Mixed Reported Speech Exercises PDFSet 4: Advanced Mixed Practice
20 questions·15 min·Answers included·Explanations included
Preview: Questions
Fill in the blank with the correct option.
1."I've been waiting for over an hour!" → She complained that she ___ for over an hour.
a) has been waitingb) was waitingc) had been waitingd) waited
2."Which platform does the train to Oxford leave from?" → He asked which platform the train to Oxford ___ from.
a) leavesb) leftc) had leftd) was leaving
3."You should take an umbrella — it looks like rain." → She ___ me to take an umbrella.
a) warnedb) toldc) orderedd) advised
4."Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius." → The teacher said that water ___ at 100 degrees Celsius.
a) boiledb) boilsc) had boiledd) was boiling
5."I won't tell you again — clean your room!" → Mum ___ me to clean my room.
a) askedb) suggestedc) orderedd) reminded
... and 15 more questions in the PDF
Preview: Answers
1.had been waiting
2.left
3.advised
4.boils
5.ordered
... and 15 more answers in the PDF
Preview: Explanations
1."had been waiting"(c)
Present perfect continuous 'have been waiting' backshifts to past perfect continuous 'had been waiting'. The reporting verb 'complained' fits the speaker's frustration.
2."left"(b)
Wh-question with backshift. 'Does the train leave' → statement order with past simple: 'the train left'. The auxiliary 'does' disappears in reported speech.
3."advised"(d)
'You should' gives friendly advice. 'Advise + person + to-infinitive' is the most accurate reporting verb. 'Warn' implies danger, which is too strong for an umbrella.
4."boils"(b)
No backshift needed. This is a scientific fact — general truths keep the present tense. Using 'boiled' would wrongly imply water no longer boils at that temperature.
5."ordered"(c)
The forceful tone ('I won't tell you again') shows this is a strong command, not a polite request. 'Order + person + to-infinitive' captures the authority.
... and 15 more explanations in the PDF
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