Reported Speech: Questions MCQs Quiz | Class 10

This quiz covers Class X English Language and Literature (Code 184), Unit Section B: Grammar, focusing on Reported Speech: Questions. Test your understanding of indirect questions, correct word order, and punctuation changes. Submit your answers and download a detailed PDF of questions and solutions.

Understanding Reported Speech: Questions

Reported Speech, also known as Indirect Speech, is used to tell someone what another person said without using their exact words. When reporting questions, there are specific rules to follow regarding conjunctions, word order, tense changes, and punctuation. This section will guide you through these rules to master the art of reporting questions.

Key Rules for Reporting Questions

  1. Reporting Verbs:

    Instead of “said,” we use reporting verbs like asked, inquired, wondered, wanted to know, demanded, enquired.

    Direct: He said, “Do you like coffee?”

    Indirect: He asked if I liked coffee.

  2. Connectors:

    The type of question determines the connector used:

    • Yes/No Questions: Use ‘if’ or ‘whether’ to introduce the reported question.

      Direct: She said, “Are you busy?”

      Indirect: She asked if I was busy. / She asked whether I was busy.

    • Wh-Questions: Use the same wh-word (who, what, when, where, why, how) as the connector.

      Direct: He said, “Where is the station?”

      Indirect: He asked where the station was.

  3. Word Order (Crucial Change):

    In reported questions, the word order changes from interrogative (question form) to declarative (statement form).

    This means the subject comes before the verb, and auxiliary verbs like ‘do/does/did’ are usually dropped.

    Direct: “When did you arrive?”

    Indirect: She asked when I had arrived.

    Direct: “What is your name?”

    Indirect: He asked what my name was.

  4. Tense Changes (Backshift):

    Similar to reported statements, tenses usually shift back in time if the reporting verb is in the past tense (e.g., asked, inquired).

    Direct Speech Reported Speech
    Present Simple Past Simple
    Present Continuous Past Continuous
    Present Perfect Past Perfect
    Past Simple Past Perfect
    will would
    can could
    may might

    Direct: “Do you know him?”

    Indirect: She asked if I knew him.

  5. Pronoun and Possessive Adjective Changes:

    Pronouns (I, you, he, she, it, we, they) and possessive adjectives (my, your, his, her, its, our, their) change according to the context of the speaker and listener.

    Direct: He asked, “Can you help me?”

    Indirect: He asked if I could help him.

  6. Time and Place Expressions:

    Expressions of time and place also change to reflect the new context.

    Direct Speech Reported Speech
    now then
    today that day
    here there
    this that
    tomorrow the next day / the following day
    yesterday the day before / the previous day

    Direct: She asked, “Are you going today?”

    Indirect: She asked if I was going that day.

  7. Punctuation:

    Reported questions end with a full stop (period), not a question mark, because they are no longer direct questions.

    Direct: He asked, “What time is it?”

    Indirect: He asked what time it was.

Quick Revision Checklist

  • ✓ Use reporting verbs like asked, inquired, wondered.
  • ✓ Use ‘if’ or ‘whether’ for Yes/No questions.
  • ✓ Use the wh-word for Wh-questions.
  • ✓ Change word order to Subject + Verb (declarative form).
  • ✓ Backshift tenses (e.g., Present Simple to Past Simple).
  • ✓ Adjust pronouns and time/place expressions.
  • ✓ End with a full stop, not a question mark.

Extra Practice Questions

1. “Are you hungry?” she asked.

Answer: She asked if I was hungry.

2. “How much does it cost?” he wanted to know.

Answer: He wanted to know how much it cost.

3. “Did you finish your work?” the teacher inquired.

Answer: The teacher inquired if I had finished my work.

4. “Where are you going tomorrow?” my friend asked me.

Answer: My friend asked me where I was going the next day.

5. “Can you swim?” she asked the child.

Answer: She asked the child if he could swim.