You could say told or asked. The word 'ask' is more polite, as asking for something is the same as requesting it, whereas 'telling' someone to do something is the same as instructing or ordering them. In the following examples you can use either 'tell' or 'ask': Why don't you come round at about eight for a bite to eat? ~ I told them to come round at eight for something to eat. ~ I asked them to come round at eight for something to eat But sometimes we need to use 'tell 'when the meaning is more explicitly instructive and ask when the meaning is a more explicit request. Compare the following: Be careful not to dive too close to the rocks. ~ I told them not to dive too close to the rocks. Don't drink water from the stream. It's polluted. ~ I told her not to drink water from the stream. It's not clean. Can you show me how to operate this computer? ~ I asked her to show me how to operate the office computer. Would you let me know when Tony arrives? ~ I've asked him to let me know when Tony arrives.

Short answer: told = commanded; asked = requested. The "insolent" student was supposed to follow directions, so the verb should have been "told". Using "asked" is slightly sarcastic in this context (as if the student were above being told what to do), but that's a subtlety in advanced English. At this simpler level of English, don't use it. You know not what forces you may unleash.