Narration
Rewrite the following passage changing the form of speech.
1. Lubna said to me, ‘‘Have you finished reading the book I gave you yesterday?’’ ‘‘Yes, I have finished reading the book,’’ I replied. ‘‘What an interesting book it is! I wish I could borrow the book earlier,’’ I said. ‘‘Will you return the book to me today?’’ she asked.
Answer: Lubna asked me if I had finished reading the book she had given me the previous day. I replied in the affirmative and said that I had finished reading the book. Then I exclaimed with joy that it was a very interesting book and wished with joy that I could borrow the book earlier. Then she asked me if I would return the book to her that day.
2. The traveller said to the peasant, ‘‘Can you tell me the way to the nearest inn?’’ The peasant said, ‘‘Yes, do you want one in which you can spend the night?’’ The traveller said, ‘‘I do not wish to stay there, but I only want a meal.’’
Answer: The traveller asked the peasant if he (6p) could tell him (t) the way to the nearest inn. The peasant replied in the affirmative and asked him if he (t) wanted one in which he (t) could spend the night. The traveller replied that he did not wish to stay there but he (t) only wanted a meal.
3. The teacher said to Kamal, ‘‘Why are you talking in the class? You should behave yourself,’’ Kamal replied, ‘‘Sir, I am sorry. I am asking Jamal to lend me his pen. My pen has run out.’’ The teacher said, ‘‘Be attentive and listen to my lecture.’’
Answer: The teacher asked Kamal why he was talking in the class. He (t) added that he (K) should behave himself. Kamal replied respectfully that he was sorry. He added that he was asking Jamal to lend him (K) his (J) pen because his (K) pen had run out. The teacher advised Kamal to be attentive and listen to his lecture.
4. The old man said, ‘‘Can you give me some food? I’ve been starving for two days.’’ The maid said, ‘‘Why do you beg? Can’t you work?’’ ‘‘No, I am unable to work,’’ said the old man.
Answer: The old man asked the maid if she could give him some food. He said that he had been starving for two days. The maid asked him why he begged. She again asked if he could not work. The old man replied in the negative and said that he was unable to work.
5. ‘‘Ratan, have you done your English today?’’ asked the teacher. ‘‘Yes, sir, I have. But I haven’t understood some grammatical points,’’ replied Ratan. ‘‘Where is the problem?’’ said the teacher. ‘‘Let us try again.’’
Answer: The teacher asked Ratan if he had done his English that day. Ratan respectfully replied in the affirmative and said that he had done it and added that but he hadn’t understood some grammatical points. The teacher asked him where the problem was and proposed that they should try again.
