Reported Questions Exercises PDFSet 4: Modal Verbs & Time Expression Shifts in Questions
20 questions·14 min·Answers included·Explanations included
Preview: Questions
Fill in the blank with the correct option.
1."Will you come to my party?" → She asked if I ___ come to her party.
a) willb) couldc) shouldd) would
2."Can you help me with this?" → He asked if I ___ help him with that.
a) canb) couldc) wouldd) might
3."Will they finish the project on time?" → She asked if they ___ finish the project on time.
a) wouldb) willc) couldd) did
4."Can she drive?" → He asked if she ___ drive.
a) canb) mayc) was abled) could
5."May I use your phone?" → He asked if he ___ use my phone.
a) mayb) mightc) couldd) would
... and 15 more questions in the PDF
Preview: Answers
1.would
2.could
3.would
4.could
5.could
... and 15 more answers in the PDF
Preview: Explanations
1."would"(d)
The modal 'will' backshifts to 'would' in reported speech. Also note: 'you' → 'I' and 'my' → 'her'.
2."could"(b)
The modal 'can' backshifts to 'could'. The pronoun 'you' → 'I', 'me' → 'him', and 'this' → 'that'.
3."would"(a)
The modal 'will' backshifts to 'would'. The subject 'they' does not change because the question was about a third party.
4."could"(d)
The modal 'can' (expressing ability) backshifts to 'could'. Statement order is already present since 'she' is the subject.
5."could"(c)
When 'may' expresses permission (= am I allowed to), it typically changes to 'could' in reported speech. 'I' → 'he' and 'your' → 'my'. Note: 'might' is used when 'may' expresses possibility, not permission.
... and 15 more explanations in the PDF
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