Direct Speech Introducing Speech Marks - Worksheets, Questions and Revision

18 original exam-style questions - 7 pages of questions with a full mark scheme - free printable PDF.

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KS2 · Grammar

Y4.1 Direct Speech Introducing Speech Marks

Calculators not allowed · about 40 minutes
Total Marks
Name: _______________________________    Date: ____ / ____ / ______
Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

Market Day

Source written for Revision Library (original, copyright-free). Written specifically for this direct speech worksheet pack; not derived from or based on any published work, past paper or copyrighted text.

Freya's family visited the Saturday market every week, and she always looked forward to it. "Let's start at the fruit stall," said Dad, pointing towards the boxes of shiny apples and pears. Freya skipped ahead and picked up a bright red apple. "Can we get some strawberries too?" she asked, looking hopefully at the stallholder. The stallholder smiled and wrapped up a small punnet of strawberries for her. Nearby, a boy was juggling three oranges to make his little sister laugh, and she giggled every time one nearly dropped. By the time the family reached the cake stall, Freya's little brother Sam was tired and hungry. "I want to go home now," he grumbled, tugging at Dad's sleeve. Dad crouched down beside him and said, "We will buy one cake to share, and then we can go home for lunch." Sam's face brightened at once, and he chose a large iced bun without a moment's hesitation.

1
Direct speech gives the exact words a person said, inside a pair of speech marks. Reported speech describes what was said, with no speech marks. In each pair below, tick the sentence that uses direct speech.
(a)(1)
  • A) "I am hungry," said Zara.
  • B) Zara said she was hungry.
(b)(1)
  • A) The teacher told us to sit down.
  • B) "Sit down," said the teacher.
(c)(1)
  • A) "Where is my bag?" asked Tom.
  • B) Tom asked where his bag was.
(d)(1)
  • A) Grandma said the cake was ready.
  • B) "The cake is ready," said Grandma.
2
Look again at the passage above. Copy the exact words that appear inside the speech marks for each of the following. Include any punctuation you find inside the speech marks.
(a)Dad's exact words when the family arrived at the fruit stall.(1)
(b)Freya's exact words to the stallholder.(1)
(c)Sam's exact words when he was tired.(1)
3
In each pair, tick the sentence where the speech marks are placed correctly around only the exact words that were spoken.
(a)(1)
  • A) Maya asked "if she could go outside."
  • B) Maya asked, "Can I go outside?"
(b)(1)
  • A) "The bus is late," announced the driver.
  • B) The bus is late, announced the driver."
4
Read each statement about direct speech punctuation. Circle True or False.
(a)The exact words spoken always go inside a pair of speech marks.(1)
  • True
  • False
(b)A comma is the only punctuation mark that can be used just before the closing speech marks.(1)
  • True
  • False
(c)In a story, a new speaker's words usually start on a new line.(1)
  • True
  • False
(d)You never need a capital letter at the start of direct speech.(1)
  • True
  • False
5
Add the missing speech marks around the words that are actually spoken in each sentence below.
(a)Well done, said Mr Khan.(1)
(b)Aisha whispered, I can hear a noise.(1)
(c)Where does this bus go? asked the old man.(1)
(d)Watch out! shouted the lifeguard.(1)
6
Each sentence below is missing the capital letter needed at the start of the direct speech. Rewrite each sentence correctly.
(a)The coach said, "well played, everyone."(1)
(b)"it is starting to rain," said Nana.(1)
(c)Priya shouted, "watch where you are going!"(1)
7
Choose the correct punctuation mark (a full stop, a question mark or an exclamation mark) to complete each sentence, and write it in the correct place, inside the speech marks.
(a)"What time does the film start" asked Ollie.(1)
(b)"Get down from there right now" yelled Dad.(1)
(c)Miss Patel said, "The museum opens at nine o'clock"(1)
8
Rewrite each sentence, adding speech marks and a comma in the correct places. The reporting clause comes before the direct speech in each one.
(a)Dad said watch your step on the ice.(2)
(b)The librarian whispered please keep your voices down.(2)
9
Rewrite each sentence, adding speech marks and the correct punctuation. The reporting clause comes after the direct speech in each one.
(a)I have finished my homework said Leo.(2)
(b)Can you help me carry this asked Grandad.(2)
10
Punctuate each sentence below correctly for direct speech. You will need to add speech marks, a capital letter and the correct end punctuation. Look carefully at where the reporting clause comes in each sentence.
(a)Grandad said mind the step.(2)
(b)can I stroke your dog asked the little girl(2)
11
Each sentence below has one punctuation error in its direct speech. Find the error and write the sentence correctly.
(a)"Please be quiet, said the librarian.(1)
(b)Jack shouted, "look out below!"(1)
(c)"The party starts at four o'clock".(1)
(d)The vet said "Hold him steady."(1)
12
The sentence below is missing its speech marks and has two more errors. Find and correct all three: the comma and speech marks needed before and around the coach's exact words, the capital letter needed to start the speech, and the exclamation mark needed before the closing speech mark.

The coach shouted well done team, we have won the match.
(3)
13
The passage below has three errors in its direct speech punctuation: Sam's direct speech is missing its speech marks completely, Hana's question is missing the capital letter at its start, and Hana's speech is missing its closing speech marks. Find and correct all three errors.

Sam turned to his sister and said, we should go home now. Hana looked up and asked, "why do we have to leave already?
(3)
14
Each sentence below has a different punctuation error in its direct speech. Find each error and write the sentence out correctly.
(a)"Leah shouted, Hurry up."(1)
(b)Grandma said "Sit down and rest."(1)
(c)"Are you feeling better." asked the nurse.(1)
15
Write your own direct speech to complete each sentence below. Remember to include speech marks, a capital letter and the correct end punctuation.
(a)The teacher smiled and said, ___(2)
(b)___, said the pilot.(2)
16
Turn each sentence below from reported speech into direct speech. Use speech marks and choose sensible exact words that match the meaning of the reported sentence.
(a)Reported speech: Mum told Tom to tidy his room.(2)
(b)Reported speech: The coach asked the players if they were ready.(2)
17
Write one sentence of direct speech for each situation below. Punctuate the speech correctly, using your own words.
(a)A firefighter warning people to stay back from a fire.(2)
(b)A friend asking to borrow a pencil.(2)
(c)A grandparent telling a child to be careful crossing the road.(2)
18
Write a short conversation between two characters of your choice, with at least three sentences of direct speech in total. Punctuate every piece of direct speech correctly, and start a new line each time a new character begins speaking.
(6)
Mark scheme · Y4.1 Direct Speech Introducing Speech Marks

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

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Question 8

Question 9

Question 10

Question 11

Question 12

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Question 14

Question 15

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Question 17

Question 18