Rules of Narration for the students of SSC/HSC

Narration

            Narration refers to a speech. The word narration comes the Latin word ‘Narrat’ that means relating or telling something to somebody. Narration is of two types:

a) Direct Narration b) Indirect Narration

            a) Direct Narration: In Direct Narration, we just quote the exact words of a speaker without making any change in it. Here we use comma quotation for the Reported Speech.

Borney said, “I read the Holy Quran everyday.” (The Reported Speech)

Nancy said to me, “I am beautiful.” (The Reporting Verb)

Jennifer said, “I want a pen.”

Nancy said to Kona, “I must leave the place now.” (The Reported Verb)

            b) Indirect Narration: But in the Indirect Narration, we modify the speech of a speaker in our own way in order to report it to other person or people. Here we leave out the comma quotation (“….”) and use ‘that’ as conjunction and we must change the persons.

Borney said that she read the Holy Quran everyday.

Nancy told me that she was beautiful.

Jennifer said that she wanted a pen. 
Nancy told Kona that she had to leave the place then. 

Note: The use of ‘that’ as conjunction after the Reporting Verb in the Reported Speech is optional.

         Necessary Changes in Tenses

Direct Speech	Indirect Speech
Present Indefinite Tense	Past Indefinite  Tense
Present Continuous Tense	Past Continuous Tense
Present Perfect Tense	Past Perfect Tense
Present Perfect Continuous Tense	Past Perfect Continuous Tense
Past Indefinite Tense	Past Perfect Tense
Past Continuous Tense	Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Note: ‘Past Perfect Tense’ and ‘Past Perfect Continuous’ Tense in the Reported Speech do not undergo any change with the exception of persons.

     Necessary Changes in Words

Direct	Indirect	Direct	Indirect
Can	Could	Ago	Before
May	Might	Thus	So/ that way
Shall	Should / Would	Here	There
Will	Would	Today	That day / Yesterday
Come	Go	Tomorrow	The next day
Next week/year	The following week/year	Yesterday	The previous day
Last week/year	The previous week/year	Last night	The previous night
A year ago	A year before/ the previous year	The day before yesterday	Two days before
This	That	The day after tomorrow	In two days of time
These	Those	Hence	Thence
Tonight	That night	Now	Then
Must	Had to / Must (Factual Truth)

He said, “I went to the theatre last night.”

 He said that he had gone to the theatre the night before.

He said, “I am having a party next weekend.”

 He said that he was having a party the next weekend.

He said, “I am staying here until next week.”

 He said that he was staying there until the following week.

Rony said, “I came over from London 3 years ago.”

 Rony said that he had come over from London 3 years before.

The teacher said, “Students must obey their parents.”

The teacher said that students must obey their parents. (The verb is not changed because it is a factual truth.)

Narration includes these sentences as following:

a) Assertive Sentence b) Interrogative Sentence c) Imperative Sentence d) Optative Sentence e) Exclamatory Sentence

Assertive Sentence

Rule 1: If the Reported Speech is Universal Truth / Scientific Truth / Natural Truth / Habitual Truth / Factual Truth, we don’t make any change in the Reported Speech rather we change the person only.

The teacher said, “God is one.”

The teacher said that God is one. (Universal Truth) 

He said, “Fire burns.”

He said that fire burns. (Scientific Truth)

Nancy said, “It is hot in the summer.”

Nancy said that it is hot in the summer. (Natural Truth)

The teacher said, “Physical exercise is good for health.”

The teacher said that physical exercise is good for health. (Habitual Truth)

Mamun said, “Farah is my cousin.”

Mamun said that Farah is his cousin. (Factual Truth)

Rule 2: If the Reporting Verb is in the Present Tense / the Future Tense / the Present Perfect Tense, they don’t undergo any change.

Borney says or will say, “I am right.”

Borney says or will say that she is right.

Kona has said to me, “I have just taken my breakfast.” (First Person)

Kona has told me that she has just taken her breakfast. (Here we changed the persons only.)

He said to me, “You are a liar.” (Second Person)

He told me that I was a liar.

Note: ‘Said to’ is changed into ‘told’ but ‘said’ remains unchanged.

Note: ‘First Person’ in the Reported Speech indicates the ‘Subject’ of the Reporting Verb and the ‘Second Person’ in the Reported Speech indicates the ‘Object’of the Reporting Verb.

Rule 3: Sometimes, introductory portion of the Reported Speech may remain absent. In such a situation, we should guess the possible speaker.

“I shall do my duty.”

He says or will say that he will do his duty.

He said that he would do his duty.

Note: ‘Reporting Verb’ is not always more than one.

Note: Subjective Case converted into Subjective Case, Possessive Case changed into Possessive One and Objective Case transformed into Objective One. 

Rule 4: Sometimes, the Reporting Verb is mentioned after the Reported Speech and it is possible.  

 “I am happy now.” – said Nancy.

Nancy said that she was happy then.

Note: When we change any Direct Speech into Indirect Speech, it becomes an Assertive Sentence. No matter, whether it is an Assertive Sentence or Optative Sentence or Imperative Sentence or Exclamatory Sentence or Interrogative Sentence.

Rule 5: ‘Yes’ – replied in the affirmative, ‘No’- replied in the negative, ‘Please’ - kindly and ‘Sir’ / ‘Madam’ – politely / respectfully / with respect.

The student said to me, “I am sorry, Sir.”

The student told me politely that he was sorry.

“Yes, sir,” the student replied. I have done my duty.”

The student respectfully replied in the affirmative that he had done his duty.

The students said to the teacher, “Please, explain the matter again, Sir.”

The students requested the teacher politely to explain the matter again.

Rule 6: If there are two or more than two Past Tenses in the Direct Speech, they do not undergo any change but we only change the persons.

George said, “I came home, took bath and ate my meal.”

George said that he came home, took bath and ate his meal.

Rule 7: Students often change ‘it’ into ‘that’ but that is wrong. It remains unchanged in the Indirect Speech.

He said to me, “I know it well.”

He told me that he knew it well.

Rule 8: Changes in the tag questions:

He said to me, “You are going to the play ground, aren’t you?

He asked me whether it was true that I was going to the playground.

Rule 9: All 3^rd Person Pronouns will remain unchanged. 

He said, “She is busy with her toy”

He said that she was busy with her toy.

Rule 10: ‘So’ = that is why, ‘But’ = with dissatisfaction

He said to me, “I am unwell. So I shall not go to school.”

He told me that he was unwell and that is why he would not go to school.

The boy said, “I have come to chop your wood. “But you are too small to chop wood,” said the woman.

The boy said that he had come to chop her wood. With dissatisfaction, the woman told him that he was too small to chop the wood.

Rule 11: Assertive Sentence with question mark: (Use ‘Being surprised’ with the reporting verb and follow the rules of doing interrogative sentence.)

He said to me “You are angry with me?”

Being surprised he asked me if I was angry with him.

Rule 12: Well, you see (if used with in inverted comma) Omit them and do in general way.

The teacher said, “Well Raven, I shall reward you.”

The teacher told Raven that he would reward him.

Note: ‘Vocative Case’ in the Reported Speech becomes the ‘Object’ of the Reporting Verb in the Indirect Speech. 

Rule 13: If we find any Complex Sentence in the Direct Speech, we may change one Clause or both the Clauses in the Indirect Speech.

Mita said to me, “You were my good friend when you were a student of Saint Joseph” (Complex Sentence)

Mita told me I had been her good friend when I had been a student of Saint Joseph.

He said to Ratul, “You were a mere a boy when I saw you last.” (Complex Sentence)

He told Ratul he had been a mere boy when he had seen him last.

Rule 14: When we report something that is still true:

Emma said, “People in Africa are starving.” (The fact is still true.)

Emma said that people in Africa are starving.

Unreal Past Tense

Rule 15: Unreal Past Tense after ‘wish’, ‘would rather / sooner’, ‘had better’, ‘used to’, ‘ought to’, ‘would’, ‘could’, ‘might’, ‘must not’, ‘need not’ and ‘it is time’ don’t change rather we change the person in the Indirect Speech.

“We wish we did not have to take exams”, said the children.

The children said they wished they did not have to take exams.

“It is time we began planning our holidays”, he said.

He said that it was time they began planning their holidays. 

They ought to widen this road”, I said. 

I said that they ought to widen the road.

He explained, “I know the place well because I used to live here.”

He explained that he knew the place well because he used to live there.

She said to her hubby, “You had better take warm water for gurgling.”

She told her bubby that he had better take warm water for gurgling.

He said, “You must not tell anyone.”

He said that she must not tell anyone.

(Alternatively): He told her not to tell anyone. 

He said, “You needn’t wait.”

He said that I needn’t wait.

He said to me, “I used to meet him in the afternoon.”

He told me that he used to meet him in the afternoon. (With that)

He told me he used to meet him in the afternoon. (Without that)

Rule 16: The 2^nd and the 3^rd Conditional Sentences remain unchanged rather we change the persons. 

“If I had a permit, I could get a job”, he said.

 He said that if he had a permit, he could get a job. (The 2^nd Conditional Sentence)

“If she had loved Wilson”, he said, “She would not have left him.”

He said that if she had loved Wilson, she would not have left him. (The 3rd Conditional Sentence)

Rule 17: When there is uncertainty as to the particular person to whom the pronoun in the Indirect Speech refers, the name of the person should be mentioned in the brackets.

He said to the Ram, “You are wrong.”

He told Ram that he (Ram) was wrong

Harry sait to Jatin, “You will pass.”

Harry told Jatin that he (Jatin) would pass.

Interrogative Sentence (?)

Rule 1: We use ask(ed) / want(ed) to know / enquire(ed) in the Indirect Speech in the place of ‘said’ / ‘said to’ and we don’t change the Interrogative Pronouns / the Interrogative Adjectives / the Interrogative Adverbs for transformation. 

My mother said to me, “How are you now?”

My mother asked me how I was then.

“Where are you staying next week?”, my friend said to me.

My friend wanted to know where I was staying the following week.

Note: Who, where, which, when, how, why, what, whom, whose and the rest are the Interrogative Pronouns / Interrogative Adjectives / Interrogative Adverbs.   

Rule 2: If any Interrogative Sentence commences with just an Auxiliary Verb rather than the Interrogative Pronouns / Adjectives / Adverbs, we use if / whether.

My teacher said to me, “Are you making a noise?”

My teacher asked me if or whether I was making a noise.

The noble man said to the poor man, “Have you taken anything for lunch?”

The noble man asked the poor man if he had taken anything for lunch.

Borney said to me, “Do you want to help me?”

Borney asked me if I wanted to help her.

Note: ‘Whether’ is more formal than ‘If’. Either of them can be used but ‘whether’ is preferable when there is a matter of choice.

Note: ‘Do’, ‘Does’ and ‘Did’ are removed in the Indirect Speech if they are used as Auxiliary.

Rule 3: If there is a Present participle phrase with the reporting verb, it will come in front of the reporting verb in doing the indirect speech. But if it is not present participle phrase then the position of it will remain unchanged.

“Are you brothers?” asked the mistress of the house turning to the Dervishes.

Turning to the Dervishes the Mistress of the house asked if they were brothers.

Note: Here in it, we don’t use that in the Indirect Speech when we leave out comma quotations.

Imperative Sentence

We use tell, beg, implore (to ask sb to do sth in an anxious way because you want or need it very much), entreat (formal) : to ask sb to do sth in a serious and often emotional way), encourage, forbid, recommend, remind, urge, warn, ask, told and the rest in the place of ‘said’ or ‘said to’ in the Indirect Speech in the sentence.

Rule 1: We use the Infinitive (to + verb present form)

The teacher said to his boys, “Do it at once.”

The teacher advised his boys to do it at once. (The Infinitive)

Khona said to her teacher, “Grant me my prayer, Sir.”

Khona politely requested her teacher to grant her prayer.

He said, “Lie down, Tom.”  

He told Tom to lie down.

She said, “You had better hurry, Bill.”

She advised Bill to hurry.

He said to his friends, “Please wait for me till I return.”

He requested his friend kindly to wait for him till he returned.

Rule 2: If the Reported Speech starts with ‘Do not / Never’, we use ‘not to + verb’ in the Indirect Speech in the time of leaving out the comma quotations.

My father said to me, “Do not run in the sun.”

My father advised me not to run in the sun.

My father forbade me to run in the sun.  

My teacher said, “Never tell a lie.”

My teacher advised me not to tell a lie.

Rule 3: The Modals must, would and could are not normally changed in the Indirect Speech. You should also note that some sentences with would and could are Interrogative in form but Imperative in nature.

He said to me, “You must leave the place.”

He told me I must leave the place. (Assertive Sentence)

He said to me, “Would you help me to do the sum?”

He requested me to help him to do the sum. (Imperative Sentence)

I said to her, “Could you give me a cup of tea?”                                

I requested her to give me a cup of tea. (Imperative Sentence)   

Rule 4: Calling in the name of person (The name will be added as object of reporting verb)

He said, “Raven, don’t misbehave with anyone.”

He advised Raven not to misbehave with anyone.

Rule 5: Calling in the name of relations

The student said, “Sir, please forgive me.” (Addressing as brother/sister/friend/sir)

Addressing as sir the student requested kindly to forgive him.

Rule 6: By Allah/by God/by Jove/by my love/by my life (Swearing by Allah/God/Jove/Life/Love)

“By Allah,” she replied, “I will not forget you.”

Swearing by Allah, she replied that she would not forget me.

Rule 7: Imperative sentence with tag question

He told me, “Shut the door, will you?” (Tag question will be omitted and rules of imperative sentence will be followed.)

He asked/requested me to shut the door.

Rule 8: When ‘let’ denotes a proposal, the Reporting Verb should be changed in to ‘propose’ or ‘suggest’ and ‘let’ be replaced by ‘should’.

Borney said, “Let’s have a walk.”

Borney proposed that we should have a walk.

He said to me, “Let’s go home.”

He suggested to me that we should go home.

Rule 9: But when ‘Let’ does not express a proposal, the Reporting Verb does not change, only ‘let’ is changed into ‘may’ or ‘might’ or ‘might be allowed’ or any other verb as per the relevant meaning.

He said, “Let me have a glass of milk.”

He wished that he might have a class of milk.

Rule 10: It is often safer for the students to use ‘tell’ in the Indirect Speech, when there be any doubt about the proper word to introduce the Reported Speech.

I said to him angrily, “Leave me alone.”

I told him angrily to leave me alone. 

Optative Sentence

We use ‘wish’ or ‘pray’ in the Optative Sentence in the place of ‘said to’ or ‘said’.

My grandfather said, “May you live long.”

My grandfather wished that I might live long. 

The teacher said to the boy, “God bless you.” (Optative Sentence without May)

The teacher prayed for the boy that God might bless him.

He said, “Would that I were here.”

He wished that he had been there.

They said,” O that! We had won the match.”

They wished that they had won the match.
Note:  “Would that” and “O that” are removed in the Indirect Speech.

Exclamatory Sentence (!)

We use hurrah - exclaim with joy, alas - exclaim with sorrow, fie - exclaim with shame, wow - exclaimed with wonder/surprise, cry out, ‘wish’ or ‘pray’ in the place of ‘said’ / ‘said to’

The boy said, “What a piece of good news it is!”

The boy exclaimed with joy that it was a piece of very good news.

She said, “Had I the wings of a bird!”

She strongly wished that she had the wings of a bird.

Farhad said, “Good-bye, my friends!”

Farhad said good-bye to his friends.

Farhad bade his friends good-bye.

The poor boy cried, “Alas! I am undone.”

The poor boy exclaimed with sorrow that he was done.

The maidservant said, “By Allah! I know nothing about the stolen purse.”

The maidservant swore by Allah that she knew nothing about the stolen purse.

I said to them,” Bravo! You played very well.”

I applauded them that they had played very well. (Bravo – applauded)

My friend said to me, “Thanks! / Congratulations!”

My friend thanked/congratulated me.

The girl said, “Help! Help!”- The girl cried out for help. 
      Note: When you are trying to change any Direct Speech into an Indirect One, you must remember some tips necessary. They are: 

First: Try to identify the Sentence in the Reported Speech.

Secondly: Try to identify the Tense in the Reported Speech and the Reporting Verb

Thirdly: You must change the Persons in the Reported Speech.

Fourthly: You must change the Time / Place Adverbs in the Reported Speech. 

Rules of Changing Passage Narration

Rule-01:
Read the passage narration from first to last and try to understand the speakers and their speeches. You have to differentiate each speech and its speaker. You may not get the name of speaker in each speech. But observing the context of speeches, you have to mark that.

Example and Explanation:

“You have lost my new bag today. Why have you gone outside leaving it then?”, asked the Master. “I went outside for drinking a glass of water sir”, said the Servant. “But you could go after my coming. Now pay for the bag.” “Yes, I am guilty for my carelessness but now I have no money”, replied the servant.

In this passage, notice the sentences “But you could go after my coming. Now pay for the bag.” And you will get that there is no speaker mentioned after the speeches. But because of context, we get that it is the speeches of the master.

Rule-02:
You have to write the name of speaker and listener of each speech before the speech during changing. In question, you may not get the name with each sentence and you may get the name of speaker at first or last. But during the changing into indirect, you have to put the name of speaker and listener at first.

Example and Explanation:

Direct: “I have called you today. Were you so much busy?”, he said. “I was busy with some official works”, said I.

Indirect: He said to me that he had called me that day. He asked me if I was so much busy. I replied that I had been busy with some official works.

So, you have seen that I have mentioned the name of speaker and listener before each sentence and though it is not mentioned before each speech in direct passage. Yes, it is your duty to put the part reporting verb before each speech in the passage.

Rule-03:
You will mention the name of both speaker and listener for the first time. Next, you have to address them by pronoun word such as: “he, she, and they,”. If the pronoun of the two persons become same, you will mark the pronoun words with the first alphabet in a bracket after it such as: “He (M)/ He (S)”. but if there is the name mentioned after any speech, you will also mention the name again.

Example and Explanation:

Direct: “You have lost my new bag today. Why have you gone outside leaving it then?”, asked the Master. “I went outside for drinking a glass of water sir”, said the Servant.

Indirect: The master told the servant that he(S) had lost his (M) new bag that day. He (M) asked him (S) why he(S) had gone outside leaving it then. The Servant respectfully replied that he(S) had gone outside for drinking a glass of water.

So, you have seen that I have mentioned the name of speaker and listener for the first time. Then, I have mentioned them with pronoun words and marker: He (M) or He(S). Here, I have used the word ‘respectfully’ for the word ‘sir’.

Rule-04:
In passage, if there are two or more sentences of the same speaker together, you have to use the expression: “said to/told” for the first speech. But for the second speech, you will use the expression: “again said/told/asked, added, and further said/told/asked”. But remember, if the sentences are of similar categories, you will do it. If one sentence is assertive and another one is interrogative or imperative, you need not apply this method. 

For Assertive Sentence	For Interrogative Sentence
Said that And added that And further added that And moreover added that And again added that	Asked if And further asked if And more asked if And again asked if

Example and Explanation:

Direct: “You have selected the boy for the job. You will take his responsibility from now”, said the Officer.

Indirect: The officer said to me that I had selected the boy for the job. He again said that I would take his responsibility from then.

Here, the speaker ‘the officer’ has spoken for two times and the sentence category of these two sentences is assertive. So, I have used the expression ‘again said’ before the second speech. 

Rule-05: 
There are some certain words or phrases in direct speeches which will be changed in indirect speeches. Now, I will show you a chart of those phrases. Here it is:

Forms in Direct Speech	Forms in Indirect Speech
Sir	Respectfully said/asked…….
Yes	Replied in the affirmative that……
No	Replied in the negative that……
Thanks	Subject+ thanked+ object
Good morning/evening/night	Subject+ wished+ object+ good morning/evening/night
Good bye	Subject+ bade+ object+ good bye
By Allah/God/Jove/my life..	Swearing by by Allah/God/Jove/my life..
Ok	Subject+ agreed that……
Hello/hi	Subject+ greeted that…
Replied/asked/cried/uttered/muttered	No change

Examples: 
Direct: The boy said, “Sir, I will attend the classes regularly.”
Indirect: The boy respectfully said that he would attend the classes regularly.

Direct: You said, “Yes, it is my lost bag.”
Indirect: You said in the affirmative that it was your lost bag.

Direct: He said to me, “No, I cannot help you now.”
Indirect: He said to me in the negative that he could not help me then.

Direct: You said to me, “Thanks, you have done the job.”
Indirect: You thanked me and said that I had done the job.

Direct: He said to you, “Good morning, how are you?”
Indirect: He wished you good morning and asked how you were.

Direct: He said to me, “Good bye, meet me tomorrow”
Indirect: He bade me good bye and told to meet him the next day.

Direct: She said to me, “By Allah, I will meet you.”
Indirect: Swearing by Allah he said to me that he would meet me.

Direct: Rajib said to me, “Ok, I am going there now.”
Indirect: Rajib agreed with me and said that he was going there then.

Direct: He said to her, “Hello, how are you?”
Indirect: He greeted her and asked how she was.

Direct: He uttered silently, “No one is here now.”
Indirect: He uttered silently that no one was there then.

Rule-06:

If there is any addressing word in a sentence such as

“friend/father/brother/sister/mother/king/comrades/viewers”, you will use a different structure during changing into indirect. Here is the structure:

Addressing+ object+ as+ friend+ subject+ verb………………. 

Addressing+ object+ as+ friend+ subject+ verb……………….

Example: 
Direct: He said to me, “Friend, give me this book for reading.”
Indirect: Addressing me as friend he told me to give him that book for reading.

Rule-07:

If there is any phrase out of inverted commas (“ ”), you will not change it. You will rewrite the same form of phrase at the beginning of the reporting verb of indirect speech.

See the example: 

Direct: He said to me moving beside the Indian boarder, “I am visiting the historical place.”
Indirect: Moving beside the Indian boarder, He said to me that he was visiting the historical place.

Rule-08:

 If there is a name of a person in the speech and inverted commas (“ ”), you will use that name in reporting verb during changing the speech.

Example: 
Direct: He said, “Where are you going Robin?”
Indirect: He asked Robin where he was going.

Rule-09:

If the sentence in inverted commas (“ ”), is in assertive but with an interrogation sign (?) at last, you will use the expression: “Being surprised” at the beginning of indirect speech. Besides, you have to transform the direct speech into indirect following the structure of interrogative sentence.

Example: 
Direct: He said to me, “You know where he lives now?” 
Indirect: Being surprised, he asked me if I knew where he lived then.

Rule-10: 
Sometimes, we do not get any object of reporting verb in direct speech. In that case, we can use the expression: “the person spoken to…” or “me” as the object of reporting verb in indirect speech.

Example: 
Direct: He said, “I will tell you the incident tomorrow.”
Indirect: He said to the person spoken to that he would tell him the incident the next day.
Or,
Indirect: He said to me that he would tell him the incident the next day.

Now see the example of a passage narration and its transformation from direct to indirect. 

Direct: “You have lost my new bag today. Why have you gone outside leaving it then?”, asked the Master. “By Allah, I went outside for drinking a glass of water sir”, said the Servant. “you could go after my coming. You could wait for someone else. Now pay for the bag.” “Yes, I am guilty for my carelessness but now I have no money”, cried the servant.

Indirect: The Master said to the Servant that he(S) had lost his(M) new bag that day. He(M) asked him(S) why he(S) had gone outside leaving it then. Swearing by Allah, the servant respectfully replied that he(S) had gone outside for drinking a glass of water. He(M) said to him(S) that he(S) could go after his(M) coming. He(M) again said that he(S) could wait for someone else. He(M) ordered him(S) to pay for the bag then. The servant cried and said in the affirmative that he(S) was guilty for his(S) carelessness but then he(S) had no money.

Explanation:
Here, the first two sentences “You have lost my new bag today. Why have you gone outside leaving it then?” are spoken by the speaker ‘The Master’. So, before the both sentences, I have mentioned the name of speaker ‘master’ and listener ‘servant’ in reporting verb. The 1st sentence is an assertive sentence. So, I have used the verb ‘told’. But the 2nd sentence is interrogative. So, I have used the verb ‘asked’. After that, I have used the phrases ‘Swearing by Allah’ for the part ‘By Allah’ and ‘respectfully’ for the word ‘sir’.

Besides, I have used the verb ‘replied’ here because the servant is answering the question of the master. Then, there are 3 sentences without mentioning the name of speaker before or after. But from the conversation and its context, we can assume that these speeches are spoken by the master. Among these 3 sentences, the first 2 sentences are in assertive but the last one is in imperative. So, I have used the verb ‘again said’ in second speech. Finally, there is a sentence-“Yes, I am guilty for my carelessness but now I have no money” told by the servant. As there is the name of speaker mentioned, I have used the name also. The word ‘cried’ is unchanged. The expression ‘said in the affirmative’ is used for the word ‘yes’.

You have noticed that throughout the whole passage, I have used the pronoun form ‘he’ for the subject and I have put the marker (M) or (S) after the pronoun. The other elements of reported speeches such as persons, tenses of verbs, and adverbials have been changed according to the general rules following the structure of sentence categories such as assertive, interrogative, and imperative. You have to remember and notice all the things I have explained here.

Now practice for SSC/HSC Examination

       1.    Sakib said to his English teacher, “Sir, I want to improve my English. How can I do that? Can you help me?” “Don’t worry, I will help you.” said the teacher. “Thank you, sir,” said Sakib. “Give emphasis on all the four skills of language namely listening, speaking , reading and writing,” said the teacher.

Answer: Sakib respectfully told his English teacher that he wanted to improve his English. He (s)then asked him how he could do that. He (s) further asked if he could help him. The teacher told him not to worry and he would help him. Sakib respectfully thanked him. The teacher advised him to give emphasis on all the four skills of language namely listening, speaking, reading and writing.

      2.    “I have missed my plane,” Tareq said to a woman, “What shall I do now?” “Go to the desk marked ‘Enquires’ ‘the woman said. ‘Flight TW 226 has left,’ the man in the inquires,’ said. But your ticket is for flight BA 179.

Answer: Tareq told a woman that he had missed his plan. He then asked her what he should do then. The woman advised him to go to the desk marked ‘Enquiry’ The man in the Enquiry said that flight TW226 had left but his ticket was for flight BA 179.

      3.    “How are you ,Today?” I said to Sumon. “I am very nervous for the coming exam,” Sumon replied. “Haven’t you taken enough preparation for this?” I said to him again. “Yes, I have but I am in a fix. Let me read now,” said Sumon.

Answer: I asked Sumon how he (S) was that day. Sumon replied that he(S) was very nervous for the coming examination. I again asked him if he (S) had not taken enough preparation for that. Sumon again replied in the affirmative that he had but he was in a fix and requested that he might read then.

       4.    The Headmaster said to the boys, “Why are you late today? Remember, punctuality is essential in every walk of life. I think you will not be late on any other day. Go to your class. May Allah bless you.”

Answer: The Headmaster asked the boys why they were late that day. He advised them to remember that punctuality is essential in every walk of life. He hoped that they would not be late on any other day. He then told them to go to their class. He also advised that Allah might bless them.

    5.    “Don’t mix with bad boys.” My father said to me, “You should read attentively as your examination is knocking at the door.” he said, “No, I don’t keep with  any bad company. I have just asked him if he knows the date of examination.” I replied.

Answer: My father advised me not to mix with bad boys. Then he told me that I should read attentively as my examination was knocking at the door. I did not agree with him and said that I did not keep with any bad company. I had just asked him if he knew the date of examination.

      6.     “Will you come to my house tomorrow?” I asked the boy. “We can discuss terms and conditions then”, I said. “I shall be happy to meet you at your house. Thank you so much,” he replied. “I shall try my best to meet you.” 

Answer: I asked the boy if he would go to my house the next day. Then I told him that we could discuss terms and conditions then. He replied that he would be very happy to meet me at my house. He also thanked me very much. He added that he would try his best to meet me.

   7.    “Good Morning, Rupa,” said Sohel. “How much preparation have you taken for SSC Examination?” “A great preparation” She replied. “I must get GPA-5” “Wow, what a lucky girl!” said Sohel. “But my preparation is not so good.”

Answer: Sohel wished good morning to Rupa. Then he asked her how much preparation she had taken for the S.S.C  examination. She replied that she had taken a great preparation and added that she had to get GPA -5 . Sohel exclaimed with joy that she was a very lucky girl. On the other hand,/Being dissatisfaction , he said that his preparation was not so good.

       8.    Returning home my father said to me. “Your progress in studies is very slow. You  always  move about with a group of your friends. Aren’t you idling away your time with them? Can’t you be more serious? Remember if you fail in the examination. I will stop paying your tution fees’.  “I’m sorry. I’ll mend myself.” I replied.

Answer: Returning home my father told me that my progress in studies was very slow. He also said that I  always moved about  with you a group of friends. He again said that I was idling away time with them. He further asked me if I could be more serious. He warned me if I failed in the coming examination, he would stop paying my tuitions fees. I expressed my sorrow and  replied that  I would  mend myself.

      9.    “Why don’t you attend my classes regularly?” The teacher said to the student. “You cannot expect good results unless you attend classes as I tell you.” “I am sorry, I have offended you.” “ I was ill in those days,” said the student.

Answer: The teacher asked the student why he did not attend his classes regularly. The teacher also told that he (s) could not expect good results unless he (s) attended classes as he told him(s).The student courteously replied that he was sorry because he (stu) had offended him (teacher) and said that he had been ill in those days.

     10.The boy said to the teacher, “Sir, I shall be much obliged if you will kindly lend me the book you praised highly in the classroom yesterday.” The teacher said, “I am glad to know that you are eager to read this book. You are welcome to any books that you like.”   “Thank you , Sir” said the boy.

Answer: The boy respectfully told the teacher that he (boy) would be much obliged if he (teacher) kindly lent him the book he (teacher) had praised highly in the classroom the previous day. The teacher said that he was glad to know that he (boy) was eager to read that book. He added that he (boy) was welcome to any of his (teachers) books. Then the boy respectfully thanked him (teacher).

     11.“Don’t you understand what I discuss in the class?” said the teacher. “Yes, Sir but we are afraid of reading English. So we are too weak in English.” replied the students. “Read attentively and you will overcome your fear,” said the teacher.

Answer: The teacher asked if they didn’t understand what he(T) discussed in the class. The student replied in the affirmative. But they said that they were afraid of reading English that is why they were too weak in English. The teacher advised them to read attentively and  they would overcome their fear.

     12.My father looked at me angrily and said to me, “Where have you been so long and why are you wasting your time?” After a moment, he said, “Will you not sit for the S.S.C  examination?” I said, “I went to my friend’s house to borrow an essential book, but he was not at home. So I had to wait for him.”

Answer: My father looked at me angrily and asked me where I had been so long and why I was wasting my time. After a moment, he asked if I would not sit for the S.S.C  examination .I replied that I had gone to my friend’s house to borrow an essential book but he had not been at home and so I had to wait for him.

     13.“Why are putting up the food in your pocket, Sir? Why don’t you eat?” said the noble man. “I am doing the right thing. My dress deserves these rich dishes,” replied Sheikh Saddi. “ I don’t understand what do you mean to say.” Said the noble man ,. “And I’m sorry.”

Answer: The noble man respectfully asked Sheikh Saddi why he was putting up the food in his pocket and why he did not eat. Sheikh Saddi replied that he was doing the right thing as his dress deserved those rich dishes. The noble man told him that he did not understand what he meant to say. Then he expressed his sorrow.

      14.Rashed said to karim. “How are you?” I went to your hostel yesterday, but did not find you. Where did you go?” “I went to the station.” said Karim. “I had to receive my maternal uncle there.”

Answer: Rashed asked Karim how he was. Rashed added that he had gone to the hostel the previous day but had not found him. Rashed again asked Karim where he had gone. Karim replied that he had gone to the station because he had to receive his maternal uncle there.

     15.“What’s your programme after the examination?” asked Salam. Karim said, I’ve not yet decided. Can you suggest any? “Let us go on a picnic.” Said Salam. “What an excellent idea! I shall certainly join with you.” said Kamal.

Answer: Salam asked Kamal what his programme was after the examination. Karim replied that he had not yet decided. Then Karim asked him (S) if he could suggest any. Salam proposed that they should go on a picnic. Karim exclaimed with joy that it was an excellent idea. He said that he would certainly join with  him.

     16.The fruit seller said, “Which fruits do you want to buy? I have apples from Australia, oranges from Darjeeling, grapes from Kashmir.” The customer said, “What fruits of our country do you have?” The seller said, “I have coconut , guava, and Jackfruit.” The customer said, “Give one kg of Guava as it will be substitute of Australian Apples.

Answer: The fruit seller asked the customer which fruits he (c) wanted to buy. He added that he (s) had the apples from Australia, oranges from Darjeeling, grapes from Kashmir. The customer asked him what fruits of their country he had. The seller replied that he had coconut, guava and jackfruit. Then the customer told him (s) to give one kg of guava as it would be the substitute of Australian apples.

     17.The boy said to the teacher, “Do you think that honesty is the best policy?” “Yes Sir. I think so.” Then learn to be honest from your boyhood.” said the teacher. “Thank you, sir.” said the boy. “May Allah grant you a long life. “said the teacher to the boy.

Answer: The teacher asked the boy if he thought that honesty is the best policy. The boy replied in the affirmative and politely said that he thought so. Then the teacher advised him to learn to be honest from his boyhood. The boy thanked his teacher politely. The teacher wished that Allah might grant him a long life.

      18. “May I come in, Sir,” “Yes, come in.” “How can I help you?” said the Manager. “I want to open a bank account in your bank.”  said the man. “Can you tell me the process of opening a saving account ?”

Answer: The man asked the manager respectfully if he (man) might go in. He (manager) replied in the affirmative and asked him what he (man) wanted. The man replied that he wanted to open a bank account in his (manager) bank. He also asked him (manager) if he could tell him (man) the process of opening a savings account.

19.“What is the time by your watch?” he said. “It is half past nine,” I said. He said, “I want to go to the college. Would you accompany me, Please?” “No, I am sorry,” replied I .

Answer: He asked me what the time was by my watch. I replied that it was half past nine. Then he added that he wanted to go to the college. He also asked me if I would accompany him kindly. I replied in the negative and said that I was sorry.

      20.The passer-by stopped me and said, “Sir, can you tell me the way to the nearest inn?” “Yes, I can,” I said. “Go straight about 100 yards and then turn left. You will find it.” “Thank you Sir,” He said.

Answer: The passer by stopped me and asked respectfully if I could tell him the way to the nearest inn. I replied in the affirmative and said that I could. I instructed/told him to go straight about 100 yards and then turn left. I also told him that then he would find it. The man then thanked me respectfully.

     21.“We would like to go an excursion. Can we have your permission? Sir?” said the students. “Yes, you can arrange it after the examination is over. And you should choose a historical place for that”. replied the Headmaster. “ Thank you, Sir.”

Answer: The students said that they would like to go on an excursion. They asked the Headmaster with respectfully if they could have his permission. The Headmaster replied in the affirmative and said that they could arrange that after the examination was over. He also said that they should choose a historical place for that. The students respectfully thanked the Headmaster.

     22. The old man said, “Can you give me some food? I have been starving for three days.” The man said, “Why do you beg? Can’t you work?” “No, I’m unable to work.” The old man replied.

Answer: The old man asked the maid if she could give him some food. He added that he had been starving for three days. The maid asked him why he begged. She further asked him if he couldn’t work. The old man replied in the negative that he was unable to work.

    23.  “Did people use in those days” asked Rafiq. “Yes, answered Mr Jamil, “The first stamps were used in 1840.” “Are they easy to get now?” asked Rafiq. “They are very difficult to get,” his uncle replied.

Answer: Rafiq asked Mr Jamil if people had used stamps in those days. Mr Jamil answered in the affirmative and said that the first stamp had been used in 1840.Rafiq asked if they were easy to get then. His uncle replied that they were very difficult to get.

      24. Once I asked a sweet little girl, “What is your mother’s name?” She replied cleverly. “I know my mother’s name but I won’t tell you that.” I said. “What a clever girl you are!” “I don’t tell my mother’s name to anybody whom I don’t know.” She spoke with an air of confidence.

Answer: Once I asked a sweet little girl what her mother’s name was. She cleverly replied that she knew her mother’s name but she would not tell me that. I exclaimed with wonder that she was a very clever girl .With an air of confidence, she spoke that she didn’t tell her mother’s name to anybody whom she didn’t know.

     25. “Great king of the genies,” called the monster. “I will never disobey you.” Hearing those words, the fisherman became very brave and said, “Tell me why you were locked up in the vase?” The giant angrily looked at the fisherman and said, “Speak to me politely or I shall kill you.” “Why should you kill me?” asked the fisherman.

Answer: The monster called the great king of the genies and said that he would never again disobey him (G).Hearing those words ,the fishermen became brave and told the monster to tell him(f) why he (M) had been locked up in the vase. Then the giant angrily looked at him and told the fishermen to speak to him (M) more politely, otherwise he (M) would kill him (F)

     26. “My sons, listen to me. A great treasure lies hidden in the land. I am going to leave it to you.” “How’ll we find it?” said the sons. “You must dig the land for it” said the old man.

Answer: The old man told his sons to listen to him that a great treasure lied hidden in the land. He added that he was going to leave that to them. The sons wanted to know how they would find it. The old man replied that they must dig the land for it.

     27. “Zaman said to me, “Have you finished reading the book I gave you yesterday?”  “Yes, I have finished reading the book,’ I replied. “What an interesting book it is! I wish I would borrow the book earlier.’ I said. “Will you return the book to me today? he said.

Answer: Zaman asked me if I had finished reading the book he had given me the previous day. I replied in the affirmative and added that I had finished reading the book. I exclaimed with delight that it was a very interesting book. Further I wished that I might borrow the book earlier. He asked me if I would return the book to him that day.

     28. Father said to his son, “Why are you making late? Go to school now.” “No, I am not going to school today. I feel dizzy., ” said his son.

Answer: Father asked his son why he was making late. He told him to go to school then. His son replied that he was not going to school that day. He added that he felt dizzy.

      29. “Have you killed the rates?” said the Mayor. “Yes, I have, said the piper. “Give me the promised money.” “How funny!” said the Mayor, we cannot give you so much money. Take only fifty.

Answer: The Mayor asked the piper if he (p) had killed the rates. The Piper replied in the affirmative that he had. Then he (P) told the Mayor to give him (P) the promised money. The Mayor exclaimed in wonder that it was very funny. He added that they could not give him (P) so much money and told him to take only fifty.

    30. “Why did you not go to school?” said the mother to the girl. “I was ill, mum,” the girl replied. “How are you today?” the mother asked again.” Well,” said the girl, “Don’t worry for me.”

Answer: The mother asked the girl why she had not gone to school the previous day. The girl loving replied that she had been ill. The mother again asked her how she was that day. The girl replied that she was well. She also said not to worry for her.

     31. “Ratan, have you done your English lesson today?” asked the teacher. “Yes, Sir, I did it. But I haven’t understood some grammatical points.” replied Ratan. “Where is the problem?” said the teacher. “Let us try again.”

Answer: The teacher asked Ratan if he had done his English lesson that day. Ratan replied that he had done it but he had not understood some grammatical points. The teacher again asked him where the problem was. He suggested that they should try again.

    32. “I’ve got GPA-5 in the SSC examination” said Rafiq. “Congratulations!” I said. “What do you intend to do now?” “I want to study physics, Chemistry and higher Mathematics of H.S.C at home.”  “I’ll to try to get admission in BUET after my H.S.C exam.” Rafiq replied.

Answer: Rafiq said  that she had got GPA-5 in the SSC Examination. I congratulated him.  I  asked him what he intended to do then. He replied that he wanted to study Physics, Chemistry and Higher Mathematics’ of H.S.C at home. He added that he would try to get admission in BUET after his H.S.C exam.

    33. “Follow my example,” she said as we shook hands, “and never eat more than one thing for luncheon.” “I’ll do better than that,” I retorted “I’ll eat nothing at dinner to night.” “Humorist!” she cried gaily, jumping into a cab.

Answer: As we shook hands she advised me to follow her example and never to eat more than one thing for luncheon. I retorted that I would do better than that and added that I would eat nothing at dinner that night. Jumping into a cab, she cried gaily and commented that I was a humorist.

     34. “I’ve lost my tooth.” said Samira. “I’ll look ugly and horrible.” “Don’t worry,” said Mina. “Just put your tooth into a rat’s hole and a rat will give you one of its fine teeth.”

Answer: Samira told Mina that she(S) had lost her tooth. She added that she would look ugly and horrible. Mina told her (s) not worry and also advised her (s) to just put her tooth into a rat’s hole and a rat would give her (s) one of its fine teeth.

     35. The stranger said to the boy, “Will you tell me the way to the nearest hotel?” “Yes, I’ll. Do you want a residential one in which you can spend the night?” the boy said. “I don’t want to stay there, but only want a meal.” the stranger replied.

Answer: The stranger asked the peasant if he could tell him the way to the nearest hotel. The peasant replied that he could. The peasant asked the stranger if he wanted one in which he could spend the night. The Stranger replied that he did not wish to say there but only wanted a meal.

     36. A hawker said to me, “Do you want any newspaper? I have all types of newspapers. Please take one.” I said, “ I want a weekly. Do you have any magazine?” He said, “Yes, I have the latest copy of The Jai Jai Din.”

Answer: A hawker asked me if I wanted any newspaper and told me that he had all types of newspapers. He further requested me to take one. I told him that I wanted a weekly and also asked him if he had any magazine. He replied in the affirmative and said that he had the latest copy of the Jai Jain Din.

     37. The teacher said to Rita. “Why are you talking in the class? You should behave yourself.” Rita said. “Sir. I am sorry. The teacher said. “Be attentive and listen to my lecture. May Allah bless you.”

Answer: The teacher asked Rita why she was talking in the class and added that she should behave herself. Ratna respectfully said that she was sorry. The teacher advised her to be attentive and listen to his lecture and also wished that Allah might bless her.

     38. “I came to Dhaka this morning. I sent you a telegram before starting from home.” He said, “Did you receive it in time?” He asked. “No, I did not receive it.” I replied.

Answer: He said to me that he had come to Dhaka that morning. He also said that he had sent a telegrame before starting from home. He then asked me if I had received that in time.I replied in the negative and told that I had not received that.

     39. Mother said to Rina, “Are you going to school, now?” “Yes” Rina replied, “Yes” Arif replied. “You have to return soon because we will go for Eid shopping” said mother. “What a nice idea! Mum, you are great,” Rina said.

Answer: Mother asked Rina if she was going to school then. Rina replied in the positive. Mother told her that she had to return soon because they would go for Eid shopping. Rina exclaimed with joy that it was a very nice idea. She also expressed that her mum was great.

      40. “Why are you talking in the class?” said the teacher. “I was talking with Ali about the schedule of S.S.C  examination.” replied Karim. “Don’t gossip in the class. Be attentive to your lesson” said the teacher. “Sorry, Sir.  Please forgive me for this time.” said he.

Answer: The teacher asked Karim why he was talking in the class. Karim replied that he had been talking with Ali about the Schedule of the S.S.C examination. The teacher advised him not to gossip in the class and again advised him to be attentive to his lessons .He expressed sorry with respectfully and forgave him for that time.

      41.“Have you done your homework?” The mother said to the daughter, “No, I’ve forgotten.” said the daughter. “That’s very bad. You must be more careful about your homework. By doing so, you can’t expect to do well in your studies.’ said the mother.

Answer: The mother asked the daughter if she had done her home works. The daughter replied in the negative and told that she had forgotten. The mother told that that was very bad. She suggested the daughter that she must be more careful about her homework. She also warned her daughter that by doing so, she could not expect to do well in the examination.

    42.‘Shima, can you tell me what I am teaching?” the teacher asked. I’m sorry. Sir. I can’t follow,” replied Shima. “You can’t because you are attentive, ‘the teacher said.

Answer: The teacher asked Shima if she could tell him what he was teaching. Shima replied in the negative that she could not follow. The teacher then told that she could not follow because she was not attentive.

     43.“Have you offered your prayer today?” I said to my brother. “No, I have forgotten.” he said. “That’s bad.” I said. “We must pray every day.” He said, “ I am sorry. I shall always say in time.” I said to him, “May Allah bless you.”

Answer: I asked my brother if he had offered his prayer that day. He replied in the negative and said that he had forgotten. I said that was bad. I also said that we had to  pray every day. He said that he was sorry and added that he would say it in time. I wished that Allah might bless him.

      44.“Do you know why you are sent to school?” “For playing with friends, father.” “No, you are sent to learn and write.” “But I won’t read and write.” replied Jack sulky. “Yes, you will.”

Answer: Father asked Jack if he knew why he was sent to school  for playing with friends. Father expressed his negative ness and told him that he was sent to learn to read and write. Father asserted that he (Jack) would read and write.

     45.“Have you ever been to Cox’s Bazer?” asked Hasan. “No, I have never gone there, “replied Kamal. “But I long for visiting the place.” “I had an opportunity to visit the sea beach last year,” said Hasan. “How charming the scenery is!”

Answer: Hasan asked Kamal if he had ever been to cox’s Bazer. Kamal replied that he had never gone there but he longed for visiting the place. Hasan added that he had an opportunity to visit the sea beach the previous year. He exclaimed with joy that the scenery was very charming.

     46.Rashed said Tapas, “I went to the station. I had to receive my uncle there. Where did you go? I went to your house to collect a book from you.” “I am sorry. Let’s go. I shall lend you the book.”

Answer: Rashed said Tapas that he (R ) had gone to the station and he (R) had to receive his (R) uncle there. Rashed also asked Tapas where he (T) had gone. Tapas replied that he had gone to his house (R) to collect a book from him (R ). Rashed apologized and proposed to him that they should go. Rashed also confirmed him and told him (T) that he (R) would lend him (T) the book.

    47.The Teacher became very angry with the student and said, “Why have you disturbed the class in this way? I have told you before that when I am speaking you should be silent. Leave the class and do not come today”.

Answer; The teacher became angry with the student and asked why he (s) had again disturbed the class in that way. He added that he had told him before that when he was speaking he should be silent. Then he ordered the student to leave the room and not to return again that day.

      48.Teacher said to me, “Why did you not perform your homework?”  I said to him, “Sorry I was busy with my mother’s treatment.” Then he said, “From now on I expect you to be punctual” I said, “Ok, Sir.”

Answer: The Teacher asked me why I had not performed my homework. I told him sorrowfully that I had been busy with my mother’s treatment. Then he told that from then on the expected me to be punctual told him respectfully that it would be ok.

      49.“Nafia, have you done your English lesson today?” asked the teacher. “Yes Sir.” she replied. “But I haven’t understood one grammatical point.” the teacher assured her saying. “Come to my room, I’ll help you understand the point.” “Thank you sir.” she smilingly said.

Answer: The teacher asked Nafia if she (N) had done his (R) English lesson that day. Nafia replied in the affirmative with respectfully said that he(R) had not understood one grammatical point and also requested him (T) to explain her (N) to understand the point. He (R) thanked him (T) with respect.

50.My friend said to me, “Why are you sitting alone here?” I have been looking for you. Let us go for a walk in the open field. “Leave me alone.”

Answer: My friend asked me why I was sitting alone there and told me that he had been looking for me. He further proposed that we should go for a walk in the open field. I told him to leave me alone.

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