1. " There were no cell phones a long time ago !

  " My grandmother said there had been no cell phones a long time ago

2. Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876

  The telephone was invented the telephone in 1876

3. Tablets aren't as convenient as smartphones

  Smartphones are much more convenient than tablest

4. " I can't come in today, because Tm sick "

  Two days ago, Tom phoned me and said that he couldn't come in today, because he was sick

5. How long have you been working on this project ?

  When did you start working on this place ?

6. In spite of the freezing weather, we had a great holiday in Canada

  Even though the weather was freezing, we had a great holiday in Canada

7. We found the exhibits shown in the Future World Exhibition very amazing

  We were amzed at the exhs down in the Future World Exhibition

8. Maya told Sara that she had just talked to a robot in the exhibition 

  Maya said to Sara "I have just talked to a robot in the exhibition"

9. It's a shame I'm not able to come to your party on Saturday 

  I wish I were able to come to your party on Saturday

1. " There were no cell phones a long time ago ! " My grandmother said

-> My grandmother said (that) there had been no cell phones a long time ago.

2. Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876

-> The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876.

3. Tablets aren't as convenient as smartphones

-> Smartphones are much more convenient than tablets.

4. " I can't come in today, because I'm sick " 

-> Two days ago, Tom phoned me and said (that) he couldn't come in that day because he was sick

5. How long have you been working on this project ?

-> When did you start working on this place ?

6. In spite of the freezing weather, we had a great holiday in Canada

-> Even though the weather was freezing, we had a great holiday in Canada.

7. We found the exhibits shown in the Future World Exhibition very amazing

-> We were amazed at the exhibits shown in the Future World Exhibition.

8. Maya told Sara that she had just talked to a robot in the exhibition

-> Maya said to Sara, "I have just talked to a robot in the exhibition"

9. It's a shame I'm not able to come to your party on Saturday

-> I wish I were able to come to your party on Saturday.