REPORTED SPEECH

A. Complete the following phrases with say or tell as appropriate.

1. _________ a story/a joke

2. _________ somebody to do something

3. _________ the difference between two things

4. _________ yes or no

5. _________ the truth

6. _________ somebody what to do

7. _________ hello / goodbye

8. _________ a lie / lies

9. _________ what you think/mean

10. _________ something under your breath

11. _________ the time

12. as for as I can __________

B. Fill in the gaps in the following sentences with the appropriate form of say or tell. Answer the questions for yourself.

1. Can you think of situations when it might be better not to _________ the truth?

2. How easy or how difficult do you find it to ____________ other people to do things for you?

3. In meetings, how often do you ______________ what you think?

4. Have you ever _____________ a joke in English?

5. How easy or how difficult is it to ___________ the difference between the banknotes used in your country?

6. Can you _________ “good morning” in more than 3 languages.

7. When you were a chilled, did you use to do as you were _________?

C. Effective communication often involves reporting clearly and briefly what people have' said. Look at these examples.

1 'That's unbelievable! Half of the goods are damaged,' said Ms Thorpe.

a) Ms Thorpe said that it was unbelievable that half of the goods were damaged.

b) Ms Thorpe complained that half of the goods were damaged.

2 'If that happens again, you'll see, I'll look for another supplier.'

a) She said that if that happened again, they would see, she would look for another supplier.

b) She threatened to look for another supplier.

For each of the following sentences, choose the best reporting verb. Report the above sentences in full, using the correct reporting verb.

1. I'll send you the revised figures by the end of the week

a) apologise b)warn c) promise

2. Sorry about the delay.
a) apologise b) remind c) suggest

3. I could come in early tomorrow to speed things up a bit, if you like.
a) admit b) promise c) offer

4. Our after-sales service isn't always up to scratch, let's face it.
a) suggest b) acknowledge c) advise

5. Don't forget to bring the sates figures.

a) remind b) deny c) insist

6. If I were you, I'd take a closer look at what our competitors are doing.
a) advise b) insist c) promise

7. You'll never clinch the deal if you procrastinate.

a) promise b) warn c) deny

8. It wasn't me who sent you an infected file.

a) apologise b) deny c) suggest

9. We've got to launch our new 6X2 model by the end of September, it's crucial.

a) offer b) insist c) acknowledge

10. What about hiring more temporary staff?

a) suggest b) offer c) promise

D. Complete the sentences with a suitable embedded question.

1. The office is very different without Ahmed. I wonder how he is getting on with the new job.

2. No, I’m afraid I don’t know __________________________. I am a stranger here myself.

3. I’ll just have a look at the new price list. I’m not sure ______________________________

4. I need to go to New York next Wednesday. Could you tell me ___________________________

5. I can’t understand this letter. Do you know _____________________________________.

E. Complete the sentences using the verbs in brackets.

1. She was offered a very good job, so … (advise)

2. He said that the guarantee was out of date, and … (refuse)

3. They said that they couldn’t bring the price down any more, but … (offer)

4. The bank realised that they had made a mistake in the calculation and they … (apologise)

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Date: 2014-12-29; view: 1921