Read a part of a conversation between Neha and Nidhi. Neha: Where are you going, Nidhi? Nidhi: I am going for my music lessons. The above conversation is written in exact words spoken.

Question

Read a part of a conversation between Neha and Nidhi.

Neha:	Where are you going, Nidhi?
Nidhi:	I am going for my music lessons.

The above conversation is written in exact words spoken. If this conversation was to be reported by a third person then it would be written as:

Neha asked Nidhi where she was going. Nidhi replied that she was going for her music lessons.

Notice the changes in the reported sentence. Note the changes in pronouns, tenses, reporting, and reported verbs and other changes. Now find sentences from the text in the direct speech and convert them into the reported speech.

Writing Skills

Solution

Some examples of direct speech from the text are:

Evaluator:	You may now begin the discussion. Who would like to start?
Manisha:	I think the topic of this discussion is very relevant to all of us here.
Anamika:	I also agree with Manisha.
John:	Yes, I would like to add to it. I don’t think students use mobile phones only for seeking useful information. They use it for entertainment too.
Anamika:	Yes John, you are absolutely right.
Ananya:	Yes, all this is true but don’t you all agree that they do see unwanted things and waste their time in things not suitable for their age group.
John:	I agree with what Ananya says. It is a sheer wastage of time, money, and energy.
Evaluator:	Could someone conclude, please?

These can be converted into reported speech as follows:

The evaluator instructed the group to start the discussion and asked them who would like to go first.
Manisha thought the topic of the discussion was very relevant to all those who were present there.
Anamika said that she, too, agreed with Manisha.
John added to the discussion by saying that students not only used the mobile phone for seeking useful information but also for entertainment.
Anamika affirmed that John was absolutely right.
Ananya accepted that everything they had been saying was true and asked the group if they agreed that the students did see unwanted things and waste their time in things that were not suitable for their age group.
John agreed with Ananya about mobile phones being a sheer wastage of time, money, and energy.
The evaluator asked whether someone from the group could conclude the discussion.

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Direct-Indirect Speech

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Q (A4) (ii)Q (A4) (i) (d)Q (A4) (iii) (a)

Chapter 3.6: Group Discussion - BRAINSTROMING [Page 171]

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Balbharati English Yuvakbharati [English] Standard 12 Maharashtra State Board

Chapter 3.6 Group Discussion
BRAINSTROMING | Q (A4) (ii) | Page 171

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