Quoting Exactly: Direct Speech Essentials for Grade 7

This Grade 7 worksheet focuses on Direct Speech, teaching students how to quote the exact words of a speaker. Students will learn to use quotation marks, commas, and reporting verbs correctly to write direct quotes.

Why Direct Speech Matters in Grammar?

Direct speech captures the original voice. For Grade 7 learners, it is important because:
1. It preserves the speaker's exact words and tone.
2. It is essential for writing dialogue in stories and scripts.
3. It teaches proper punctuation mechanics (quotes and commas).
4. It helps distinguish between the speaker and the reporter.

What’s Inside This Worksheet?

This worksheet includes five grammar-rich activities that build fluency with Direct Speech:

Exercise 1 – Multiple Choice Questions
Students identify the sentence written in Direct Speech from a pair of options, distinguishing it from Indirect Speech.

Exercise 2 – True or False
Learners evaluate statements regarding the punctuation and structure of Direct Speech sentences.

Exercise 3 – Fill in the Blanks
Students complete sentences related to the rules of Direct Speech, such as the use of quotation marks and tenses.

Exercise 4 – Sentence Rewriting
Students convert sentences from Indirect Speech to Direct Speech, applying correct punctuation and tense changes.

Exercise 5 – Paragraph Writing
Learners fill in the blanks in a dialogue paragraph using verbs and hints that convey habit, schedule, and duty, maintaining the Direct Speech format.

Answer Key (For Parents & Educators)

Exercise No. 1 Choose the correct answer from the options.
1. a) Rahul said, "I am going to school."
2. b) Anjali said, "I love mangoes a lot."
3. a) The teacher said, "Open your books."
4. a) Arjun said, "I play cricket daily."
5. a) Neha said, "It is raining heavily."
6. b) Kartik said, "I have finished my work."
7. b) Diya said, “The train arrived at noon.”
8. a) Aryan said, "I can solve this sum."
9. a) Pooja said, "We will visit Agra soon."
10. a) Rohan said, "I am reading a novel."

Exercise No. 2 Tick T if the statement is true or F if the statement is false.
1. Direct speech quotes the exact words of a speaker. T
2. The reporting verb links the speaker to the quote. T
3. He said is a reporting verb in direct speech. T
4. Direct speech keeps the original sentence form. T
5. Direct speech always changes the original tense. F
6. Direct speech does not use quotation marks. F
7. A comma links the reporting verb to the quote. T
8. Direct speech paraphrases what someone has said. F
9. The speaker's exact words are placed in quotes. T
10. Quotation marks are optional in direct speech. F

Exercise No. 3 Fill in the blanks with the correct word or phrase to complete each sentence.
1. Direct Speech uses quotation marks around the words.
2. The exact words of the speaker are quoted.
3. A comma separates the reporting verb and quote.
4. Direct Speech starts with a capital letter in quotes.
5. The reporting clause mentions the speaker.
6. Direct Speech keeps the original tense intact.
7. The quoted part ends with a punctuation mark.
8. Words in quotes are the exact words spoken.
9. Direct Speech preserves the feeling of speaker.
10. The pronoun 'I' refers to the speaker.

Exercise No. 4 Rewrite the following sentences according to the directions given on the right.
1. Anjali said that she was going to Agra. -> Anjali said, "I am going to Agra."
2. The teacher said that the test was easy. -> The teacher said, "The test is easy."
3. Neha said that she would come to the party. -> Neha said, "I will come to the party."
4. Rahul told me that he liked the movie. -> Rahul said, "I liked the movie."
5. Arjun said that he had finished his homework. -> Arjun said, "I have finished my homework."
6. Pooja said that she could solve the problem. -> Pooja said, "I can solve the problem."
7. Diya said that she was reading a novel. -> Diya said, "I am reading a novel."
8. Kartik said that he had visited the Red Fort. -> Kartik said, "I visited the Red Fort."
9. Rohan told us that he was feeling unwell. -> Rohan said, "I am feeling unwell."
10. Nisha said that she would join the choir. -> Nisha said, "I will join the choir."

Exercise No. 5 Read the paragraph and fill in the blanks with the correct words using the hints given below.
Rahul said, "I will always reach the bus stop on time every single morning without fail." Anjali replied, "My bus always arrives at seven in the morning sharp and on time." Rohan said, "The driver always honks twice before leaving the stop for the next one." Diya said, "I always sit near the window every single day during the ride." Kartik said, "The conductor always checks our bus passes very carefully each morning." Neha said, "I carefully carry my water bottle on the long bus ride daily." Aryan said, "The roads usually look very crowded at this early hour of the day." Pooja said, "I always enjoy the cool morning breeze during the pleasant ride." The driver said, "We will reach school well before the first bell rings today." Everyone said, "We always love our daily bus journey together as good friends always."

Teach your child the art of writing authentic dialogue! Join our free class to learn more.  
Book a free trial!