UP Board Solutions Class 12 English Translation Chapter 5 Narration

Exercise 1

Question 1. The policemen said that the thief was running.
Answer: The provided text is already in reported speech. Assuming the task is to present it, the reported speech remains: The policemen said that the thief was running.
In simple words: This sentence is already in indirect speech, stating what the policemen reported about the thief.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify if the sentence is already in direct or indirect speech. If it's already indirect, simply state it as such, or convert it from direct if applicable.

Question 2. Kamal says that he obeys his parents.
Answer: The provided text is already in reported speech. Assuming the task is to present it, the reported speech remains: Kamal says that he obeys his parents.
In simple words: This sentence is already in indirect speech, conveying Kamal's regular statement.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that if the reporting verb (like 'says') is in the present tense, the tense of the reported speech usually does not change.

Question 3. The teacher said to me, “This year you will stand first.”
Answer: The teacher told me that I would stand first that year.
In simple words: The teacher predicted I would be first in the current year.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to changes in pronouns ('you' to 'I') and time expressions ('this year' to 'that year') when converting from direct to indirect speech.

Question 4. The servant asked me if I would give him his salary.
Answer: The provided text is already in reported speech. Assuming the task is to present it, the reported speech remains: The servant asked me if I would give him his salary.
In simple words: This sentence already reports the servant's question about receiving his salary.

🎯 Exam Tip: In reported questions, 'if' or 'whether' is used for yes/no questions, and the sentence structure becomes assertive, not interrogative.

Question 5. The doctor said that you would surely recover.
Answer: The provided text is already in reported speech. Assuming the task is to present it, the reported speech remains: The doctor said that you would surely recover.
In simple words: This sentence already conveys the doctor's assurance of recovery.

🎯 Exam Tip: When converting direct speech with 'will' to indirect, 'will' typically changes to 'would'.

Question 6. The passenger asked where that train was going.
Answer: The provided text is already in reported speech. Assuming the task is to present it, the reported speech remains: The passenger asked where that train was going.
In simple words: This sentence reports the passenger's inquiry about the train's destination.

🎯 Exam Tip: For 'wh-questions' in indirect speech, the 'wh-word' is retained, and the sentence follows a subject-verb order (assertive form).

Question 7. The captain said happily. “You are a good player.”
Answer: The captain said happily that I was a good player.
In simple words: The captain happily stated that I played well.

🎯 Exam Tip: Adverbs indicating the manner of speaking (like 'happily') can be retained or incorporated into the reporting verb phrase. Also, adjust pronouns based on context.

Question 8. The principal ordered the peon to go and call Mr. Gupta.
Answer: The provided text is already in reported speech. Assuming the task is to present it, the reported speech remains: The principal ordered the peon to go and call Mr. Gupta.
In simple words: This sentence already reports the principal's command to the peon.

🎯 Exam Tip: Imperative sentences in indirect speech are often introduced with verbs like 'ordered', 'asked', 'requested', followed by an infinitive (to + verb).

Question 9. The teacher taught us that the earth is round.
Answer: The provided text is already in reported speech. Assuming the task is to present it, the reported speech remains: The teacher taught us that the earth is round.
In simple words: This sentence reports a universal truth taught by the teacher.

🎯 Exam Tip: Universal truths or scientific facts do not change their tense even if the reporting verb is in the past tense.

Question 10. We said that the earth revolves round the sun.'
Answer: The provided text is already in reported speech. Assuming the task is to present it, the reported speech remains: We said that the earth revolves round the sun.'
In simple words: This sentence states our confirmation of the earth's revolution around the sun.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be careful with punctuation; ensure reported speech reflects the original meaning and grammar without altering universal facts.

Question 11. The boys requested to let them play a match.
Answer: The provided text is already in reported speech. Assuming the task is to present it, the reported speech remains: The boys requested to let them play a match.
In simple words: This sentence reports the boys' request to be allowed to play.

🎯 Exam Tip: 'Requested' is a common reporting verb for polite commands or wishes, often followed by an infinitive construction.

Question 12. The gardener said, “Let me water the plants.”
Answer: The gardener wished to water the plants.
In simple words: The gardener expressed a desire to water the plants.

🎯 Exam Tip: Sentences starting with 'Let' can be converted using 'wished', 'suggested', 'proposed', or 'requested' depending on the context, often with 'to' or 'that'.

Question 13. Mohan asked Shyam when had he gone to Delhi
Answer: The provided text is already in reported speech, though with an inversion. Correcting the inversion: Mohan asked Shyam when he had gone to Delhi.
In simple words: Mohan inquired from Shyam about his trip to Delhi.

🎯 Exam Tip: In reported questions, the subject comes before the verb, removing the interrogative inversion found in direct questions.

Question 14. The beggar was saying that he was very thirsty.
Answer: The provided text is already in reported speech. Assuming the task is to present it, the reported speech remains: The beggar was saying that he was very thirsty.
In simple words: This sentence reports the beggar's ongoing statement about his thirst.

🎯 Exam Tip: The past continuous tense in direct speech (e.g., "I am feeling thirsty") typically changes to past perfect continuous or remains past continuous if contextually appropriate when reported.

Question 15. Mahatmaji blessed that God might grant him a long life.
Answer: The provided text is already in reported speech. Assuming the task is to present it, the reported speech remains: Mahatmaji blessed that God might grant him a long life.
In simple words: This sentence reports Mahatmaji's blessing for someone to have a long life.

🎯 Exam Tip: Optative sentences (wishes, blessings) are often reported using verbs like 'blessed', 'wished', 'prayed', followed by 'that' and a clause with 'might'.

Question 16. Mahavir Swami preached not to kill animals.
Answer: The provided text is already in reported speech. Assuming the task is to present it, the reported speech remains: Mahavir Swami preached not to kill animals.
In simple words: This sentence states Mahavir Swami's teaching against harming animals.

🎯 Exam Tip: Prohibitions or preachings are often reported using verbs like 'preached', 'forbade', 'advised', followed by 'not to' and an infinitive.

Question 17. The poet said how pleasant that day was.
Answer: The provided text is already in reported speech. Assuming the task is to present it, the reported speech remains: The poet said how pleasant that day was.
In simple words: This sentence reports the poet's expression of the day's pleasantness.

🎯 Exam Tip: Exclamatory sentences are reported using verbs like 'exclaimed', 'wondered', 'said with surprise', followed by 'how' or 'what' and an assertive clause.

Question 18. The teacher said that only ten students were present in the class the previous day.
Answer: The provided text is already in reported speech. Assuming the task is to present it, the reported speech remains: The teacher said that only ten students were present in the class the previous day.
In simple words: This sentence reports the teacher's statement about student attendance on the day before.

🎯 Exam Tip: Time expressions like 'yesterday' change to 'the previous day' or 'the day before' in indirect speech.

Question 19. The teacher asked me why do you not stand on the bench.
Answer: The teacher asked me why I did not stand on the bench.
In simple words: The teacher questioned my reason for not standing on the bench.

🎯 Exam Tip: In reported questions, the auxiliary 'do/does' is removed, and the verb tense is shifted (e.g., 'do not stand' becomes 'did not stand').

Question 20. He said that he was lame.
Answer: The provided text is already in reported speech. Assuming the task is to present it, the reported speech remains: He said that he was lame.
In simple words: This sentence reports his statement about being lame.

🎯 Exam Tip: When the direct speech is in simple present tense ("I am lame"), it typically changes to simple past tense ("he was lame") in indirect speech if the reporting verb is in the past.