The present simple becomes the past simple in reported speech.
"I live in Comayagua," she said. In other words, she said that she ___ in Comayagua.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: A)lived
💡 Explicación
The rule of backshift: when the reporting verb is in the past, the tense of the direct sentence moves one step back. Present simple becomes past simple.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: A)lived
A)livedCorrect! When the reporting verb is in the past, the present simple of the original shifts to the past simple.
B)livesLives would keep the original present tense, which only happens when the reporting verb is also present.
C)has livedThe present perfect would suggest the living is relevant to now, and the shift from a past reporting verb requires the past simple.
D)is livingA present continuous would be wrong because the shift applies to the tense of the original clause.
💡 Explicación
The rule of backshift: when the reporting verb is in the past, the tense of the direct sentence moves one step back. Present simple becomes past simple.
Pregunta 2
Pregunta 2 · D3Bloom: Apply
Past simple becomes past perfect in reported speech.
"I finished the project," he said. She reported that he ___ the project.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: B)had finished
💡 Explicación
Every tense moves one step further into the past: present simple to past simple, and past simple to past perfect. The reporting time and the original time no longer coincide.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: B)had finished
A)has finishedThe present perfect would be the result of backshifting a present tense, not of a past simple.
B)had finishedCorrect! Backshifting a past simple event gives the past perfect.
C)was finishingA past continuous would need an ongoing action in the original sentence, and finish is presented as complete.
D)finishesFinishes is the original present form and has not been shifted at all.
💡 Explicación
Every tense moves one step further into the past: present simple to past simple, and past simple to past perfect. The reporting time and the original time no longer coincide.
Pregunta 3
Pregunta 3 · D2Bloom: Apply
The reporting verb is present, so no backshift is needed.
She says she ___ in La Paz for three months.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: C)has been
💡 Explicación
Backshift depends on the reporting verb. She says keeps the present, and she said would force the past perfect. The choice of reporting verb decides the tense of the report.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: C)has been
A)had beenHad been is the backshifted form and is only correct with a past reporting verb such as she said she had been.
B)will beA future form would be the original tense only if the speaker had said will, and the time here is already past.
C)has beenCorrect! With a present reporting verb the original tense is kept, and has been is the present perfect.
D)is beingA present continuous would be the original only if she had used that form, and she did not.
💡 Explicación
Backshift depends on the reporting verb. She says keeps the present, and she said would force the past perfect. The choice of reporting verb decides the tense of the report.
Pregunta 4
Pregunta 4 · D2Bloom: Apply
Pronouns and possessives change when a speaker is reported.
"I lost my pen," said Carlos. Carlos said that ___ had lost ___ pen.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: D)he ... his
💡 Explicación
Reporting someone else's words changes I to he or she, we to they, and my to his or her. The possessives always follow the new pronoun.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: D)he ... his
A)I ... myKeeping the first person would make the report sound as if the reporter were the speaker.
B)he ... myThe possessive must change with the person, so my cannot stay once the pronoun becomes he.
C)they ... theirA plural pronoun would contradict the single speaker named in the original sentence.
D)he ... hisCorrect! When the speaker reports his own words, the first person pronoun becomes third person and the possessive agrees.
💡 Explicación
Reporting someone else's words changes I to he or she, we to they, and my to his or her. The possessives always follow the new pronoun.
Pregunta 5
Pregunta 5 · D3Bloom: Apply
Demonstratives change to point from the reporter's point of view.
"This book is mine," said Ana. Ana said that ___ book was hers.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: A)that ... her
💡 Explicación
This becomes that and these become those in reported speech because the object is no longer near the reporter. Possessives shift in the same way: mine becomes his, hers or theirs.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: A)that ... her
A)that ... herCorrect! This becomes that and mine becomes hers when the words are reported by someone else.
B)this ... myKeeping this and my would preserve the original speaker's point of view, which reporting removes.
C)these ... ourThese is the plural of this, and the original is singular, while our does not match hers.
D)those ... theirThose is the plural demonstrative, and the sentence refers to a single book.
💡 Explicación
This becomes that and these become those in reported speech because the object is no longer near the reporter. Possessives shift in the same way: mine becomes his, hers or theirs.
Pregunta 6
Pregunta 6 · D3Bloom: Apply
The verb say in a negative sentence, then reported.
He didn't say that he was tired. He said that he ___ tired.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: B)wasn't
💡 Explicación
The backshift applies to the tense of the reported clause, not to the negative auxiliary of the reporting verb. He didn't say that he was tired keeps the present simple.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: B)wasn't
A)hadn't beenA past perfect would backshift a past simple, but was is a present form and the negative did not changes.
B)wasn'tCorrect! A negative main verb is not backshifted; the negative stays in the report and the clause keeps its tense.
C)was not going to beThat would add a future meaning the original sentence does not contain.
D)has not beenA present perfect would shift the time reference to now, and the original was is a simple present.
💡 Explicación
The backshift applies to the tense of the reported clause, not to the negative auxiliary of the reporting verb. He didn't say that he was tired keeps the present simple.
Pregunta 7
Pregunta 7 · D3Bloom: Apply
Time and place words are adjusted in reported speech.
"I will meet her tomorrow at the square," he said. He said that he ___ meet her the next day at the square.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: C)would
💡 Explicación
Will becomes would in reported speech, and the demonstrative time expressions shift as well: now becomes then, tomorrow becomes the next day, today becomes that day.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: C)would
A)willKeeping will would ignore the past tense of the reporting verb said.
B)is going toBe going to is a different future form and does not correspond to the will of the original sentence.
C)wouldCorrect! A future will becomes would when the reporting verb is in the past, and tomorrow becomes the next day.
D)had been going toA past perfect would add two steps of backshift, which the original will does not require.
💡 Explicación
Will becomes would in reported speech, and the demonstrative time expressions shift as well: now becomes then, tomorrow becomes the next day, today becomes that day.
Pregunta 8
Pregunta 8 · D3Bloom: Apply
A modal in reported speech, with a deduction.
"She must be at the office," he said. He said that she ___ be at the office.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: D)must
💡 Explicación
Modals and the auxiliaries do, does, did, have, is, are, was and were do not change form in reported speech. The meaning stays exactly the same as in the direct sentence.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: D)must
A)had toHad to expresses obligation in the past, not the deduction that must expresses in the original.
B)shouldShould expresses expectation, and the deduction of must is stronger than that.
C)must have beenA must with have plus participle would refer to a deduction about the past, which the present must does not.
D)mustCorrect! Modal verbs have no past form of their own, so they stay unchanged in reported speech.
💡 Explicación
Modals and the auxiliaries do, does, did, have, is, are, was and were do not change form in reported speech. The meaning stays exactly the same as in the direct sentence.
Pregunta 9
Pregunta 9 · D3Bloom: Apply
A yes or no question becomes an if or whether clause.
"Are you coming?" she asked. She asked ___ she was coming.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: A)if
💡 Explicación
A polar question loses its question mark in reported speech. If replaces the auxiliary and the subject comes before it: she asked if she was coming.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: A)if
A)ifCorrect! A polar question becomes a conjunction clause introduced by if, with the word order of a statement.
B)thatThat cannot introduce a question with a yes or no answer, and the word order would also be wrong.
C)whichWhich asks for a choice between named options, and the original question is polar.
D)whatWhat asks for the thing or the cause, not for a confirmation.
💡 Explicación
A polar question loses its question mark in reported speech. If replaces the auxiliary and the subject comes before it: she asked if she was coming.
Pregunta 10
Pregunta 10 · D3Bloom: Apply
The negative question reported as a negative clause.
"Didn't you finish it?" he asked. He asked ___ she had finished it.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: B)whether
💡 Explicación
Whether and if both introduce reported polar questions. Whether is more formal and is the one used before to or before a clause that needs or not.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: B)whether
A)if notIf not would need the negative inside the main verb, and the sentence already places not in the auxiliary.
B)whetherCorrect! Whether is the standard conjunction for reporting a polar question, and the polarity moves into the clause.
C)thatThat cannot introduce a question clause, and the reported content is a question.
D)whyWhy asks for a reason, and the original question asks for confirmation.
💡 Explicación
Whether and if both introduce reported polar questions. Whether is more formal and is the one used before to or before a clause that needs or not.
Pregunta 11
Pregunta 11 · D4Bloom: Apply
A wh question keeps its question word in reported speech.
"Where do you live?" he asked. He asked ___ she lived.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: C)where
💡 Explicación
A wh question reports with its question word intact and the auxiliary after the subject. He asked where she lived is the standard pattern.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: C)where
A)ifIf introduces polar questions, and a wh question needs its own question word.
B)whichWhich asks for a choice between options, and the original question asks about a place.
C)whereCorrect! A wh question keeps its question word and takes the word order of a statement.
D)whatWhat asks for a thing, and the original question asks about a location.
💡 Explicación
A wh question reports with its question word intact and the auxiliary after the subject. He asked where she lived is the standard pattern.
Pregunta 12
Pregunta 12 · D3Bloom: Apply
The reporting verb tell, which requires a person as its object.
He ___ me that he would be late for the meeting.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: D)told
💡 Explicación
Tell plus a person plus the clause is the structure for relaying someone's words to a third party. Say plus a clause is used without naming the person told.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: D)told
A)saidSay does not normally take an indirect object, so said me that is not standard usage.
B)spokeSpeak cannot be followed by a that clause reporting someone's exact words.
C)tellsTells is the present form, and the sentence reports words already spoken in the past.
D)toldCorrect! Tell takes a person as its object, and the past simple told is the past of tell.
💡 Explicación
Tell plus a person plus the clause is the structure for relaying someone's words to a third party. Say plus a clause is used without naming the person told.
Pregunta 13
Pregunta 13 · D3Bloom: Apply
A command reported with a to infinitive.
"Close the window, please," she said. She said that I ___ close the window.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: A)should
💡 Explicación
Imperatives do not shift tense because they have none. In reported speech they take should plus base verb, or a to infinitive after verbs like ask and tell.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: A)should
A)shouldCorrect! A reported command uses should plus base verb, which carries the obligation of the original imperative.
B)mustMust would express a stronger obligation than the polite request in the original sentence.
C)willA future form would report a prediction, and the original was an instruction.
D)am going toBe going to expresses an intention, which is not the meaning of an instruction given to someone else.
💡 Explicación
Imperatives do not shift tense because they have none. In reported speech they take should plus base verb, or a to infinitive after verbs like ask and tell.
Pregunta 14
Pregunta 14 · D4Bloom: Apply
An offer or a suggestion reported in the past.
"I'll help you with the bags," he said. He said that he ___ help her with the bags.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: B)would
💡 Explicación
Offers and promises shift exactly like any other future: I'll becomes he would, and we shall becomes they would. One step of backshift is the rule.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: B)would
A)willKeeping will would ignore the past tense of the reporting verb said.
B)wouldCorrect! An offer with I'll becomes he would when it is reported in the past.
C)had helpedA past perfect would backshift twice, and the original I'll requires only one step back.
D)is helpingA present continuous would describe an action under way now, which the original offer does not.
💡 Explicación
Offers and promises shift exactly like any other future: I'll becomes he would, and we shall becomes they would. One step of backshift is the rule.
Pregunta 15
Pregunta 15 · D3Bloom: Apply
A past continuous in the original sentence.
"I was cooking when he called," she said. She said that she ___ cooking when he called.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: C)was
💡 Explicación
Not every tense shifts. Past continuous, past perfect and modal verbs usually keep their form, because shifting them would change the meaning rather than the time reference.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: C)was
A)had beenA past perfect would change the meaning from an ongoing action to a completed one, which is a different report.
B)will beA future form would place the cooking after the call, reversing the original sequence.
C)wasCorrect! A past continuous normally stays as it is in reported speech, because there is no further past step for it.
D)has beenA present perfect would link the cooking to the present, and the scene is entirely in the past.
💡 Explicación
Not every tense shifts. Past continuous, past perfect and modal verbs usually keep their form, because shifting them would change the meaning rather than the time reference.
Pregunta 16
Pregunta 16 · D3Bloom: Apply
A past perfect in the original sentence.
"I had already eaten," he said. He said that he ___ already eaten.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: D)had
💡 Explicación
The past perfect is the limit of backshifting. Once a tense is already the deepest past, reporting it in the past leaves it exactly as it was.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: D)had
A)would haveA would have would add a hypothetical layer that the original plain statement does not contain.
B)hasA present perfect would move the eating towards the present, and the original is already in the past.
C)will haveA future perfect would project forward from a future point, and the reporting verb is in the past.
D)hadCorrect! The past perfect is already the most backward tense, so it stays unchanged in reported speech.
💡 Explicación
The past perfect is the limit of backshifting. Once a tense is already the deepest past, reporting it in the past leaves it exactly as it was.
Pregunta 17
Pregunta 17 · D3Bloom: Apply
Reporting the negative auxiliary of the reporting verb itself.
She didn't say she was ready. She said she ___ ready.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: A)wasn't
💡 Explicación
Negation does not move out of the reported clause. The reporter may say she didn't say, she said she wasn't or she denied it, and each version keeps the same tense inside the clause.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: A)wasn't
A)wasn'tCorrect! The negation stays in the reported clause and the tense of was is not shifted.
B)hadn't beenA past perfect would backshift a past simple, but was in the original is a present form.
C)is notIs not would keep the present tense, which is possible, but the sense of the report changes and was isn't correct.
D)will not beA future negative would predict non-readiness, and the original was about a position already taken.
💡 Explicación
Negation does not move out of the reported clause. The reporter may say she didn't say, she said she wasn't or she denied it, and each version keeps the same tense inside the clause.
Pregunta 18
Pregunta 18 · D4Bloom: Apply
A question with a preposition, where the preposition moves after the subject.
"Who did you speak to?" she asked. She asked ___ she had spoken to.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: B)who
💡 Explicación
When a question begins with a preposition plus a question word, English reports it by moving the preposition to the end: who did you speak to becomes who she had spoken to.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: B)who
A)to whoIn reported speech the preposition stays at the end of the clause, and to who is not a possible order in English.
B)whoCorrect! The question word who is kept and placed at the start of the reported clause, with the preposition to staying at the end.
C)ifIf introduces polar questions, and this is a wh question that already has its own question word.
D)whichWhich asks for a choice between options, and the original question asks about a person.
💡 Explicación
When a question begins with a preposition plus a question word, English reports it by moving the preposition to the end: who did you speak to becomes who she had spoken to.
Pregunta 19
Pregunta 19 · D3Bloom: Apply
A statement reported with a past modal obligation.
"You must submit the form today," the teacher said. The teacher said that we ___ submit the form that day.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: C)must
💡 Explicación
The tense of modals is fixed, but the time and place words still move. Today becomes that day and tonight becomes that night whenever the reporting verb is in the past.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: C)must
A)had toHad to is a reasonable paraphrase, but the direct report of the original must keeps the modal unchanged.
B)shouldShould would weaken the obligation into advice, and the original is a firm requirement.
C)mustCorrect! Modals keep their form in reported speech, and today becomes that day for the same reason.
D)would have toA conditional modal would report a possibility rather than the stated requirement.
💡 Explicación
The tense of modals is fixed, but the time and place words still move. Today becomes that day and tonight becomes that night whenever the reporting verb is in the past.
Pregunta 20
Pregunta 20 · D4Bloom: Apply
A statement about the future reported much later.
"The results will be published on Friday," they announced. They announced that the results ___ be published on the following Friday.
Elige una opción para comprobar tu respuesta.
Respuesta correcta: D)would
💡 Explicación
A future passive shifts its first auxiliary: will be published becomes would be published. The passive part of the verb never changes, only the auxiliary in front of it does.
Ver respuesta
Respuesta correcta: D)would
A)willKeeping will would treat the announcement as a present statement, and announced is in the past.
B)had beenA past perfect would place the publication before the announcement, and the announcement comes first.
C)are beingA present continuous passive would put the publication now, and the report is about a future event.
D)wouldCorrect! A future will reported with a past verb becomes would, and the day reference is adjusted to the next Friday.
💡 Explicación
A future passive shifts its first auxiliary: will be published becomes would be published. The passive part of the verb never changes, only the auxiliary in front of it does.
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