SSC CGL (Prelims) General: Direct and Indirect Speech questions with solutions

Q1. A sentence is provided in indirect speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding direct speech. The supervisor told the staff that the submission deadline had been pushed back by two days.

1. “You can turn in the work two days after the scheduled date,” the supervisor informed.
2. “The submission deadline has been pushed back by two days,” said the supervisor.
3. “We are pushing back the submission deadline by two days,” the supervisor said.
4. “You must complete it within two additional days,” the supervisor said.

Answer: “The submission deadline has been pushed back by two days,” said the supervisor.

The indirect speech reports a statement about the deadline being pushed back by two days. The matching direct speech is the same statement in quotation marks with the reporting verb in past tense.

Q2. A sentence is provided in indirect speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding direct speech: The manager said that the employees were adapting to the new system quickly.

1. “The employees are adapting to the new system quickly,” said the manager.
2. “The employees were adapting to the new system quickly,” said the manager.
3. “The employees adapted to the new system quickly,” said the manager.
4. “The employees had adapted to the new system quickly,” said the manager.

Answer: “The employees were adapting to the new system quickly,” said the manager.

In indirect speech, "were adapting" is the past continuous form reported by the manager. In direct speech, this remains "were adapting" because the original statement is being quoted exactly as spoken. The reporting verb stays in the past: said the manager.

Q3. A sentence is provided in direct speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding indirect speech: He said to her, “Please shut the door.”

1. He told her shut the door.
2. He told her to shut the door.
3. He told her shutting the door.
4. He said her to shut the door.

Answer: He told her to shut the door.

In indirect speech, a polite request like “Please shut the door” is reported using 'told' plus object plus 'to' + verb. Hence, the correct form is 'He told her to shut the door.'

Q4. A sentence is provided in indirect speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding direct speech. The coach said that they had played well and would win the match.

1. "You played well and you will win the match," said the coach.
2. "They has played well and will win the match," the coach said.
3. "You had played well and would win the match," said the coach.
4. "They played well and they win the match," said the coach.

Answer: "You played well and you will win the match," said the coach.

In indirect speech, 'had played' and 'would win' indicate past perfect and future-in-the-past forms. Converting back to direct speech changes them to 'played' and 'will win', and the pronoun becomes 'you' when the coach is addressing the listeners.

Q5. A sentence is provided in direct speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding indirect speech. Meera said, "I can finish the task today."

1. Meera said that she can finish the task today.
2. Meera said that I could finish the task that day.
3. Meera said that she could finish the task that day.
4. Meera said she will finish the task today.

Answer: Meera said that she could finish the task that day.

In indirect speech, the pronoun 'I' changes to 'she' for Meera. The modal 'can' changes to 'could', and 'today' changes to 'that day' because the reporting verb is in the past.

Q6. A sentence is provided in indirect speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding direct speech: She said that she wanted to meet the principal.

1. “I want to meet the principal,” she said.
2. “I wanted to meet the principal,” she said.
3. “I wished to meet the principal,” she said.
4. “May I meet the principal?” she said.

Answer: “I wanted to meet the principal,” she said.

In indirect speech, "wanted" indicates past tense. When converting back to direct speech, the speaker's original words are usually restored in the same tense context, so the correct form is "I wanted to meet the principal."

Q7. A sentence is provided in indirect speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding direct speech: He said that he used to visit his grandparents during holidays.

1. “I visited my grandparents during holidays,” he said.
2. “I use to visit my grandparents during holidays,” he said.
3. “I used to visit my grandparents during holidays,” he said.
4. “I was visiting my grandparents during holidays,” he said.

Answer: “I used to visit my grandparents during holidays,” he said.

In indirect speech, “he used to visit” becomes direct speech as “I used to visit.” The pronoun changes from he to I, and the tense remains the same because it refers to a habitual past action.

Q8. A sentence is provided in direct speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding indirect speech: She said, “I am watching a movie.”

1. She said she is watching a movie.
2. She said that she was watching a movie.
3. She said that she had watched a movie.
4. She said she watched a movie.

Answer: She said that she was watching a movie.

The reporting verb "said" is in the past tense, so the present continuous "am watching" changes to past continuous "was watching." The pronoun "I" also changes to "she."

Q9. A sentence is provided in indirect speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding direct speech: He suggested that, if stochastic volatility had been included, the valuation might have been more conservative.

1. He suggested, “If stochastic volatility had been included, the valuation might have been more conservative.”
2. He suggested, “If stochastic volatility is included, valuation will be conservative.”
3. He suggested, “If volatility included, valuation more conservative.”
4. He said, “Including volatility makes valuation conservative.”

Answer: He suggested, “If stochastic volatility had been included, the valuation might have been more conservative.”

The indirect speech uses a conditional structure in the past perfect: “had been included” and “might have been.” The direct speech must retain the same tense and meaning, which option A does exactly.

Q10. A sentence is provided in direct speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding indirect speech: They said, “We are leaving for a tour.”

1. They said that they are leaving for a tour.
2. They said that they were leaving for a tour.
3. They said that they left for a tour.
4. They said they had leaving for a tour.

Answer: They said that they were leaving for a tour.

In indirect speech, the present continuous tense “are leaving” changes to past continuous “were leaving” when the reporting verb is in the past tense. The pronoun “we” also changes to “they.”

Q11. A sentence is provided in indirect speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding direct speech. The CEO stated that had the merger succeeded, the company would have expanded globally.

1. “If the merger succeeded, the company would expand,” said the CEO.
2. “Had the merger succeeded, the company would have expanded globally,” said the CEO.
3. “If the merger had succeeded, the company will expand globally,” said the CEO.
4. “Had the merger succeed, the company would expand,” said the CEO.

Answer: “Had the merger succeeded, the company would have expanded globally,” said the CEO.

The sentence expresses a hypothetical situation in the past, which in direct speech is usually written in the third conditional form. Option B preserves both the condition and result correctly.

Q12. A sentence is given in direct speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in indirect speech: They said, “We will finalize the contract tomorrow.”

1. They said they will finalize the contract the next day.
2. They said they would finalize the contract the following day.
3. They said they would finalize the contract tomorrow.
4. They said they shall finalize the contract the next day.

Answer: They said they would finalize the contract the following day.

In indirect speech, the future tense 'will' changes to 'would' when the reporting verb is in the past tense. Also, 'tomorrow' changes to 'the following day' or 'the next day'. Therefore, the correct option is the one that applies both changes.

Q13. A sentence is provided in direct speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding indirect speech: She said, "Where have you kept the confidential files?"

1. She asked where I had kept the confidential files.
2. She asked where had I kept the confidential files.
3. She said where I have kept the confidential files.
4. She questioned where did I keep the confidential files.

Answer: She asked where I had kept the confidential files.

The sentence is an interrogative in direct speech, so it changes to reported speech with “asked” and no question mark. “Have you kept” changes to “had kept” because of backshifting. Therefore, the correct indirect speech is: She asked where I had kept the confidential files.

Q14. A sentence is provided in indirect speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding direct speech: The consultant remarked that had the audit been conducted earlier, the discrepancies would have been detected.

1. "If the audit was conducted earlier, the discrepancies would have been detected," said the consultant.
2. "If only the audit had been conducted earlier, the discrepancies were detected," he said.
3. "Had the audit been conducted earlier, the discrepancies would have been detected," said the consultant.
4. "Had we conduct the audit earlier, the discrepancies would be detected," said the consultant.

Answer: "Had the audit been conducted earlier, the discrepancies would have been detected," said the consultant.

The indirect speech expresses a third conditional condition and result. In direct speech, this is commonly written as “Had the audit been conducted earlier, the discrepancies would have been detected.” The tense and conditional structure must remain unchanged.

Q15. A sentence is provided in direct speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding indirect speech: He said, "Water boils at one hundred degrees Celsius."

1. He said that water boiled at one hundred degrees Celsius.
2. He said that water boils at one hundred degrees Celsius.
3. He said that water had boiled at one hundred degrees Celsius.
4. He said that water has boiled at one hundred degrees Celsius.

Answer: He said that water boils at one hundred degrees Celsius.

The sentence states a scientific fact, which is a universal truth. Universal truths remain in the present tense even in indirect speech, so "boils" is retained.

Q16. Select the correct option for the direct speech conversion of the sentence below: She remarked that institutional trust would erode unless transparency were restored.

1. She remarked, “Institutional trust erodes unless transparency is restored.”
2. She remarked, “Institutional trust will erode unless transparency is restored.”
3. She remarked, “Institutional trust would erode unless transparency were restored.”
4. She remarked, “Transparency restored, institutional trust eroded.”

Answer: She remarked, “Institutional trust will erode unless transparency is restored.”

In direct speech, “would erode” becomes “will erode” because the reporting is removed. Also, “were restored” changes to the more natural direct form “is restored” in the quoted sentence.

Q17. A sentence is provided in indirect speech. Choose the correct direct speech conversion: She stated that seldom had she encountered such procedural ambiguity.

1. “Seldom have I encountered such procedural ambiguity,” she stated.
2. “Seldom had I encountered such procedural ambiguity,” she stated.
3. “I seldom encountered such procedural ambiguity,” she stated.
4. “I have seldom encountered such procedural ambiguity,” she stated.

Answer: “Seldom had I encountered such procedural ambiguity,” she stated.

In indirect speech, the clause “seldom had she encountered” is reported in the past perfect with inversion. In direct speech, it becomes the same inverted statement in quotation marks, with the pronoun changed to first person.

Q18. Select the correct option for the direct speech conversion of the sentence below: He remarked that, if the proposal were approved, the implementation would commence immediately.

1. He said, “If the proposal was approved, the implementation will commence immediately.”
2. He said, “If the proposal is approved, the implementation will commence immediately.”
3. He said, “If the proposal had been approved, the implementation would have commenced immediately.”
4. He said, “If the proposal were approved, the implementation would commence immediately.”

Answer: He said, “If the proposal were approved, the implementation would commence immediately.”

The reported sentence uses a second conditional structure: "if the proposal were approved" and "would commence." In direct speech, this same structure is retained. Therefore, the correct conversion is the option that keeps the sentence unchanged in meaning and tense.

Q19. A sentence is provided in direct speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding indirect speech: He said, "The seminar will commence at 10 a.m."

1. He said it may commence at 10 a.m.
2. He said it might commence at 10 a.m.
3. He said it will commence at 10 a.m.
4. He said it commenced at 10 a.m.

Answer: He said it might commence at 10 a.m.

In indirect speech, the future tense "will" generally changes to "would" or a similar backshifted form when the reporting verb is in the past. Among the given options, the closest intended conversion is the one with "might commence".

Q20. A sentence is provided in indirect speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding direct speech: The supervisor observed that the team had successfully completed the project despite multiple unforeseen challenges.

1. The supervisor said, "The team successfully completes the project despite multiple unforeseen challenges."
2. The supervisor said, "The team had successfully completed the project despite multiple unforeseen challenges."
3. The supervisor remarked, "The team completes the project successfully despite challenges."
4. The supervisor said, "The team has successfully completed the project without any challenges."

Answer: The supervisor said, "The team had successfully completed the project despite multiple unforeseen challenges."

The indirect sentence reports a completed action in the past perfect tense. The direct speech that preserves the same meaning is the one with "had successfully completed."

Q21. A sentence is provided in direct speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in indirect speech. She said to him, "Can you explain this concept to me?"

1. She asked him if he can explain this concept to her.
2. She said if he could explain that concept to her.
3. She asked him whether he could explain that concept to her.
4. She told him could he explain this concept to her.

Answer: She asked him whether he could explain that concept to her.

The sentence is a yes/no question, so it changes to indirect speech using 'asked' and 'whether/if'. The verb 'can' changes to 'could', and 'this' changes to 'that' to match reported speech. Option C follows these rules correctly.

Q22. Select the correct option for the direct speech conversion of the sentence below: The economist contended that the recession would have been averted had the central bank intervened decisively.

1. The economist said, "If the central bank intervenes decisively, the recession will be averted."
2. The economist said, "The recession would be averted if the central bank had intervened decisively."
3. The economist said, "Had the central bank intervened decisively, the recession would have been averted."
4. The economist said, "The recession must have been averted had the central bank intervened."

Answer: The economist said, "Had the central bank intervened decisively, the recession would have been averted."

The given sentence is in indirect speech and expresses a third conditional idea: a past condition that did not happen and its past result. In direct speech, this is best converted using "Had + subject + past participle" followed by "would have been".

Q23. A sentence is provided in direct speech. Choose the option that most accurately represents it in indirect speech: Rita said, "Hurrah! We have won the tournament."

1. Rita exclaimed sadly that they had won the tournament.
2. Rita said that we have won the tournament.
3. Rita exclaimed with joy that they had won the tournament.
4. Rita said in joy that I have won the tournament.

Answer: Rita exclaimed with joy that they had won the tournament.

The word "Hurrah!" shows joy, so the reporting verb changes to "exclaimed with joy." In indirect speech, "we" changes to "they" and "have won" changes to "had won."

Q24. A sentence is provided in indirect speech. Choose the option that most accurately represents it in direct speech: The archaeologist stated that the artefacts were of pre-Harappan origin.

1. "The artefacts are of pre-Harappan origin," he stated.
2. The archaeologist said, "The artefacts are of pre-Harappan origin."
3. The archaeologist stated, "The artefacts were discovered recently."
4. "Pre-Harappan artefacts are rare," said the archaeologist.

Answer: The archaeologist said, "The artefacts are of pre-Harappan origin."

In direct speech, the reported statement is written inside quotation marks. Since the indirect speech uses "were," the direct speech should use the present tense "are" if the statement is being presented as direct quotation.

Q25. Choose the correct direct speech: The researcher stated that, in the absence of sufficient evidence, the conclusions drawn from the experiment were unreliable.

1. The researcher stated, "In the absence of sufficient evidence, the conclusions drawn from the experiment are unreliable."
2. The researcher stated, "If there was no sufficient evidence, the conclusions drawn from the experiment had been unreliable."
3. The researcher stated, "Without sufficient evidence, the conclusions drawn from the experiment would have been unreliable."
4. The researcher stated, "The conclusions drawn from the experiment must have been unreliable since there was no sufficient evidence."

Answer: The researcher stated, "In the absence of sufficient evidence, the conclusions drawn from the experiment are unreliable."

The indirect speech reports a general statement about the unreliability of conclusions without sufficient evidence. In direct speech, this is best expressed as a present-tense general statement within quotation marks.

Q26. A sentence is provided in direct speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding indirect speech: Meera said, "I had submitted the application before the deadline."

1. Meera said that she has submitted the application before the deadline.
2. Meera said that she was submitting the application before the deadline.
3. Meera said that she had submitted the application before the deadline.
4. Meera said she submitted the application before the deadline.

Answer: Meera said that she had submitted the application before the deadline.

In indirect speech, the reporting verb "said" is in the past tense, and the past perfect "had submitted" generally remains unchanged. The pronoun "I" changes to "she" to match the speaker Meera.

Q27. A sentence is provided in direct speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in indirect speech: The coach said to the players, “Practise your drills every morning to improve your stamina.”

1. The coach said the players practise drills every morning.
2. The coach told the players to practised their drills every morning to improve their stamina.
3. The coach asked the players that they must practise drills every morning.
4. The coach advised the players to practise their drills every morning to improve their stamina.

Answer: The coach advised the players to practise their drills every morning to improve their stamina.

The direct speech is an instruction meant to improve stamina, so it is best reported with 'advised'. The infinitive form 'to practise' is correct after the reporting verb.

Q28. A sentence is provided in direct speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in indirect speech: She said, "Why are you laughing?"

1. She asked why he was laughing.
2. She said why are you laughing.
3. She told why you laughed.
4. She asked why he laughed.

Answer: She asked why he was laughing.

The direct question is converted into reported speech by changing the reporting verb to 'asked' and removing the question form. The present continuous 'are laughing' becomes past continuous 'was laughing' in indirect speech.

Q29. She said to him, "Have you submitted the quarterly report?" Choose the sentence that correctly changes it into indirect speech.

1. She asked him had he submitted the quarterly report.
2. She asked him whether he has submitted the quarterly report.
3. She asked him whether he had submitted the quarterly report.
4. She said him that he had submitted the quarterly report.

Answer: She asked him whether he had submitted the quarterly report.

In reported speech, yes/no questions are introduced by 'whether' or 'if'. Since the reporting verb is in the past, 'have submitted' changes to 'had submitted'.

Q30. A sentence is provided in indirect speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding direct speech: The archaeologist noted that the artefact had been deliberately concealed.

1. The archaeologist said, "Someone concealed the artefact deliberately."
2. He noted, "The artefact is being concealed."
3. The archaeologist said, "The artefact had been deliberately concealed."
4. He said, "The artefact was never found."

Answer: The archaeologist said, "The artefact had been deliberately concealed."

In indirect speech, "had been deliberately concealed" is past perfect passive. When converted to direct speech, the tense remains the same inside quotation marks. The option that preserves both meaning and tense is the correct one.

Q31. A sentence is provided in direct speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding indirect speech: She said, "Let us reconsider the proposal before the final vote."

1. She said let us reconsider the proposal.
2. She told that they must reconsider the proposal.
3. She suggested us to reconsider the proposal before the final vote.
4. She suggested that they should reconsider the proposal before the final vote.

Answer: She suggested that they should reconsider the proposal before the final vote.

The phrase "Let us" in direct speech is commonly reported using "suggested that". The pronoun changes from "us" to "they" and the modal "should" is used to express the suggestion correctly.

Q32. A sentence is provided in direct speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding indirect speech. He said, "I can solve this problem."

1. He said he could solve that problem.
2. He said he can solve this problem.
3. He told he could solved that problem.
4. He said he might solve the problem.

Answer: He said he could solve that problem.

In indirect speech, the reporting verb is in the past tense, so "can" changes to "could." The pronoun "I" changes to "he," and "this" changes to "that."

Q33. Select the correct option for the direct speech conversion of the sentence below. The engineer explained that the cables were weakening faster than the support structure could sustain them.

1. The engineer explained, "The cables are weakening faster than the support structure can sustain them."
2. The engineer explained, "The cables were weakening faster than the support structure can be sustained by them."
3. The engineer explained, "Cables weaken faster than support structures sustain."
4. The engineer explained, "Cable weakening faster than the support can sustain."

Answer: The engineer explained, "The cables are weakening faster than the support structure can sustain them."

To convert indirect speech into direct speech, the tense is shifted back from past continuous to present continuous, and "could" becomes "can." The sentence should be enclosed in quotation marks as spoken words.

Q34. A sentence is provided in direct speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding indirect speech. The teacher said, "Who can solve this question?"

1. The teacher asked who could solve that question.
2. The teacher asked who can solve that question.
3. The teacher said who could solve this question.
4. The teacher asked to solve that question.

Answer: The teacher asked who could solve that question.

The sentence is an interrogative in direct speech, so it changes to reported speech with 'asked'. The pronoun 'this' becomes 'that', and the modal 'can' changes to 'could'.

Q35. A sentence is provided in indirect speech. Choose the option that most accurately conveys it in direct speech: The director noted that the figures had been inflated.

1. The director said, "These figures have been inflated."
2. The director said, "The figures are inflated."
3. The director said, "The figures were exaggerated."
4. The director said, "They inflated the figures."

Answer: The director said, "These figures have been inflated."

'Had been inflated' in indirect speech usually becomes 'have been inflated' in direct speech when the reference is to a recent completed action. Option A preserves the meaning and tense most appropriately.

Q36. Select the correct option for the direct speech conversion of the sentence below: He asserted that the cryptographic protocol might have resisted the attack had entropy been truly random.

1. He asserted, "Had entropy been truly random, the cryptographic protocol might have resisted the attack."
2. He said, "If entropy is truly random, protocol might resist attack."
3. He asserted, "If entropy had been random, protocol might resist attack."
4. He said, "Entropy random, protocol resists attack."

Answer: He asserted, "Had entropy been truly random, the cryptographic protocol might have resisted the attack."

The reported sentence expresses a third conditional idea: if entropy had been truly random, the protocol might have resisted the attack. In direct speech, this is naturally expressed as "Had entropy been truly random, ..." The option preserves both meaning and tense correctly.

Q37. Select the correct option for the direct speech conversion of the sentence below: The composer explained that, were the leitmotif transposed an octave higher, the tension might dissipate prematurely.

1. The composer said, "If the leitmotif was transposed an octave higher, the tension will dissipate prematurely."
2. The composer said, "Were the leitmotif transposed an octave higher, the tension might dissipate prematurely."
3. The composer said, "The tension will dissipate prematurely if the leitmotif had been transposed an octave higher."
4. The composer said, "Had the leitmotif been transposed an octave higher, the tension must have dissipated prematurely."

Answer: The composer said, "Were the leitmotif transposed an octave higher, the tension might dissipate prematurely."

The given indirect speech uses a formal conditional structure: "were the leitmotif transposed...". The direct speech should preserve this exact structure and the modal "might," which matches option B.

Q38. A sentence is provided in direct speech. Choose the option that most accurately conveys it in indirect speech: She said, "I was very tired yesterday."

1. She said she had been very tired the day before.
2. She said she was very tired yesterday.
3. She said she had been very tired yesterday.
4. She said she is very tired the day before.

Answer: She said she had been very tired the day before.

In indirect speech, the past tense 'was' changes to 'had been' when the reporting verb is in the past. Also, 'yesterday' changes to 'the day before'.

Q39. A sentence is given in indirect speech. Choose the option that correctly converts it into direct speech: She asked him if he had ever been to the Taj Mahal.

1. She asked him, "Did you ever go to the Taj Mahal?"
2. She asked him, "Were you at the Taj Mahal?"
3. She asked him, "Have you ever been to the Taj Mahal?"
4. She asked him, "Do you ever go to the Taj Mahal?"

Answer: She asked him, "Have you ever been to the Taj Mahal?"

The indirect question 'if he had ever been' corresponds to the direct question 'Have you ever been'. Since it is a question addressed to 'him', the pronoun changes to 'you' in direct speech.

Q40. Choose the most suitable option to replace the highlighted part of the sentence: He asked me that where was the office.

1. that where the office was
2. where was the office
3. where the office was
4. where office is

Answer: where the office was

In indirect speech, questions do not keep interrogative word order. The correct form is 'where the office was', with normal subject-verb order and no 'that'.

Q41. A sentence is provided in direct speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in indirect speech: He said, "I am going to the market now."

1. He said that he was going to the market then.
2. He said that he is going to the market now.
3. He told that he was going to the market then.
4. He said that he will go to the market then.

Answer: He said that he was going to the market then.

In indirect speech, the present continuous "am going" changes to past continuous "was going" because the reporting verb is in the past. The time word "now" also changes to "then".

Q42. Convert the following indirect speech into direct speech: The principal announced that the annual sports day would be held on the following Friday.

1. The principal announced, "The annual sports day will be held next Friday."
2. The principal said, "The annual sports day is held on the following Friday."
3. The principal said, "The annual sports day would be held on the following Friday."
4. The principal announced, "The annual sports day will be held on Friday."

Answer: The principal announced, "The annual sports day will be held next Friday."

In direct speech, the time expression changes from "the following Friday" to "next Friday." The reporting verb and tense are also adjusted to match the original statement.

Q43. A sentence is provided in direct speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in indirect speech: He asked me, “Did you submit your homework?”

1. He asked me if I had submitted my homework.
2. He asked me did I submit my homework.
3. He asked me whether I have submitted my homework.
4. He asked me whether had I submitted my homework.

Answer: He asked me if I had submitted my homework.

The sentence is a yes/no question, so it changes to indirect speech using 'if' or 'whether'. The tense shifts from 'did submit' to 'had submitted' after the past reporting verb 'asked'.

Q44. A sentence is provided in indirect speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding direct speech: The librarian of the public library said that silence must be maintained in the reading hall.

1. “Silence should be maintained in the reading hall,” said the librarian of the public library.
2. “You will maintain silence in the reading hall,” said the librarian of the public library.
3. “Maintain silence in the reading hall,” said the librarian of the public library.
4. “Must you maintain silence in the reading hall?” asked the librarian of the public library.

Answer: “Maintain silence in the reading hall,” said the librarian of the public library.

The phrase “must be maintained” expresses a command or instruction. In direct speech, such statements are commonly converted into an imperative sentence.

Q45. Convert the following sentence from direct to indirect speech, choosing the most accurate option: Ritika said, "Rajiv does not listen to me."

1. Ritika said Rajiv don't listen to her.
2. Ritika said that Rajiv doesn't listened to her.
3. Ritika said that Rajiv didn't listen to her.
4. Ritika said that Rajiv didn't listened to her.

Answer: Ritika said that Rajiv didn't listen to her.

In indirect speech, the present simple negative “does not listen” changes to the past simple negative “didn't listen.” The pronoun “me” changes to “her” because the speaker is Ritika. Therefore, the correct sentence is the one with “didn't listen to her.”

Q46. Choose the option that best converts the given direct speech into indirect speech: She said, "Where have you been living for the past few months?"

1. She asked where had I been living for the past few months.
2. She asked where I had been living for the past few months.
3. She asked where I have been living for the past few months.
4. She said where I had been living for the past few months.

Answer: She asked where I had been living for the past few months.

In indirect speech, the reporting verb becomes 'asked' for a question, and the present perfect continuous changes to past perfect continuous. The question word 'where' remains, and the word order becomes statement form.

Q47. The following sentence is in indirect speech. Choose the option that best expresses it in direct speech: The supervisor told the staff that the submission deadline had been pushed back by two days.

1. "You can turn in the work two days after the scheduled date," the supervisor informed.
2. "The submission deadline has been pushed back by two days," said the supervisor.
3. "We are pushing back the submission deadline by two days," the supervisor said.
4. "You must complete it within two additional days," the supervisor said.

Answer: "The submission deadline has been pushed back by two days," said the supervisor.

The indirect speech reports a statement about a deadline being postponed by two days. In direct speech, this is best expressed as a direct quoted statement with the same meaning.