Grammar: Reported Speech

Question 2

Choose the best reporting verb:

The reading ______ that hunting caused the sea otter to decline.

claims | says

Answer 2

The reading claims that hunting caused the sea otter to decline.

Use claims when the reading presents an opinion or theory.

The reading claims that factories poisoned the fish.
The article claims that humans caused the extinction.

Question 3

Choose the best reporting verb:

The lecturer ______ that whale populations collapsed in the 1970s.

tells | demonstrates

Answer 3

The lecturer demonstrates that whale populations collapsed in the 1970s.

Tells is too casual and informal. Use demonstrates when the lecturer uses data, a graph, or clear evidence to prove a point.

The lecturer demonstrates that prices fell rapidly.

She demonstrates that temperature caused the decline.

Question 4

Choose the best reporting verb:

The lecturer ______ the example of orcas attacking otters.

provides | says

Answer 4

The lecturer provides the example of orcas attacking otters.

Use provides + “the example of …” for all examples.

The lecturer provides the example of drug ads.
He provides the example of vampire bats sharing food.

Question 5

Choose the best reporting verb:

The reading ______ that advertising tricks people into buying things they don’t need.

claims | mentions

Answer 5

The reading claims that advertising tricks people into buying things they don’t need.

Mentions is too weak here. Use claims when the reading makes a bold statement.

The reading claims that GM food is dangerous.
The article claims that factory farming is efficient.

Question 6

Choose the best reporting verb:

The lecturer ______ that many species disappeared long before the asteroid.

points out | says

Answer 6

The lecturer points out that many species disappeared long before the asteroid.

Says is too casual. Use points out when highlighting important evidence.

The lecturer points out that pollution levels were low.
She points out that commuters do equally well.

Question 7

Choose the best reporting verb:

The lecturer ______ that drug advertisements actually give useful medical information.

tells | explains

Answer 7

The lecturer explains that drug advertisements actually give useful medical information.

“Tells” is too simple, and requires an object. Use explains when the lecturer gives reasons or details.

The lecturer explains that recognition also motivates workers.
He explains that temperature caused the problem.

Question 8

Choose the best reporting verb:

The lecturer ______ the reading’s idea that only hunting caused the decline.

refutes | denies

Answer 8

The lecturer refutes the reading’s idea that only hunting caused the decline.

Denies sounds emotional and personal. Use refutes for strong, academic contradiction.

The lecturer refutes the asteroid-only theory.
She refutes the pollution explanation.

Question 9

Choose the best reporting verb:

The reading ______ that living on campus improves grades and social life.

believes | argues

Answer 9

The reading argues that living on campus improves grades and social life.

“Believes” is never used as a reporting verb. Use argues when the reading defends a position.

The reading argues that small classes are better.
The article argues that money is the only motivation.

Question 10

Choose the best reporting verb:

The lecturer ______ that commuter students get the same grades.

contends | thinks

Answer 10

The lecturer contends that commuter students get the same grades.

“Thinks” is too informal personal. Use contends for polite but firm opposition.

The lecturer contends that large classes can be effective.
He contends that altruism exists in animals.

Question 11

Choose the best reporting verb:

The reading ______ that chemical pollution from factories killed the salmon.

claims | blames

Answer 11

The reading claims that chemical pollution from factories killed the salmon.

Blames is too emotional. Use claims for the reading’s strong opinions or accusations.

The reading claims that humans hunted the sea cow.
The article claims that social media wastes time.

Question 12

Choose the best reporting verb:

The lecturer ______ that rising water temperature caused the salmon decline.

illustrates | shows

Answer 12

The lecturer illustrates that rising water temperature caused the salmon decline.

Shows is too casual. Use illustrates when a graph or trend supports a point.

The lecturer illustrates that prices dropped rapidly.
She illustrates that whale numbers collapsed.

Question 13

Choose the best reporting verb:

The reading ______ that money is the only motivation for workers.

demonstrates | asserts

Answer 13

The reading asserts that money is the only motivation for workers.

Demonstrates doesn’t fit when just a statement is given without a visual or example. Use asserts for strong, confident statements.

The reading asserts that GM food is dangerous.
The article asserts that small classes are superior.

Question 14

Choose the best reporting verb:

The lecturer ______ that recognition and personal growth also motivate people.

points out | says

Answer 14

The lecturer points out that recognition and personal growth also motivate people.

“Says” is too casual for academic reporting. Use points out when the lecturer provides important evidence.

The lecturer points out that many species died earlier.
She points out that commuters do just as well.

Question 15

Choose the best reporting verb:

The lecturer ______ the reading’s explanation of the salmon decline.

challenges | questions

Answer 15

The lecturer challenges the reading’s explanation of the salmon decline.

Questions is too soft. Use challenges when directly opposing another idea.

The lecturer challenges the asteroid theory.
She challenges the idea that online classes are better.

Question 16

Choose the best reporting verb:

The reading ______ a recent survey showing support for the policy.

uses | cites

Answer 16

The reading cites a recent survey showing support for the policy.

Uses is too vague. Use cites for specific evidence or studies.

The reading cites archaeological evidence.
The article cites historical records.

Question 17

Choose the best reporting verb:

The reading ______ that genetically modified food poses health risks.

warns | says

Answer 17

The reading warns that genetically modified food poses health risks.

Says is too neutral for danger. Use warns when the reading highlights risk.

The reading warns that factory farming harms animals.
The article warns that social media causes addiction.

Question 18

Choose the best reporting verb:

The lecturer ______ twenty years of studies proving GM food is safe.

cites | refers to

Answer 18

The lecturer cites twenty years of studies proving GM food is safe.

Refers to is too vague. Use cites when naming specific research.

The lecturer cites a 2022 study.
She cites population data.

Question 19

Choose the best reporting verb:

The lecturer ______ the reading’s claim that GM food is dangerous.

refutes | disagrees with

Answer 19

The lecturer refutes the reading’s claim that GM food is dangerous.

Disagrees with is too personal. Use refutes for strong, direct contradiction.

The lecturer refutes the reading’s hunting theory.
She refutes the idea that money is the only motivation.

Question 20

Choose the best reporting verb:

The reading ______ that factory farming is the most efficient method.

believes | argues

Answer 20

The reading argues that factory farming is the most efficient method.

Believes is never used in reporting. Use argues when the reading defends a position.

The reading argues that small classes are better.
The article argues that money motivates everyone.

Question 21

Choose the best reporting verb:

The lecturer ______ that bright colors in animals serve as warning signals.

explains | tells

Answer 21

The lecturer explains that bright colors in animals serve as warning signals.

Tells is too simple, and grammatically incorrect. Use explains when giving detailed reasoning.

The lecturer explains that bats share blood with strangers.
She explains that temperature caused the decline.

Question 22

Choose the best reporting verb:

The reading ______ that social media has no educational value.

claims | thinks

Answer 22

The reading claims that social media has no educational value.

Thinks is too personal and informal. Use claims for strong opinions.

The reading claims that humans caused the decline.
The article claims that online learning is inferior.

Question 23

Choose the best reporting verb:

The lecturer ______ the example of vampire bats sharing blood with non-relatives.

provides | shows

Answer 23

The lecturer provides the example of vampire bats sharing blood with non-relatives.

Shows is too casual. Use provides + “the example of …”.

The lecturer provides the example of helpful drug ads.
He provides the example of warning coloration.

Question 24

Choose the best reporting verb:

The lecturer ______ that true altruism exists in animals.

believes | contends

Answer 24

The lecturer contends that true altruism exists in animals.

Believes is too personal. Use contends for firm opposition.

The lecturer contends that multiple causes were involved.
She contends that large classes can work.

Question 25

Choose the best reporting verb:

The reading ______ that small classes guarantee better learning.

asserts | suggests

Answer 25

The reading asserts that small classes guarantee better learning.

Suggests is too weak for a strong claim. Use asserts for confident statements like this one, with the word “guarantee”.

The reading asserts that money is everything.
The article asserts that electric cars are still expensive.

Question 26

# Choose the best reporting verb: The lecturer \_\_\_\_\_\_ that large lectures with good professors can be excellent. | points out | says

Answer 26

The lecturer **points out** that large lectures with good professors can be excellent. ## Footnote **Says** is too casual. Use **points out** for key evidence. *The lecturer points out that many species died earlier.* *He points out that safety records are perfect.*

Question 27

# Choose the best reporting verb: The reading \_\_\_\_\_\_ that camouflage is only for hiding from predators. | states | notes

Answer 27

The reading **states** that camouflage is only for hiding from predators. ## Footnote **Notes** is too soft and informal. Use **states** when the reading presents something as a clear fact. *The reading states that three reasons support the theory.* *The article states that electric cars are expensive.*

Question 28

# Choose the best reporting verb: The lecturer \_\_\_\_\_\_ the reading’s view that animals never help strangers. | refutes | denies

Answer 28

The lecturer **refutes** the reading’s view that animals never help strangers. ## Footnote **Denies** sounds emotional. Use **refutes** for strong academic contradiction. *The lecturer refutes the asteroid-only theory.* *She refutes the idea that money is the only motivation.*

Question 29

# Choose the best reporting verb: The reading \_\_\_\_\_\_ historical records showing human hunting. | uses | cites

Answer 29

The reading **cites** historical records showing human hunting. ## Footnote **Uses** is informal and too vague. Use **cites** for specific sources. *The reading cites archaeological evidence.* *The article cites a recent survey.*

Question 30

# Choose the best reporting verb: The lecturer used a graph to \_\_\_\_\_\_ that electric car prices have fallen faster than expected. | illustrate | indicate

Answer 30

The lecturer used a graph to **illustrate** that electric car prices have fallen faster than expected. ## Footnote **Indicate** is too weak and indirect. Use **illustrate** when a graph or data clearly proves the point. *The lecturer illustrates that whale populations crashed.* *She illustrates that temperature rose sharply.*

Question 31

# Choose the best reporting verb: The lecturer \_\_\_\_\_\_ the reading’s claim that the sea cow went extinct because of hunting. | doubts | challenges

Answer 31

The lecturer **challenges** the reading’s claim that the sea cow went extinct because of hunting. ## Footnote “Doubts” is too personal. Use **challenges** when directly opposing the reading’s main idea. *The lecturer challenges the pollution theory.* *He challenges the idea that money is everything.*