PRACTICE SET : 01
Narration – HS Final Exam Preparation
1. M. Hamel said, “My children, this is the last lesson I shall give you. The order has come from Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine.” [2024]
M. Hamel told his students that it was the last lesson he would give them because the order had come from Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine.
2. Aditi asked Raju if his sister was at home. Raju replied that she was not. She had gone shopping with their mother. [2024]
Aditi asked Raju, “Is your sister at home?” Raju replied, “No, she is not. She has gone shopping with our mother.”
3. He said to me, “How long will you stay here?” I replied that I would stay for a week. [2024]
He asked me how long I would stay there. I replied that I would stay for a week.
4. The gentleman said to the salesman, “What is the price of this Dictionary?” The salesman said to him “It is a bit expensive. But I can give it to you at a 10 percent discount.” [2023]
The gentleman asked the salesman what the price of the dictionary was. The salesman replied that it was a bit expensive but added that he could give it at a 10 percent discount.
5. I asked the old lady where professor Sarmah lived. The lady replied regretfully that she didn’t know. [2023]
I asked the old lady, “Where does Professor Sarmah live?” The lady replied, “I’m sorry, but I don’t know.”
6. The girl said to the teacher, “Madam, I am weak in English and seek your advice.” The teacher replied “Read the text thoroughly and try to express your idea in simple correct English.” [2023]
The girl told the teacher that she was weak in English and sought her advice. The teacher advised her to read the text thoroughly and try to express her ideas in simple, correct English.
7. Aruna said, “Let’s buy some milk and prepare a milkshake for us. The milkshake we’re drinking now is utterly tasteless.” [2023]
Aruna suggested that they buy some milk and prepare a milkshake for themselves, adding that the milkshake they were drinking at that moment was utterly tasteless.
8. The teacher asked the girl, “Why aren’t you wearing shoes?” The girl replied, “My mother did not bring them down from the shelf.” [2022]
The teacher asked the girl why she was not wearing shoes. The girl replied that her mother had not brought them down from the shelf.
9. I asked my friend why he looked so sad. He replied that his father was seriously ill and that there was little hope for his recovery. [2022]
I asked my friend, “Why do you look so sad?” He replied, “My father is seriously ill, and there is little hope for his recovery.”
10. My friend said to me, “I am very thirsty. Please give me a glass of water.” [2022]
My friend told me that he was very thirsty and requested me to give him a glass of water.
11. Reena asked the boy what the matter was and why he was crying. She also advised him to be cheerful. [2022]
Reena asked the boy, “What is the matter? Why are you crying? Be cheerful.”
12. Alexander said to Porus, “How do you desire to be treated?” Porus replied, “Like a king.” [2020]
Alexander asked Porus how he desired to be treated. Porus replied that he desired to be treated like a king.
13. The boys exclaimed in joy that they had all passed the test and that they would celebrate their success the next day. [2020]
The boys exclaimed, “We have all passed the test! We will celebrate our success tomorrow!”
14. Reena said to the boy, “What’s the matter? Why are you crying? Be cheerful.” [2019]
Reena asked the boy what the matter was and why he was crying. She advised him to be cheerful.
15. The customer inquired if he could get a garden roller in that shop. The assistant respectfully replied that he would get it in the hardware department. [2019]
The customer asked, “Can I get a garden roller in this shop?” The assistant replied, “You will get it in the hardware department.”
📘 Tips for Narration Practice
- Change reporting verb depending on sentence type: ask, tell, request, exclaim, suggest, etc.
- Convert tense in reported speech to past (if reporting verb is past).
- First person → subject of reporting verb. Second person → object of reporting verb. Third person stays unchanged.
- Change time/place words: now → then, here → there, today → that day, etc.
- Imperative sentences become "ordered", "requested", or "advised".
- Yes/No questions use "if/whether". WH-questions use same WH-word.
- Practice regularly to become fluent. Try answering first, then reveal answers.
