In competitive exams like NDA and CDS, the English section plays a pivotal role in testing a candidate’s understanding of grammar and sentence structure. Reported Speech is one such crucial topic that evaluates a candidate’s ability to transform sentences from direct speech to indirect (or reported) speech and vice-versa. Proficiency in this topic not only showcases grammatical accuracy but also enhances comprehension and communication skills, making it indispensable for exam success.
Directions: In the following questions, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect Speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Indirect/Direct Speech.
Q) Sumit said, “I will be leaving for London this summer so I can meet you only when I return.”
(a)Sumit said he will be leaving for London this summer and he could meet him only when he returned.
(b)Sumit said he will go to London this summer and he would meet me only when he will be returning.
(c)Sumit said that he would be leaving for London that summer and he could meet me only when he returned.
(d)Sumit said he will have gone to London that summer and could meet me only when he returned.
Ans. (c)
Q) Mary said, “I have to be there by 10 a.m. tomorrow.”
(a) Mary says to me that she has to be there by 10 a.m.
(b) Mary tells me she has to be there by 10 a.m. tomorrow.
(c) Mary told me that she had to be there by 10 a.m. the next day.
(d) Mary is telling me that she has to be there by 10 a.m. tomorrow.
Ans. (c)
Q) My friend told me I could stay at his place in Dehradun whenever I wished.
(a)My friend said, “You will be coming to stay at my place in Dehradun whenever you wish.”
(b)My friend said, “If you are wishing to come to Dehradun come and stay in my place.”
(c)My friend said, “You can stay at my place in Dehradun whenever you wish.’’
(d)My friend said, “You will come and be staying in my place in Dehradun whenever you wish.”
Ans. (c)
Q) “Don’t overspeed at night,” I said to Irina.
(a) I warned Irina not to overspeed at night.
(b) Over speeding at night is not good, I said to Irina.
(c) I warn to Irina not to overspeed at night.
(d) I had been warning Irina not to overspeed at night.
Ans. (a)
Q) My boss said, “Do you think you can complete the report within five days?”
(a)My boss said to me do you think I can complete the report within five days?
(b)My boss asked me whether I thought I could complete the report within five days.
(c)My boss said to me if I think I can complete the report within five days.
(d)My boss says do you think you can complete the report within five days?
Ans. (b)
For more, check out NDA-CDS 1 2025 Exam English Live – Reported Speech – Class 1
Understanding Reported Speech
Direct Speech refers to quoting the exact words spoken by someone. It is presented within quotation marks.
- Example: He said, “I am going to the market.”
Indirect or Reported Speech conveys the essence of the spoken words without quoting them directly. It involves changes in pronouns, tenses, time expressions, and sentence structure.
- Example: He said that he was going to the market.
Why Reported Speech is Important for Exams
- High Weightage in Exams
Questions based on Reported Speech are frequently asked in NDA and CDS exams. These may appear as direct sentence conversion, spotting errors, or sentence improvement tasks. - Tests Grammar Proficiency
Reported Speech requires a clear understanding of grammar rules, such as tense changes, pronoun shifts, reporting verbs, and time expressions. Mastery of these rules ensures accuracy while solving questions. - Enhances Sentence Transformation Skills
Converting direct speech into reported speech and vice-versa sharpens analytical and transformation skills, which are essential for other topics like voice change, sentence improvement, and comprehension. - Real-Life Application
Beyond exams, understanding reported speech is essential for effective communication, especially when narrating conversations, reporting news, or writing formal documents.
Key Insights from the Reported Speech Class
In the Reported Speech Class, I provided a detailed explanation of the rules and conducted practical exercises to ensure a strong understanding of the topic. Here are the key highlights:
- Detailed Rule Explanation
The session began with a thorough explanation of the rules for converting sentences from direct to indirect speech and vice-versa. Key points included:- Tense Changes: Understanding how tenses shift from present to past in reported speech.
- Direct: She said, “I am happy.”
- Indirect: She said that she was happy.
- Pronoun Changes: Shifting pronouns based on the subject and object of the reporting sentence.
- Direct: He said, “You are intelligent.”
- Indirect: He said that I was intelligent.
- Time and Place Expression Changes: Adapting words like today, tomorrow, yesterday, etc., into their reported forms.
- Direct: He said, “I will go tomorrow.”
- Indirect: He said that he would go the next day.
- Tense Changes: Understanding how tenses shift from present to past in reported speech.
- Types of Sentences
A focused discussion on the conversion of different types of sentences, including:- Declarative Sentences
- Interrogative Sentences
- Imperative Sentences
- Exclamatory Sentences
- MCQ Practice Session
I conducted a comprehensive MCQ session where candidates practiced important questions from previous years’ papers and model exercises. Each question was analyzed, and solutions were explained in detail to reinforce learning and eliminate common errors.
Tips to Master Reported Speech
- Learn the Rules Thoroughly
Memorize the changes in tense, pronouns, and time expressions while converting sentences. - Practice Different Sentence Types
Focus on practicing conversions for all sentence types—statements, questions, commands, and exclamations. - Pay Attention to Reporting Verbs
Understand the usage of reporting verbs such as say, tell, ask, request, exclaim, and their impact on sentence transformation. - Solve Previous Year Questions
Regularly solve previous years’ questions to understand the exam pattern and gain confidence in the topic. - Avoid Common Errors
Be cautious with tense consistency, incorrect pronouns, and mismatched time expressions, as these are common pitfalls in reported speech.
Conclusion
Reported Speech is a fundamental topic in the English syllabus for NDA & CDS 1 2025 exams. It tests a candidate’s ability to transform sentences while following the grammatical rules precisely. In the Reported Speech Class, I ensured candidates gained a thorough understanding of the rules and practical applications through an engaging MCQ session, where important questions were solved and analyzed. Mastery of reported speech will not only enhance candidates’ grammar proficiency but also improve their overall performance in the exam. With consistent practice and a clear understanding of rules, candidates can score high in this topic and boost their chances of success in the NDA and CDS exams.
