Young Hands,

Big Impact
Reported speech
 let’s talk
Discuss the questions in pairs or small groups.

Have you ever picked up

Is there a place in your town or Do you feel responsible for what
litter or helped clean a
area that you think needs happens in your neighbourhood,
public place? Why did you do it,
improvement? or do you think it’s the council’s
and how did it feel?
job? Why?

Do you think teenagers Think of a time when someone

today care about the gave you advice about your
environment and their community or the
communities? Can you give any environment. What did they
real examples? say?
 growing more than plants
Read the text and match the people mentioned in the text with what they say (1–6). One person can be used twice.
When 15-year-old Khan Odita looked around his neighbourhood in Toxteth, Liverpool, he didn’t like what he
Khan Khan’s mum
saw. There was rubbish everywhere and a patch of land that had been completely ignored. He explained that it
had been a place for *fly-tipping and said that people had dumped broken furniture, old mattresses — all sorts a neighbour a council spokesperson
of things.
Instead of ignoring the problem, Khan decided to act. He said that he wanted to create a space where people Khan’s friend
could grow things and feel proud of where they lived.
He explained that the community needed somewhere clean and green — somewhere that brought people 1.“We’ve already cleared most of the rubbish — now we’re starting
together. With help from friends and neighbours, he started clearing the rubbish and planting flowers and to plant,” ____________________ added.
vegetables. 2.“It’s not just about plants — it’s about community,”
One of his friends added that they had already cleared most of the rubbish and were starting to plant then. ____________________ replied.
Khan’s mum remarked that she hadn’t known he had such a strong vision and added that he had just got on 3.“This is exactly the kind of action we want to support,”
with it. She told local reporters that Khan had organised clean-up days and had even contacted the council to ____________________ pointed out.
ask for support. 4.“I didn’t know he has such a strong vision — he just got on with
A neighbour commented that Khan was changing the way people saw the area. Another said that it was it,” ____________________ remarked.
inspiring to see a teenager lead something so positive. 5.“It was a place for fly-tipping,” ____________________
The local council took notice. A spokesperson pointed out that it was exactly the kind of action they wanted to explained.
support. 6.“Khan is changing the way people see this area,”
Khan’s project soon received funding from the Liverpool City Region’s Community Environment Fund. He ____________________ commented.
claimed that the money would help him expand the garden. When asked about the project, he replied that it
wasn’t just about plants — it was about community.
He later suggested creating a space where young people could learn about gardening and sustainability. He
explained that he wanted other teenagers to feel involved and empowered.
*fly-tipping - the activity of illegally leaving waste or unwanted objects next to a road, in a field, in a river, etc.
 answers
Read the text and match the people mentioned in the text with what they say (1–6). One person can be used twice.
When 15-year-old Khan Odita looked around his neighbourhood in Toxteth, Liverpool, he didn’t like what he
Khan Khan’s mum
saw. There was rubbish everywhere and a patch of land that had been completely ignored. He explained that it
had been a place for *fly-tipping and said that people had dumped broken furniture, old mattresses — all sorts a neighbour a council spokesperson
of things.
Instead of ignoring the problem, Khan decided to act. He said that he wanted to create a space where people Khan’s friend
could grow things and feel proud of where they lived.
He explained that the community needed somewhere clean and green — somewhere that brought people 1.“We’ve already cleared most of the rubbish — now we’re starting
together. With help from friends and neighbours, he started clearing the rubbish and planting flowers and to plant,” Khan’s friend added.
vegetables. 2.“It’s not just about plants — it’s about community,” Khan
One of his friends added that they had already cleared most of the rubbish and were starting to plant then. replied.
Khan’s mum remarked that she hadn’t known he had such a strong vision and added that he had just got on 3.“This is exactly the kind of action we want to support,” a council
with it. She told local reporters that Khan had organised clean-up days and had even contacted the council to spokesperson pointed out.
ask for support. 4.“I didn’t know he has such a strong vision — he just got on with
A neighbour commented that Khan was changing the way people saw the area. Another said that it was it,” Khan’s mum remarked.
inspiring to see a teenager lead something so positive. 5.“It was a place for fly-tipping,” Khan explained.
The local council took notice. A spokesperson pointed out that it was exactly the kind of action they wanted to 6.“Khan is changing the way people see this area,” a neighbour
support. commented.
Khan’s project soon received funding from the Liverpool City Region’s Community Environment Fund. He
claimed that the money would help him expand the garden. When asked about the project, he replied that it
wasn’t just about plants — it was about community.
He later suggested creating a space where young people could learn about gardening and sustainability. He
explained that he wanted other teenagers to feel involved and empowered.
*fly-tipping - the activity of illegally leaving waste or unwanted objects next to a road, in a field, in a river, etc.
 reported speech
To report what someone said, we usually: use say, tell, or another reporting verb (e.g. explain, claim, suggest, point out) and move all tenses one step back in time.

*Note:
Tense Direct speech Reported speech tell sb sth – She told me (that) I was
wrong.
say sth – She said (that) I was wrong.
“I want to create a space where people He said he wanted to create a space say to sb – She said to me (that) I
Present simple → Past simple
can grow things,” he said. where people could grow things. was wrong.
(NOT: She said me I was wrong.)
The word that can be omitted.
“Khan is changing the way people see A neighbour commented (that) Khan was
Present continuous → Past continuous say: good morning / afternoon, etc.,
this area,” a neighbour commented. changing the way people saw the area. something / nothing, one’s prayers,
so, a few words
“It was a place for fly-tipping,” he He explained (that) it had been a place tell: the truth, a lie, a secret, a story,
Past simple → Past perfect
explained. for fly-tipping. the time, the difference, somebody
one’s name, somebody the way

“We have already cleared the rubbish,” His friend said they had already cleared
Present perfect → Past perfect
his friend said. the rubbish.

“This will help me expand the garden,” He claimed (that) would help him
Will → Would
he claimed. expand the garden.
 reported speech
Time expressions and pronouns also change in reported speech.
Time expressions

two hours
Direct speech now today yesterday tomorrow next last here
ago

at that two hours the

the day the
Reported speech time / that day earlier / following / the previous there
before following
then before the next day

Pronouns

Direct speech this / these I / we me / us my our

that / he / she / him / her /

Reported speech his / her their
those they them
 Let’s practise
1. Below are mini scenarios from a community garden project. Match each line to a 2. Read each quote from a celebrity and rewrite it in reported speech. Use the
suitable reporting verb from the list. Then rewrite the sentence in reported speech correct tense changes and adjust time, place, and pronouns when necessary.
using your chosen verb. More than one answer may be possible.
Example:
Arnold Schwarzenegger: “Climate change is the issue of our time.”
explain remark reply
Reported speech: Arnold Schwarzenegger / he said that climate change was the issue
say comment claim of their time.
1. Leonardo DiCaprio: “Climate change is real.”
add point out suggest
2. Uma Thurman: “*Doomsday thinking doesn’t lead to action.”
1. “We’ve planted over 50 new plants this weekend.”
Verb/s: ____________
3. Gisele Bündchen: “I’ll donate part of my earnings to protect the oceans.”
Reported speech:
2. “People feel safer walking through the park now.”
4. Jeff Goldblum: “The oceans are crying out for help.”
Verb/s: ____________
Reported speech:
5. David Attenborough: “I’ve never seen the ice melt this fast before.”
3. “I’m painting the fence this afternoon.”
Verb/s: ____________
6. Jane Goodall: “I had hoped people would act sooner.”
Reported speech:
4. “We’ll finish the mural before the weekend”.
7. Emma Watson: “I’ll support the campaign for cleaner air.”
Verb/s: ____________
Reported speech:
8. Barack Obama: “We are the first to feel climate change and the last who can act.”

*Doomsday - the end of the world, or a time when something very bad will happen.
 possible answers
1. Below are mini scenarios from a community garden project. Match each line to a 2. Read each quote from a celebrity and rewrite it in reported speech. Use the
suitable reporting verb from the list. Then rewrite the sentence in reported speech correct tense changes and adjust time, place, and pronouns when necessary.
using your chosen verb. More than one answer may be possible.
Example:
Arnold Schwarzenegger: “Climate change is the issue of our time.”
explain remark reply
Reported speech: Arnold Schwarzenegger / he said that climate change was the issue
say comment claim of their time.

1. Leonardo DiCaprio: “Climate change is real.”

add point out tell
Leonardo DiCaprio claimed that climate change was real.
2. Uma Thurman: “*Doomsday thinking doesn’t lead to action.”
1. “We’ve planted over 50 new plants this weekend.”
Uma Thurman remarked that doomsday thinking didn’t lead to action.
Verb/s: explained / said / added
3. Gisele Bündchen: “I’ll donate part of my earnings to protect the oceans.”
Reported speech: They explained that they had planted over 50 new plants that
Gisele Bündchen told that she would donate part of her earnings to protect the oceans.
weekend.
4. Jeff Goldblum: “The oceans are crying out for help.”
2. “People feel safer walking through the park now.”
Jeff Goldblum commented that the oceans were crying out for help.
Verb/s: commented / replied / pointed out
5. David Attenborough: “I’ve never seen the ice melt this fast before.”
Reported speech: They replied that people felt safer walking through the park then.
David Attenborough explained that he had never seen the ice melt that fast before.
3. “I’m painting the fence this afternoon.”
6. Jane Goodall: “I had hoped people would act sooner.”
Verb/s: told / claimed / remarked
Jane Goodall pointed out that she had hoped people would act sooner.
Reported speech: She remarked that she was painting the fence that afternoon.
7. Emma Watson: “I’ll support the campaign for cleaner air.”
4. “We’ll finish the mural before the weekend”.
Emma Watson replied that she would support the campaign for cleaner air.
Verb/s: told/added/claimed
8. Barack Obama: “We are the first to feel climate change and the last who can act.”
Reported speech: They claimed that they would finish the mural before the weekend.
Barack Obama added that they were the first to feel climate change and the last who
*Doomsday - the end of the world, or a time when something very bad will happen. could act.
 instagram posts
Read the captions in the Instagram posts, which are written in direct speech, and rewrite them in reported speech using different reporting verbs.

@its.ella.b 3d @the_real_luca 5h @diy.dani 23m @wander.with.me 1d

22 4 85 20 3 43 7 17 2
@its.ella.b I’m feeling really proud @the_real_luca We’ll be back here @diy.dani We’ve just finished @wander.with.me Yesterday was
of our team today – we cleaned up tomorrow to build a bench and add planting the last row of tomatoes, such a great day — the kids helped
the whole park in just a few hours! some flower pots. and now the garden looks amazing. with the composting and loved it.
 possible answers
Read the captions in the Instagram posts, which are written in direct speech, and rewrite them in reported speech using different reporting verbs.

@its.ella.b 3d @the_real_luca 5h @diy.dani 23m @wander.with.me 1d

22 4 85 20 3 43 7 17 2
@its.ella.b I’m feeling really proud @the_real_luca We’ll be back here @diy.dani We’ve just finished @wander.with.me Yesterday was
of our team today – we cleaned up tomorrow to build a bench and add planting the last row of tomatoes, such a great day — the kids helped
the whole park in just a few hours! some flower pots. and now the garden looks amazing. with the composting and loved it.

She explained that she was feeling They said they would be back there They claimed they had just finished She told the previous day had been
proud of their team that day because the following day to build a bench planting the last row of tomatoes, and great and pointed out that the kids
they had cleaned up the whole park and add some flower pots. that the garden looked amazing then. had helped with the composting and
in just a few hours. had really loved it.
‘unfortunately’ game
Get ready to practise reported speech and use
your creativity!
Complete the sentences in your own words
using the correct form of reported speech.
Earn coins and try to become the winner!
Good luck!
 fix it
Correct and rewrite the sentences which are wrong. If the sentence does not have any mistakes, write 'Correct'.

1. She said she will plant more trees tomorrow. 6. Ben commented he had joined a climate group.
6. Ben commented he had joined a climate group.

2. Max explained he had forgot his water bottle. 7. Mateo said he is going to start volunteering next month.

3. They said they picked up litter the day before. 8. Zoe remarked she hadn’t knew the event had been cancelled.

4. You told me you would bring your bag the following time. 9. He said him can’t join the beach clean-up because he was ill.

5. Julia pointed out out she hasn’t received the email. 10. Jasmine claimed she have bought eco-friendly products.
 answers
Correct and rewrite the sentences which are wrong. If the sentence does not have any mistakes, write 'Correct'.

1. She said she will plant more trees tomorrow. 6. Ben commented he had joined a climate group.

She said she would plant more trees the following day. Correct.

2. Max explained he had forgot his water bottle. 7. Mateo said he is going to start volunteering next month.

Max explained he had forgotten his water bottle. Mateo said he was going to start volunteering the following month.

3. They said they picked up litter the day before. 8. Zoe remarked she hadn’t knew the event had been cancelled.

They said they had picked up litter the day before. Zoe remarked she hadn’t known the event had been cancelled.

4. You told me you would bring your bag the following time. 9. He said him can’t join the beach clean-up because he was ill.

Correct. He said he couldn’t join the beach clean-up because he was ill.

5. Julia pointed out out she hasn’t received the email. 10. Jasmine claimed she have bought eco-friendly products.

Julia pointed out out she hadn’t received the email. Jasmine claimed she had bought eco-friendly products.
 dialogue challenge
Rewrite the dialogues in reported speech. You may make additional changes so the sentences sound natural.

Lily: “I left my phone in the recycling centre!” Sam: “I thought the eco-club meeting was tomorrow.”
Noah: “Again? That’s the third time this month!” Nina: “No, they changed it to today.”

Jade: “We’re organising a zero-waste picnic on Saturday.” Ben: “This biodegradable phone case is actually really cool.”
Aaron: “Count me in! I’ll bring homemade snacks.” Ella: “I’ve been thinking of switching too.”

Tom: “I posted our clean-up photos on Instagram today.” Josh: “I stayed up until 2 a.m. editing our climate awareness video.”
Maya: “I hope everyone will come to the next one.” Zara: “It was worth it — it turned out amazing!”
 possible answers
Rewrite the dialogues in reported speech. You may make additional changes so the sentences sound natural.

Lily: “I left my phone in the recycling centre!” Sam: “I thought the eco-club meeting was tomorrow.”
Noah: “Again? That’s the third time this month!” Nina: “No, they changed it to today.”

Lily said that she had left her phone in the recycling centre. Sam said that he had thought the eco-club meeting had been the following day.
Noah replied that it was the third time that month she had done that. Nina replied that they had changed it to that day.

Jade: “We’re organising a zero-waste picnic on Saturday.” Ben: “This biodegradable phone case is actually really cool.”
Aaron: “Count me in! I’ll bring homemade snacks.” Ella: “I’ve been thinking of switching too.”

Jade said that they were organising a zero-waste picnic on Saturday. Ben said that biodegradable phone case was actually really cool.
Aaron said she could count him in and that he would bring homemade snacks. Ella said she had been thinking of switching too.

Tom: “I posted our clean-up photos on Instagram today.” Josh: “I stayed up until 2 a.m. editing our climate awareness video.”
Maya: “I hope everyone will come to the next one.” Zara: “It was worth it — it turned out amazing!”

Tom said that he had posted their clean-up photos on Instagram that day. Josh said that he had stayed up until 2 a.m. editing their climate awareness video.
Maya added that she hoped everyone would come to the following one. Zara said that it had been worth it and that it had turned out amazing.
 more practice
1. Complete each sentence with your own ideas. 2. Read each sentence in reported speech and rewrite it as direct speech.

1. Once my teacher remarked that 1. Grace told us that her brother was learning about climate change at school.

2. A friend once told me that 2. Ben explained that he couldn’t come because his bike had a flat tyre.

3. My parents often said that 3. Alice said that she could send him the presentation the following day.

4. Last week, my neighbour explained to me that 4. Mia added that they were building a small greenhouse in the courtyard.

5. A stranger once said that 5. Zoe told me she hadn’t printed the flyers to save paper.

6. One time, my classmate added that 6. Leo said that he was learning how to cook pasta from scratch.

7. I remember my coach pointed out that 7. Olivia said that her family had started using solar panels.

8. My favourite celebrity claimed that 8. Ruby explained that her phone had stopped working two days earlier.

9. My friend remarked that 9. Ethan remarked that he would meet us at the cinema at 6.

10. Someone once suggested that 10. Theo said that he was designing a poster about saving water.
 possible answers
1. Complete each sentence with your own ideas. 2. Read each sentence in reported speech and rewrite it as direct speech.

1. Once my teacher remarked that 1. Grace told us that her brother was learning about climate change at school.
Grace told us, “My brother is learning about climate change at school.”
2. A friend once told me that 2. Ben explained that he couldn’t come because his bike had a flat tyre.
Ben explained, “I can’t come because my bike has a flat tyre.”
3. My parents often said that 3. Alice said that she could send him the presentation the following day.
Alice said, “I can send you the presentation tomorrow.”
4. Last week, my neighbour explained to me that 4. Mia added that they were building a small greenhouse in the courtyard.
Mia added, “We are building a small greenhouse in the courtyard.”
5. A stranger once said that 5. Zoe told me she hadn’t printed the flyers to save paper.
Zoe told me, “I didn’t print the flyers to save paper.”
6. One time, my classmate added that 6. Leo said that he was learning how to cook pasta from scratch.
Leo said, “I’m learning how to cook pasta from scratch.”
7. I remember my coach pointed out that 7. Olivia said that her family had started using solar panels.
Olivia said, “My family has started using solar panels.”
8. My favourite celebrity claimed that 8. Ruby explained that her phone had stopped working two days earlier.
Ruby explained, “My phone stopped working two days ago.”
9. My friend remarked that 9. Ethan remarked that he would meet us at the cinema at 6.
Ethan remarked, “I’ll meet you at the cinema at 6.”
10. Someone once suggested that 10. Theo said that he was designing a poster about saving water.
Theo said, “I’m designing a poster about saving water.”
 Reporter on the Scene
Work in pairs or trios. One student is a reporter; the others are witnesses or participants in a funny or interesting event (real or imagined). The reporter asks 2–3
questions and takes notes. After the interview, the reporter shares what the others said with the class or the teacher using reported speech. Then, swap roles.

Possible ideas: Time markers:

- A mysterious animal walked into the school. →
today, now that day, then
- A co-worker brought their cat to a Zoom meeting. →
yesterday the day before
- A student created a robot that cleans the classroom. →
tomorrow the next day / the following day
- The internet stopped working for a whole week. →
last week the previous week
- A stranger gave you free tickets to a concert. →
next month the following month
-Your class/company was selected to visit Mars next year.
 extra task
Practise using reporting verbs and the correct tense changes in reported speech. Each verb can be used more than once, and there may be more than one
correct answer.
Last month, a local magazine published an article about a youth-led eco project in a small town near Manchester. be say
The project started after some students 1._______________ that their neighbourhood park had been neglected for
years.
They 2._______________ that no one had taken responsibility for cleaning it and that the local wildlife was explain suggest
disappearing.
One of the students 3._______________ that the group had decided to take action themselves, even without official
support.
remark point out
Another student 4._______________ that the first thing they had done was to organise a weekend clean-up.
She also 5._______________ that over twenty people had come to help that day.
A few neighbours 6._______________ the reporters that the area had become safer and more pleasant to walk
claim tell
through since the project began.
An elderly resident even 7._______________ that she enjoyed spending her afternoons there, which hadn’t been
possible before.
add join
A spokesperson from the local council 8._______________ that the students' work 9._______________ impressive
and that their effort deserved recognition.
He also 10._______________ that more towns 11._______________ in need of similar *grassroots initiatives.
The student leader later 12._______________ that their next plan was to build birdhouses and create a space for
outdoor workshops.
She 13._______________ that they hoped more schools would 14._______________ future projects and turn ideas
into action.
*grassroots - the ordinary people in a society or an organisation, especially a political party
 possible answers
Practise using reporting verbs and the correct tense changes in reported speech. Each verb can be used more than once, and there may be more than one
correct answer.
Last month, a local magazine published an article about a youth-led eco project in a small town near Manchester. be say
The project started after some students 1.said that their neighbourhood park had been neglected for years.
They 2.explained that no one had taken responsibility for cleaning it and that the local wildlife was disappearing.
One of the students 3.remarked that the group had decided to take action themselves, even without official explain suggest
support.
Another student 4.explained that the first thing they had done was to organise a weekend clean-up.
She also 5.added that over twenty people had come to help that day.
remark point out
A few neighbours 6.told the reporters that the area had become safer and more pleasant to walk through since the
project began.
An elderly resident even 7.claimed that she enjoyed spending her afternoons there, which hadn’t been possible
claim tell
before.
A spokesperson from the local council 8.pointed out that the students' work 9.was impressive and that their effort
deserved recognition.
add join
He also 10.said that more towns 11.were in need of similar *grassroots initiatives.
The student leader later 12.suggested that their next plan was to build birdhouses and create a space for outdoor
workshops.
She 13.added that they hoped more schools would 14.join future projects and turn ideas into action.

*grassroots - the ordinary people in a society or an organisation, especially a political party

 extra task
Transform each prompt into a full sentence using reported speech.
Example:
He / claim / they / her / break / laptop
He claimed they had broken her laptop during a dance battle.

She / claim / her cat / ruin / plants / the following day

They / remark / we / eat / birthday cake / two hours earlier

Liam / explain / Olivia / his / crash / scooter / the previous day

Emma / tell / her boss / her / forget / deadline / at that time

Noah / remark / the guests / his / spill / coffee / earlier that day

Daniel / say / he / ask / his neighbour / recycle more / the next day

You / tell / me / take / reusable bag / that day

Ella / explain / her dog / her / eat / passport / two hours earlier

Jonas / reply / the neighbours / park / car on the lawn / the previous day

Emily / add / she / bring / homemade snacks / the picnic / the following day

They / point out / someone / steal / garden gnome / the day before
 possible answers
Transform each prompt into a full sentence using reported speech.
Example:
He / claim / they / her / break / laptop
He claimed they had broken her laptop during a dance battle.

She / claim / her cat / ruin / plants / the following day She claimed that her cat would ruin the plants the following day.

They / remark / we / eat / birthday cake / two hours earlier They remarked that we had eaten the birthday cake two hours earlier.

Liam / explain / Olivia / his / crash / scooter / the previous day Liam explained that Olivia had crashed his scooter the previous day.

Emma / tell / her boss / her / forget / deadline / at that time Emma told that her boss was telling her she had forgotten the deadline at that time.

Noah / remark / the guests / his / spill / coffee / earlier that day Noah remarked that the guests had spilled his coffee earlier that day.

Daniel / say / he / ask / his neighbour / recycle more / the next day Daniel said that he would ask his neighbour to recycle more the next day.

You / tell / me / take / reusable bag / that day You told me to take a reusable bag that day.

Ella / explain / her dog / her / eat / passport / two hours earlier Ella explained that her dog had eaten her passport two hours earlier.

Jonas / reply / the neighbours / park / car on the lawn / the previous day Jonas replied that the neighbours had parked their car on the lawn the previous day.

Emily / add / she / bring / homemade snacks / the picnic / the following day Emily added that she would bring homemade snacks to the picnic the following day.

They / point out / someone / steal / garden gnome / the day before They pointed out that someone had stolen the garden gnome the day before.
 extra task
Write a creative diary entry (120–150 words) describing a real or imaginary day. Recall conversations and report what people said
using reported speech. Make sure to include at least five different reporting verbs.

Possible events: Time markers: Reporting verbs:

Your birthday →
today, now that day, then say comment
A trip that went wrong →
yesterday the day before explain point out
A surprise you received →
tomorrow the next day / the following day add claim
A work day that got out of control →
last week the previous week remark reply
An environmental action you joined →
next month the following month tell suggest
thank you!