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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."

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

Solution

'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.

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