Passage Narration Exercise

1. Rewrite the following passage changing the form of speech. 

“What were you doing? ”said he to me.  I said,“ I was doing my assignment.” You should play in the afternoon. It will keep you fit.” “Thank you for your advice.”

Answer : He asked me what I had been doing. I replied that I had been doing my assignment. Then he told me that I should have played in the afternoon because it would keep me fit. I thanked him for his advice.

2. Rewrite the following passage changing the form of speech.

“Will you come to my house tomorrow?” I asked the boy. “We can discuss terms and condition then,”I said. “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 next day. I also added that we could discuss terms and conditions then. In reply, he said that he would be very happy to meet me at my house. He also thanked me so much.

3. Rewrite the following passage changing the form of speech.

The teacher said to Hasan, "Have you read the story of Shamima?" "Yes, sir, I  have read it," said Hasan. The teacher said again, “Tell me the story.” Hasan said, “I am telling it now.” “What a good student you are!” said the teacher.

Answer :  The teacher asked Hasan if he (H) had read the story of Shamima. Hasan replied respectfully in the affirmative and said that he (H) had read it. The teacher again told him (H) to tell him (t) the story. Then Hasan replied that he (H) was telling it then. The teacher exclaimed with appreciation that he (H) was a very good student.

Also Read: Passage Narration Rules

Also Read: Narration Rules In Bangla

4. Rewrite the following passage changing the form of speech.

My friend said  to me, “Why did you not attend my birthday party?” “I was in Dhaka at that time,” said  I. “I missed you so much,” said he. “Take this gift. please," said I. “How nice it is !” said he. 

Answer : My friend asked me why I had not attended his birthday party. I replied that I had been in Dhaka at that time. He told me that he had missed me so much. I requested him to take that gift. He exclaimed with joy that it was very nice.

5. Rewrite the following passage changing the form of speech.

I said to my friend, “Where are you going after the examination?” I've not yet decided,”  said my friend.  “Let's go to my village home together. What a great time we will have there!” said I. “I'll discuss it with my parents,” said my friend.

Answer : I asked my friend where he was going after the examination. My friend replied that he had not yet decided. I proposed to him that we should go to my village home together. I exclaimed with joy that we would have a great time there. My friend said that he would discuss it with his parents.

6. Rewrite the following passage changing the form of speech.

“Ruma, have you done your English lesson today?” asked the teacher.  “Yes, sir, I have. But I haven't understood some grammatical points,” replied Ruma. “Where is the problem?” said the teacher. “Let us try again.” 

Answer : The teacher asked Ruma if she had done her English lesson that day. Ruma respectfully replied in the affirmative and said that she had done it but she hadn't understood some grammatical points. The teacher asked her where the problem was. He proposed to her that they should try again.

7. Rewrite the following passage changing the form of speech.

Once I asked a little girl, “What's your mother's name?” “I know my mother's name but I won't tell that. I never tell my mother's name to anybody whom I don't know,” I said.  “How clever you are!”

Answer : Once I asked a little girl what her mother's name was. In reply, she said that she knew her mother's name but she wouldn't tell me that. She added that she never told her mother's name to anybody whom she didn't know. I exclaimed with wonder that she was very clever.

8. Rewrite the following passage changing the form of speech.

Shahib said to Tashin, “Did you visit the Shat Gombuj Mosque?” “No, I didn't”, said Tashin. “I was there last week. How beautiful the mosque is!” said Shahib. “Let's go there next week,” Tashin said.

Answer : Shabab asked Tahsin if he (T) had visited the Shat Gombuj Mosque. Tashin replied in the negative and said that he had not visited the place. Shabab told that he had been there the previous week. Then he (S) exclaimed with joy that the mosque was very beautiful. Lastly Tashin proposed that they should go there the following week.

9. Change the narrative style of the following text.

The teacher said to the boy, “Do you know that honesty is the best policy?" The boy said, “yes, sir, I think so.” “Then learn to be honest from your boyhood," said the teacher. “Thank you," said the boy. “May Allah help you," said the teacher. 

Answer : The teacher asked the boy if he knew that honesty is the best policy. The boy respectfully replied in the affirmative and said that he thought so. Then the teacher advised him to learn to be honest from his boyhood. The boy respectfully thanked him (T). The teacher wished that Allah might help him (B).

10. Change the narrative style of the following text. 

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 do not want to stay there but I only want a meal," replied the man.

Answer : The stranger asked the boy if he could tell him (stranger) the way to the nearest hotel. The boy politely replied in the affirmative and said that he could. Then he asked the stranger if he wanted a residential one in which he (stranger) could spend the night. The man (S) replied that he did not want to stay there but he only wanted a meal.

Passage narration for practice

11. Change the narrative style of the following text.

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

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

12. Change the narrative style of the following text.

“What are you crying? Do you have any problem?” asked the passerby. “I am crying because I have none to look after me,” said the street child. “Are you hungry?” “Yes, I am,” said the boy.

Answer : The passerby asked the street child why he (C) was crying. He (P) also asked if he (C) had any problem. The street child replied that he (C) was crying because he (C) had none to look after him (C). The passerby asked him if he (C) was hungry. The child replied in the affirmative and said that he (C) was hungry.

13. Change the narrative style of the following text.

“Good morning Rupa,” said Rana.“ How much preparation have you taken for the upcoming SSC Exam?” “A great preparation,” replied she. “I will get 90+ marks in every subject.” “Wow! what a lucky girl!” said Rana.

Answer: Rana 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 it was a great preparation. She also would get 90+ marks in every subject. Rana told with exclaimed that she was a very lucky girl.

14. Change the narrative style of the following text.

“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.

15. Change the narrative style of the following text.

“Please give me your English Grammar and Composition Book," said Sara. “I cannot give it,” said Zara. "I have to take it with me in the class." “I shall return the book before the class starts," said Sara. “Take it,” said Zara. “Thank you,” Said Sara.

Answer : Sara requested Zara politely to give her English Grammar and Composition Book. She (Z) 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. Zara told to take it. Sara thanked her.

16. Change the narrative style of the following text.

The students said, “We want to celebrate the independent day 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 independent day 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.

17. Change the narrative style of the following text.

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,” The boy 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 (Boy) respectfully begged to excuse him and promised that he would never disturb in the class.

18. Change the narrative style of the following text:

Mrs. Nasima said to her student, “I heard the news of your illness yesterday. How are you now?” “I feel a bit well today, Madam,” replied the student. “Don't worry. You will come round soon,” said Mrs Nasima.

Answer : Mrs. Nasima told her student that she had heard the news of he/her illness the previous day. She also asked the student how he/she was then. Addressing the teacher as madam the student replied that he/she felt a bit well that day. Mrs. Nasima advised the student not to be worried and she also expected that he/she would come round soon.

19. Change the narrative style of the following text:

The police officer said to Mita, “How can I help you?” Mita replied, “While I was coming home alone by a taxi last night snatchers rode into by taxi.” “Did they snatch anything from you?” “Yes sir, they took away my cell phone and some money,” said Mita. “Let me record a complaint,” said the police officer. 

Answer :  The police officer asked Mita how he (P) could help her. Mita replied that while she (M) had been going home alone by a taxi the previous night, two snatchers had ridden into her (M) taxi. The police officer asked her if they had snatched anything from her. Mita politely replied in the affirmative saying that they had taken away her cell phone and some money. The police officer told that he might record a complaint.

Passage narration exercise with answers

20. Change the narrative style of the following text. 

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 do not want to stay there but I only want a meal,” replied the man. 

Answer : The stranger asked the boy if he could tell him (stranger) the way to the nearest hotel. The boy politely replied in the affirmative and said that he could. Then he asked the stranger if he wanted a residential one in which he (stranger) could spend the night. The man (S) replied that he did not want to stay there but he only wanted a meal.

21. Change the narrative style of the following text.

“I am sorry your axe is lost,” said the stranger. “Will you know it if you see it? I found an axe in the road. It may be yours. Is this the axe that you have lost?” he asked, holding out a gold axe. “No,” answered the woodman, “That is not my axe. All the money I ever earned would not buy such an axe as that.”

Answer : The stranger expressed his sorrow to the woodman because his (woodman) axe was lost. He also asked him if he would know it if he (woodman) saw it. He added that he had found an axe in the road. He further added that it might be his (woodman). He again asked him holding out a gold axe if that was the axe that he (woodman) had lost. The woodman answered in the negative and said that that was not his axe. He added that all the money he had ever earned would not buy such an axe as that.

22. Change the narrative style of the following text.

“What a wonderful goose it is!" said the farmer. “It has laid a golden egg." He took the egg to a jeweler and said to him, “Please tell me what its price is.” “It is pure gold.” said the jeweler. “I will pay you a big price for it.” “I shall soon be a rich man,” said the farmer, “but I do wish the goose would lay more than one egg a day.”

Answer : The farmer exclaimed with joy that it was a very wonderful goose. He added that it had laid a golden egg. He took the egg to a jeweler and requested him (J) to tell him (f) what its price was. The jeweler said that it was pure gold. He added that he would pay him a big price for that. The farmer said that he would soon be a rich man but he wished the goose would lay more than one egg a day.

23. Change the narrative style of the following text.

“Let us go to the pond and have some fun,” said George. “What fun can we have there?” asked Frank. “The pond is nothing but an old muddle. We cannot swim in such water.”

Answer : George proposed to Frank that they should go to the pond and have some fun. At this Frank asked George what fun they could have there and said that the pond was nothing but an old muddle. He added that they couldn't swim in such water.

24. Change the narrative style of the following text.

“A wolf A wolf?” cried a shepherd boy. “Where is the wolf?" asked the farmers rushing to the spot. “I didn't say the wolf was there," replied the boy, and he laughed loud and long as he saw the look of surprise in the men's faces. “What do you mean, you young rascal, by fooling us so?" they cried. 

Answer : A shepherd by cried out that there was a wolf. Rushing to the spot the farmers asked him where the wolf was. The shepherd boy replied that he hadn't said the wolf had been there. Then he laughed loud and long as he had seen the look of surprise in the men's faces. Then addressing him as young rascal the farmers cried to him what he meant by fooling them.

25. Change the narrative style of the following text.

“Have you prepared your lesson?” “Yes, sir , I have,” I said. “Thank you. I like your sincerity,” my teacher said to me.

Answer : My teacher asked me if I had prepared my lesson. I replied in the affirmative and politely said that I had ( prepared my lesson). My teacher thanked me and said that he (t) liked my sincerity.

26. Change the narrative style of the following text.

I said to my friend, “Where are you going on the summer vacation?” My friend said, “I have not yet decided. Let's go to my village home together.” “I will think about it,” I said.

Answer : I asked my friend where he/ she(f) was going on the summer vacation. My friend replied/said that he/she had not yet decided. He/She(t) suggested that we should go to his/her(f) village home together. I said that I would think about it.

27. Change the narrative style of the following text.

“Have you offered your prayer today?” I said to my cousin. “No , I have forgotten, ” he said. “That's bad,” I said, “We must pray to the Almighty everyday.”

Answer : I asked my cousin if he had offered his prayer that day. He replied in the negative and said that he had forgotten. I told him that was bad. I also said that we must pray to the Almighty everyday.

28. Change the narrative style of the following text.

A fox fell into a well and cried, Help ! Help!” “Who is down there?” asked a wolf passing by the well. “It is I," cried the fox. “I am glad that you have come to help me out. “How did you get down there?” asked the wolf. “Have you been there long? Is the water very deep? Poor fellow, I do pity you! That is no place for you. You have a very bad cold. I see. I wish you were out.”

Answer : Falling into a well a fox cried for help. A wolf passing by the well asked him who was down there. The fox cried that it was he. He added that he (fox) was glad that he (wolf) had gone to help him (fox) out. The wolf asked him how be (fox) had got down there. He again asked him (fox) if he (fox) had been there long. He again asked him (fox) if the water was very deep. Then addressing him (fox) as poor fellow he told him (fox) that he (wolf) did pity him (fox). He added that he (fox) had a very bad cold he (wolf) saw. Finally he (wolf) wished he (fox) had been out.

29. Change the narrative style of the following text.

“What are you writing?” The angel looked up and replied in a sweet tone, “The names of those who love the Almighty.” “And is my name there? "asked Abu. “No, your name is not here.” “Please write my name as one who loves his fellowmen.”

Answer : Abu asked the angel what he was writing. The angel looked up and replied sweet tone that he was writing the names of those who loved the Almighty. Then Abu asked him whether his name was there. The angel answered in the negative and said that his name was not there. Then Abu requested the angel to write his name as one who loved his fellowmen.

Passage Narration Exercise for JSC, SSC and HSC

30. Change the narrative style of the following text.

“Have you ever been to the Taj Mahal?”  “No, I have never gone there," Biplab said to Arup. “If you visited the wonder, you could gain practical knowledge I believe." “It is both an Interesting and important place", said Biplab. “How nice the place is!" said Arup.

Answer : Anup asked Biplab if he (B) had ever been to the Taj Mahal. Biplab replied in the negative and said that he (B) had never been there. Arup believed that if he (B) had visited the wonder he (B) could have gained practical knowledge. Biplab replied that was both an interesting and important place. Arup exclaimed with joy that the place was very nice.

31. Change the narrative style of the following text.

“Do you know Bangladesh has won the cricket series against New Zealand?" said Hamid. “Yes, I do. What a pleasure it is!" said Kabir. “We should practise more to improve our standard. Do you agree?” “Yes, nothing is possible to attain without practice." said Kabir. “The same is in the case of learning English," said Hamid.

Answer : Hamid asked Kabir if he (K) knew Bangladesh had won the cricket series against New Zealand. Kabir replied in the affirmative and exclaimed with joy that it was a great pleasure. Then Hamid said that they should practise more to improve their standard and asked Kabir if he (K) agreed with him (H). Kabir agreed with him and said that nothing was possible to attain without practice. Then Hamid said that the same was in the case of learning English.

32. Change the narrative style of the following text.

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.

Answer : The teacher asked the boy why he made a noise in the class and told that he (b) was bot attentive to his (b) lessons. The boy respectfully said that he was sorry. He added that he had been asking for a pen to his friend. Then the teacher told/ advised the boy to be attentive and listen to what he (t) said.

33. Change the narrative style of the following text.

“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 respectfully asked the man if he/she could help him (m). The man replied in the affirmative and said that he (m) wanted to meet the Managing Director of the company. The receptionist asked him (m) if he (m) had an appointment. The man replied in the affirmative that he (m) had.

34. Change the narrative style of the following text.

“Why were you absent?” said the teacher. “The Headteacher is very angry with you. Go to him at once.” “I was seriously ill,” said Rita.

Answer: The teacher asked Rita why she had been absent and said the Headteacher was very angry with her. He told her to go him (Headteacher) at that moment. Rita said that she had been seriously ill.

35. Change the narrative style of the following text.

Mita said to her English teacher, “Sir, I want to improve my English. How can I do that?” “Don't worry. I will help you,” said the teacher.

Answer : Mita told her English teacher respectfully that she wanted to improve her English. She also asked him how she could do that the teacher advised her not to worry. He also assured her that he (t) would help her.

36. Change the narrative style of the following text.

“Will you go to college today?” mother say to her son. “No mother, our classes are closed.” “Then go to market and bring some vegetables.” “Let me be ready and give me money.”

Answer : Mother asked her son if he would go to college that day. The son told her mother that he would not and added that their classes were closed. Then mother told him to go to market and bring some vegetables. He then suggested that he might be allowed to be ready and told her to give him money.

37. Change the narrative style of the following text.

“What is the time by your watch?” he said. “It is half past nine,” I said. He said, “I want to go to the college. Would you accompany me, please?” “No, I am sorry,” replied I.

Answer : He asked me what the time was by my watch. I replied that it was half past nine. He again said that he wanted to go to the college. He also asked me politely if I would kindly accompany him. I replied in the negative with apology.

38. Change the narrative style of the following text.

"How much do you want for it?" said the Mayor. The pied piper said, "One thousand guilders." "Ok, we'll give you the money. When will you start your work? "said the Mayor. "Now." "But don't forget your promise," said the pied piper.

Answer: The mayor asked the pied piper how much he had want for it . To which the pied piper replied one thousand guilders. The mayor answered positively that they would give him the money when he would start his work. The pied piper agreed and warned him not to forget his promise.

39. Change the narrative style of the following text.

The young man said, “I can’t stay any longer. The king had sent me to do very important work.” “Friend, tell me what your important work is. I can also help you,” the man requested.

Answer: The young man told the man that he (y) could not stay any longer and added that the king had sent him to do very important work. Addressing him (y) as a friend the man requested to tell him what his important work was and added that he could also help him(y).

40. Change the narrative style of the following text.

“How long will you live?” asked the king. With a ready wit, the astrologer said, “The stars declare that I shall die only a week before you Majesty.” Hearing this, the king turned pale and shouted, “Drive this wretch away. Let him not come here again.”

Answer: The king asked how long the astrologer would live. With a ready wit, the astrologer addressed the king as Majesty and replied that the stars declared that he would die only a week before the king. Hearing this the king had turned pale, and addressed the astrologer as a wretch, and shouted to drive him away. He also ordered that he should not be allowed to come here again.

41. Change the narrative style of the following text.

“Are you brothers?” asked the mistress of the house. “No, by Allah,” they replied. “We are poor wanderers who met by mere chance.” Then, addressing one of the three she said, “Were you born blind in one eye?”

Answer: The mistress of the house asked them if they were brothers. Swearing by Allah they replied in the negative that they were poor wanderers who had met by mere chance. Then addressing one of the three she asked if he had been born blind in one eye.

42. Change the narrative style of the following text.

“Curse it!” exclaimed the driver. “Who could have foreseen such ill-luck? But for accident we should have caught the train easily.”

 

Answer: The driver exclaimed with an oath that nobody could have foreseen such ill luck. But for the accident they would have caught the train easily. 

43. Change the narrative style of the following text.

The general, addressing his mutinous troops said, “You have brought disgrace upon a famous regiment. If you had grievances, why did you not lay them before your own officers? Now you must first suffer punishment for your offence, before your complaints can be heard.” 

Answer: The general told his mutinous troops that they had brought disgrace upon a famous regiment. If they had grievances, why had they not laid them before their own officers? Now they must suffer punishment for their offence before their complaints could be heard.

44. Change the narrative style of the following text.

The old man said, “Can you give me some food? I have been starving for three days.” The maid said, “Why do you beg? Can’t you work?” “No, I am unable to work,” the old man replied.

Answer: The old man asked the maid if/whether she could give him some food. He added that he had been starving for three days. The maid asked the old man why he begged. She also asked the old man whether he could not work. The old man replied in the negative that he was unable to work.

45. Change the narrative style of the following text.

Sakina said to Himel, “How are you? I went to your house yesterday but you were not

there.” “I went to a shop,” said Himel. “I had to buy some dresses for my sister.”

​

Answer: Sakina asked Himel how he was and told him that she had gone to his house the day before but he was not there. Himel said that he had gone to a shop and he had to buy some dresses for his sister.

Try Yourself

1. Change the narrative style by using in direct speeches.

Abir said to Sakib, “Why are you late for school everyday?” I can't get up early in the morning, so I don't have enough time to be ready for school" he said. "How lazy you have grown!" said Abir. "If you don't change your habit, you will be a cause of sorrow to your parents."

2. Change the narrative style by using in direct speeches.

"Please, let me have the coffin," he cried, "I will pay you well for it." "We would not sell it for the world," one of the dwarfs said, "But I can't stay without Snow White," sighed the prince. So, the dwarfs took pity on the prince and said, "Take Snow White."

Passage narration exercise for class 7

3. Change the narrative style by using in direct speeches.

A hawker said, "Will you buy any paper? I have all types of newspapers and magazines. Please take one from me." "I usually buy books but now I need a weekly. Don't you have any weekly magazine?" said Shampa.

4. Change the narrative style by using in direct speeches.

"What is your opt occupation?" asked the king. "I do not work at all", said the stranger, "I wander about God's kingdom and wherever. He places me, there I remain for the day". Seeing the stranger's trust in God, the king felt kindly towards him and said, "Will you come and live in my palace?" The stranger asked, "What I shall do there!" "You'll water my trees and flower and in exchange you will get food and clothing", said the king.

5. Change the narrative style by using in direct speeches.

She said, "What is your name?" "Roger", answered the boy. "Then, Roger, you go to that sink and wash your face," said the woman. "Are you going to take me to jail?" asked the boy, bending over the sink. "All I wanted a pair of blue shoes." "You didn't have to snatch my purse to get some shoes", said Mrs. Washington Jones. "You could have asked me".

6. Change the narrative style by using in direct speeches.

The beggar said, "Will you give me some food? I have been without food for two days." The housewife said, "Why don't you work? You can earn your own food." "Oh my God", said the beggar. "I am disabled. I can't work."

7. Change the narrative style by using in direct speeches.

The old man told his sons to listen to him. Then he proceeded that a great treasure lay hidden in the land. He added that he was going to leave it to them. The sons wanted to know how they would find it. The old man replied that they had to dig the land for it.

8. Change the narrative style by using in direct speeches.

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

9. Change the narrative style by using in direct speeches.

"Have you done your homework?" The mother said to the daughter. "No, I have forgotten", said the daughter. "That is very bad. You must be more careful about your homework. By doing so, you can't expect to do well in your studies", said the mother.

10. Change the narrative style by using in direct speeches.

"Hello Marium! You look very hot and tired," said Nafisa. "I was stuck in the traffic jam for one hour," said Marium. "Sit down. What would you like to drink?" said Nafisa. "I'd love really chilled mineral water or something like that," said Marium.

11. Change the narrative style by using in direct speeches.

"Have you ever been to the Taj Mahal in Agra?" "No, I've never gone there." Bakul said to Arup, "If you visited the wonder, you could gain practical knowledge. It is both an interesting and important place." "How nice the place is!" said Arup referring to Sowrar.