (go) to Saigon. 6. It was not known where he (spend) his early childhood. 7. The question was why he (do) it at all. 8. Then he admitted that he (live) since the summer in his father’s house. 9. What she could not understand was why he (tell) them such a pack of lies. 10. She wrote that they (let) their house for a year. 11. Her mother once confided to her that she (want) to be an actress. 12. It was probably true that he (be) quite fond of his late brother. 13. One day she told me why she never (get) married. 14. I wondered what she (do) there so late at night.

Exercise 9. Complete the reported sentences with the correct tenses.

1. ‘I’m tired.’ She said she … tired. 2. ‘You play very well.’ He told me I … very well. 3. ‘Can you help us?’ They asked if I … help them. 4. ‘We’re leaving.’ They told us they … . 5. ‘She hasn’t brushed her hair.’ I noticed that she … her hair. 6. ‘John’s had an accident.’ Pam rang to say that John … an accident. 7. ‘I left school at fifteen.’ Her letter said that she … school at fifteen. 8. ‘She won’t say anything.’ I knew she … anything. 9. ‘Nobody will know.’ I thought nobody … . 10. ‘This letter has been opened.’ I could see that the letter … .

Exercise 10. Report the statements.

1. Betty said to Lucy, “I’m sorry to disturb you.” 2. Dan said, “I’ve missed my bus, I’ll be late and my boss will be furious.” 3. The girl said to her friends, “I didn’t go to the stadium yesterday.” 4. My brother said, “I’m talking on the phone.” 5. Nora said to Jack, “I’ll tell you what to do.” 6. Lora said, “John phoned this evening.” 7. Bill said, “I’ve been ill for a fortnight.” 8. She said, “I’ve never set eyes on him in my life.” 9. He said, “Bill wants to know if you are free tomorrow.” 10. Jane said, “I’m learning French now.”

Exercise 11. Use the required tense-aspect forms in the following sentences, observing the rules of the Sequence of Tenses.

1. When I went into the office next morning I already (formulate) my plan. 2. Well, I don’t think I ever (see) you before. 3. She ended by saying that she (think) she (make) a mistake. 4. She knew what (go) on in their minds. 5. So I went into the living room, where my aunt already (wait) for me. 6. She telephoned her husband to the office to say that her brother (return) from abroad. 7. An old friend rang up to ask how Elizabeth (feel), and whether she (can) go with his wife to the concert on Sunday morning. 8. Most of the trees already (put) out their leaves and there were buds everywhere. 9. He remembered that he (not see) Lily for three weeks. 10. She hadn’t yet figured out what she (be) going to do and she (hope) to be able to wait a little. 11. It was possible that Jack (hang) around. 12. Everybody didn’t know why she (invent) the story.

Exercise 12. Translate the following into English, observing the rules of the Sequence of Tenses.

1. Он мне говорил, что интересуется историей. 2. Он знал, о чем она думает. 3. Он сказал, что вернется очень скоро. 4. Я знал, что он живет в Лондоне. 5. Я знал, что она жила в Сан-Франциско. 6. Она мне сказала, что говорила с ними. 7. Я думал, что он получает от нее письма. 8. Я был рад, что он получил от нее письмо. 9. Я думал, что они пригласят нас. 10. Я был уверен, что он работает на этом заводе. 11. Я был уверен, что он работает, и поэтому не вошел в комнату. 12. Он сказал мне, что видел их накануне. 13. Я был уверен, что он сидит в саду. 14. Она говорила, что книга ей нравится. 15. Я был уверен, что он живет здесь уже много лет. 16. Я вчера слышал, что они в Эдинбурге. 17. Мы слышали, что они были в Ливерпуле. 18. Я слышал, что они работают уже несколько месяцев. 19. Мы не знали, что он болен. 20. Мы не знали, что он так давно болен. 21. Он не знал, что мы знаем друг друга с детства. 22. Мне сказали, что они вчера вернулись в Москву.

Exercise 13. Translate the sentences from Russian into English, observing the rules of the Sequence of Tenses.

1. Я был уверен, что он жалеет, что поссорился с ней. 2. Я подумал, что он устал, и спросил его, что он делал все это время. 3. У меня было впечатление, что он находится там уже некоторое время. 4. Я кивнул и сказал «да», чувствуя, что это именно то, что ей хочется. 5. Она говорила, что не может понять, почему они переменили решение. 6. У меня было подозрение, что она забыла упомянуть, что я его жду. 7. Я не имею понятия, знает ли она, что Фил будет здесь. 8. Кстати, Тед знает, что моя сестра приезжает завтра? 9. Он еще не знал, что будет делать в Нью-Йорке. 10. Он сказал, что они обсудят этот вопрос, как только директор вернется из Москвы. 11. Я думал, что вы позвоните мне, когда получите телеграмму. 12. Я сказал, что прочту эту книгу только после того, как сдам экзамены. 13. Он сказал, что не пойдет домой, пока не закончит эту работу. 14. Я боялся, что он будет сердиться, если я не приду вовремя. 15. Он пообещал мне, что поговорит с профессором, если увидит его в университете.

Exercise 14. Use the required tense-aspect forms in the following sentences.

1. She scarcely realized what (happen). 2. Oh, Jane! I didn’t think you (be) so unkind. 3. Mary (return) to the room. Al (sit) beside the gas fire and (take) off his shoes. 4. Her eyes (be) puffed, and she obviously (cry) that afternoon. 5. She realized that he (try) to tell her how lonely he (be). 6. His cheek (be) cut. When she (see) it she (say): “Oh, you (fight) again.” 7. I thought I (sleep) well, being tired. 8. She (make) me promise to say nothing about it till she (have) a chance of breaking the news to her father gradually. 9. She asked if Mr. Clennam (tell) her where he (live). 10. As Hugh and I (come) down the steps we nearly (run) into my father. 11. Sir Wilfred knew, from the frequency with which she used her handkerchief, that tears (run) down her cheeks. 12. He (remain) in his seat, as though studying his programme, till the three (pass) out into the foyer. 13. I (sit) there for about ten minutes, pretending to read, when someone (sit) down at my table. 14. She (look) up at him from where she (sit). 15. While his wife (read) the letter, he (cross) to the window.

Exercise 15. Translate into English.

1. Я думал, что ты занят. 2. Мы сказали, что хотели пойти в оперу. 3. Мы надеялись, что вы умеете плавать. 4. Она заявила, что хочет пойти с нами. 5. Врач сказал, что я должен остаться дома. 6. Я думал, что моя сестра хорошо их знает. 7. Он решил, что его товарищи все еще играют в шахматы. 8. Она сказала, что они обычно встают в восемь часов. 9. Я не знала, что вы тоже любите музыку. 10. Ты знал, что он уехал за город? 11. Она мне сказала, что говорила с вами. 12. Мать сказала, что они уже пообедали. 13. Она думала, что он уже закончил университет. 14. Том сказал, что видел этот фильм. 15. Она говорила, что примет участие в работе. 16. Мы сказали, что вернемся через час. 17. Они сказали, что лекция начнется в пять часов. 18. Мы им сказали, что не будем ждать их. 19. Я думал, что у каждого из нас будет месяц отпуска летом. 20. Мать надеялась, что сын вернется через неделю.

Exercise 16. Translate the sentences from Russian into English.

1. Она сказала, что очень занята и давно не была в театре. 2. Я думал, что вы прочтете в газете, что делегация уже прибыла в Москву. 3. Я знал, что он чувствует, что я не доволен результатами его опытов. 4. Роберт сказал, что его жена все еще в больнице и он собирается навестить ее вечером. 5. Наш гид сказал, что автобус только что пришел и отправится в Глазго через час. 6. Учительница сказала, что мы должны повторить все правила, если хотим сдать экзамены хорошо. 7. Мой друг пообещал достать несколько книг по этому вопросу, как только я начну работать над статьей. 8. Она думала, что завтра будет хорошая погода. 9. Я заметил, что она смотрит на меня. 10. Я знал, что она не вернется. 11. На платформе было мало людей, все уже заняли свои места в вагоне. 12. Она знала, что она права, и была права с самого начала. 13. Я надеялся, что кто-то нашел мои ключи и передаст их мне. 14. Было ясно, что случилось что-то ужасное. 15. Он пообещал, что сделает все к понедельнику. 16. Он сказал, что отправит телеграмму, если не получит известий от брата.

Exercise 17. Change the following sentences into Indirect Speech.

1. Jack told his father, “I hope to pass the examination.” 2. Henry said to me, “The teacher is listening to us.” 3. Bob said to Tom, “I made no mistakes in the last dictation.” 4. I told the policeman, “I saw the thief in the garden.” 5. He said, “I haven’t read many English books.” 6. Jack’s father said to him, “You haven’t cleaned your shoes.” 7. Mary said, “I don’t want to wear my old dress”. 8. My mother said to me, “I feel very tired, and I have a headache.” 9. My friend told me, “We have plenty of time to do our work.” 10. I said to my sister, “I haven’t seen my uncle for a long time.” 11. “I’m going away tomorrow, mother”, he said. 12. “It isn’t so foggy today as it was yesterday”, I remarked. 13. “We have a lift but very often it doesn’t work”, they said. 14. “I have no idea what the time is but I’ll dial 8081 and find out”, said his daughter. 15. “Nothing grows in my garden. It never gets any sun”, she said.

Exercise 18. Change the following sentences into Direct Speech.

1. My sister said that she hadn’t got a watch. 2. The teacher told his students that he was pleased with their work. 3. I told him that I hadn’t seen his brother for a long time. 4. I told my mother that Henry was studying medicine at the University. 5. She told the grocer that she didn’t want any sugar. 6. We told the teacher that we didn’t understand his question. 7. I told the taxi-driver that he was driving too fast. 8. She said that her children were playing in the garden.

Exercise 19. Change the following sentences into Indirect Speech. Decide whether to use “told” or “asked”, or whether either of these two verbs is suitable.

1. Mary said to her brother, “Take the letter to the Post Office, please”. 2. The teacher said to Tom, “Collect the exercise-books and put them on my table”. 3. The old man said to the girl, “Don’t run across the street”. 4. The teacher said to the pupils, “Learn the poem by heart”. 5. I said to my friend, “Meet me outside the cinema at six o’clock”. 6. Mary’s mother said to her, “Don’t go out without your coat”. 7. The teacher said to the students, “Open your books at page 60”. 8. The doctor said to the sick man, “Don’t go back to work for a fortnight”. 9. Jack said to the policeman, “Tell me the time, please”.

Exercise 20. Report the following using the verbs suggested + to infinitive.

1. “Hurry up”. He told me … . 2. “Don’t leave the door unlocked”. She warned them… . 3. “Would you like to come to my party?” He invited her… . 4. “Don’t be stupid”. She told me… . 5. “You should stop smoking”. The doctor advised my brother… . 6. “Could you change the light bulb for me?” She asked me… . 7. “Can I do the washing-up?” I offered… . 8. “Don’t touch the wire”. He warned me… . 9. “Could you speak more slowly?” He asked her… . 10. “Shut the door”. She told me… . 11. “Don’t touch my camera”. He told me… . 12. “I think you should take another English course”. My teacher advised me… . 13. “You may use my telephone”. Mar Jacobson permitted me… . 14. “Make an appointment with the dentist”. My mother reminded me… . 15. “I think you should take a long vacation”. My friend encouraged me… . 16. “Would you like to come to our house for dinner?” The Smiths invited us… . 17. “You should see a doctor about the pain in your knee”. My friend advised me… . 18. “Don’t buy a used car”. She advised me… . 19. “Take these letters to the post, will you?” The boss asked me… . 20. “Don’t shelter under a tree in a thunderstorm”. He warned us… . 21. “Remember to switch off when you’ve finished”. He reminded his son… . 22. “You must see the exhibition”. My friend advised me… . 23. “Answer this letter for me, will you? And remember to keep a copy”. He asked me … and reminded me… .

Exercise 21. Change the sentences as shown in the example.

e.g. I won’t tell anybody. (He promised) – He promised not to tell anybody.

1. We’ll pay for the tickets. (We offered) 2. I’ll cook supper. (She offered) 3. Leave early. (He advised me) 4. Please close the door. (She asked me) 5. I’ll stop smoking. (He promised) 6. Why don’t I do the shopping? (He offered) 7. You ought to tell the police. (She advised me) 8. Wait outside. (I told her) 9. OK, I’ll pay half. (He agreed) 10. Park round the corner. (She told me) 11. Phone me before nine. (She told me)

Exercise 22. Report the following requests and orders.

1. The teacher, “Don’t be late, Peter.” 2. The guard, “Turn back.” 3. George, “Don’t speak over the phone when I’m listening to music, Betty.” 4. The guide, “Mind the steps.” 5. Mother, “Don’t eat so many cakes, children.” 6. Peter, “Wait for me, Ann.” 7. The teacher, “Don’t forget to take your text-book, Jim.” 8. Mum, “Remember to post the letter, Kate.” 9. Sue, “Don’t leave the door open.” 10. The officer, “Open the fire.” 11. Mary, “Don’t drive too fast or the baby will be sick.” 12. His mother, “Don’t forget to thank Mrs. Jones.”

Exercise 23. Translate the sentences from Russian into English.

1. Я попросил Джека дать мне его словарь. 2. Кондуктор сказал пассажирам не выскакивать (get off) из автобуса на ходу. (while/go) 3. Учитель попросил студента стереть с доски. 4. Мама попросила меня закрыть окно. 5. Он напомнил мне отправить письмо. 6. Отец запретил детям входить в его кабинет. 7. Инспектор предупредил нас, что здесь стоянка запрещена. (to park) 8. Гид посоветовал нам посетить этот музей. 9. Мать предупредила детей, что им нельзя ходить в лес одним. 10. Я попросила Ника провести меня на вокзал.

Exercise 24. Change the following sentences into Indirect Speech.

1. The teacher asked Tom, “Do you come to school by bus or on foot?” 2. A man stopped me in the street and asked, “Have you got a match?” 3. The teacher asked us, “Do you understand the question?” 4. Henry’s father asked his son, “Do you want to be an engineer or a doctor?” 5. I asked Peter, “Are you going to play football on Friday?” 6. He asked his secretary, “Has the postman come yet?” 7. Ann’s mother asked her, “Are you tired?” 8. He asked his friend, “Do you like the wine?” 9. I asked Frank, “Did you buy a new car?” 10. Ann’s father asked her, “Have you finished the work?” 11. I asked my sister, “Will you go to Italy in summer?”

Exercise 25. Translate the sentences.

1. Гид спросил туристов, не устали ли они. 2. Я спросила своих гостей, хорошо ли они спали. 3. Он поинтересовался, часто ли мы ходим в театр. 4. Он хотел узнать, долго ли работает у нас мистер Долби. 5. Она спросила меня, будет ли на вечеринке Эдвард. 6. Она спросила меня, видел ли я Джона в последнее время. 7. Хозяин отеля поинтересовался, понравился ли мне мой номер. 8. Она спросила, работаем ли мы сейчас.

Exercise 26. Change the following sentences into Indirect Speech.

1. Mother asked Jane, “What are you doing here?” 2. Margaret asked Richard, “Where are you going for your holidays?” 3. Ann asked Mary, “What do you usually have for breakfast?” 4. The inspector asked, “Who caused the accident?” 5. Mary’s mother asked her, “Where have you put your shoes?” 6. The teacher asked Bob, “When did you learn to swim?” 7. The teacher asked, “Which number can be divided by three?” 8. Peter asked me, “When are you going to have dinner?” 9. The policeman asked me, “Where did you lose your wallet?” 10. The teacher came into the classroom and asked the pupils, “What are you doing?” 11. I asked Bob, “Why didn’t you answer my letter?” 12. There was a crowd in the street. I asked a man in the crowd, “What is the matter?” 13. Father asked, “When will lunch be ready?” 14. The little boy asked his father, “Why does the policeman wear a uniform?” 15. I asked him, “Who are you looking at?” 16. The nurse asked, “Who is the next, please?” 17. The man asked his friend, “When did you buy your car?”

Exercise 27. Translate into English.

1. Они спросили меня, когда начинается мой рабочий день. 2. Он спросил, какую музыку любят мои друзья. 3. Мы спросили его, кто из его друзей знает два иностранных языка. 4. Журналисты спросили писателя, над какой книгой он работает. 5. Она спросила меня, где я был вчера. 6. Они спросили моего друга, как он провел каникулы. 7. Я спросил у неё, где ей сшили пальто. 8. Я спросила у него, какие еще французские книги он прочитал за последнее время. 9. Друзья спросили у него, куда он ездил в прошлое воскресенье. 10. Родители спросили нас, что мы собираемся делать летом. 11. Жена спросила, почему он не купил хлеб. 12. Мы спросили преподавателя, как мы сдали экзамен. 13. Она спросила его, когда он видел Лену в последний раз. 14. Они спросили меня, когда я позвоню своим родителям. 15. Я спросил его, когда он собирается закончить эту работу.

Exercise 28. Report the questions.

1. She asked him, “Why did you make me go out tonight?” 2. I said to Jim, “Where were you last month?” 3. She says to me, “Do you think it is right?” 4. The writer said to the editor, “Will the book have been published by spring?” 5. He says, “What are you doing there, Liz?” 6. She asked me, “Are these articles still being printed?” 7. He said to her, “Why don’t you spend a few days with Alice?” 8. Sheila asked Kate, “Have you got married?” 9. Lucy asked Jo, “Why wasn’t the doctor sent for?” 10. He said to Bert, “When was all this decided?”

Exercise 29. Report the following questions.

1. “Who put salt in my coffee?” he asked. 2. “How can I run in high-heeled shoes?” she enquired. 3. Whose car did you borrow last night?” I said to him. 4. “What was she wearing when you saw her last?” the policeman asked me. 5. “Have you done this work before?” said his new employer. 6. “Is he a scientist or an arts graduate?” Mary asked me. 7. “Are there playing fields near the school?” the parents asked the headmaster. 8. “Are you sorry for what you did?” the mother asked the little boy. 9. “Why do you think it may be dangerous?” he asked her. 10. “Do you know that the shoes you are wearing aren’t a pair?” I asked him.

Exercise 30. Correct the errors.

1. She asked him where he came from. 2. She asked who Bill had been. 3. She asked me why the tree was cut down. 4. We asked them if they are able to come to our place earlier. 5. The customs officer asked me if I had had anything to declare. 6. Betty said she was busy the next day. 7. She asked me if these books were mine. 8. He asked me to have done everything at once. 9. The teacher told us to stay here. 10. She asked me if she saw me before.

Exercise 31. Make the sentences direct.

1. He told her that he would help her. 2. Mike told Maurice that he had rung him an hour before. 3. She asked him to come in. 4. She told him she would do all she could. 5. She asked him if he was not homesick sometimes. 6. She asked him if he would come back that day. 7. He asked her what she was going to do. 8. He advised her not to hesitate to say anything she wanted to. 9. He asked her to tell him a joke. 10. She warned him if he did not hurry up he would be late.

Exercise 32. Put the following into Indirect Speech.

1. “I have something to tell you,” I said to her. 2. “It isn’t so rainy today as it was yesterday,” I remarked. 3. “I’ll come with you as soon as I’m ready,” she replied. 4. “If you leave home at six, you should be here by nine,” he said to me. 5. “If it rains today it will be too wet to play tennis tomorrow,” the captain said. 6. “I was going to do it tomorrow,” he said, “but now I don’t think I’ll be able to.” 7. “Which team has won?” asked Ann. 8. “Who is playing next week?” he asked. 9. “What platform does the train leave from?” asked Bill. 10. “When was the timetable changed?” I asked. 11. “Have you reserved a seat?” I asked him. 12. “Did you play for your school team?” said Bill. 13. “Make good use of your time. You won’t get such an opportunity again,” he said to us. 14. “Be very careful when crossing roads,” she said, “and remember to drive on the right.” 15. “Don’t touch it. You will only make it worse,” he told me. 16. “Would you please take off your shoes?” Keiko said to him. 17. “You can’t park here,” said the police officer. 18. “I’ll see you in the morning, Helen,” said Peter. 19. “I’m taking the 5.30 train tomorrow evening,” said Janet. 20. “The trousers have to be ready this afternoon,” said Paul. 21. “I left my umbrella here two days ago,” said Susan. 22. “I think it’s going to rain tonight,” said William. 23. “What time does the film start, Peter?” I asked. 24. “Why did you apply for this job?” asked the sales manager. 25. “Are you taking much money with you to France?” asked the bank manager. 26. “When will I know the results of the examination?” asked Jenny. 27. “Are you enjoying your flight?” asked the stewardess. 28. “How does this camera work?” I asked the salesman. 29. “Have you ever been to Russia, Paul?” asked Ben. 30. “Do you watch television every evening, Sue?” asked the interviewer.

Exercise 33. Change these sentences into Indirect Speech (reported some later).

1. He’s ill. (She thought) 2. I’ll be back tomorrow. (He said) 3. I don’t like this music. (She said) 4. Where’s the bus station? (She asked me) 5. Have you finished? (I asked him) 6. Nobody loves me. (I felt) 7. Do you want tea or coffee? (He asked her) 8. I’ll clean the flat. (She offered) 9. When is the car going to be ready? (I asked) 10. What am I doing here? (I wondered) 11. These figures can’t be right. (I knew) 12. Her cat understands everything she says. (She thought) 13. What does the boss want? (I asked) 14. Did Mary phone back? (I wondered) 15. You ought to see the doctor. (He advised me) 16. Would you like a drink? (She asked him)

Exercise 34. Put the verbs in brackets into the required past tense, pay attention to the Sequence of Tenses.

1. She (hear) the band playing and she (know) that in a few moments the curtain (go) up. 2. Myra (think) he (prefer) to be by himself. 3. I (hear) from your mother that you (be) late and so I (order) coffee and sandwiches. 4. Mrs. Streep (ask) him if he (have) dinner there. 5. The old man (ask) me if I (have) parents. 6. He (be) very sorry for Jennie, and he (tell) his wife that he (have) to go out and see her. 7. And the other day I (have) a letter from him saying he (be) in Moscow soon. 8. I (say) I (be) by nine o’clock. 9. You (promise) you (try) to persuade him to stay on for a bit. 10. In a few words I (tell) him what (happen). 11. She (ask) me if I (live) long in that town. 12. When I (ring) her that evening she (say) she (not like) to discuss those problems on the phone. 13. That evening she (tell) me she (be) at the hotel room, and about half past eight I (dial) that number, but there (be) no answer. 14. I (put) the papers back where they (belong). 15. He (write) that he (come) to lunch the following day.

Exercise 35. Put the verbs in brackets into the required tense.

I. One night Mrs. Jouce Bowels (drive) her car from Winchester to Chilcomb with a friend of the family, Mr. Ted Pratt. Suddenly they (see) an orange light in the sky. The car (start) to shake & Mrs. Bowels couldn’t control it. Some unknown power (lift) it, then (push) it to the left, then (stop) the engine and (switch off) the lights. “It was then that we (see) a cigar-shaped object about 5 yards long. There (be) 3 figures inside,” said Mrs. Bowels. The 3 figures (be) the crew of the UFO. Mrs. Bowels said that she never (be) so frightened before. The alien crew (look) like ordinary people, but they (wear) silver clothes. Mrs. Bowels (be afraid) they (kill) by the aliens, but they only looked at the car instruments. Suddenly the lights (switch on) & they (shine) 4 times brighter than normal. Mrs. Bowels (want) to say “Thank you” but before she (open) her mouth the UFO and its crew already (disappear) into the night.

II. Dear Mum & Dad,

Just a quick note as I (be) in a tearing hurry. Guess what – I just (interview) by a journalist who (ask) me lots of questions about how I (get) on here in America. There (go) to be an article about me in the local paper. Fame at last! I (send) you a copy as soon as it (come) out. Anyway, the journalist (wonder) if I (enjoy) my stay & how long I (be) in the States. He also (ask) me a rather embarrassing question: “You (like) American food?” You know I can’t stand it! He also (want) to know why I (come) to the States & what I (remember) most & best about the country when I (come) back home. I (find) those questions difficult to answer as I only (be) here for 2 weeks. Don’t forget to show the article to everyone! Love, Andrew.

III. Harry got a letter from his friend Jack. Jack (have) a week’s holiday in a camp. He invited Harry to join him if he (be) free at the weekend. Harry (catch) the five o’clock train. But he (leave) all his things behind. He (think) he (borrow) what he needed from Jack. On the train Harry (run) into a strange man. He remembered that he (see) the man’s face on television as the police (look) for him. Harry (keep) watching the man during the trip. When the train (pull) at the station, Jack (wait) for his friend Harry. Harry called the policeman & they (catch) the man. He (send) to prison. Harry (feel) very proud about his adventure.

IV. Dear Keith, I am sorry I haven’t written for such a long time, but it (take) me ages to finish my school leaving examinations. It’s finally over! Since finishing my examinations I (try) to decide what to do next. I (think) about going abroad for a year or two, but I (not make up) my mind yet. Actually, I (think) about entering Vilnius University too, but then I (meet) Rokas, my cousin. He (come) from the library. He (study) there for 8 hours. He said he (want) to enter the University. But I (not can) sit in the libraries for hours. Now I (think) about applying for a job. That’s it for now. Hope all is well. Thomas.