Test your knowledge of noun clauses, quoted speech, and reported speech with this short quiz. Check the end of the quiz for correct answers and explanations.

 

1. I don’t know where (she lives / she does live).

 

2. I wonder (whether / if) Mary will attend class today.

 

3. (That Joseph / Joseph) enjoys teaching classes at the English Island in Atlanta is clear.

 

4. “Ricardo is a student (, / .)” Emily said. “He takes classes at the English Island.”

 

5. “What days do you want to take English classes (. / ?)” he asked.

 

6. She said she (is / was) going to be absent on Monday.

 

7. He says he (teaches / taught) classes every Tuesday and Thursday.

 

8. (Whoever / anyone who) wants to take classes at the English Island in Atlanta is welcome.

 

Answers and Explanations

1. Correct answer: she lives. Explanation: “Does, did, and do” are used in questions but not in noun clauses beginning with question words.

 

2. Correct answer: whether OR if. Explanation: These words can both be used to introduce a noun clause that answers a yes/no question. “Whether” is more common in formal writing. Both “whether” and “if” are acceptable when speaking.

 

3. Correct answer: That Joseph. Explanation: When you begin a noun clause with “that,” the word itself is usually optional. However, you must include the “that” when the clause comes at the beginning of a sentence.

 

4. Correct answer: , (comma). Explanation: When a quote verb (“said”) comes between two sentences, conclude the first sentence with a comma followed by a quotation mark. Never use a period. (You can use an exclamation point if the sentence is emphatic or a question mark if the sentence is a question.)

 

5. Correct answer: ? (question mark). Explanation: A question mark is used in place of a comma when quoting a question.

 

6. Correct answer: was. Explanation: This is an example of reported (paraphrased) speech. When the main (reporting) verb of the sentence is in the simple past (“said”), the verb in the noun clause should usually be in the simple past as well.

 

7. Correct answer: teaches. Explanation: When the main verb of reported speech is in the simple present, the noun clause should also be in the simple present.

 

8. Correct answer: whoever OR anyone who. Explanation: Words ending in –ever give the idea of “any.” Thus “whoever” and “anyone who” have exactly the same meaning.