Some verbs of reporting are given in the box. Choose the appropriate verbs and fill in the blanks in the following sentences.

were complaining	shouted	replied
Remarked	ordered	suggested

(i) I am not afraid ,”__________the woman.

(ii) “Leave me alone, “my mother________.

(iii) The children ____________ that the roads were crowded and noisy.

(iv) “Perhaps he isn’t a bad sort of a chap after all,”_________ the master.

(v) Let’s go and look at the school ground ,”__________ the sports teacher.

(vi) The traffic police __________ all the passers-by to keep off the road.

Study the use of word big in the following sentence.

He was so big …… his hands and his neck, especially his mouth…

Here, big means large in size

Now consult a dictionary and find out the meaning of big in the following sentences. The first one has been done for you.

(i) You are a big girl now. Older

(ii) Today you are going to take the biggest decision of your career. __________

(iii) Their project is full of big ideas._________

(iv) Cricket is a big game in our country. _______

(v) I am a big fan of Lata Mangeskar. ________

(vi) You have to cook a bit more as my friend is a big eater._____________

(vii) What a big heart you’ve got, Father dear. _______

Study the following sentences.

● “What!” screamed Mother.

● “N –n-no”, she whispered.

● “Sit up,” he ordered.

The Italicized words are verbs of reporting. We quote or report what someone has said or thought by using a reporting verb. Every reporting clause contains a reporting verb. For example:

● He promised to help in my project.

● “How are you doing?” Seema asked.

We use verbs of reporting to advise , order, report statements, thoughts, intentions, questions, requests, apologies, manner of speaking and so on.

Underline the verbs of reporting in the following sentences.

(i) He says he will enjoy the ride .

(ii) Father mentioned that he was going on a holiday.

(iii) No one told us that the shop was closed.

(iv) He answered that the price would go up.

(v) I wondered why he was screaming.

(vi) Ben told her to wake him up.

(vii) Ratan apologised for coming late to the party.

Has your life been different from or similar to that of Kezia when you were a child? Has your perception about your parents changed now? Do you find any change in your parent’s behavior vis-� -vis yours? Who has become more understanding? What steps would you like to take to build a relationship based on understanding? Write three or four paragraphs (about 150-200 words ) discussing these issues from your own experience.

What do the following phrases mean to you? Discuss in class.

(i) humid shadows

(ii) starry spheres

(iii) what a bliss

(iv) a thousand dreamy fancies into busy being start

(v) a thousand recollections weave their air threads into woof