Narration — Direct to Indirect speech MCQ — 15 Practice Questions with Answers

Narration — Direct to Indirect speech is a General English topic in the RAS/RPSC syllabus. This page gathers exam-style Narration — Direct to Indirect speech multiple-choice questions with correct answers and explanations, so aspirants can test recall and revise frequently examined concepts.

Practice 15 Narration — Direct to Indirect speech multiple-choice questions with detailed answers and explanations. Ideal for RAS/RPSC exam preparation.

15 Questions General English

Reviewed by: Aspirant Academy Editorial Team

Q1. Select the correctly reported form of the direct question when it is reported after the next day: The officer said to the male applicant, "Did you submit the form yesterday?"

A The officer asked the applicant whether he has submitted the form the previous day.

B The officer asked the applicant whether he had submitted the form the previous day. Correct

C The officer asked the applicant did he submit the form the previous day.

D The officer said the applicant whether he had submitted the form yesterday.

Explanation

In indirect speech, a yes/no question takes 'if' or 'whether', the reporting verb changes to 'asked', and the word order becomes subject + verb. The cues are the past reporting verb and the past time word 'yesterday', so 'did submit' becomes 'had submitted' and 'yesterday' becomes 'the previous day'. Only option B applies all these changes correctly.

Q2. Statement 1: In indirect speech, a wh-question keeps its question word such as 'where', 'why', or 'how'. Statement 2: In indirect speech, a wh-question normally keeps the interrogative order of the direct question. Direct speech: He said to me, "Where do you live?" Reported later using the usual tense backshift, which of the following is correct?

A Only Statement 2 is correct; the indirect form is: He asked me where did I live.

B Only Statement 1 is correct; the indirect form is: He asked me where I lived. Correct

C Both statements are correct; the indirect form is: He asked me where did I live.

D Both statements are incorrect; the indirect form is: He asked me that where I lived.

Explanation

In indirect speech, a wh-question retains the wh-word but changes to statement order. Here 'where' is retained, 'do you live' becomes 'I lived', and 'you' refers to the listener, so it becomes 'I'. Therefore, only Statement 1 is correct and the indirect form is: He asked me where I lived.

Q3. Select the correct indirect form of the sentence, using the standard past-tense backshift: Ravi said to Sita, "Where did you keep the keys?"

A Ravi told Sita where she kept the keys.

B Ravi asked Sita where had she kept the keys.

C Ravi asked Sita where she had kept the keys. Correct

D Ravi asked Sita that where she had kept the keys.

Explanation

A wh-question in indirect speech keeps the wh-word and uses statement word order. The cue is 'Where did you keep', so 'said to' becomes 'asked', 'did' is dropped, and the clause becomes 'where she had kept'. Since standard backshift is required, past simple becomes past perfect. 'You' refers to Sita and becomes 'she'. Therefore, only option C is correct.

Q4. Assertion (A): In indirect speech, 'must' expressing compulsion is usually changed into 'had to' when the reporting verb is in the past. Reason (R): Words showing time, such as 'today', may also change according to the reporting time. Direct speech: The clerk said, "I must submit the file today." Reported the next day using the usual tense backshift, choose the correct option.

A A is true but R is false, and the correct indirect form is: The clerk said that he had to submit the file today.

B Both A and R are true, and the correct indirect form is: The clerk said that he must submit the file today.

C A is false but R is true, and the correct indirect form is: The clerk said that I had to submit the file that day.

D Both A and R are true, and the correct indirect form is: The clerk said that he had to submit the file that day. Correct

Explanation

When 'must' expresses compulsion and the reporting verb is past, it usually changes to 'had to'. When the sentence is reported the next day, 'today' changes to 'that day'. Here the clerk's 'I' becomes 'he', 'must submit' becomes 'had to submit', and 'today' becomes 'that day'. Only option D applies both true rules correctly.

Q5. Choose the correct indirect form of the sentence, reported later using the usual tense backshift: Direct speech: Ravi said, "I am preparing the report now."

A Ravi said that he was preparing the report then. Correct

B Ravi told that he was preparing the report then.

C Ravi said that I was preparing the report then.

D Ravi said that he is preparing the report now.

Explanation

When direct speech is reported later after a past reporting verb, the present continuous changes to the past continuous, and 'now' changes to 'then'. Here 'am preparing' becomes 'was preparing', Ravi's 'I' becomes 'he', and 'now' becomes 'then'. Only option A applies all three changes correctly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many Narration — Direct to Indirect speech MCQ questions are available?

There are 15 Narration — Direct to Indirect speech practice MCQs available on Aspirant Academy, with detailed answers and explanations for each question.

Are answers and explanations provided for Narration — Direct to Indirect speech MCQs?

Yes, every Narration — Direct to Indirect speech question comes with the correct answer and a detailed explanation to help you understand the underlying concept.

How is Narration — Direct to Indirect speech relevant to the RAS/RPSC exam?

Narration — Direct to Indirect speech falls under the General English section of the RAS/RPSC syllabus. It is a frequently tested area and regular practice with these MCQs will strengthen your preparation.

Can I practice Narration — Direct to Indirect speech questions in Hindi?

Yes, Aspirant Academy offers bilingual support. You can practice Narration — Direct to Indirect speech MCQs in both English and Hindi, including questions, options, and explanations.

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Narration — Direct to Indirect speech MCQ — 15 Practice Questions with Answers

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