Cross-curricular extension unit 1

Language and literature: Dialogue

1 We use reporting verbs in a text or dialogue to give a clearer impression of how people are speaking.
Complete the sentences with the past simple form of the verbs in the box.
accuse admit

ask

beg complain explain

insist

reply

suggest

tease

Please dont hurt me! he begged.

1 What about a trip to the museum? she _______________.
2 Were late because the bus didnt come, so we walked, he _______________.
3 I know youre lying! she _______________.
4 No, Im not, I _______________.
5 The truth is I cheated in the exam, she _______________.
6 I cant eat this food. Its cold and horrible! he _______________.
7 Ill tell you again: I didnt do it! he _______________.
8 You look really silly in those trousers! they _______________.
9 Wheres the teacher? we _______________.
2 Match 18 with the parts of the text ah.
1 comma

4 full stop

7 reporting verb

2 direct speech

5 inverted comma

8 new paragraph

3 exclamation mark

6 question mark

It was a quiet evening and I was sitting in the living room with a magazine. The TV was on,
but I wasnt watching it.

c
d
b Then mum walked into the room and asked, Are you watching the TV?
f

No, Im not, I replied.

Then please turn it off. Its too noisy! she complained.

3 Complete the text with the words 18 in exercise 2.

Things to remember when writing dialogue in English

y When you write someones exact words, you call this direct speech. Put an (1) _________________ before
and after the words to show this. You can also use a (2) _________________ to describe how a person says
something.
y Punctuation shows this, too. For example, put a (3) _________________ after questions and if a person
shouts something, an (4) _________________ describes this. When we use a reporting verb after direct
speech, use a (5) _________________ at the end of the direct speech and not a (6) _________________. When
you write the first sentence of direct speech, it is normal to begin with a (7) ______________________.

 PHOTOCOPIABLE OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS

4 Read the text. Who is Jack in trouble with? Tick (9) the correct answer.
1 his dad

2 his friend

3 his sister

Jacks friend
When I arrived home, my sister was in the kitchen. She turned around and stared at me.
Jack, Its 1.30 in the morning. Where were you? she said asked.
I was at the cinema. I missed the last bus home, so I walked, I said (1) _______________,
determined not to tell her the truth.
I dont believe you. You were with Ben! she said (2) _______________.

I wasnt with him, I said (3) _______________.

I know you were with Ben, she said again (4) _______________. She looked confused now.
I just dont understand. Hes so unappealing. I think hes bad for you.
Maybe, but Ben was good fun. I spent time with him to escape from my boring life. His cheeky
10

smile and laid-back attitude made me happy. But of course my sister wanted to ruin everything.
Youre always trying to control my life! I said (5) _______________. Why cant you leave me
alone? You make me so frustrated!
My sister smiled, but her eyes looked spiteful. Well, if youre frustrated, lets wake up Dad
and tell him all your problems, she said (6) _______________.

15

Please dont wake him up! I said (7) _______________, and started to feel a bit desperate.
OK, OK, I was with Ben, I said (8) _______________.
My sister started to laugh. Its really easy to get the truth from you, she said
(9) _______________. Youre so weak!

5 A text becomes more interesting and expressive when it uses different reporting verbs. Replace said in the
text with the reporting verbs in the box.
accused admitted

asked begged complained explained insisted

6 Read the text again. Then answer the questions.

1 Who did Jack spend the evening with?
__________________________________________
2 Why did he lie to his sister?
__________________________________________
3 Why does Jack spend so much time with Ben?
__________________________________________
4 What does he like about Ben?
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
5 Why wasnt their dad in the kitchen?

replied

suggested

teased

7 Write the correct line numbers.

At what point in the text is it clear that Jack is
lying? Line 4
1 Which line shows that Jacks sister knows hes
lying? Line ______
2 Where does it become clear that Jacks sister
always makes his life difficult? Line ______
3 At what point does the sisters personality
become clearer? Line ______
4 Where does it become clear that Jack has
problems with his father? Line ______

__________________________________________
6 Why did Jack feel desperate?
__________________________________________
__________________________________________

8 The next morning, Jacks sister tells their father

where Jack was the night before. Jacks father is
very angry with him. Write the conversation
between Jack, his sister and their father. How
many reporting verbs can you use?

 PHOTOCOPIABLE OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS