Reporting Verbs News Article Gap Fill
Reporting Verbs: Gap-Fill Practice
Reporting verbs are commonly used in news articles to describe what people say, suggest, admit, deny, recommend, or promise. However, different reporting verbs are followed by different grammatical patterns.
Before completing the exercise, review the table below. Pay attention to the structure that follows each verb, such as an infinitive (promise to do), an object plus infinitive (urge someone to do), or a preposition plus -ing form (apologize for doing).
Reporting Verb Patterns: Reference Guide
| Pattern | Common Reporting Verbs | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb + object + infinitive | advise, encourage, order, remind, tell, urge, warn | The police warned residents to leave. |
| Verb + infinitive | agree, offer, promise | The company promised to improve security. |
| Verb + -ing | admit, deny, recommend, suggest | The witness denied seeing the suspect. |
| Verb + preposition + -ing | apologize for, accuse … of, blame … for, complain about, confess to, insist on, object to | She apologized for arriving late. |
| Verb + that clause | announce, assure, claim, explain, point out, reveal | Officials claimed that the project would create jobs. |
Common Exam Combinations
- advise someone to do something
- encourage someone to do something
- remind someone to do something
- urge someone to do something
- warn someone (not) to do something
- agree to do something
- offer to do something
- promise to do something
- admit doing something
- deny doing something
- recommend doing something
- suggest doing something
- apologize for doing something
- accuse someone of doing something
- blame someone for doing something
- complain about doing something
- confess to doing something
- insist on doing something
- object to doing something
Read each news story and complete the gaps with the correct form of the verb given in brackets. Pay close attention to the reporting verb patterns used in each sentence (e.g. verb + infinitive, verb + object + infinitive, verb + preposition + -ing, or verb + -ing).
Example:
- The manager advised employees {to arrive} (arrive) early.
- The witness denied {seeing} (see) the suspect.
Focus on choosing the correct grammatical structure after each reporting verb.
Test Summary
0 of 3 Questions completed
Questions:
Information
You have already completed the test before. Hence you can not start it again.
Test is loading…
You must sign in or sign up to start the test.
You must first complete the following:
Results
Results
0 of 3 Questions answered correctly
Your time:
Time has elapsed
You have reached 0 of 0 point(s), (0)
Earned Point(s): 0 of 0, (0)
0 Essay(s) Pending (Possible Point(s): 0)
Categories
- Not categorized 0%
- 1
- 2
- 3
- Current
- Review
- Answered
- Correct
- Incorrect
-
Question 1 of 3
1. Question
-
City Launches New AI Learning Programme
The city council has announced that it will invest €5 million in an artificial intelligence programme for local schools. Officials claim that the initiative will help students develop digital skills needed in the modern workplace.
Education experts have advised schools (introduce) AI tools gradually and have urged teachers (focus) on critical thinking rather than technology alone. The mayor encouraged parents (participate) in information sessions and reminded them (discuss) online safety with their children.
Several school principals agreed (pilot) the programme next year and offered (share) their findings with other institutions. One principal explained that students often learn best through short, focused activities and suggested (incorporate) AI into project-based learning.
However, some parents objected to (increase) students’ screen time and insisted on (receive) more information before the programme begins. Council representatives apologized for (fail) to communicate details earlier and promised (publish) a full report next month.
CorrectIncorrect -
-
Question 2 of 3
2. Question
-
Residents Evacuated After Forest Fire
Hundreds of residents were evacuated yesterday after a rapidly spreading forest fire approached several villages in the region.
Emergency services warned residents (return) to their homes until conditions improved. Police officers ordered people (leave) immediately and advised them (follow) designated evacuation routes.
Authorities revealed that strong winds had complicated firefighting efforts and pointed out that dry conditions had significantly increased the risk of wildfires. Officials also urged visitors (avoid) the area and reminded them (light) campfires.
Several residents admitted (ignore) earlier warnings and confessed to (underestimate) the speed of the fire. Others complained about (receive) evacuation alerts too late. Local officials acknowledged that communication systems needed improvement and agreed (review) emergency procedures in the coming weeks.
CorrectIncorrect -
-
Question 3 of 3
3. Question
-
Company Faces Investigation Over Data Breach
A major technology company is facing an investigation after a cyberattack exposed customer information.
Company executives admitted (fail) to detect the breach immediately but denied (conceal) information from the public. Investigators claim that hackers may have accessed personal data belonging to thousands of users.
Consumer groups accused the company of (neglect) cybersecurity standards and blamed management for (fail) to invest in stronger protections. They also urged regulators (impose) stricter requirements on technology firms.
The chief executive apologized for (cause) concern and promised (strengthen) security measures. He assured customers that the company would cooperate fully with investigators and offered (provide) free identity-protection services to affected users.
Industry analysts recommended (increase) investment in cybersecurity and suggested (conduct) independent audits on a regular basis. Meanwhile, regulators have announced that they will examine whether the company complied with existing data-protection laws.
CorrectIncorrect -