5T CERTIFICATE LANGUAGE PRACTICE
GRAMMAR 6  INDIRECT SPEECH
Complete the sentences. Use the number of words given in brackets.
a) 'Do you think you could possibly tell me what the time is?'
David asked me ..M.£&ll..ki?ft..................................(five words)
b) 'Excuse me, but I wonder if you'd mind opening the window.'
The man sitting next to me asked me ..............................................................
(four words)
c) 'You go down this street, turn left, then take the second turning on the right. The cinema is just down the street on the left.'
A passer-by told me how...............................................................(five words)
d) '1 want to know how much this bike costs. Can you tell me?'
John asked how ............................................................................(four words)
e) 'Look, don't worry, I'll help you if you like.'
Sue said she.................................................................................(three words)
f) 'All right, I tell you what, the car's yours for £500.'
The salesman said I could .............................................................(five words)
g) T hope you don't mind my saying this, but you're being a bit silly, aren't you?'
Peter told me I...............................................................................(five words)
h) 'It doesn't look as if I'll be arriving until after eight, I'm afraid.'
Jane said she probably ..................................................................(five words)
Rewrite each sentence, beginning as shown. Do not change the meaning.
a) What time does the next boat leave?
Do you think you could tell me ?
b) Where can 1 change some money?
Can you tell me ...............................................................................................?
c) Where is the toilet?
Could you possibly tell me ..............................................................................?
d) How much does this pullover cost?
I'd like to know ...............................................................................................?
e) How do I get to Victoria Station?
Can you explain ..............................................................................................?
f) Does this train go to Gatwick Airport?
Could you tell me............................................................................................?
g) Where do you come from?
Would you mind telling me ............................................................................?
h) What do you think of London?
Do you think you could tell me ......................................................................?
7    Put the correct form of either say, tell or ask in each space.
a) 1......................you that you had to be on time. Why are you late?
b) When you..............................her if she'd work late, what did she
c) I think that Alan..............................us a lie abut his qualifications.
d) When I..............................him what he was doing there, he
..............................me it was none of my business.
e) I..............................I would help you, so here I am.
f) Did you hear what Sheila..............................about her new job?
g) What did Carol..............................you about her holiday?
h) There, you see! I..............................you the bus would be on time.
8    Put the correct form of one of the verbs in the box into each
space.
, , accusededde      admit. -~ apology       desy offer
a) 'No, it's not true, I didn't steal the money!'
Jean.........4&$&4.........stealing the money/that she had stolen the money.
b) 'Why don't we go to the cinema this evening?'
Peter..............................going to the cinema/that they went to the cinema.
c) 'I've broken your pen. I'm awfully sorry, Jack.' David..............................for breaking Jack's pen.
d) 'Don't forget to post my letter, will you, Sue?' Diana..............................Sue to post her letter.
e) 'Let me carry your suitcase, John.'
Harry..............................to carry John's suitcase.
f) 'All right, it's true, I was nervous.'
The leading actor..............................to being nervous/that he had been
nervous.
g) 'I don't think Liverpool will win.'
Vanessa..............................whether Liverpool would win.
h) 'If I were you, Bill, I'd buy a mountain bike.' Stephen..............................Bill to buy a mountain bike.
i) 'You murdered Lord Digby, didn't you, Colin!'
The inspector..............................Colin of murdering Lord Digby.
)) 'It was me who stole the money,' said Jim.
Jim..............................to stealing the money.
k) 'Right. I'll take the brown pair.'
Andrew..............................to take the brown pair.