Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for Class 10 English: Direct Indirect Speech
Access targeted multiple-choice questions for Direct Indirect Speech designed to align with the latest CBSE academic syllabus for Class 10 English. These objective practice sets help students evaluate their conceptual understanding and improve exam readiness.
Practice Direct Indirect Speech MCQs for Class 10 English
Access the complete set of multiple-choice questions for Direct Indirect Speech below. This focused format allows students to isolate specific topics for thorough review and uninterrupted practice alongside official CBSE textbooks.
Multiple Choice Questions
The boss asked Mary why she hadn't sent the report on new products to the marketing department yet. Mary apologised and said that she was just going to send it. The boss then said that Mary was supposed to have sent the report the previous day. To this Mary replied that that was true but she was waiting for more information from the production department. The boss then asked Mary if she had received all the information that she needed. Mary replied saying that she had all the information she needed.
Boss: Mary, why (a) ______ to the marketing department yet?
Mary: I am sorry, Sir. I am just going to send it.
Boss: But you were supposed to have sent it yesterday itself.
Mary: Yes, I was, but (b) ______ from the production department.
Boss: (c) ______ you need?
Mary: Yes, I have.
Choose the correct option for blank (a).
(a) haven't you send that report on new products
(b) had you send those report on new products
(c) haven't you sent that report on new products
(d) has she sent a report of new products
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) haven't you sent that report on new products
Explanation:
1. Reported 'hadn't sent' (past perfect) goes back to present perfect 'haven't sent' in direct speech.
2. The boss speaks to Mary, so 'you'; present perfect needs the past participle 'sent'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Reverse the backshift: past perfect in reported speech often comes from present perfect.
2. have/has + V3, never have + V1.
When A wished and asked B if he could please speak with Mayur, B apologised saying that Mayur was not there at that moment. Then A asked B where Mayur had gone, to which B replied that Mayur had gone to the library. A continued the conversation and asked B when Mayur was likely to be back. To this B said that Mayur was likely to be back in two hours. Then A requested B to ask Mayur to return A's call on returning. B asked A for his phone number. A gave his number to B. B took the number and said that he would ask Mayur to give A a call when he returned and A thanked B for the same.
A: Hello, (a) ______ with Mayur, please?
B: Sorry, he is not here at the moment.
A: Where (b) ______?
B: He has gone to the library.
A: (c) ______ to be back?
B: He is likely to be back in two hours.
Choose the correct option for blank (a).
(a) could you speak
(b) can I speak
(c) will I speak
(d) would I speak
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) can I speak
Explanation:
1. Reported 'if he could speak' comes from 'can I speak' in direct speech (could is the backshift of can).
2. A is asking permission for himself, so 'I'.
Teacher's Note:
1. can becomes could, will becomes would in reported speech.
2. 'Can I...?' is used to ask permission.
Shyam greeted Rahul and asked how he was. Rahul thanked Shyam, said he was fine, and asked how Shyam was. Shyam thanked Rahul for asking after him, said he was fine, and then asked Rahul the time. Rahul told Shyam that it was only half past eight and also asked Shyam if he had finished the assignment. Shyam replied saying that he had not finished the assignment. He asked if Rahul would wait for him and said that he would be ready in about ten minutes. Rahul replied saying he would surely wait, with pleasure.
Shyam: Hi Rahul. How are you?
Rahul: I'm good. Thank you. And you?
Shyam: Fine, thanks. What time is it?
Rahul: It is only half past eight. By the way, (a) ______?
Shyam: No, (b) ______. Will you wait for me? I will be ready in about ten minutes.
Rahul: Sure, (c) ______ for you.
Choose the correct option for blank (a).
(a) has you finish the assignment
(b) have you finishing the assignment
(c) have you finished the assignment
(d) had you finish the assignment
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) have you finished the assignment
Explanation:
1. Reported 'if he had finished' comes from the present perfect 'have you finished'.
2. 'You' takes 'have', followed by the past participle 'finished'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Yes/no questions reported with 'if/whether' begin with an auxiliary in direct speech.
2. Check subject-auxiliary agreement: you have, he has.
Annie is at her friend Karan's party. Rohan comes to introduce himself. He greets Annie, gives his name, and says that he is a friend of Karan. Annie says that it is nice to meet him and that Karan had told her about him. Rohan asks Annie if she works with Karan and what she does. Annie replies saying that she is a nurse and asks what Rohan does. Rohan replies saying that he works at a bank. Annie says that that is interesting.
Rohan: Hi, I am Rohan. I'm a friend of Karan.
Annie: Oh, nice to meet you. Karan (a) ______ about you.
Rohan: (b) ______, don't you? What do you do?
Annie: I'm a nurse. What do you do?
Rohan: I work at a bank.
Annie: That (c) ______.
Choose the correct option for blank (a).
(a) have told me a lot
(b) was told me a lot
(c) were told me a lot
(d) has told me a lot
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) has told me a lot
Explanation:
1. Reported 'Karan had told her' comes from the present perfect 'Karan has told me'.
2. 'Karan' is singular, so 'has'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Singular subject + has + past participle.
2. 'Was told me' mixes passive and active forms incorrectly.
Tina asked Ram whether he had heard what the professor had said the previous day. Ram replied saying that he had missed that. Tina informed Ram that the professor had allotted the groups for the projects and given the topics to the groups. Ram asked if he and Tina were in the same group. Tina replied that that was right. Ram suggested that then the group should meet to divide the work on the project.
Tina: (a) ______ what the professor said yesterday?
Ram: No, I missed that.
Tina: He (b) ______ for the projects and gave topics to the groups.
Ram: Are we in the same group?
Tina: Yes, that is right.
Ram: Then the group (c) ______ on the project.
Choose the correct option for blank (a).
(a) Didn't you hear
(b) Don't you heard
(c) Do you heard
(d) Don't your hear
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) Didn't you hear
Explanation:
1. 'The previous day' becomes 'yesterday', so the question is in the simple past.
2. Simple past question: did/didn't + base verb: 'Didn't you hear'.
Teacher's Note:
1. do/does/did are always followed by the base form.
2. Time words change back: the previous day becomes yesterday.
Rhea told Rhonda that she just couldn't believe that they were going to Colorado. Rhonda said that it was a great place to go to in summer. Rhea said that the trip was going to be fantastic. Rhonda said that they could go mountain biking there. To this Rhea asked if it would be safe. Rhonda replied saying that there would be other interesting activities to do too.
Rhea: I just (a) ______ to Colorado.
Rhonda: (b) ______ to go in the summer.
Rhea: This trip is going to be fantastic.
Rhonda: We could go mountain biking there.
Rhea: (c) ______ safe?
Rhonda: There would be other interesting things to do too.
Choose the correct option for blank (a).
(a) could not believe we are gone
(b) should not believe we are going
(c) can't believe we are going
(d) can believe we have gone
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) can't believe we are going
Explanation:
1. Reported 'couldn't believe that they were going' comes from 'can't believe we are going'.
2. could becomes can, and were going becomes are going.
Teacher's Note:
1. Reverse backshift: could to can, past continuous to present continuous.
2. Pronouns change too: they becomes we.
Ashik: Hello Alam, how are you?
Alam: Not so good.
Ashik: Why? What is wrong?
Alam: Just a bit nervous. How are you getting on with your studies?
Ashik: My preparation is going as planned.
Alam: That is wonderful.
Ashik wished Alam and (a) ______. Alam replied that he was not so good. Ashik (b) ______. Alam said that (c) ______ and asked how Ashik's studies were getting along. Ashik said that his preparation was going as planned. Alam said that that was wonderful.
Choose the correct option for blank (a).
(a) asked how he were
(b) asked how he was
(c) asks how he was
(d) asking how he were
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) asked how he was
Explanation:
1. The paragraph is in the past ('wished'), so 'asked'.
2. 'How are you?' becomes 'how he was' (are becomes was; singular he).
Teacher's Note:
1. In reported questions the word order becomes a statement: how he was.
2. Keep the reporting verbs in the past throughout the paragraph.
Student: May I come in, sir?
Headmaster: Yes, come in.
Student: Good morning, sir.
Headmaster: Good morning. What do you want?
Student: Sir, I had to collect my transfer certificate.
Headmaster: It is with the head clerk.
The student asked the headmaster for permission to enter. The headmaster (a) ______ come in. The student then wished the headmaster a good morning. The headmaster wished the student a good morning and (b) ______. The student said that he had to collect his transfer certificate. The headmaster said that (c) ______.
Choose the correct option for blank (a).
(a) asks him to
(b) asked his to
(c) ask him to
(d) asked him to
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) asked him to
Explanation:
1. The command 'come in' is reported with 'asked/told + object + to-infinitive'.
2. Past reporting and the object pronoun 'him' give 'asked him to come in'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Commands and requests: asked/ordered/requested + object + to + verb.
2. Use the object pronoun (him), not the possessive (his).
Sujon: Hello Rajib, how are you?
Rajib: I am fine and what about you?
Sujon: I am fine too.
Rajib: What is your career plan?
Sujon: I want to be a doctor. What about you?
Rajib: I want to be an English teacher.
Sujon wished Rajib and asked how he was. Rajib said that (a) ______. Sujon replied saying that he was fine too. Rajib asked Sujon about his career plan. Sujon said that he wanted to be a doctor and, in turn, asked (b) ______. Rajib replied saying that (c) ______.
Choose the correct option for blank (a).
(a) he is fine and asks how Sujon is
(b) he was fine and asks how Sujon was
(c) he was fine and asked how Sujon was
(d) he were fine and asked how Sujon were
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) he was fine and asked how Sujon was
Explanation:
1. Both verbs follow the past reporting: 'am' becomes 'was', and the question is reported with 'asked'.
2. 'He was' and 'Sujon was' agree with singular subjects.
Teacher's Note:
1. All parts of a reported sentence shift to the past together.
2. Do not mix present 'asks' with past 'was'.
Nasrin: I want to improve my command over the English language.
Shila: For that you need to do a lot of reading in English.
Nasrin: I lose confidence when I have to speak in English and start fumbling.
Shila: You must practice speaking English with your friends.
Nasrin: Thank you for your suggestion.
Shila: Welcome.
Nasrin said she wanted to (a) ______ over the English language. Shila said that for that she needed to do a lot of reading in English. Nasrin said that she (b) ______. Shila suggested to Nasrin (c) ______ in English with her friends. Nasrin thanked Shila for her suggestion to which Shila said that she was welcome.
Choose the correct option for blank (a).
(a) improved her command
(b) improves her command
(c) improve her command
(d) improving her command
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) improve her command
Explanation:
1. After 'wanted to', the base form is used: 'to improve'.
2. 'My' changes to 'her'.
Teacher's Note:
1. The infinitive (to + base verb) never changes in reported speech.
2. Only the finite verb ('want' to 'wanted') is backshifted.
Shopkeeper: May I help you?
Customer: Yes.
Shopkeeper: What do you want to buy?
Customer: I want to buy a pair of sports shoes.
Shopkeeper: I have just the right pair for you. Try these please.
Customer: Oh, these shoes are so nice. I'll buy them.
The shopkeeper asked the customer if (a) ______. The customer replied in the affirmative. The shopkeeper then asked the customer what he wanted to buy. The customer said that he wanted a pair of sports shoes. The shopkeeper said that he had just the (b) ______ requested him to try them. The customer said that the shoes were very nice and that he (c) ______.
Choose the correct option for blank (a).
(a) he can help him
(b) he can helped him
(c) he could help him
(d) he could helps him
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) he could help him
Explanation:
1. 'May I help you?' is an offer, reported as 'asked if he could help him'.
2. After 'could', the base form 'help' is used.
Teacher's Note:
1. Modal + base verb: could help, never could helps.
2. Yes/no questions are reported with 'if' or 'whether'.
Anis: Hello Rakib, how are you?
Rakib: I am fine and you?
Anis: I am fine too.
Rakib: What were you reading about?
Anis: The importance of planting trees.
Rakib: Trees save us from floods and many other natural calamities.
Anis wished (a) ______. Rakib said that he was fine and asked Anis how he was. Anis said that he was fine too. Rakib wanted to know what (b) ______ about. Anis said that he was reading about (c) ______ trees. Rakib said that trees save us from floods and many other natural calamities.
Choose the correct option for blank (a).
(a) Rakib and asked how he was
(b) Rakib or asked how he is
(c) Rakib and ask how he is
(d) Rakib and asks how he were
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) Rakib and asked how he was
Explanation:
1. 'Wished' is past, so the second verb must be past too: 'asked'.
2. 'How are you?' becomes 'how he was'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Two reporting verbs joined by 'and' must both be in the past.
2. 'He were' is wrong in a reported statement.
Sunita : Tomorrow is your birthday, what do you want as a gift?
Neetu : That is a lovely thought but I don't want anything.
Sunita asked Neetu, since the next day was her birthday, (a) ______ . Neetu replied that (b) ______ but (c) ______ .
(a) what did she want as a gift
(b) what she wanted as a gift
(c) what she had wanted as a gift
(d) what she wants as a gift
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) what she wanted as a gift
Explanation:
1. 'Do you want' (simple present) becomes 'she wanted' (simple past).
2. The question word 'what' is kept and the word order becomes subject + verb.
Teacher's Note:
1. When the reporting verb is in the past, shift the tense one step back and change time words (today → that day, tomorrow → the next day).
2. Reported questions use statement word order: subject before verb, no question mark.
Sunita : Tomorrow is your birthday, what do you want as a gift?
Neetu : That is a lovely thought but I don't want anything.
Sunita asked Neetu, since the next day was her birthday, (a) ______ . Neetu replied that (b) ______ but (c) ______ .
(a) that was a lovely thought
(b) that had been a lovely thought
(c) that is a lovely thought
(d) that has been a lovely thought
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) that was a lovely thought
Explanation:
1. 'That is' (simple present) becomes 'that was'.
2. Simple present shifts only to simple past, not to a perfect tense.
Teacher's Note:
1. When the reporting verb is in the past, shift the tense one step back and change time words (today → that day, tomorrow → the next day).
2. Reported questions use statement word order: subject before verb, no question mark.
Sunita : Tomorrow is your birthday, what do you want as a gift?
Neetu : That is a lovely thought but I don't want anything.
Sunita asked Neetu, since the next day was her birthday, (a) ______ . Neetu replied that (b) ______ but (c) ______ .
(a) she will not want anything
(b) she did not want anything
(c) she does not want anything
(d) she had not wanted anything
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) she did not want anything
Explanation:
1. 'I don't want' becomes 'she did not want'.
2. The pronoun 'I' changes to 'she' (Neetu).
Teacher's Note:
1. When the reporting verb is in the past, shift the tense one step back and change time words (today → that day, tomorrow → the next day).
2. Reported questions use statement word order: subject before verb, no question mark.
Gardener : Did you water the plant today?
Dev : No, but I will, today.
Gardener : Then tomorrow I will get a sapling of sunflower.
The Gardener asked Dev (a) ______ . Dev replied negatively but (b) ______ . Then the gardener said that (c) ______ .
(a) if/whether he watered the plant that day
(b) if/whether he was watering the plant that day
(c) if/whether he has watered the plant that day
(d) if/whether he had watered the plant that day
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) if/whether he had watered the plant that day
Explanation:
1. A yes/no question is introduced by 'if/whether'.
2. 'Did you water' (simple past) becomes 'had watered'; 'today' becomes 'that day'.
Teacher's Note:
1. When the reporting verb is in the past, shift the tense one step back and change time words (today → that day, tomorrow → the next day).
2. Reported questions use statement word order: subject before verb, no question mark.
Gardener : Did you water the plant today?
Dev : No, but I will, today.
Gardener : Then tomorrow I will get a sapling of sunflower.
The Gardener asked Dev (a) ______ . Dev replied negatively but (b) ______ . Then the gardener said that (c) ______ .
(a) said he will that day
(b) said he would that day
(c) said he could that day
(d) said he shall that day
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) said he would that day
Explanation:
1. 'I will' becomes 'he would'.
2. 'Today' becomes 'that day'.
Teacher's Note:
1. When the reporting verb is in the past, shift the tense one step back and change time words (today → that day, tomorrow → the next day).
2. Reported questions use statement word order: subject before verb, no question mark.
Gardener : Did you water the plant today?
Dev : No, but I will, today.
Gardener : Then tomorrow I will get a sapling of sunflower.
The Gardener asked Dev (a) ______ . Dev replied negatively but (b) ______ . Then the gardener said that (c) ______ .
(a) he shall get a sapling of sunflower the next day
(b) he will get a sapling of sunflower the next day
(c) he would get a sapling of sunflower the next day
(d) he could get a sapling of sunflower the next day
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) he would get a sapling of sunflower the next day
Explanation:
1. 'I will get' becomes 'he would get'.
2. 'Tomorrow' becomes 'the next day'.
Teacher's Note:
1. When the reporting verb is in the past, shift the tense one step back and change time words (today → that day, tomorrow → the next day).
2. Reported questions use statement word order: subject before verb, no question mark.
Mr. Harish : Can you polish my shoes?
Cobbler : Yes sir. But I will take Rs. 10 for each shoe.
Mr. Harish : I will not mind as long as it is done.
Mr. Harish asked the cobbler (a) ______ . The cobbler replied affirmatively but (b) ______ . Mr. Harish said that (c) ______ .
(a) if/whether he could polish his shoes
(b) if/whether he shall polish his shoes
(c) if/whether he will polish his shoes
(d) if/whether he can polish his shoes
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) if/whether he could polish his shoes
Explanation:
1. A yes/no question takes 'if/whether'.
2. 'Can' changes to 'could' in reported speech.
Teacher's Note:
1. When the reporting verb is in the past, shift the tense one step back and change time words (today → that day, tomorrow → the next day).
2. Reported questions use statement word order: subject before verb, no question mark.
Mr. Harish : Can you polish my shoes?
Cobbler : Yes sir. But I will take Rs. 10 for each shoe.
Mr. Harish : I will not mind as long as it is done.
Mr. Harish asked the cobbler (a) ______ . The cobbler replied affirmatively but (b) ______ . Mr. Harish said that (c) ______ .
(a) said that he will take Rs. 10 for each shoe
(b) said if he would take Rs. 10 for each shoe
(c) said that he takes Rs. 10 for each shoe
(d) said that he would take Rs. 10 for each shoe
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) said that he would take Rs. 10 for each shoe
Explanation:
1. A statement is joined with 'that'.
2. 'I will take' becomes 'he would take'.
Teacher's Note:
1. When the reporting verb is in the past, shift the tense one step back and change time words (today → that day, tomorrow → the next day).
2. Reported questions use statement word order: subject before verb, no question mark.
Mr. Harish : Can you polish my shoes?
Cobbler : Yes sir. But I will take Rs. 10 for each shoe.
Mr. Harish : I will not mind as long as it is done.
Mr. Harish asked the cobbler (a) ______ . The cobbler replied affirmatively but (b) ______ . Mr. Harish said that (c) ______ .
(a) he will not mind as long as it was done
(b) he would not mind as long as it was done
(c) he did not mind as long as it was done
(d) he does not mind as long as it was done
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) he would not mind as long as it was done
Explanation:
1. 'I will not mind' becomes 'he would not mind'.
2. 'It is done' becomes 'it was done'.
Teacher's Note:
1. When the reporting verb is in the past, shift the tense one step back and change time words (today → that day, tomorrow → the next day).
2. Reported questions use statement word order: subject before verb, no question mark.
Renu : Can I help you? I have plenty of spare time.
Ajay : Sure you can. I have a problem in solving this sum which is very difficult.
Renu : See, there are two ways to solve it. One is easy and the other is difficult.
Renu asked Ajay (a) ______ . Ajay replied affirmatively and said she could surely as (b) ______ . Renu replied that (c) ______ .
(a) if she could help him as she had plenty of spare time
(b) when she could help him as she had plenty of spare time
(c) that she could help him as she had plenty of spare time
(d) can she help him as she had plenty of spare time
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) if she could help him as she had plenty of spare time
Explanation:
1. 'Can I help you?' is a yes/no question, so it is joined with 'if'.
2. 'Can' becomes 'could' and 'have' becomes 'had'.
Teacher's Note:
1. In reported speech after a past reporting verb, move every tense one step back and change pronouns to fit the speaker.
2. Reported questions use 'if/whether' or the wh-word, followed by normal statement order.
Renu : Can I help you? I have plenty of spare time.
Ajay : Sure you can. I have a problem in solving this sum which is very difficult.
Renu : See, there are two ways to solve it. One is easy and the other is difficult.
Renu asked Ajay (a) ______ . Ajay replied affirmatively and said she could surely as (b) ______ . Renu replied that (c) ______ .
(a) he had a problem in solving that sum which was very difficult
(b) he will have a problem in solving that sum which is very difficult
(c) he has a problem in solving that sum which was very difficult
(d) I have a problem in solving this sum which is very difficult
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) he had a problem in solving that sum which was very difficult
Explanation:
1. 'I have' becomes 'he had'; 'is' becomes 'was'.
2. 'This' changes to 'that'.
Teacher's Note:
1. In reported speech after a past reporting verb, move every tense one step back and change pronouns to fit the speaker.
2. Reported questions use 'if/whether' or the wh-word, followed by normal statement order.
Renu : Can I help you? I have plenty of spare time.
Ajay : Sure you can. I have a problem in solving this sum which is very difficult.
Renu : See, there are two ways to solve it. One is easy and the other is difficult.
Renu asked Ajay (a) ______ . Ajay replied affirmatively and said she could surely as (b) ______ . Renu replied that (c) ______ .
(a) there were two ways to solve it, one was easy and the other was difficult
(b) there are two ways to solve it, one was easy and the other was difficult
(c) there are two ways to solve it, one is easy and the other is difficult
(d) there have been two ways to solve it, one has been easy and the other has been difficult
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) there were two ways to solve it, one was easy and the other was difficult
Explanation:
1. Each present verb ('are', 'is') shifts to the past ('were', 'was').
2. All verbs must shift together, not just some.
Teacher's Note:
1. In reported speech after a past reporting verb, move every tense one step back and change pronouns to fit the speaker.
2. Reported questions use 'if/whether' or the wh-word, followed by normal statement order.
Teacher : Have you done your homework today?
Student : No ma'am, I had to go out with my parents.
Teacher : I cannot forgive you, this time you have to call your parents.
The teacher asked the student (a) ______ . The student replied (b) ______ . Then the teacher angrily said (c) ______ .
(a) that he/she had done his/her homework that day
(b) if he/she is doing his/her homework that day
(c) if he/she has done his/her homework that day
(d) if he/she had done his/her homework that day
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) if he/she had done his/her homework that day
Explanation:
1. A yes/no question takes 'if'.
2. Present perfect 'have done' becomes past perfect 'had done'; 'today' becomes 'that day'.
Teacher's Note:
1. In reported speech after a past reporting verb, move every tense one step back and change pronouns to fit the speaker.
2. Reported questions use 'if/whether' or the wh-word, followed by normal statement order.
Teacher : Have you done your homework today?
Student : No ma'am, I had to go out with my parents.
Teacher : I cannot forgive you, this time you have to call your parents.
The teacher asked the student (a) ______ . The student replied (b) ______ . Then the teacher angrily said (c) ______ .
(a) saying that he/she has to go out with his/her parents
(b) said that he/she had to go out with his/her parents
(c) negatively saying that he/she had to go out with his/her parents
(d) negatively said that he/she has to go out with his/her parents
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) negatively saying that he/she had to go out with his/her parents
Explanation:
1. 'No' is reported as 'negatively'.
2. 'Had to' already is past and stays the same; 'replied ... saying' is the correct structure.
Teacher's Note:
1. In reported speech after a past reporting verb, move every tense one step back and change pronouns to fit the speaker.
2. Reported questions use 'if/whether' or the wh-word, followed by normal statement order.
Teacher : Have you done your homework today?
Student : No ma'am, I had to go out with my parents.
Teacher : I cannot forgive you, this time you have to call your parents.
The teacher asked the student (a) ______ . The student replied (b) ______ . Then the teacher angrily said (c) ______ .
(a) that she can not forgive him/her that time. He/She will call his/her parents
(b) that she could not forgive him/her that time. He/She had to call his/her parents
(c) that she has not forgiven him/her that time. He/She can call his/her parents
(d) that she will not forgive him/her that time. He/She had to call his/her parents
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) that she could not forgive him/her that time. He/She had to call his/her parents
Explanation:
1. 'Cannot' becomes 'could not'; 'have to' becomes 'had to'.
2. 'This time' becomes 'that time'.
Teacher's Note:
1. In reported speech after a past reporting verb, move every tense one step back and change pronouns to fit the speaker.
2. Reported questions use 'if/whether' or the wh-word, followed by normal statement order.
Dr Anil : How are you feeling after you have taken this medicine?
Anita : I am feeling much better except a little weakness.
Dr Anil : You can continue taking these medicines. But I will add another one also.
Dr Anil asked Anita (a) ______ . To this Anita replied (b) ______ . Then Dr Anil said that (c) ______ .
(a) that how does she feeling after she has taken that medicine
(b) how she is feeling after she has taken that medicine
(c) that how is she feeling after she had taken that medicine
(d) how she was feeling after she had taken that medicine
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) how she was feeling after she had taken that medicine
Explanation:
1. A wh-question keeps 'how' and needs no 'that'.
2. 'Are feeling' becomes 'was feeling'; 'have taken' becomes 'had taken'.
Teacher's Note:
1. In reported speech after a past reporting verb, move every tense one step back and change pronouns to fit the speaker.
2. Reported questions use 'if/whether' or the wh-word, followed by normal statement order.
Dr Anil : How are you feeling after you have taken this medicine?
Anita : I am feeling much better except a little weakness.
Dr Anil : You can continue taking these medicines. But I will add another one also.
Dr Anil asked Anita (a) ______ . To this Anita replied (b) ______ . Then Dr Anil said that (c) ______ .
(a) that she was feeling much better except for that she was feeling weak
(b) that she is feeling much better except for that she is feeling weak
(c) that she was feeling much better except for that she is feeling weak
(d) if she was feeling much better except for that she was feeling weak
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) that she was feeling much better except for that she was feeling weak
Explanation:
1. A statement is joined with 'that'.
2. Both present continuous verbs shift to past continuous.
Teacher's Note:
1. In reported speech after a past reporting verb, move every tense one step back and change pronouns to fit the speaker.
2. Reported questions use 'if/whether' or the wh-word, followed by normal statement order.
Dr Anil : How are you feeling after you have taken this medicine?
Anita : I am feeling much better except a little weakness.
Dr Anil : You can continue taking these medicines. But I will add another one also.
Dr Anil asked Anita (a) ______ . To this Anita replied (b) ______ . Then Dr Anil said that (c) ______ .
(a) she can continue taking those medicines but he would add another one also
(b) she may continue taking those medicines but he would add another one also
(c) she could continue taking those medicines but he would add another one also
(d) she might continue taking those medicines but he would add another one also
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) she could continue taking those medicines but he would add another one also
Explanation:
1. 'Can' becomes 'could'.
2. 'These' becomes 'those'.
Teacher's Note:
1. In reported speech after a past reporting verb, move every tense one step back and change pronouns to fit the speaker.
2. Reported questions use 'if/whether' or the wh-word, followed by normal statement order.
Venu : How is your backache?
Anita : It is worsening day by day, which is a matter of great concern.
Venu : Oh! In this case you may go to Dr Anil.
Venu asked Anita (a) ______ . To this Anita replied that (b) ______ . Venu exclaimed that (c) ______ .
(a) how her backache is
(b) how her backache had been
(c) how her backache has been
(d) how her backache was
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) how her backache was
Explanation:
1. Keep the question word 'how' with statement order.
2. 'Is' becomes 'was'.
Teacher's Note:
1. In reported speech after a past reporting verb, move every tense one step back and change pronouns to fit the speaker.
2. Reported questions use 'if/whether' or the wh-word, followed by normal statement order.
Venu : How is your backache?
Anita : It is worsening day by day, which is a matter of great concern.
Venu : Oh! In this case you may go to Dr Anil.
Venu asked Anita (a) ______ . To this Anita replied that (b) ______ . Venu exclaimed that (c) ______ .
(a) it is worsening day by day, which is a matter of great concern
(b) it would worsen day by day, which was a matter of great concern
(c) it was worsened day by day, which had been a matter of great concern
(d) it was worsening day by day, which was a matter of great concern
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) it was worsening day by day, which was a matter of great concern
Explanation:
1. 'Is worsening' becomes 'was worsening'.
2. 'Is a matter' becomes 'was a matter'.
Teacher's Note:
1. In reported speech after a past reporting verb, move every tense one step back and change pronouns to fit the speaker.
2. Reported questions use 'if/whether' or the wh-word, followed by normal statement order.
Venu : How is your backache?
Anita : It is worsening day by day, which is a matter of great concern.
Venu : Oh! In this case you may go to Dr Anil.
Venu asked Anita (a) ______ . To this Anita replied that (b) ______ . Venu exclaimed that (c) ______ .
(a) in that case she can go to Dr Anil
(b) in that case she might go to Dr Anil
(c) in that case she has to go to Dr Anil
(d) in that case she may go to Dr Anil
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) in that case she might go to Dr Anil
Explanation:
1. 'May' becomes 'might'.
2. 'This case' becomes 'that case'.
Teacher's Note:
1. In reported speech after a past reporting verb, move every tense one step back and change pronouns to fit the speaker.
2. Reported questions use 'if/whether' or the wh-word, followed by normal statement order.
Rahul : Hi, how are you?
Rohan : I am fine.
Rahul : You look worried. Is there any problem? You can share it with me.
Rohan : Actually, I am worried about my exams. There is only one week left for it.
Rahul : Oh! Just focus on your studies and you won't face any problem.
Rohan : That's the problem. I cannot concentrate.
Rahul : These all happened to me too and hence I started meditating. It had a radical effect on my concentration.
Rohan : Thank you so much for your advice. I will surely follow it.
Rahul asked Rohan (a) ______ . Rohan replied (b) ______ . Rahul asked Rohan (c) ______ . He replied (d) ______ . Rahul told him to just focus on his studies. But he had a problem that (e) ______ . Rahul advised him (f) ______ . Rohan promised him that he would surely do that.
(a) Is he fine?
(b) how was he?
(c) how he was
(d) how is he
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) how he was
Explanation:
1. Keep 'how' and use statement order: subject before verb.
2. 'Are' becomes 'was'.
Teacher's Note:
1. In reported speech after a past reporting verb, move every tense one step back and change pronouns to fit the speaker.
2. Reported questions use 'if/whether' or the wh-word, followed by normal statement order.
Rahul : Hi, how are you?
Rohan : I am fine.
Rahul : You look worried. Is there any problem? You can share it with me.
Rohan : Actually, I am worried about my exams. There is only one week left for it.
Rahul : Oh! Just focus on your studies and you won't face any problem.
Rohan : That's the problem. I cannot concentrate.
Rahul : These all happened to me too and hence I started meditating. It had a radical effect on my concentration.
Rohan : Thank you so much for your advice. I will surely follow it.
Rahul asked Rohan (a) ______ . Rohan replied (b) ______ . Rahul asked Rohan (c) ______ . He replied (d) ______ . Rahul told him to just focus on his studies. But he had a problem that (e) ______ . Rahul advised him (f) ______ . Rohan promised him that he would surely do that.
(a) that he was good
(b) that all is good
(c) that he was fine
(d) that he was well
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) that he was fine
Explanation:
1. Rohan said 'I am fine'.
2. 'Am fine' becomes 'was fine' with the same adjective.
Teacher's Note:
1. In reported speech after a past reporting verb, move every tense one step back and change pronouns to fit the speaker.
2. Reported questions use 'if/whether' or the wh-word, followed by normal statement order.
Rahul : Hi, how are you?
Rohan : I am fine.
Rahul : You look worried. Is there any problem? You can share it with me.
Rohan : Actually, I am worried about my exams. There is only one week left for it.
Rahul : Oh! Just focus on your studies and you won't face any problem.
Rohan : That's the problem. I cannot concentrate.
Rahul : These all happened to me too and hence I started meditating. It had a radical effect on my concentration.
Rohan : Thank you so much for your advice. I will surely follow it.
Rahul asked Rohan (a) ______ . Rohan replied (b) ______ . Rahul asked Rohan (c) ______ . He replied (d) ______ . Rahul told him to just focus on his studies. But he had a problem that (e) ______ . Rahul advised him (f) ______ . Rohan promised him that he would surely do that.
(a) was he having any problem
(b) if there was any problem
(c) is he is facing problem
(d) is there any problem
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) if there was any problem
Explanation:
1. A yes/no question takes 'if'.
2. 'Is there' becomes 'there was' (statement order).
Teacher's Note:
1. In reported speech after a past reporting verb, move every tense one step back and change pronouns to fit the speaker.
2. Reported questions use 'if/whether' or the wh-word, followed by normal statement order.
Rahul : Hi, how are you?
Rohan : I am fine.
Rahul : You look worried. Is there any problem? You can share it with me.
Rohan : Actually, I am worried about my exams. There is only one week left for it.
Rahul : Oh! Just focus on your studies and you won't face any problem.
Rohan : That's the problem. I cannot concentrate.
Rahul : These all happened to me too and hence I started meditating. It had a radical effect on my concentration.
Rohan : Thank you so much for your advice. I will surely follow it.
Rahul asked Rohan (a) ______ . Rohan replied (b) ______ . Rahul asked Rohan (c) ______ . He replied (d) ______ . Rahul told him to just focus on his studies. But he had a problem that (e) ______ . Rahul advised him (f) ______ . Rohan promised him that he would surely do that.
(a) that he was worried about his exams
(b) that he is thinking about exam
(c) that he was thinking about exam
(d) that he is worried about exam
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) that he was worried about his exams
Explanation:
1. Rohan said he was worried, not merely thinking.
2. 'Am worried' becomes 'was worried'.
Teacher's Note:
1. In reported speech after a past reporting verb, move every tense one step back and change pronouns to fit the speaker.
2. Reported questions use 'if/whether' or the wh-word, followed by normal statement order.
Rahul : Hi, how are you?
Rohan : I am fine.
Rahul : You look worried. Is there any problem? You can share it with me.
Rohan : Actually, I am worried about my exams. There is only one week left for it.
Rahul : Oh! Just focus on your studies and you won't face any problem.
Rohan : That's the problem. I cannot concentrate.
Rahul : These all happened to me too and hence I started meditating. It had a radical effect on my concentration.
Rohan : Thank you so much for your advice. I will surely follow it.
Rahul asked Rohan (a) ______ . Rohan replied (b) ______ . Rahul asked Rohan (c) ______ . He replied (d) ______ . Rahul told him to just focus on his studies. But he had a problem that (e) ______ . Rahul advised him (f) ______ . Rohan promised him that he would surely do that.
(a) he has less concentrate power
(b) his mind always gets confused
(c) he could not concentrate
(d) he needs meditation classes
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) he could not concentrate
Explanation:
1. Rohan said 'I cannot concentrate'.
2. 'Cannot' becomes 'could not' in the past narrative.
Teacher's Note:
1. In reported speech after a past reporting verb, move every tense one step back and change pronouns to fit the speaker.
2. Reported questions use 'if/whether' or the wh-word, followed by normal statement order.
Rahul : Hi, how are you?
Rohan : I am fine.
Rahul : You look worried. Is there any problem? You can share it with me.
Rohan : Actually, I am worried about my exams. There is only one week left for it.
Rahul : Oh! Just focus on your studies and you won't face any problem.
Rohan : That's the problem. I cannot concentrate.
Rahul : These all happened to me too and hence I started meditating. It had a radical effect on my concentration.
Rohan : Thank you so much for your advice. I will surely follow it.
Rahul asked Rohan (a) ______ . Rohan replied (b) ______ . Rahul asked Rohan (c) ______ . He replied (d) ______ . Rahul told him to just focus on his studies. But he had a problem that (e) ______ . Rahul advised him (f) ______ . Rohan promised him that he would surely do that.
(a) to concentrate more on studies
(b) to start meditating to increase his concentration
(c) to focus on studies
(d) not to worry about his studies
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) to start meditating to increase his concentration
Explanation:
1. Rahul's advice was about meditation, which helped him.
2. Advice is reported as 'advised him to + verb'.
Teacher's Note:
1. In reported speech after a past reporting verb, move every tense one step back and change pronouns to fit the speaker.
2. Reported questions use 'if/whether' or the wh-word, followed by normal statement order.
Shilpa : Ruchi, can I borrow your Environmental Studies textbook?
Ruchi : Sure, Shilpa you can. But when will you return it?
Shilpa : I will return it to you after two days from today.
Ruchi : Please do as I have to prepare for the exam.
Shilpa : Sure!
Ruchi : Thank you.
Shilpa asked Ruchi (a) ______ . She assured her but asked (b) ______ . She said that she would return it to her after two days from that day. Ruchi requested her to return the book because (c) ______ .
(a) if she could borrow her textbook
(b) that can see take her textbook
(c) to give her book
(d) to borrow her textbook
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) if she could borrow her textbook
Explanation:
1. 'Can I borrow...?' is a yes/no question, so 'if'.
2. 'Can' becomes 'could'.
Teacher's Note:
1. In reported speech after a past reporting verb, move every tense one step back and change pronouns to fit the speaker.
2. Reported questions use 'if/whether' or the wh-word, followed by normal statement order.
Free study material for English
Practice MCQs for Class 10 English Direct Indirect Speech
Class 10 English Direct Indirect Speech Objective Test Questions
Test your conceptual understanding of Direct Indirect Speech with these targeted multiple-choice questions. Designed in alignment with the latest CBSE curriculum for Class 10 English, these problem sets build accuracy and prepare students for objective exams.
NCERT-Aligned Objective Questions and Solutions
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FAQs
You can get most exhaustive CBSE Class 10 English Direct Indirect Speech MCQs Set 01 for free on StudiesToday.com. These MCQs for Class 10 English are updated for the 2026-27 academic session as per CBSE examination standards.
Yes, our CBSE Class 10 English Direct Indirect Speech MCQs Set 01 include the latest type of questions, such as Assertion-Reasoning and Case-based MCQs. 50% of the CBSE paper is now competency-based.
By solving our CBSE Class 10 English Direct Indirect Speech MCQs Set 01, Class 10 students can improve their accuracy and speed which is important as objective questions provide a chance to secure 100% marks in the English.
Yes, English MCQs for Class 10 have answer key and brief explanations to help students understand logic behind the correct option as its important for 2026 competency-focused CBSE exams.
Yes, you can also access online interactive tests for CBSE Class 10 English Direct Indirect Speech MCQs Set 01 on StudiesToday.com as they provide instant answers and score to help you track your progress in English.