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E9 M - Report questions and commands

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E9 M - Report questions and commands

Mini-Beschreibung: You learn to report questions, requests and commands from an interview, the workplace and everyday life. You keep the meaning, change the grammar where needed and react in clear B1 English.

Level: English as a first foreign language, Klasse 9, M-Niveau, Baden-Württemberg. Work mainly in English. Use the German help only when you need it.

Media start – look, think, speak: Look at the interview photo. Imagine two direct questions and one polite request. Say them to a partner. Then report one of them: The interviewer asked ...

I can ...

I can understand the main point of short interviews and workplace conversations.
I can report yes/no questions with if or whether.
I can report wh-questions with statement word order.
I can report commands and requests with tell/ask + person + to-infinitive.
I can change pronouns, time words and place words when the context changes.
I can ask for clarification, improve my first answer and use the pattern again.

Deutsch-Hilfe: Du gibst Fragen und Aufforderungen sinngemäß wieder. Wichtig sind Bedeutung, Wortstellung und passende Pronomen – nicht eine Wort-für-Wort-Übersetzung.

Your learning loop

English first → understand → respond → ask → hint → improve → use again.

Try first. If you are stuck, ask: Could you repeat that? / Do I use if here? / Can I have a hint? Then improve your sentence and use the same pattern in a new situation.

What you already know

You should know direct questions such as Where do you work? and Can you help me? You should also know the imperative: Open the file. / Don't open the file.

Quick check: Change the direct question Where does Mia live? into normal statement word order without changing the tense: Mia lives ... This word order will help you with reported questions.

Input

Core pattern 1: reported yes/no questions

Direct: “Do you work on Saturdays?”

Reported: She asked me if I worked on Saturdays.

You can also use whether. The reported part has statement word order.

Direct question	Reported question
Are you ready?	He asked if I was ready.
Can you start at nine?	She asked whether I could start at nine.
Did you call the customer?	The manager asked if I had called the customer.

Notice: No do / does / did in the reported clause. Do not write: She asked if did I call ...

Core pattern 2: reported wh-questions

Keep the question word: what, where, when, why, who, how. Then use statement word order.

Direct question	Reported question
Where do you live?	He asked me where I lived.
Why are you applying?	She asked why I was applying.
When can you start?	They asked me when I could start.

Useful frame: X asked + person + question word + subject + verb.

Viewing task: Listen for one reported question. Pause after you hear it. Write the direct question you think came first. Compare with a partner.

Core pattern 3: reported commands and requests

For a command, use tell + person + to + verb. For a polite request, use ask + person + to + verb.

Direct words	Meaning	Reported form
“Close the door.”	command	She told me to close the door.
“Please send the file.”	request	He asked me to send the file.
“Don't use this password.”	negative command	She told us not to use that password.

Negative pattern: told/asked + person + not to + verb.

Viewing task: Make a two-column note: command / request. Add one example from the video to each column. Do not copy a full transcript.

Meaning first: change only what the new context needs

Pronouns and reference words depend on who reports the message and when.

Direct	Possible report later
“Can you help me today?”	She asked me if I could help her that day.
“Bring this box here tomorrow.”	He told us to bring that box there the next day.

Possible changes include I → he/she, my → his/her, today → that day, tomorrow → the next day, here → there and this → that. These changes are not automatic. Keep a word if the situation has not changed.

Backshift: a useful B1 tool

When the reporting verb is in the past, the tense often moves one step back.

Direct form	Common reported form
am / is / are	was / were
do / does	did
did / past simple	had + past participle
can	could
will	would

At this level, focus on clear meaning. If something is still true now, English can sometimes keep the original tense. In school tasks, check the time context carefully.

Viewing task: Watch once for meaning. Watch again and note two tense changes. Explain one change in one English sentence.

Interview context

Fictional interview:

Interviewer: “Why do you want this weekend job?” Ava: “I like working with people.” Interviewer: “Can you work on Saturdays?” Interviewer: “Please bring your school timetable next time.”

Report: The interviewer asked Ava why she wanted the weekend job. The interviewer asked if she could work on Saturdays. The interviewer asked her to bring her school timetable next time.

Privacy rule: Use fictional names, fictional workplaces and fictional application data. Do not use private social-media information.

Workplace context

Supervisor: “Could you check the stockroom before lunch?” Kim: “Where should I put the delivery notes?” Supervisor: “Please leave them on my desk.” Supervisor: “Don't email them.”

Your job: Report the four messages. Decide which one is a question and which ones work as requests or commands.

Hint 1: The supervisor asked Kim to ...
Hint 2: Kim asked where ...
Hint 3: Negative command: told ... not to ...

Everyday context

Sam: “Are you coming to the sports centre?” Lea: “What time does it open?” Sam: “Meet me at the bus stop.” Lea: “Don't forget your water bottle.”

Speak: Report the conversation to a third person in four short sentences. Then change one detail and report it again.

Listening and Viewing

Datei:Wikipedia in the Classroom - Interview with Edinburgh University's Translation Studies MSc students (excerpt).webm

Authentic clip: The speakers are adults and the language may be faster than your course examples. First listen only for who speaks and what the interview is about. On the second listen, note one question or key phrase. You do not need every word.

Round 1 – gist: In a video, identify who speaks, the situation and the main purpose.

Round 2 – language: Note only key words. Listen for asked, told, if/whether, question words and to + verb.

Round 3 – report: Tell a partner what one speaker asked or told another person to do.

Optional recording: You may record your own practice privately. Recording is voluntary. Do not upload it unless you actively choose to and have permission from everyone involved. Do not send private recordings or personal data to external AI services.

Reading

Message at a fictional youth café

Team lead: “Can you cover the front desk from 4 p.m.?” Nora: “Which tasks should I do first?” Team lead: “Check the booking list and call me if there is a problem.” Team lead: “Don't post customer names online.”

Read and report: Write three or four sentences. Keep the meaning. You do not need every word.

Deutsch-Hilfe: Suche zuerst: Wer fragt oder fordert? An wen? Was ist die Kerninformation? Danach baust Du den englischen Bericht.

Context vocabulary

Word / phrase	Simple meaning	Useful chunk
applicant	person who wants a job	an applicant asked ...
interviewer	person who asks interview questions	the interviewer asked ...
shift	period of work	work an evening shift
deadline	latest finishing time	meet a deadline
instruction	information about what to do	follow an instruction
clarify	make something clearer	Could you clarify that?
report	give the meaning again	report a question
request	polite asking for an action	report a request

Use it: Choose three chunks and make one mini-dialogue.

Pronunciation and fluency

Clear speech is more important than sounding like a native speaker. Stress the key meaning words and keep small grammar words lighter.

She ASKED me where I WORKED. He TOLD us to WAIT outside.

Fluency drill: Read a direct line. Pause. Report it in one breath group. Repeat with a new speaker and a new place. Do not aim for accent-free speech; aim for understandable speech.

Speaking

Work in groups of three: interviewer, applicant and reporter. Use fictional profiles.

The interviewer asks two open questions and one yes/no question.
The interviewer gives one request.
The reporter listens without interrupting.
The reporter gives a 30-second summary using at least two reported questions and one reported request.
Change roles and repeat.

Spontaneous follow-up: The listener asks one new question: What else did the interviewer ask? or What did they tell the applicant to do?

Writing

Task: workplace report, 90–120 words. Write a short report after a fictional team conversation. Include:

one reported yes/no question,
one reported wh-question,
one reported request or command,
one sentence about the result.

Useful start: During the meeting, Maya asked ... Later, Ben wanted to know ... The team lead told us to ...

Improve your text: Keep your original version. Mark one change you made after feedback. Add a short note: I changed ... because ...

Mediation

Your German-speaking classmate missed a short English workplace briefing. Give the important meaning in German or simple English, depending on the task. Do not translate every word. Keep names and details fictional.

English briefing: “Can everyone finish the safety check by three? Please tell me if a machine is not working. Don't repair it alone.”

Mediation goal: Pass on the three key points clearly. Then answer one follow-up question.

Functional grammar toolbox

Job	Pattern	Example
Report yes/no question	asked + if/whether + statement order	She asked if I was free.
Report wh-question	asked + wh-word + statement order	He asked where I worked.
Report command	told + person + to + verb	She told me to wait.
Report request	asked + person + to + verb	He asked us to help.
Report negative command	told + person + not to + verb	She told us not to leave.

Help ladder

Level 1 – key words: Find the speaker, listener, question word and action.

Level 2 – frame: Use X asked me if ... / X asked me where ... / X told me to ...

Level 3 – model: Compare your sentence with one correct example from the toolbox. Then close the model and try again.

Level 4 – challenge: Change the speaker, time and place. Report the message again without help.

Feedback and error analysis

Use short feedback that helps the next attempt.

Check	Feedback question
Meaning	Did I keep the original meaning?
Word order	Did I use statement order after if/whether or a wh-word?
Reporting verb	Did I choose asked or told?
Person	Is the listener clear after asked/told when needed?
Reference	Do pronouns, time and place words fit the new situation?
Fluency	Can a listener understand me without guessing?

Typical errors:

She asked where did I work. → She asked where I worked. He told to wait. → He told me to wait. She said me to call. → She told me to call. He told me don't open it. → He told me not to open it.

AI check rule: If you use AI feedback, check grammar claims with your course examples or a reliable grammar source. Keep your own first draft. Do not enter private data, real application details or recordings.

Transfer

Choose one new context: school project, sports club, part-time job, travel or family organisation. Create four direct messages, then report them later to another person. Your report should make sense even if the listener did not hear the original conversation.

Can-do check

I can ...	Not yet	With help	Yes
understand the main purpose of a short conversation	□	□	□
report a yes/no question	□	□	□
report a wh-question	□	□	□
report a positive or negative command	□	□	□
report a polite request	□	□	□
change pronouns and time/place words when needed	□	□	□
improve a first answer after feedback	□	□	□

Next course: E9 M - Report statements and mixed speech

Interaktive Aufgaben

Quiz: Teste Dein Wissen

Which sentence correctly reports “Do you work on Saturdays?” (She asked me if I worked on Saturdays.) (!She asked me did I work on Saturdays.) (!She asked me if did I work on Saturdays.) (!She told me if I worked on Saturdays.)

Which sentence correctly reports “Where do you live?” (He asked me where I lived.) (!He asked me where did I live.) (!He told me where I lived.) (!He asked me if where I lived.)

Which word can introduce a reported yes/no question? (if) (!because) (!although) (!during)

Which sentence correctly reports “Please wait outside.” (She asked me to wait outside.) (!She asked that I wait outside?) (!She told if I waited outside.) (!She asked me waiting outside.)

Which sentence correctly reports “Don't open the file.” (He told me not to open the file.) (!He told me don't open the file.) (!He asked if I not opened the file.) (!He said me not open the file.)

What word order is used inside a reported question? (statement word order) (!direct question word order) (!imperative word order) (!random word order)

Which reporting verb fits a clear command best? (told) (!wondered) (!asked whether) (!answered)

Which sentence has the correct listener after told? (The manager told us to wait.) (!The manager told to wait us.) (!The manager told that wait.) (!The manager told if we wait.)

Which sentence keeps the wh-word correctly? (She asked why I was late.) (!She asked if why I was late.) (!She told why was I late.) (!She asked why was I late?)

What should you check before changing today to that day? (whether the reporting time or context has changed) (!whether the sentence is long) (!whether the speaker is an adult) (!whether the verb is regular)

Memory

yes/no question	if or whether
wh-question	keep the question word
command	told plus person plus to
polite request	asked plus person plus to
negative command	not to plus verb
reported question	statement word order

Drag and Drop

Ordne die richtigen Begriffe zu.	Thema
asked if I was ready	Are you ready?
asked where I worked	Where do you work?
told me to wait	Wait here.
asked me to send the file	Please send the file.
told us not to leave	Don't leave.

...

Kreuzworträtsel

whether	Which word can be used with if to report a yes or no question?
asked	Which past reporting verb is common for questions and requests?
told	Which past reporting verb is common for commands?
pronoun	What type of word may change from I to he or she?
infinitive	Which verb form follows to in a reported command?
backshift	What is the common name for moving a tense one step into the past?

LearningApps

Lückentext

Offene Aufgaben

Leicht

Question cards: Write four direct questions on cards. Exchange them and report two questions with asked.
Command switch: Write three simple commands and one polite request. A partner reports them with told or asked.
Photo talk: Use one Commons image in this course. Invent a two-line dialogue and report it.
Error hunt: Create three wrong reported sentences. Exchange them and explain the corrections in simple English.

Standard

Mini interview: Conduct a two-minute fictional interview. A third person reports the main questions and one request.
Workplace voice note: Create a 45-second private role-play recording or perform it live. Reporting partner gives a spoken summary. Recording is optional.
Message relay: One learner reads a short workplace message, tells a second learner, and a third learner checks whether the meaning stayed accurate.
Writing revision: Write a 90–120 word report, get peer feedback, keep the first version and show two improvements.

Schwer

Mixed context challenge: Combine an interview, a workplace instruction and an everyday request in one coherent spoken report.
Mediation briefing: Read a short English briefing and pass the key information to a German-speaking partner without full translation.
Live reporter: Listen to a new role-play once, take only key-word notes and give a 60-second report without a script.
Grammar coach: Explain one common error to a partner, give a hint instead of the answer, and create a new example that tests the same rule.

Lernkontrolle

Interview reconstruction: You receive five reported sentences. Reconstruct a plausible direct interview and explain which parts are certain and which parts are your choice.
Context change: A message is reported on the same day and again one week later in another place. Decide which pronouns and time/place words should change and explain why.
Workplace summary: Listen to or read a short fictional team dialogue. Produce a clear 100-word report that separates questions, requests and commands.
Error diagnosis: Correct four sentences with different errors. Name the error type: word order, reporting verb, listener, negative infinitive or reference word.
Transfer conversation: Create a new situation in which accurate reporting matters. Perform the direct conversation, report it later and answer one spontaneous follow-up question.
Feedback revision: Improve a first spoken or written report after feedback. Show which change improved meaning most and justify your choice.

Lernnachweis

For a successful learning record, show that you can:

understand the main message in a short interview or workplace exchange,
report yes/no and wh-questions with correct word order,
report positive and negative commands or requests,
adjust pronouns and reference words to the new context,
speak understandably at a natural B1 pace,
write a coherent short report,
mediate key information without translating everything,
use feedback to improve a first version,
work with fictional data and protect private information.

OERs zum Thema

Free media used in this aiMOOC: Wikimedia Commons files link to their license pages. The embedded YouTube videos are used as external learning media; availability can change.

Grammar reference: British Council LearnEnglish: Reported speech – questions

Verknüpfte Lernbereiche

Reported speech

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