8. Put in the missing words.

It’s a sad fact that people steal from hotels. Recently I interviewed Mr David Wills, the manager of a large hotel, and he (1) me that all kinds of things, large and small, (2) constantly stolen. Mr Wills told (3) that a check (4) made on a person’s room as soon as they (5) (leave) it, but unless someone had walked off with a wardrobe, he (6) (advise) the staff (7) (not/make) a fuss. “What is even more surprising,” Mr Wills (8) “is the things people leave behind – anything from wooden legs to false teeth!” He then (9) on to tell me a story about a snobbish lady who (10) (recently check out). She (11) (object) that her bill (12) (be) too high, but paid it nevertheless. Just as she (13) (leave), the phone rang and the cashier answered it. He then (14) the lady that a hotel bathrobe was missing from her room. The lady expressed great surprise and (15) that the hotel maid must have packed it in by mistake. “But the maid has just reported the bathrobe missing,” the cashier (16). Hanging over the bathrobe, the lady left in disgust. “Who wants a second-hand bathrobe, anyway?” she said, as she made her way to a taxi complaining that hotel service (17) (be) not what it used to be.

(Longman English Grammar Practice, p.225)

9. Put in the correct forms.

It had been a particularly bad winter in Chicago. Nearly forty inches of snow had fallen in a fortnight. Railway workers at Chicago station didn’t know (1) (what/do) with it. The foreman (2) (advise them/shovel) it into huge mountains to keep the platforms clear. He (3) (tell/not leave) any snow on the platforms because it was dangerous for passengers. But it was an impossible task! Suddenly, one of the workers had a bright idea. “I know (4) (how/get rid) of it,” he said. “Let’s load it onto this freight train. We can send it south to Mississippi and New Orleans. It’ll just melt away.” The next day five tons of snow arrived in Memphis, Tennessee. “It’s a welcome gift,” a railway worker said. “We know (5) (what/do) with it here. We’ll send what we can to the children’s playground. Some of us have never seen snow before!”

(Longman English Grammar Practice, p.223)

10. Match the first part (1-10) with an appropriate reporting verb (a-j).

1. “If you do it again, I’ll leave,” a) she whispered.

2. “I’m now going to read out the results,” b) he answered.

3. “Could you bring me the wine list?” c) she shouted.

4. “Of course, I’ll bring it right away,” d) she threatened.

5. “Our team will easily beat yours,” e) she announced.

6. “Please give me another chance,” f) she claimed.

7. “Shhh! The baby is sleeping,” g) he asked.

8. “I’m innocent of all the charges,” h) she begged.

9. “First of all, you press the button,” i) he boasted.

10. “Careful! The water’s deep!” j) he explained.

11. Finish these sentences using the information above. Use Reported Speech.

1. She threatened …… .

2. She announced that she …… .

3. He asked the waiter …… .

4. The waiter answered …… .

5. He boasted that …… .

6. She begged them …… .

7. She whispered that …… .

8. She claimed …… .

9. He explained that …… .

10. She shouted to us …… .