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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.

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

Solution

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.

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