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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."

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

Solution

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.

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