Grammar: Reported questions; Reporting verbs p. 134

There is more than one way to use reporting verbs. Read the direct speech and complete the two possible transformations into reported speech. Use one of the reporting verbs given in the 'b' sentences.

advise ● persuade ● regret ● offer ● warn

1 'Can I help you with the project?'
A He asked ________ with the project.
B He ________ with the project.
2 'You really should keep a close eye on your bank account,' Priya said to Amina.
A Priya told Amina ________ a close eye on her bank account.
B Priya ________ a close eye on her bank account.
3 'If you don't stop spending so much, you'll soon go broke,' Matt told Hiroshi.
A Matt told Hiroshi that if ________ spending so much, he'd soon go broke.
B Matt ________ too much or he'd soon go broke.
4 'Oh, go on, Sophie! You really must come to the conference with me,' said Mark.
A Mark said Sophie really ________ to the conference with him.
B Mark ________ to the conference with him.
5 'Now, I'm really sorry I spent all my money on that camping holiday!" exclaimed Elle
A Elle exclaimed she was sorry ________ all her money on that camping holiday.
B Elle ________ all that money on that camping holiday.

Read Hiroshi's pitch and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Good morning, my name is Hiroshi and I've always aimed to get my (0) hand / foot / step / leg in the door of a creative agency like this one. I believe I am an ideal candidate because I have a proven ability to take the initiative. Last year, my media teacher (1) ________ me to enter a national filmmaking competition, and I ended up winning the runner-up prize.
As for my previous experience, I worked as a volunteer at a local youth club. My career counsellor (2) ________ me that I wouldn't learn the (3) ________ overnight, which helped me stay focused on the long-term strategy. He even (4) ________ me on managing to break even on our first charity fundraiser, which I promoted entirely through social media.
Since then, I've been (5) ________ by my classmates to take on more responsibilities for our school's social media. They (6) ________ on my leading the new campaign for the summer fair.
I am looking for a role where I can eventually climb the (7) ________ ladder and take on a leadership position.
I am confident that my ability to (8) ________ with your brand's voice will make me an asset to the team.

Celine and Luis are practising for part 3 of their speaking exam (the collaborative task). They are discussing the following question: 'What factors are most important for graduates when choosing their first job?'. Read the options they have to discuss and help them complete their answers with a word that fits the gap. Then, think about how you would answer, make any changes you need to the texts and be ready to use them with a classmate to practise for your speaking test.

The factors:
– Opportunities for career progression
– The starting salary and financial benefits
– A supportive environment to learn in
– The company's ethical values
– The flexibility of remote working

Luis: So, shall we start with career progression? I think most people our age are desperate to start climbing the corporate ________ immediately, don't you?
Celine: Actually, I'm not so sure. At our young age, the idea of a long-term career is a bit daunting. Personally, I'd be more concerned about ________ enough training. If I'm in my first job, I don't want to do badly on day one.
Luis: That's a fair point. You'd need a manager from whom you could learn the ________ rather than just being thrown into the deep end.
Celine: Exactly. And what about the salary? You need to ________ enough money to at least move out of your parents' house, but is it the most important thing?"
Luis: I'd argue that values matter more. At university, my professors have always ________ applying to companies whose ethics align with our own. He really encouraged us ________ think about the environment, not just the money.
Celine: We should also consider the flexibility of remote working. Though it sounds convenient, I've spoken to several graduates who warned me that working from ________ can be a double-edged sword.
Luis: I agree. While it's great to avoid a ________, it's much harder to work as part of a ________ when you aren't physically in the office with your colleagues.

Follow-up: remember that at the end of the discussion, you have about a minute to decide which of these factors is the most significant for someone just starting their first job.
In deciding with your classmate, try to:
– Use at least one reporting verb (for example, 'As we mentioned earlier, Celine / Luis admitted that...');
– Use at least one new idiom;
– Try to reach an agreement on one option or, if you wish to, agree to disagree.

Dan attended a seminar called 'Money matters: surviving university on a budget'. Read the questions the audience asked the speaker and help him to report them.

1 'How much should I be saving from my part-time job every month?'
One student asked ________ saving from his part-time job every month.
2 'What will happen if I cannot keep my head above water with my student loan payments?'
Another one enquired ________ keep her head above water with her student loan payments.
3 'Why did the bank refuse to give me a student credit card?'
A rather confused student wanted to know ________ to give him a student credit card.
4 'Is it possible to break even living in a high-cost city like London?'
Someone else wondered ________ to break even living in a high-cost city like London.
5 'Who can I turn to for advice if I get into debt during my first semester?'
A student asked ________ for advice if she got into debt during her first semester.