Training exercises:

Ex 1. Yesterday you met a friend of yours, Charlie. Here are some of the things Charlie said to you. Tell us what he said to you yesterday.

1. I'm living in London now.

2. My father isn't very well.

3. Sharon and Paul are getting married next month.

4. Margaret has had a baby.

5. I don't know what Fred is doing.

6. I saw Helen at a party in June and she seemed fine.

7. I haven't seen Diane recently.

8. I'm not enjoying my job very much.

9. You can come and stay at my flat if you are ever in London.

10. My car was stolen a few weeks ago.

11. I want to go on holiday but I can't afford it.

12. I'll tell Ann I saw you.

Ex 2. Last week you had lunch with Rachel, a friend you hadn't seen for a long time. Look at the list of things she said to you, then tell another friend what she said. Use reported speech.

Model: Rachel said she was going to work in Spain next year.

1. I'm going to work in Spain next year.

2. I work for a small publishing company.

3. I'm their marketing manager.

4. The company has opened an office in Barcelona.

5. It's been very successful.

6. I've been chosen to run a new office in Madrid.

7. I'm studying Spanish in the evenings.

8. I don't have much time to enjoy myself.

9. I haven't had lunch with a friend for ages.

10. I hope my friends will come and visit me in Madrid.

11. I’ll go there last week with my secretary.

12. We didn't have much time for sightseeing.

13. I have to get back to work now.

Ex 3. Last week Julius had flu and had to call the doctor. When he was back at work, he told a colleague about what the doctor said to him. Look at the things his doctor said, then write down what Julius said to his colleague. Change the tense of verbs only where necessary.

Model: She said he had a high temperature.

She said Julius didn’t look after himself properly.

1. You have a high temperature.

2. You don't look after yourself properly.

3. You've obviously been ill for several days.

4. You can't go to work.

5. You're much too thin.

6. You don't eat sensibly.

7. You need to stay in bed.

8. You don't keep your flat warm enough.

9. You've got a nasty cough.

10. You can phone me if you feel worse.

11. You'll feel better in a few days.

12. You need a good holiday.

Ex 4. John had a row with his girlfriend, Julie. His friend Mark tried to help them get back together, and talked to Julie for John. Complete the conversation he had later with John.

MARK: Julie, John's asked me to talk to you.

JULIE: I don't want to speak to him.

MARK: Look Julie, John's really upset.

JULIE: I'm upset, too.

MARK: Will you just let me tell you his side of the story?

JULIE: I'm not interested. He promised to meet me at the restaurant, but he didn't turn up. I don't want to see him again.

mark: But, Julie, his car had broken down.

JULIE: So? There is a telephone in the restaurant.

MARK: But that's the point. He tried to phone, but he couldn’t get through,

JULIE: I don't believe he tried.

MARK: Yes, he did. He came to my flat. Do you believe me?

JULIE: OK. I'll talk to him. Listen, I'm going to be late for work. I'll meet him at six o'clock in the square.

MARK: Thanks, Julie. He'll be really happy. And I promise he'll be there.

JOHN: What did she say?

MARK: She said she (1).

JOHN: Well, what did she say when you told her I was really upset?

MARK: She said she (2)_________ too, so I asked her to let me tell her your side of the story. She said she (3)___________ because you (4)_________ at the restaurant, but you (5)___________. She said she (6)_____________ again.

JOHN: Did you explain about the car?

MARK: Yes, and she was very sarcastic. She said there (7)_____________ at the restaurant. So I told her you couldn't get through, but she said she (8)___________. Then I told her you'd been to my flat and asked if she believed me. She said 'OK' and she said (9)______________. Then she said she (10)___________, so we had to finish. You have to meet her in the square at six o'clock.

JOHN: Thanks, Mark. I really owe you one.

MARK: That's all right. Just don't be late this evening

Ex 5. Complete the sentences with say or tell (in the correct form). Use only one word each time.

1. Ann said goodbye to me and left.

2. _______us about your holiday. Did you have a nice time?

3. Don't just stand there! __________something!

4. I wonder where Sue is. She_________she would be here at 8 o'clock.

5. Jack_______me that he was fed up with his job.

6. The doctor______________that I should rest for at least a week.

7. Don't_________anybody what I___________. It's a secret just between us.

8. 'Did she_____________you what happened?' 'No, she didn't________anything to me.'

9. George couldn't help me. He__________me to ask Kate.

10. George couldn't help me. He___________to ask Kate.

Ex 6. Complete the sentences with the correct form of say or tell.

1. Did you tell your brother the truth about that money?

2. What____________ (you) to Wendy last night? She looks terribly upset this morning.

3. Is something wrong? Can you__________ me about it?

4. My little sister kept asking me_____________ her a story but I couldn't think of one.

5. If I asked you to marry me, what_______________ (you)?

6. I never know what___________ to people when they pay me a compliment.

7. Don't worry, I'm sure everything will go smoothly. Anyway, the manager ____________ to call him if we had any problems.

8. I'll never speak to him again after all the lies he_________ me last weekend.

9. If I were you, I__________ (not) anything to the police about your suspicions until you have more evidence.

10. Promise you____________ (not) anything to my parents. They'll be furious if they find out what I've done.

11. I__________ (already) you, I don't know where your diary is.

12. Please________ you'll forgive me. I'm really sorry for all the trouble I've caused.

13. I'm ready to serve the meal. Can you___________ the children to go and wash their hands, please?