Reporting Verbs Exercises PDFSet 4: Comprehensive Mixed Practice
20 questions·15 min·Answers included·Explanations included
Preview: Questions
Fill in the blank with the correct option.
1."I'm sorry I broke your vase." → She ___ breaking my vase.
a) admitted tob) apologized forc) deniedd) confessed
2."No, I won't help you move house." → He ___ to help me move house.
a) refusedb) deniedc) rejectedd) objected
3."I really think you should see a dentist." → She ___ seeing a dentist.
a) deniedb) insisted onc) agreed tod) recommended
4.The notice on the door ___ 'Please ring the bell'.
a) tellsb) speaksc) talksd) says
5."I'll pay for dinner — I promise." → He ___ to pay for dinner.
a) promisedb) deniedc) agreedd) threatened
... and 15 more questions in the PDF
Preview: Answers
1.apologized for
2.refused
3.recommended
4.says
5.promised
... and 15 more answers in the PDF
Preview: Explanations
1."apologized for"(b)
When someone says sorry for something they did, the best reporting verb is 'apologize for + -ing'. 'Admitted' and 'confessed' focus on guilt, not on saying sorry.
2."refused"(a)
'Refuse to do something' means to say no to a request. 'Deny' means to say something is not true. 'Reject' does not take 'to + infinitive' in this way.
3."recommended"(d)
'Recommend + -ing' is used for giving strong personal advice: 'She recommended seeing a dentist.' 'Denied seeing' would mean she said she didn't see one — the opposite meaning. 'Insisted on' and 'agreed to' don't match the advisory tone.
4."says"(d)
'Say' is used for written words on signs, notices, and documents: 'The notice says...' We don't use 'tell', 'speak', or 'talk' for written messages.
5."promised"(a)
'Promise to do something' means to give your word. The speaker explicitly says 'I promise', so 'promised' is the best choice. 'Denied' cannot take 'to + infinitive' (*denied to pay is incorrect). 'Agreed' and 'threatened' don't match the tone.
... and 15 more explanations in the PDF
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