Reported Speech — B2 Grammar Practice

Exercise 1

Direct to reported speech

10 points

Rewrite in reported speech. Use the reporting verb given.

1

"Automation is creating a significant skills gap in the workforce." — The economist (said)

2

"We will invest in renewable energy by 2030." — The government (promised)

3

"Don't underestimate the impact of data privacy breaches." — The expert (warned us)

4

"Has the company reduced its carbon footprint this year?" — The journalist (asked)

5

"Why are so many workers facing redundancy?" — The union leader (demanded to know)

Exercise 2

Choose the correct reporting verb

8 points

Tap the most appropriate reporting verb for each context.

1

The CEO ______ to reduce the company's carbon footprint by 40% within three years.

2

The spokesperson ______ that the company had mishandled user data.

3

The scientist ______ that fossil fuels should be phased out within a decade.

4

The director ______ the workforce not to worry about automation-related redundancies.

5

The expert ______ introducing a carbon tax to reduce fossil fuel dependency.

6

She ______ to share her personal data with any third-party platforms.

7

The union ______ that low wages were linked to growing inequality.

8

The director ______ the staff about the risks of poor cybersecurity practices.

Exercise 3

Tense backshift — complete

10 points

Complete the reported speech sentence with the correct backshifted form.

1

"Carbon emissions have risen by 12% this year." → She said carbon emissions by 12% that year.

2

"We are developing a new algorithm to combat inequality." → They announced they a new algorithm to combat inequality.

3

"The workforce will need to adapt to automation." → The expert warned that the workforce to adapt to automation.

4

"I can see the impact of remote working on our carbon footprint." → She said she the impact of remote working on their carbon footprint.

5

"We must tackle data privacy as a matter of urgency." → The regulator insisted they data privacy as a matter of urgency.

Exercise 4

Key word transformation

7 points

1

"I didn't share your data," the company said. DENIED
The company ______ the data.

2

"Please don't cut the renewable energy budget," she said to the minister. URGED
She ______ the renewable energy budget.

3

"Why have so many workers been made redundant?" the journalist asked. ASKED
The journalist ______ many workers had been made redundant.