Page 113 - English Expedition Class 6

B. You have read about archaic words in the chapter ‘The Miller of the Dee’. Find three such
words from the story and write them in your notebook, along with their meanings.

Grammar

Reporting Commands and Requests

You have read earlier how direct statements are changed into indirect speech. Now read this sentence.
Prospero said to Ferdinand, ‘Pile up these heavy logs of wood.’

Note that:
• while changing commands into indirect speech, the reporting verb becomes a word
expressing command: commanded, ordered, shouted, demanded, etc.

• when reporting requests where the word please is used, we use requested.
• the preposition to is added before the main verb.
• when reporting commands and requests, the reporting verb always needs an object.

Thus, Prospero’s command to Ferdinand can be reported as:

Prospero commanded Ferdinand to pile up those heavy logs of wood.

Reporting Exclamatory Sentences
Read this sentence from the chapter.

‘O wonder!’ said Miranda, ‘so many noble creatures there are here!’

When changing exclamatory sentences into indirect speech, remember the following:
• Change the reporting verb to: exclaimed (with sorrow, fear, delight, etc.), cried out,
applauded, regretted, etc.
• Use the conjunction that to introduce reported speech.

• Change the exclamatory sentences into assertive ones.
Thus, the example given above can be reported as:

Miranda exclaimed with wonder that there were so many noble creatures there.

Change the following into indirect speech.

1. The boy said to his friend, ‘Please don’t harm that bird.’
2. ‘Stop this foolishness at once,’ the teacher shouted.

3. The girl said, ‘Oh! What a lovely day!’
4. ‘Alas!’ said the teacher, ‘None of you won the scholarship.’
5. Her mother said, ‘Do not leave this bench till I return.’

6. Shammi cried, ‘Look out! There was a snake here just now!’
7. ‘Please give me a cup of water and some food,’ the beggar said in a weak voice.

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