Reported Speech Exercises for Class 10

Reported speech is one of the fundamental grammar concepts introduced at the school level and strengthened in the secondary classes. A clear understanding of reported speech enables Class 10 students to convey spoken words accurately in written form by applying appropriate grammatical changes. Reported Speech Exercises for Class 10 are designed to help you practise the rules related to tense, pronouns, and reporting verbs in a structured manner. Let’s check it out!

 

Table of Contents 

• What Is Reported Speech?
• Exercise 1: Reported Speech of Statements
• Exercise 2: Reported Speech of Questions
• Exercise 3: Reported Speech of Commands and Requests
• Exercise 4: Reported Speech of Exclamatory Sentences
• Exercise 5: Mixed Reported Speech Practice
• Frequently Asked Questions on Reported Speech​

 

What Is Reported Speech?

Reported speech refers to the method of reporting what a speaker has said without using quotation marks. Instead of repeating the speaker’s exact words, the sentence is rephrased while retaining the original meaning. During this transformation, the reporting verb, tense, pronouns, and adverbs of time and place may change depending on the context.

For example:
Direct: She said, “I am tired.”
Reported: She said that she was tired.

Understanding this basic difference is essential before attempting exercises.

 

Exercise 1: Reported Speech of Statements

Read the following sentences, and you should pay close attention to tense changes while reporting statements, especially when the reporting verb is in the past tense.

1. Rina said, “I am preparing for the exam.”

2. Mohan said, “I finished my homework.”

3. She said, “We are watching a movie.”

4. Father said, “I will return by evening.”

5. The teacher said, “The class starts at nine.”

6. He said, “I was late yesterday.”

7. Meera said, “I have lost my keys.”

8. The boy said, “My sister is singing.”

9. She said, “I know the answer.”

10. Rahul said, “I bought a new bag.”

11. Mother said, “I am cooking dinner.”

12. The guard said, “The gate is closed.”

13. She said, “I like classical music.”

14. Ramesh said, “I can solve this problem.”

15. The principal said, “The school will remain closed tomorrow.”

Answers

1. Rina said that she was preparing for the exam.

2. Mohan said that he had finished his homework.

3. She said that they were watching a movie.

4. Father said that he would return by evening.

5. The teacher said that the class starts at nine.

6. He said that he had been late the previous day.

7. Meera said that she had lost her keys.

8. The boy said that his sister was singing.

9. She said that she knew the answer.

10. Rahul said that he had bought a new bag.

11. Mother said that she was cooking dinner.

12. The guard said that the gate was closed.

13. She said that she liked classical music.

14. Ramesh said that he could solve that problem.

15. The principal said that the school would remain closed the next day.
    
    

Exercise 2: Reported Speech of Questions

When reporting questions, the interrogative form is changed into a statement form. Question marks are removed, and suitable reporting verbs such as asked or enquired are used. The correct use of if, whether, or wh-words is essential. 

1. She said to me, “Where are you going?”

2. The teacher asked, “Why are you late?”

3. Father said to her, “Have you finished your work?”

4. He said, “Do you like coffee?”

5. The stranger asked, “What is your name?”

6. Mother said, “Did you lock the door?”

7. She asked him, “Can you help me?”

8. The teacher said, “Who wrote this answer?”

9. He said to me, “When will you return?”

10. The guard asked, “Where is your pass?”

11. She said, “How did you solve this sum?”

12. Father asked, “Are you feeling better?”

13. The teacher said, “Which book are you reading?”

14. She asked me, “Have you seen my bag?”

15. He said, “Why are you shouting?”

Answers

1. She asked me where I was going.

2. The teacher asked why I was late.

3. Father asked her whether she had finished her work.

4. He asked if I liked coffee.

5. The stranger asked what my name was.

6. Mother asked if I had locked the door.

7. She asked him if he could help her.

8. The teacher asked who had written that answer.

9. He asked me when I would return.

10. The guard asked where my pass was.

11. She asked how I had solved that sum.

12. Father asked whether I was feeling better.

13. The teacher asked which book I was reading.

14. She asked me if I had seen her bag.

15. He asked why I was shouting.
    
    

Exercise 3: Reported Speech of Commands and Requests

Commands, requests, advice, and instructions are reported using infinitives. Verbs such as told, ordered, requested, and advised are commonly used while reporting such sentences. Try to answer these questions:

1. The teacher said, “Complete the exercise.”

2. Mother said, “Do not waste time.”

3. He said to me, “Please help me.”

4. The doctor said, “Take this medicine daily.”

5. Father said, “Work hard.”

6. The guard said, “Do not enter the room.”

7. She said, “Please wait here.”

8. The officer said, “Follow the instructions.”

9. Mother said, “Switch off the fan.”

10. He said, “Never tell a lie.”

11. The teacher said, “Submit your notebook.”

12. She said, “Please open the window.”

13. The coach said, “Practice regularly.”

14. Father said, “Respect your elders.”

15. The nurse said, “Do not panic.”

Answers

1. The teacher told the students to complete the exercise.

2. Mother advised me not to waste time.

3. He requested me to help him.

4. The doctor advised me to take that medicine daily.

5. Father advised me to work hard.

6. The guard warned them not to enter the room.

7. She requested me to wait there.

8. The officer instructed them to follow the instructions.

9. Mother told me to switch off the fan.

10. He advised me never to tell a lie.

11. The teacher instructed the students to submit their notebooks.

12. She requested me to open the window.

13. The coach advised the players to practise regularly.

14. Father advised me to respect my elders.

15. The nurse advised the patient not to panic.
    
    

Exercise 4: Reported Speech of Exclamatory Sentences

Exclamatory sentences express emotions such as joy, sorrow, surprise, or anger. While reporting them, interjections are removed, and suitable adverbs are used. 

1. She said, “Alas! I am tired.”

2. He said, “Hurrah! We won the match.”

3. The boy said, “Oh! What a beautiful sight.”

4. She said, “How foolish I was!”

5. He said, “What a pleasant day!”

6. The man said, “Alas! I have lost my wallet.”

7. She said, “Bravo! You did well.”

8. He said, “Oh no! I missed the bus.”

9. The girl said, “How exciting this is!”

10. She said, “What a pity!”

11. He said, “Hurrah! I passed the exam.”

12. The child said, “Oh! It hurts.”

13. She said, “How wonderful the performance was!”

14. He said, “Alas! My pet died.”

15. The teacher said, “Well done!”

Answers

1. She exclaimed sadly that she was tired.

2. He exclaimed joyfully that they had won the match.

3. The boy exclaimed that it was a very beautiful sight.

4. She exclaimed that she had been very foolish.

5. He exclaimed that it was a pleasant day.

6. The man exclaimed sadly that he had lost his wallet.

7. She applauded him, saying that he had done well.

8. He exclaimed with regret that he had missed the bus.

9. The girl exclaimed that it was very exciting.

10. She exclaimed that it was a pity.

11. He exclaimed joyfully that he had passed the exam.

12. The child exclaimed that it hurt.

13. She exclaimed that the performance had been wonderful.

14. He exclaimed sadly that his pet had died.

15. The teacher appreciated them, saying that they had done well.
    
    

Exercise 5: Mixed Reported Speech Practice

Read the following sentences that combine statements, questions, commands, and exclamations to test overall understanding of reported speech.

1. She said, “I am not feeling well.”

2. He asked, “Where do you live?”

3. Mother said, “Finish your homework.”

4. The boy said, “Hurrah! I won a prize.”

5. She said, “I have never seen this place.”

6. Father asked, “Have you eaten?”

7. The teacher said, “The exam begins tomorrow.”

8. He said, “Please forgive me.”

9. She exclaimed, “What a surprise!”

10. The guard said, “Do not cross the road.”

11. Rahul said, “My sister is very helpful.”

12. She asked, “Can you solve this?”

13. He said, “I may come late.”

14. The child said, “I want a toy.”

15. The officer said, “Follow the rules.”

Answers

1. She said that she was not feeling well.

2. He asked where I lived.

3. Mother told me to finish my homework.

4. The boy exclaimed joyfully that he had won a prize.

5. She said that she had never seen that place.

6. Father asked whether I had eaten.

7. The teacher said that the exam would begin the next day.

8. He requested me to forgive him.

9. She exclaimed that it was a surprise.

10. The guard warned not to cross the road.

11. Rahul said that his sister was very helpful.

12. She asked if I could solve that.

13. He said that he might come late.

14. The child said that he wanted a toy.

15. The officer instructed them to follow the rules.