Practice Flashcards
Flip to reveal answers"I am tired," he said. → reported?
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All 14 Flashcards — Reported speech
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Question
"I am tired," he said. → reported?
Answer
He said (that) he was tired. (am → was, I → he)
Question
"I will help you," she said. → reported?
Answer
She said (that) she would help me. (will → would, you → me)
Question
"I can drive," he said. → reported?
Answer
He said (that) he could drive. (can → could)
Question
"We must leave," they said. → reported?
Answer
They said (that) they had to leave. (must → had to)
Question
"Where do you live?" she asked. → reported?
Answer
She asked where I lived. (question word + statement order, no 'do')
Question
"Are you ready?" he asked. → reported?
Answer
He asked if / whether I was ready. (yes/no → if/whether)
Question
"Close the window," she said. → reported?
Answer
She told me to close the window. (command → told someone to + infinitive)
Question
"Don't be late," he said. → reported?
Answer
He told me not to be late. (negative command → not to + infinitive)
Question
What is 'backshift' in reported speech?
Answer
Moving the verb one step into the past after a past reporting verb: is → was, will → would, can → could.
Question
What is the difference between 'say' and 'tell'?
Answer
'say' is used without a person (She said that…); 'tell' needs a person object (She told me that…).
Question
How do time words change in reported speech?
Answer
today → that day, tonight → that night, tomorrow → the next day, here → there, now → then.
Question
How do you report a yes/no question?
Answer
asked + if / whether + statement word order, no question mark: "Are you ok?" → She asked if I was ok.
Question
How do you report a command?
Answer
told / asked + someone + to + infinitive (negative: not to + infinitive): "Sit down" → She told me to sit down.
Question
Why does reported speech matter for IB English B?
Answer
It appears whenever a text reports a conversation or interview; using it accurately scores Criterion A (Language).
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Full study notes for Reported speech
Topic 3.3 hub
Mood, voice & verb patterns
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English B exam skills
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