Some Important Narration Exercise

01.Rewrite the following sentences in the reported speech.

The teacher said to the boy, “Why do you make a noise in the class? You are not attentive to your lessons.” “Sorry, sir,” said the boy. “I was asking for a pen to my friend.” “Be attentive and listen to what I say.”

Changing the form of speech:

The teacher asked the boy why he made a noise in the class. He (t) added that he (b) was not attentive to his (b) lessons. The boy respectfully said that he was sorry. He also said that he had been asking his friend for a pen. The teacher told him to be attentive and listen to what he (t) said.

02.Rewrite the following sentences in the reported speech.

“You look a little bit like my mother,” he said, “especially in the dark by the fire.” “But you were only four, Jerry, when you came here.” “Have you remembered how she looked all these years? said the authoress. “My mother lives in Mannvile,” said he.

Changing the form of speech:

Jerry said that she looked a little bit like his mother especially in the dark by the fire. The authoress told Jerry that he had been only four when he had gone there and also asked him if he had remembered all those years how she had looked. He added that his mother lived in Mannvile.

03.Rewrite the following sentences in the reported speech.

“Have you ever been to Cox’s Bazar?” asked Mobarak. “No, I have never gone there,” replied Linkon. “But I long for visiting the place.” “I had an opportunity to visit the sea beach last year,” said Mobarak. “How charming the scenery is!”

Changing the form of speech:

Mobarak asked Linkon if he (L) had ever been to Cox’s Bazar. Linkon replied in the negative and said that he (L) had never gone there. But he (L) added that he longed for visiting the place. Then Mobarak said that he had had an opportunity to visit the sea-beach the previous year. Mobarak also exclaimed with surprise that the scenery was very charming.

04.Rewrite the following sentences in the reported speech.

“Will you buy my hair?” asked Della. “I buy hair,” said Madam. “Take your hat off and let us have a sight at the looks of it” “Twenty dollars,” said Madam. “Give it to me quick,” said Della.

Changing the form of speech:

Della asked Madam if she would buy her hair. Madam replied that she bought hair. Then Madam told her to take her hat off and suggested that they should have a sight at the looks of it. Madam proposed/ whished to give twenty dollars. Della requested her (Madam) to give it to her quickly.

05.Rewrite the following sentences in the reported speech.

“Jim darling,” cried Della. “Don’t look at me this way. I had my hair cut off and sold it because I could not have lived through Christmas without giving you a present. I just had to do it, say Merry Christmas, Jim and let’s be happy.”

Changing the form of speech:

Addressing Jim as darling Della cried and forbade him to look at her that way. Then she said that she had her hair cut off and sold that because she could not have lived through Christmas without giving him a present. She also said that she just had to do that and told Jim to say Merry Christmas and proposed that they should be happy.

Changing the form of speech:

Jim asked Della laboriously if she had cut off her hair. Della replied that she had cut it off and had sold it. Then she asked Jim if he did not like her just as well anyhow. She added that she was without her hair and again asked if she was not without hair.

06.Rewrite the following sentences in the reported speech.

“Follow my example,” she said as we shook hands, “and never eat more than one thing for luncheon.” “I’ll do better than that,” I retorted, “I’ll eat nothing at dinner tonight.” “Humorist!” she cried gaily, jumping into a cab.

Changing the form of speech:

As we shook hands she advised me to follow her example and not to eat more than one thing for luncheon. I retorted that I would do better than that. I also added that I would eat nothing at dinner that night. Then jumping into a cab she cried gaily and said that I was a humorist.

07.Rewrite the following sentences in the reported speech.

“Why did you not go to school yesterday?” said the mother to the girl. “I was ill, mum,” the girl replied. “How are you today?” the mother asked again. “Well,” said the girl. “Don’t worry for me.”

Changing the form of speech:

The mother asked the girl why she had not gone to school the previous day. Addressing her mother as mum the girl replied that she had been ill. The mother again asked her how she was that day. The girl replied that she was well and requested her not to worry for her.

08.Rewrite the following sentences in the reported speech.

Once I asked a sweet little girl, “What is your mother’s name?” She replied cleverly, “I know my mother’s name but I won’t tell you that.” I said, “What a clever girl you are!” “I don’t tell my mother’s name to anybody whom I don’t know.” she spoke with an air of confidence.

Changing the form of speech:

Once I asked a sweet little girl what her mother’s name was. She replied cleverly that she knew her mother’s name but she would not tell me that. I exclaimed with wonder that she was a very clever girl. She spoke with an air of confidence that she did not tell her mother’s name to anybody whom she did not know.

09.Rewrite the following sentences in the reported speech.

“Have you seen your mother, Jerry?” “I see her every summer. She sends for me.” I wanted to cry out. “Why are you not with her? How can she let you go away again?” He said, “She comes up here from Mannville whenever she can. She does not have a job now.”

Changing the form of speech:

The writer asked Jerry if he had seen his mother. Jerry replied that he saw her every summer and added that she sent for him. The writer wanted to cry out. The writer again asked why he was not with her and how she could let him go away again. Jerry again replied that she came up there from Mannville whenever she could. He also told her that she did not have a job then.

10.Exercise

‘‘Have you killed the rats?’’ said the Mayor. ‘‘Yes, I have,’’ said the piper. ‘‘Give me the promised money.’’ ‘‘How funny!’’ said the Mayor. ‘‘We cannot give you so much money. Take only fifty.’’

Answer:

The Mayor asked the piper whether he (p) had killed the rats. The piper replied in the affirmative and said that he (p) had killed them and also requested him (m) to give him (p) the promised money. The Mayor exclaimed with wonder that it was very funny and also said that they (m) could not give him (p) so much money. He (m) told him to take only fifty.

11. Exercise

Once I asked a sweet little girl, ‘‘What is your mother’s name?’’ She replied cleverly, ‘‘I know my mother’s name but I won’t tell you that.’’ I said, ‘‘What a clever girl you are!’’ ‘‘I don’t tell my mother’s name to anybody whom I don’t know,’’ she spoke with an air of confidence.

Answer:

Once I asked a sweet little girl what her mother’s name was. She replied cleverly that she knew her mother’s name but she would not tell me that. I exclaimed with wonder that she was a very clever girl. She spoke with an air of confidence that she did not tell her mother’s name to anybody whom she did not know.

12. Change the narrative style of the following text. [DB-2019]

“What is the time by your watch? said an old man. I said, “It is half-past nine.” He said, “I want to go to your house. Will you accompany me, please?” “No, I am sorry because I am going to school,” said I.

1. An old man asked me what the time was by my watch. I replied that it was half-past nine. He said that he wanted to go to my house and asked politely if I would accompany me. I replied in the negative and added that I was sorry because I was going to school.

13. Change the narrative style of the following text. [CB 2019]

“Good morning Rupa.” said Sohel, “How much preparation have you taken for the upcoming SSC Exam?” “A great preparation” replied she. “I hope, I shall get 90+ marks in every subject.” “How confident you are!” said Sohel.

Answer: Sohel wished Rupa Good Morning and asked how much preparation she had taken for the upcoming SSC Exam. She replied that she had taken a great preparation and added that I hoped she would get 90+ marks in every subject. He exclaimed that she was very confident.

14. Change the narrative style of the following text. [RB 2019]

The students said, “We want to celebrate the victory of the National Debate Competition.” The headmaster said, “Why?” The students said, “We want to make it memorable in our life.” The headmaster said, “Don’t worry. I shall take all the necessary steps to arrange the function.”

Answer: The students told the headmaster that they wanted to celebrate the victory of the National Debate Competition. He (H) asked why they wanted to do so. They replied that they wanted to make that memorable in their life. He told not to worry and added that he would take all the necessary steps to arrange the function.

15. [DJB 2019]
Please give me your English Grammar and Composition Book.” said Sara. “I cannot give it. ” said Niha. “I have to take it with me in the class.” “I shall return the book before the class starts. ” said Sara. “Take it. ” said Niha. ” Thank you.” Said Sara.

Answer: Sara requested Niha politely to give her her English Grammar and Composition Book. She (N) said that she couldn’t give it and added that she had to take it with her in the class. Sara said that she would return the book before the class started. Niha told to take it. Sara thanked her

16. [JB 2019]
The teacher said to the boy, “Why are you disturbing the class in this way? Don’t you know that it is an important class? Get out of the room and don’t come back today.” “Excuse me, sir.” said the boy. “I’ll never disturb in the class.” he promised.

Answer: The teacher asked the boy why he was disturbing the class in that way and asked if he didn’t know that it was an important class and told to get out of the room and not to come back that day. He respectfully begged to excuse him and promised that he would never disturb in the class.

17. [CtgB 2019]
Rina said to Karim, “How are you? I went to your house yesterday but did not find you. Where did you go?” “I went to book fair.” said Karim. “I had to maintain our school’s stall.”

Answer: Rina asked Karim how he was and told him that she had gone to his house the previous day but hadn’t found him. She inquired where he had gone. Karim replied that he had gone to the book fair and had to maintain their school’s stall.

18. [SB 2019]
The stranger said to the boy, “Can you tell me the way to the nearest hotel?” “Yes, Sir, I can. Do you want a residential one in which you can spend the night?” said the boy. “I don’t want to stay there but I only want a meal.” replied the man. “Paradis Garden will be better for you.” said the boy.

19. [BB 2019]
Rifat said to Munir, “You didn’t attend my birthday party.” “Extremely sorry, friend.” Munir replied, “I had to go to my uncle’s house in Dhaka. How was the program?” “Let me show you the photographs” said Rifat.

Answer: Rifat told Munir that he hadn’t attended his birthday party. Munir apologized for that and added that he had to go to his uncle’s house in Dhaka and asked how the program had been. He requested that he might show him the photographs.

20.
“Why you are putting up the food in your pocket, Sir?” asked the nobleman. “I am doing the right thing. My dress deserves the rich dishes.” replied Sheikh Saadi. “Please tell me clearly what you mean to say?” said the nobleman.

Answer: The nobleman asked Sheikh Saadi respectfully why he (S) was putting up the food in his (S) pocket. Sheikh Saadi replied that he was doing the right thing and he added that his dress deserved the rich dishes. The nobleman requested Sheikh Saadi to tell him clearly what he (S) meant to say.

21.
“Have you ever been to Cox’s Bazar?” asked Shabab “No, I have never been there.” replied Labib. “But I desire for visiting the place” “I had an opportunity to visit the sea beach last year.” said Shabab” “Let us go there this week”

Answer: Shabab asked Labib if he ever been to Cox’s Bazer. Labib replied in the negative that he (L) had never been there. But he added that he desired for visiting the place. Shabab said that he had an opportunity to visit sea beach the previous year. He proposed that they should go there that week.

22.

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 Rahim 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 and added that he should behave himself. He respectfully apologized and said that he was asking Rahim to lend him (K) his (R) pen and added that his (K) pen had run out. The teacher told to be attentive and listen to his (T) lecture.

23.

“Why are your children crying, my daughter?” said the Caliph. “They have been starving.” said the woman. “Have you none else in the world?” “My husband died some months ago. He left them neither money nor any property. So, they are in great distress. They have to starve sometimes.” “Oh! Let me see, how I can help you.” said the Caliph.

Answer: The Caliph asked the woman why her children were crying. The woman replied that her children had been starving. When the Caliph asked if she had anyone else in the world, she said that her husband had died a few months ago and had left them with neither money nor any property, so they were in great distress and had to starve sometimes. The Caliph then offered to see how he could help the woman.

24.

How much do you want?” said the Mayor. “A thousand guilders.” said the pied piper. ” All right,” said the Mayor. “We’ll pay you a thousand guilders. When will you set to work?” “Now,” said the pied piper.

Answer: The Mayor asked the pied piper how much he wanted. The pied piper replied that he wanted a thousand guilders. The Mayor agreed and said that they would pay him a thousand guilders. The Mayor then inquired as to when the pied piper would set to work. The pied piper replied that he would start immediately.

25.

The daughter said to her father, “Please, come back home soon. Perhaps you have forgotten that today is my birthday.” Father said, “No, I have not forgotten at all.” “Today I am not going to office.’ The daughter said, “Where are you going?” Father said, “I’m going to buy a gift and a birthday cake to celebrate’ your birthday ceremony.” Jumping into a delight the daughter said, ‘Then I shall invite my most bosom friends.”

Answer: The daughter requested her father to kindly go back home soon and said that perhaps he had forgotten that that day was her birthday. Father replied in the negative and said that he had not forgotten at all and further added that that day he was not going to office. The daughter asked where he was going. Father replied that he was going to buy a gift and birthday cake to celebrate her birthday ceremony. Jumping into a delight, the daughter said that then she would invite her most bosom friends.

26.

A hawker said, “Will you buy any paper? I have all types of Newspapers and Magazines. Please take one from me.” “I buy books but now I need a weekly. Don’t you have any Weekly Magazine?” said Sushmita.

Answer: A hawker asked Sushmita if she would buy any paper and said that he had all types of Newspapers and Magazines and requested her to take one from him. Sushmita said that she bought books but then she needed a weekly. Sushmita asked the hawker if he did not have any weekly magazine.

27.

“You look a little bit like my mother,” he said, “especially in the dark by the fire.” “But you were only four Jerry, when you came here. You have remembered how she looked all these years?” “My mother lives in Manville,” he said.

Answer: Jerry told me that I looked a little bit like his mother especially in the dark by the fire. I told him that he had been only four when he had gone there. Being surprised I asked him if he had remembered how she had looked all those years. He replied that his mother lived in Manville.

28.

“Where did you go yesterday?” said Lipi. “I went to Chittagong to see my mother,” said Mina. “She has been suffering from high blood pressure.” “Is she sound now?” said Lipi.” “No,” said Mina.

Answer: Lipi asked Mina where she had gone the previous day. Mina replied that she had gone to Chittagong to see her mother. She added that she (her mother) had been suffering from high blood pressure. Lipi asked Mina if she was sound then. Mina replied in the negative.

29.

“Where are you going?” said the merchant. “I was coming to see you.” “What do you want?” “To earn my bread by the labour of my hands.” “Do you really want work?” said the merchant. “Yes, if you have any”. “Then follow me and carry a box from a shop to my house.” “I do not see how I can do that,” said the youth.

Answer: The merchant asked the youth where he was going. The youth replied that he was going to see him. The merchant asked the youth what he wanted. The merchant again asked the youth if he really wanted work. The youth replied in the affirmative and said that he would really want work if he had any. Then the merchant ordered the youth to follow him and to carry a box from a shop to his house. The youth said that he did not see how he could do that.

30.

“Have you killed the rates?” said the Mayor. “Yes, I have, said the piper. “Give me the promised money.” “How funny!” said the Mayor, ‘We cannot give you so much money. Take only fifty.’7. “Have you seen your mother, Jerry?” “I see her every summer. She sends for me.” I wanted to cry out. “Why are you not with her? How can she let you go away again?” He said, “She comes up here from Manville whenever she can. She does not have a job now.”

Answer: The Mayor asked the piper if he (p) had killed the rates. The Piper replied in the affirmative that he had. Then he (P) told the Mayor to give him (P) the promised money. The Mayor exclaimed in wonder that it was very funny. He added that they could not give him (P) so much money and told him to take only fifty.

31.

“Where is my son?” said the grocer. “A crow carried your son away” said the fruit seller. “You liar. How can a crow carry away such a big boy?” “Just the same way as mice can eat away the balance and weights.”

Answer: The grocer asked the fruit seller where his son was. The fruit seller replied that a crow had carried away his son. The grocer called him a liar and asked him how a crow could carry away such a big boy. The fruit seller replied that it happened just in the same way as mice could eat away the balance and weights.

32.

“I came here yesterday from my village,” he said. “Why did you come?” I asked. “My mother sent me to you with this letter.” “How is your mother? I have not seen her for a long time. I hope she is quite well.”

Answer: He said to me that he had gone there the previous day from his village. I asked him why he had gone. He replied that his mother had sent him to me with that letter. I asked him how his mother was and told him that I had not seen her for a long time and I hoped that she was quite well.

33.

“Great king of the genies,” called the monster. “I will never disobey you.” Hearing those words, the fisherman became very brave and said, “Tell me why you were locked up in the vase?” The giant angrily looked at the fisherman and said, “Speak to me politely or I shall kill you.” “Why should you kill me?” asked the fisherman.

Answer: The monster called the great king of the genies and said that he would never again disobey him (G). Hearing those words, the fishermen became brave and told the monster to tell him (f) why he (M) had been locked up in the vase. Then the giant angrily looked at him and told the fishermen to speak to him (M) more politely, otherwise, he (M) would kill him (F). The fisherman asked why he would kill him.

34.

“I’ll pay for it,” he said. “I broke it, I brought the exe down careless.” “But no one hits accurately every time, Jerry. Moreover, the fault was in the wood of the handle. I’ll see the man who I have bought it from,” I told him.

Answer: Jerry said that he would pay for it and added that he had broken it, he had brought the exe down careless. Expressing dissatisfaction I told Jerry that no one hit accurately every time. Moreover, the fault had been in the wood of the handle. I told him that I would see the man who I had bought it from.

35.

“Have you cut your hair off?” asked Jim. “Cut it off and sold it,” Said Della. “Don’t you like me just as well, anyhow? I’m me without my hair, aren’t I ?”

Answer: Jim asked Della if she had cut her hair off. Della replied that she had cut it off and sold it. She then asked Jim if he didn’t like her just as well, anyhow. She also told him that she was her without her hair. He again asked Jim if she was not.

36.

“Porter, you may go,” said the mistress of the house laughing, “You have gained your freedom.” “By Allah,” he replied, “I will not leave this house until I have heard the stories of my companions.”

Answer: The mistress of the house told the porter laughing that he might go. She also added that he had gained his freedom. Swearing by Allah, the porter replied that he would not leave that house until he had heard the stories of his companions.

37.

“Follow my example” she said, as we shook hands “and never eat more than one thing for luncheon.” “I’ll do better than that” I said, “I’ll eat nothing for dinner tonight”

Answer: As we shook hands she advised me to follow her example and never to eat more than one thing for luncheon. I said that I would do better than that and added that I would eat nothing for dinner that night.

38.

“May I come in, sir?” a boy standing at the door said to him. Then without waiting for his reply the boy entered the room and said, “Sir, I have come from Palashpur with a letter from Mr. Ajit Bose.” “Ajit Bose? How is he?” he said smiling. “He is not well. He has been suffering from a serious illness for two years,” the boy said. “How sad it is! May God cure him,” he said.

Answer: A boy standing at the door respectfully asked if he might go in. Then without waiting for his reply the boy entered the room and respectfully said that he had gone from Palashpur with a letter from Mr. Ajit Bose. Being surprised he asked him smiling how he was. The boy replied that he was not well and added that he had been suffering from a serious illness for two years. He exclaimed with sorrow that it was very sad and prayed that God might cure him.

39.

“Why don’t you attend classes regularly?” the teacher said to the student. “You can’t expect good results unless you attend classes as I tell you”. “I am sorry, sir, I have offended you,” said the student.

Answer: The teacher asked the student why he didn’t attend classes regularly and said that he couldn’t expect good results unless he attended classes as he told him. The student respectfully told him that he was sorry as he had offended him.

40.

Once I said to a sweet girl, “What’s your mother’s name?” She replied cleverly, “I know my mother’s name but I won’t tell you that.” I said, “What a clever girl you are!” “I don’t tell my mother’s name to anybody whom I don’t know”, she spoke with an air of confidence.

Answer: Once I asked a sweet girl what her mother’s name was. She replied cleverly that she knew her mother’s name but she would not tell me that. I exclaimed with wonder that she was a very clever girl. She spoke with an air of confidence that she didn’t tell her mother’s name to anybody whom she didn’t know.

41. 2“Oh, my Lord, please do not kill the child.” said the woman. “Let her have him”said the king. “Now everything is clear to me.” Pointing the woman, he said to the servant, “Give her the child. She is the mother of the baby.

Answer: The woman addressed  the king as her lord and told him(king)not to kill him(child).Then the king ordered his servant to let her(the woman) have him (child). Again the king said that everything was clear to him(king)then. Pointing to the woman,he again told his servant to give her the child. The king said that she was the mother of the baby.

42. “I’ll pay for it,” he said. “I broke it, I brought the axe down careless.” “But no one hits accurately every time, Jerry. Moreover, the fault was in the wood of the handle. I’ll see the man who I have bought it from,” I told him.

43.“Have you seen your mother, Jerry?”“I see her every summer. She sends for me” “I wanted to cry out.” Why are you not with her? How can she let you go away again?” He said, “She comes up here from Manville whenever she can.She does not have a job now.”

Answer: The writer asked Jerry if he had seen his mother. Jerry replied that he saw her every summer and added that she sent for him. The writer said that she had wanted to cry out and asked him why he was not with her and again asked how she could let him go away again. He said that she came up therefrom Mannville whenever she could. He also told that she did not have a job then.

44. ‘Why are putting up the food in your pocket, Sir? Why don’t you eat?’ asked the noble man. ‘I am doing the right thing. My dress deserves these rich dishes,’ replied Sheikh Saddi. ‘I don’t understand what you mean to say.’ Said the noble man. ‘And I’m sorry.’

Answer : The noble man respectfully asked Sheikh Saddi why he was putting up the food in his pocket and why he did not eat. Sheikh Saddi replied that he was doing the right thing and added that his dress deserved those rich dishes. The noble man told him that he did not understand what he meant to say. He further told that he was sorry.

45. The traveler said to the peasant, ‘Can you tell me the way to the nearest Inn?’ The peasant said ‘Yes, I can. Do you want one in which you can spend the night?’ The Traveller said ‘I don’t wish to stay there, but I only want a meal.’

Answer : The traveler asked the peasant if he could tell him the way to the nearest Inn. The peasant replied that he could. The peasant asked the stranger if he wanted one in which he could spend the night. The Stranger replied that he did not wish to say there but only wanted a meal.

46. ‘I came here yesterday from my village,’ he said. ‘Why did you come?’ I asked,’ My mother sent me to you with this letter.’ ‘How is your mother? I have not seen her a long time. I hope she is quite well.

Answer : He told me that he had gone there the previous day from his village. I asked him why he had gone. He replied that his mother had sent him to me with that letter. I again asked him how his mother was. I told him that I had not seen her for a long time. I added that I hopped, she was quiet well.

47.  “I never drink anything for luncheon,” she said. “Neither do I,” I answered promptly. “Except white wine,” she proceeded as though I had not spoken. “These French white wines are so light. They are wonderful for the digestion.”

Answer: She said that she never drank anything for luncheon. I answered promptly that I did neither. She proceeded as though I had not spoken and told me that she drank nothing except white wine. She added that those French white wines were so light and they were wonderful for the digestion.

48. “Have you ever been to Cox’s Bazar?” asked Hasan. “No, I have never gone there,” replied Shahadat. “But I have an inclination for visiting the place.” “I have an opportunity to visit the sea-beach last year,” said Hasan. “How charming the scenery is!”

Answer: Hasan asked Shahadat whether he (S) had ever been to Cox’s Bazar. Shahadat replied in the negative and said that he (S) had never gone there. He (S) added that he (S) had an inclination for visiting the place. Hasan said that he (H) had an opportunity to visit the sea-beach the previous year. He (H) exclaimed with joy that the scenery was very charming.

49.    Nadeef said to Rajib, “Can you play chess?” “Yes, I can,” said Rajib. “Let’s play chess,” said Nadeef.

Answer:  Nadeef asked Rajib if the (R) could play chess. Rajib replied in the affirmative and said that he (R) could. Then Nadeef proposed to Rajib that they should play chess.

50. “I came to Dhaka this morning. I sent you a telegram before starting from home,” he said. “Did you receive it in time?” he asked. “No,” I replied.

Answer: Nadeef asked Rajib if the (R) could play chess. Rajib replied in the affirmative and said that he (R) could. Then Nadeef proposed to Rajib that they should play chess.

51.   “Have you heard the name of Aesop?” asked the teacher. “No, Sir, who was he?” “Read the lesson attentively and then you will be able to know about him.” “ How interesting and instructive his fables are!” said the teacher.

Answer: The teacher asked his student if he had heard the name of Aesop. He (S) respectfully replied in the negative and asked him (T) who he was. The teacher advised him to read the lesson attentively and then he would be able to know about him. The teacher exclaimed that his fables are  very interesting and instructive.

52. The traveler said to the peasant, “Can you tell me the way to the nearest Inn?” The peasant said “Yes, I can. Do you want one in which you can spend the night?” The Traveller said  “I don’t wish  to stay there, but I only want a meal.”

Answer: The traveler asked the peasant if he could tell him the way to the nearest Inn. The peasant replied that he could. The peasant asked the stranger if he wanted one in which he could spend the night. The Stranger replied that he did not wish to say there but only wanted a meal.

53.   “Porter, you may go,” said the mistress of the house, laughing. “You have gained your freedom.” “By Allah,” he replied. “I will not leave this house until I have heard the stories of my companies.”

Answer: The mistress of the house told the porter laughing that he might go and added that he had gained his freedom. Swearing by Allah the porter replied that he would not leave that house until he had heard the stories of his companions.

54.  Once I asked a little girl, “What is your mother’s name?” “I know my mother’s name but I won’t tell you that.” “I don’t tell my mother’s name to anybody whom I don’t know. She said, “What a clever girl you are!”

Answer: Once I asked a little girl what her mother’s name was. She replied that she knew her mother’s name but she would not tell me that. She also said that she did not tell her mother’s name to anybody whom she did not know. I exclaimed with wonder that she was a very clever girl.

55.   “Could I help you, sir?” said the receptionist. The man replied, “Sure, I want to meet the Managing Director of the company.” The receptionist said, “Do you have an appointment?” “Yes, I have,” he said.

Answer: The receptionist addressing the man as sir asked him if he (R) could help him (M).The man replied in the affirmative and said that he wanted to meet the Managing Director of the company. The receptionist asked if he (M) had an appointment. He replied in the affirmative and said that he (M) had.

56. “Will you come to my house tomorrow?” I said to the boy, ‘We can discuss terms and conditions then.” “I shall be very happy to meet you at your house. Thank you so much,” he replied.

Answer: I asked the boy if he would go to my house the following day. I added that we could discuss terms and conditions then. He replied that he would be very happy to meet me at my house. He thanked me very much.

57.    The stranger said to the boy, “Will you tell me the way to the nearest hotel?” “Yes, I will. Do you want a residential one in which can spend the night?” the boy said. “I don’t want to say there, but only want a meal,” the stranger replied. The boy said , “Follow me.”

Answer: The stranger asked the boy if he would tell him the way to the nearest hotel. The boy replied in the affirmative and said that he would. The boy asked him if he wanted a residential one in which he could spend the night. The stranger replied that he did not want to stay there, but he only wanted a meal. The boy told the stranger to follow him.

58. “Where are you going?” said the merchant. “I was coming to see you.” “What do you want?” “To earn my bread by the labor of my hands.” “Do you really work?” said the merchant. “Yes, if you have any”. Then follow me and carry a box from a shop to my house.” “I do not see how I can do that.” said the youth .

Answer: The Merchant asked the youth where he(y) was going. The youth replied that he (y) had been coming to see him (m).Again the merchant asked him(y) what he wanted. The youth said that he(y) wanted to earn his (y) bread by the labour of his (y) hands. The merchant again asked the boy if he (Y) really wanted to work. The youth replied in the affirmative that if he (M) had any. Then the merchant ordered the youth to follow him (M) and to carry a box from a ship to his (m) house. The youth said that he (Y) did not see how he (Y) could do that.

59.   A hawker said, “Will you buy any paper? I have all types of newspaper and magazines .Please take one from me.” “I buy books but now I need a weekly. Don’t  you have any weekly magazine ?” said Susmita.

Answer:A Hawker asked Susmita if she (S) would buy any paper. He(H) also said that he (H) had all types of newspapers and magazines. Again he requested her(S) to take one from him(H). Susmita replied that she(S) bought books but then she (S) needed a weekly. She also asked him (H) if he (H) didn’t have any weekly magazine.

 60.  “May I come in sir?” A boy standing at the door said to him. Then without waiting for his reply the boy entered the room and said, “Sir, I have come from Palaspur with a letter from Mr. Ajit Bose? How is he?” He said smiling. “He is not well. He has been suffering from a serious illness for two years.” The boy said “How sad it is! May God cure him?” He said.

Answer: A boy standing at the door, addressing him as sir asked him if/ he(B) might come in. Then without waiting for his (S) reply the boy entered the room and respectfully said that he (B) had come from Palashpur with a letter from Mr. Ajit Bose. He asked smiling if he had really come from Ajit Bose. He again asked how he was. The boy replied that he was not well and added that he had been suffering from a serious illness for two years. He(S) exclaimed with grief that it was very sad and prayed that God might cure him.

61. “Will you go to college today?” the mother said to her son.”No mother. Our classes are suspended.” “Then go to the market and bring some vegetables.” “Let me be ready and give me money.

Answer: The mother asked her son if he (S) would go to college that day.The son addressing as mother replied in the negative that their classes were suspended. Then the mother ordered her son to go to the market and bring some vegetables. The son told his mother that he might be ready and told  her to give him(S) some money.

62. He said, “I can chop some wood today.” I said, “But I have a boy coming from orphanage. “ I’m the boy.” “You? But you are small.”

Answer: He told that he could chop some wood that day. I told that but I had a boy coming from orphanage. He replied that he was the boy. I asked if he was that boy. I also told that but he was small.

63.“You have cut off your hair,” asked Jim, “Cut it off and sold it,”said Della. “Don’t you like me just as well any how? I’m me, without my hair, ain’t I?”

Answer: Jim asked Della if she had cut off her hair. She replied that she had cut off her hair and sold it.Then she asked him if he didn’t like her just as well any how. She added that she washer without her hair.To get confirmation she further asked him if she was not so.

64.“Oh, my Lord, please do not kill the child.” said the woman. “Let her have him”said the king. “Now everything is clear to me.” Pointing the woman, he said to the servant, “Give her the child. She is the mother of the baby.

Answer: The woman addressed her the king as her lord and told him(king)not to kill him(child).Then the king ordered his servant to let her(the woman) have him (child).Again the king said that everything was clear to him(king)then. Pointing to the woman,he again told his servant to give her the child. The king said that she was the mother of the baby.

65.“Have you heard the name of Aesop?” asked the teacher. “No, Sir, who was he?” “Read the lesson attentively and then you will be able to know about him.”“ How interesting and instructive his fables are!” said the teacher.

Answer: The teacher asked his student if he had heard the name of Aesop. He (S) respectfully replied in the negative and asked him (T) who he was. The teacher advised him to read the lesson attentively and then he would be able to know about him. The teacher exclaimed that his fables are  very interesting and instructive.