Reported Speech Exercises

The following interview between a sports-reporter and a marathon-runner is an example of spoken English in which some sentences are fragments (incomplete sentences). The full context of the conversation allows the listener to guess missing or understood words.

INTERVIEW REPORTER: “Congratulations on winning the marathon. How long have you been preparing for this race?” RUNNER: “Thank you. About five years, running twelve miles, three times a week.” REPORTER: “Why do you like to run?” RUNNER: “I haven’t always been a runner. I started running when my doctor told me I was over-weight and needed to improve my over-all health. At first, it was hard to go a few miles, but now, I’m in better shape and I love it. I can’t wait to get out in the morning and run.” REPORTER: “What is your favourite part of a marathon?” (a = any)

RUNNER: “You might expect me to answer ‘crossing the finish line’, but actually it’s when I get to the 20-mile point of the race. I think I can’t go on, and then I do! That’s my most challenging moment. It’s “mind over matter”.” REPORTER: “Are you planning to run more marathons in the near future?” RUNNER: “Yes, I am looking forward to running one in Seattle next month.” REPORTER: “Can you give me some advice about getting in shape?” RUNNER: “Well . . . I guess I would tell you to keep moving. Eat healthy food and keep moving.” REPORTER: “Wonderful! Thank you for talking to us today and please thank your coach as well. Get some rest!” RUNNER: “Thank you. I’m honoured to be here on your show.”  challenging = difficult marathon – a race of approximately 25+ miles in shape = good health “mind over matter” = the mind is more powerful than the body

Select the answer that best completes the sentence. Pay attention to tense, pronoun agreement and adverb agreement. A sentence may include mixed time frames. 1. The reporter asked ________

a. how long is it he prepare for race.
b. he prepare how long for the race.
c. how long did he prepare for the race.
d. how long he had been preparing for the race.

2. The runner replied that _______________
a. I have been running for about five years.
b. I was running for about five years.
c. he had been running for about five years .
d. he is running for about five years.

3. Next, the reporter asked him ____________
a. why he likes to run.
b. why does he like to run.
c. why do you like to run.
d. why he liked to run.

4. The runner said ____________
a. that he is needing to improve his over-all health.
b. he needed to improve his over-all health.
c. that I have needed to improve my over-all health.
d. I needed to improve my over-all health.

5. He added that __________ to get out in the morning and run.
a. I can’t wait
b. I couldn’t wait
c. he can’t wait
d. he couldn’t wait

6. Next, the reporter asked him ___________
a. what is your favourite part of a marathon.
b. what his favourite part of a marathon is.
c. what is his favourite part of a marathon.
d. what is it his favourite part of a marathon.

7. The marathoner replied ______________to the 20-mile mark in the marathon race.
a. that it is when he gets
b. that it is when I get
c. that it is when he got
d. when he gets

8. He added ___________________
a. what is his most challenging moment.
b. that was it his most challenging moment.
c. that it is his most challenging moment.
d. is it his most challenging moment.

9. The reporter inquired _____________more marathons in the near future.
a. if he was going to run
b. that are you going to run
c. if are you going to run
d. you going to run

10. The athlete answered ___________________
a. that he was looking forward to running one in Seattle in the coming month.
b. that he is looking forward to running one in Seattle next month.
c. that he looks forward to running one in Seattle next month.
d. if he was looking forward to running one in Seattle next month.

11. The reporter asked ________________ about getting back in shape.
a. could he give him some advice
b. if you could give me some advice
c. that he could give him some advice
d. if he could give him some advice

12. The athlete advised ___________________
a. that he eat healthy food and keep moving.
b. that he eats healthy food and keeps moving.
c. that he is eating healthy food and keeping moving.
d. that healthy food he should eat and moving he should keep.

13. The reporter thanked him and _________ his coach as well.
a. told him thank
b. told him that he thank
c. told to him to thank
d. told him to thank

14. The reporter suggested that _______________ some rest.
a. he gets
b. he got
c. he will get
d. he get

15. The athlete responded ___________________
a. that I am honoured to be here on your show.
b. that he is honoured to be here on your show.
c. that he was honoured to be here on his show.
d. that he was honoured to be there on his show.
Source: http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/reportspeechqz.html