CBSE Reported Speech Class 10 Worksheet with Answers

English grammar is crucial for CBSE Class 10, and reported speech stands out as a high-weightage topic in board exams. Also called indirect speech, it lets you report what someone said without quoting their exact words—essential for clear writing, essays, and conversations.

Students often struggle with tense backshifts, pronoun changes, and time/place words. For example:

Direct: “I am happy,” he said.

Reported: He said that he was happy.

Regular practice with reported speech exercises for class 10 with answers builds accuracy and speed. These worksheets follow the latest CBSE Class 10 exam English Syllabus (including competency-based questions), helping you score higher in grammar sections.

We've compiled rules, examples, and 40+ exercises (statements, questions, commands, dialogues, MCQs) with solutions for self-study and revision.

These exercises cover all forms of reported speech—statements, questions, and commands/requests. For instance, a question like “She said, ‘Do you like pizza?’” changes into “She asked if I liked pizza.” With constant practice of reported speech class 10 exercises, students will learn how to handle such conversions with ease.

The best part is that most worksheets come with solutions. So, if a student gets stuck, they can check the correct form immediately. This makes learning independent and stress-free. Teachers also recommend using reported speech exercises for class 10 with answers during revision because they save time and help students focus on the right rules.

What is Reported Speech?

Reported speech, also known as indirect speech, is used when you want to tell someone what another person has said without using their exact words. Unlike direct speech, which quotes someone's exact words, reported speech changes the wording to fit the context of the reporting sentence.

For example, if a person named John says, "I am going to the party," in reported speech, it would be changed to: "John said that he was going to the party." Here, "am" is changed to "was" because the sentence is being reported in the past tense. The pronoun "I" changes to "he" to match the subject of the reporting sentence, “John.”

Why is Reported Speech Important for Class 10?

In Class 10, students are expected to master the rules of reported speech, as it forms a significant part of their English grammar lessons. Understanding the reported speech rules Class 10 helps students in various aspects of their communication. Whether you're writing an essay, reporting a conversation, or summarizing a speech, being able to use reported speech accurately makes your writing clearer and more structured.

To assist students, we've created a reported speech worksheet for Class 10, filled with helpful exercises that encourage practice and skill development.

Do Check: CBSE Worksheet for Class 10

Reported Speech Rules for Class 10: Direct and Indirect Speech Conversion

Changing direct speech to reported speech involves three main shifts: Tense, Pronouns, and Time/Place expressions.

Reported Speech Tense Change Chart and Time/Place Rules

If the reporting verb is in the past tense (e.g., said, told), the tense of the actual speech changes as follows:

Time and Place Change Rules (Expression of Nearness)

In Class 10 English exams, students often lose marks by forgetting to change time and place markers. Use this table for quick revision:

• Now → Then
• Today → That day
• Tomorrow → The next day / The following day
• Yesterday → The previous day / The day before
• Tonight → That night
• Here → There
• This / These → That / Those
• Ago → Before

Reported Speech for Questions, Commands, and Exclamatory Sentences

Not every sentence is a simple statement. The CBSE syllabus requires you to know how to handle different sentence structures:

A. Interrogative Sentences (Questions)

• Yes/No Questions: Use if or whether. The sentence structure changes from a question to a statement.
  • Direct: "Are you hungry?" she asked.
  • Indirect: She asked if I was hungry.
• Wh- Questions: Do not use 'if'. Keep the question word (who, where, why, how).
  • Direct: "Where do you live?" he asked.
  • Indirect: He asked where I lived.

B. Imperative Sentences (Commands & Requests)

For orders, requests, or advice, use the format: Reporting Verb + To + Verb.

• Direct: "Please sit down," the teacher said.
• Indirect: The teacher requested me to sit down.
• Direct: "Don't smoke," the doctor said.
• Indirect: The doctor advised me not to smoke.

C. Exclamatory Sentences

Use reporting verbs like exclaimed with joy, exclaimed with sorrow, or applauded.

• Direct: "Hurrah! We won!" they cried.
• Indirect: They exclaimed with joy that they had won.

Do Check: CBSE Worksheet for Class 10 English

CBSE Class 10 Reported Speech Dialogue Exercises with Answers (Solved Examples)

The modern CBSE exam format focuses on Dialogue Completion. Instead of single sentences, you must fill in the blanks of a paragraph based on a conversation.

Reported Statements

Change this direct speech into reported speech:

1. "He works in a bank"
   She said ___________________________________________________________
2. "We went out last night"
   She told me ________________________________________________________
3. "I'm coming!"
   She said ___________________________________________________________
4. "I was waiting for the bus when he arrived"
   She told me ________________________________________________________
5. "I'd never been there before"
   She said ___________________________________________________________
6. "I didn't go to the party"
   She told me ________________________________________________________
7. "Lucy'll come later"
   She said ___________________________________________________________
8. "He hasn't eaten breakfast"
   She told me ________________________________________________________
9. "I can help you tomorrow"
   She said ___________________________________________________________
10. "You should go to bed early"
    She told me ________________________________________________________
11. "I don't like chocolate"
    She told me ________________________________________________________
12. "I won't see you tomorrow"
    She said ___________________________________________________________
13. "She's living in Paris for a few months"
    She said ___________________________________________________________
14. "I visited my parents at the weekend"
    She told me ________________________________________________________
15. "She hasn't eaten sushi before"
    She said ___________________________________________________________
16. "I hadn't travelled by underground before I came to London"
    She said ___________________________________________________________
17. "They would help if they could"
    She said ___________________________________________________________
18. "I'll do the washing-up later"
    She told me ________________________________________________________
19. "He could read when he was three"
    She said ___________________________________________________________
20. "I was sleeping when Julie called"
    She said ___________________________________________________________

Reported Statements: Answers

1. She said (that) he worked in a bank.
2. She told me (that) they went (had gone) out last night (the night before).
3. She said (that) she was coming.
4. She told me (that) she was waiting for the bus when he arrived.
5. She said (that) she had never been there before.
6. She told me (that) she didn't go (hadn't gone) to the party.
7. She said (that) Lucy would come later.
8. She told me (that) he hadn't eaten breakfast.
9. She said (that) she could help me tomorrow.
10. She told me (that) I should go to bed early.
11. She told me (that) she didn't like chocolate.
12. She said (that) she wouldn't see me tomorrow.
13. She said (that) she is living in Paris for a few months.
14. She told me (that) she visited (had visited) her parents at the weekend.
15. She said (that) she hadn't eaten sushi before.
16. She said (that) she hadn't travelled by underground before she came to London.
17. She said (that) they would help if they could.
18. She told me (that) she would do the washing-up later.
19. She said (that) he could read when he was three.
20. She said (that) she had been sleeping when Julie called.

Reported Questions

Change these direct questions into reported speech:

1. "Where is he?"
   She asked me ______________________________________________________
2. "What are you doing?"
   She asked me ______________________________________________________
3. "Why did you go out last night?"
   She asked me ______________________________________________________
4. "Who was that beautiful woman?"
   She asked me ______________________________________________________
5. "How is your mother?"
   She asked me ______________________________________________________
6. "What are you going to do at the weekend?"
   She asked me ______________________________________________________
7. "Where will you live after graduation?"
   She asked me ______________________________________________________
8. "What were you doing when I saw you?"
   She asked me ______________________________________________________
9. "How was the journey?"
   She asked me ______________________________________________________
10. "How often do you go to the cinema?"
    She asked me ______________________________________________________
11. "Do you live in London?"
    She asked me ______________________________________________________
12. "Did he arrive on time?"
    She asked me ______________________________________________________
13. "Have you been to Paris?"
    She asked me ______________________________________________________
14. "Can you help me?"
    She asked me ______________________________________________________
15. "Are you working tonight?"
    She asked me ______________________________________________________
16. "Will you come later?"
    She asked me ______________________________________________________
17. "Do you like coffee?"
    She asked me ______________________________________________________
18. "Is this the road to the station?"
    She asked me ______________________________________________________
19. "Did you do your homework?"
    She asked me ______________________________________________________
20. "Have you studied reported speech before?"
    She asked me ______________________________________________________

Reported Questions – Answers:

1. She asked me where he was.
2. She asked me what I was doing.
3. She asked me why I went (had gone) out last night.
4. She asked me who that beautiful woman was.
5. She asked me how my mother was.
6. She asked me what I was going to do at the weekend.
7. She asked me where I would live after graduation.
8. She asked me what I had been doing when she saw (had seen) me.
9. She asked me how the journey was (had been).
10. She asked me how often I went to the cinema.
11. She asked me if I lived in London.
12. She asked me if he arrived (had arrived) on time.
13. She asked me if I had been to Paris.
14. She asked me if I could help her.
15. She asked me if I was working tonight (that night).
16. She asked me if I would come later.
17. She asked me if I liked coffee.
18. She asked me if this was the road to the station.
19. She asked me if I did (had done) my homework.
20. She asked me if I had studied reported speech before.

Reported Requests and Orders

Change the direct speech into reported speech:

1. "Please help me carry this"
   She asked me ______________________________________________________
2. "Please come early"
   She ______________________________________________________________
3. "Please buy some milk"
   She ______________________________________________________________
4. "Could you please open the window?"
   She ______________________________________________________________
5. "Could you bring the book tonight?"
   She ______________________________________________________________
6. "Can you help me with my homework, please?"
   She ______________________________________________________________
7. "Would you bring me a cup of coffee, please?"
   She ______________________________________________________________
8. "Would you mind passing the salt?"
   She ______________________________________________________________
9. "Would you mind lending me a pencil?"
   She ______________________________________________________________
10. "I was wondering if you could possibly tell me the time?"
    She ______________________________________________________________
11. "Do your homework!"
    She told me ________________________________________________________
12. "Go to bed!"
    She ______________________________________________________________
13. "Don't be late!"
    She ______________________________________________________________
14. "Don't smoke!"
    She ______________________________________________________________
15. "Tidy your room!"
    She ______________________________________________________________
16. "Wait here!"
    She ______________________________________________________________
17. "Don't do that!"
    She ______________________________________________________________
18. "Eat your dinner!"
    She ______________________________________________________________
19. "Don't make a mess!"
    She ______________________________________________________________
20. "Do the washing-up!"
    She ______________________________________________________________

Reported Orders and Requests – Answers:

1. She asked me to help her carry that.
2. She asked me to come early.
3. She asked me to buy some milk.
4. She asked me to open the window.
5. She asked me to bring the book tonight (that night).
6. She asked me to help her with her homework.
7. She asked me to bring her a cup of coffee.
8. She asked me to pass the salt.
9. She asked me to lend her a pencil.
10. She asked me to tell her the time.
11. She told me to do my homework.
12. She told me to go to bed.
13. She told me not to be late.
14. She told me not to smoke.
15. She told me to tidy my room.
16. She told me to wait here (there).
17. She told me not to do that.
18. She told me to eat my dinner.
19. She told me not to make a mess.
20. She told me to do the washing-up.

Mixed Reported Speech 1 (Statements, Questions, Requests and Orders)

Change the direct speech into reported speech. Choose the past simple of 'ask', 'say' or 'tell':

1. "Don't do it!"
   She ______________________________________________________________
2. "I'm leaving tomorrow"
   She ______________________________________________________________
3. "Please get me a cup of tea"
   She ______________________________________________________________
4. "She got married last year"
   She ______________________________________________________________
5. "Be quick!"
   She ______________________________________________________________
6. "Could you explain number four, please?"
   She ______________________________________________________________
7. "Where do you live?"
   She ______________________________________________________________
8. "We went to the cinema and then to a Chinese restaurant"
   She ______________________________________________________________
9. "I'll come and help you at twelve"
   She ______________________________________________________________
10. "What are you doing tomorrow?"
    She ______________________________________________________________
11. "Don't go!"
    She ______________________________________________________________
12. "Do you work in London?"
    She ______________________________________________________________
13. "Could you tell me where the post office is?"
    She ______________________________________________________________
14. "Come here!"
    She ______________________________________________________________
15. "I've never been to Wales"
    She ______________________________________________________________
16. "Have you ever seen 'Lord of the Rings'?"
    She ______________________________________________________________
17. "I don't like mushrooms"
    She ______________________________________________________________
18. "Don't be silly!"
    She ______________________________________________________________
19. "Would you mind waiting a moment please?"
    She ______________________________________________________________
20. "How often do you play sport?"
    She ______________________________________________________________

Answers: Mixed Reported Speech 1

(When I used 'said' you can also use 'told me')

1. She told me to do it.
2. She said (that) she was leaving tomorrow (the next day).
3. She asked me to get her a cup of tea.
4. She said (that) she got married last year.
5. She told me to be quick.
6. She asked me to explain number four.
7. She asked me where I lived.
8. She said (that) they went (had been) to the cinema and then to a Chinese restaurant.
9. She said (that) she would come and help me at twelve.
10. She asked me what I was doing tomorrow (the day after).
11. She told me not to go.
12. She asked me if I worked in London.
13. She asked me to tell her where the post office was. (or: she asked me if I could tell her where the post office was).
14. She told me to come here (there).
15. She said (that) she had never been to Wales.
16. She asked me if I had ever seen "The Lord of the Rings'.
17. She said (that) she didn't like mushrooms.
18. She told me not to be silly.
19. She asked me to wait a moment. (or: she asked me if I would mind waiting a moment).
20. She asked me how often I played sport.

Do Check: NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English

Mixed Reported Speech 2 (Statements, Questions, Requests and Orders)

Change the direct speech into reported speech. Choose the past simple of 'ask', 'say' or 'tell':

1. "Come quickly!"
   She ______________________________________________________________
2. "Did you arrive before seven?"
   She ______________________________________________________________
3. "How was your holiday?"
   She ______________________________________________________________
4. "I would have visited the hospital, if I had known you were sick"
   She ______________________________________________________________
5. "Don't touch!"
   She ______________________________________________________________
6. "Do you usually cook at home?"
   She ______________________________________________________________
7. "They had never been to Scotland until last year"
   She ______________________________________________________________
8. "Make sure you arrive early!"
   She ______________________________________________________________
9. "I should have studied harder for the exam"
   She ______________________________________________________________
10. "Would you mind telling me how to get to the art gallery, please?"
    She ______________________________________________________________
11. "Please don't forget my book"
    She ______________________________________________________________
12. "Make sure you arrive at six!"
    She ______________________________________________________________
13. "Remember to study hard!"
    She ______________________________________________________________
14. "Where do you want to eat tonight?"
    She ______________________________________________________________
15. "I usually drink coffee in the mornings"
    She ______________________________________________________________
16. "Do you like studying English?"
    She ______________________________________________________________
17. "I'll come and help you on Saturday"
    She ______________________________________________________________
18. "Please buy some bread on your way home"
    She ______________________________________________________________
19. "Please give this to John"
    She ______________________________________________________________
20. "Could you give me the glass on the table, please?"
    She ______________________________________________________________

Answers: Reported Speech Mixed Exercise 2

1. She told me to come quickly.
2. She asked me if I arrived (had arrived) before seven.
3. She asked me how my holiday was (had been).
4. She said (that) she would have visited the hospital, if she had known I was sick.
5. She told me not to touch.
6. She asked me if I usually cooked at home.
7. She said (that) they had never been to Scotland until last year.
8. She told me to arrive early.
9. She said (that) she should have studied harder for the exam.
10. She asked me how to get to the art gallery. (or: she asked me if I would mind telling her how to get to the art gallery).
11. She asked me not to forget her book.
12. She told me to arrive at six.
13. She told me to remember to study hard.
14. She asked me where I wanted tonight / that night.
15. She said that she usually drank coffee in the mornings.
16. She asked me if I liked studying English.
17. She said that she would come and help me on Saturday.
18. She asked me to buy some bread on my way home.
19. She asked me to give this to John.
20. She asked me to give her the glass on the table.

How to Score Full Marks in Reported Speech: Common Mistakes & Exceptions

To ensure you get a perfect score, keep these exceptions in mind:

1. Universal Truths & Habits: If the sentence expresses a fact that is always true, the tense does not change.
   • Example: The teacher said, "The sun rises in the east." → The teacher said that the sun rises in the east. (Not rose).
2. Reporting Verb in Present Tense: If the reporting verb is says or will say (instead of said), the tense inside the quotes stays the same.
   • Example: He says, "I am fine." → He says that he is fine.
3. The "That" Rule: Always use "that" to introduce reported statements. For questions and commands, "that" is usually replaced by "if" or "to".
4. No Question Marks: Never use a question mark in indirect speech. It is always a statement ending in a full stop.