In the following question, a sentence is given in Direct speech: “The principal said, \\"Be quiet, girls.\\"” Choose the option that best expresses the same meaning in Indirect speech.

Introduction / Context:
This item tests conversion from Direct speech to Indirect (or reported) speech. The original sentence shows the principal giving a direct command to a group of girls: “Be quiet, girls.” When we change such imperative sentences into reported speech, we normally use verbs like “ordered”, “told” or “requested” followed by an infinitive (“to be quiet”). The sense of authority in the principal's words must be preserved.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Direct speech: The principal said, “Be quiet, girls.”
- Speaker: the principal.
- Addressee: the girls.
- Type of sentence: imperative command (not a polite request).
- We must pick the reported speech form that best captures the tone of an order from a principal to students.

Concept / Approach:
For imperatives in reported speech, the pattern is generally: “Subject + told/ordered/asked + object + to + base verb.” The reporting verb depends on the tone of the original. A principal instructing students to be silent is typically an order rather than a gentle request. The reported speech should also clearly show who is being addressed (the girls) and what they are commanded to do (to be quiet).

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the command: “Be quiet.” This is directed to “girls”, indicating a group of students. Step 2: Recognize that a principal holds authority and is likely to issue an order rather than merely offer a suggestion. Therefore, a reporting verb such as “ordered” or “told” is more suitable than “requested” or “urged”. Step 3: In Indirect speech, the construction should be something like “The principal ordered the girls to be quiet.” Step 4: Examine the options. Option A reads: “The principal called the girls and ordered them to be quiet.” This clearly conveys the same sense: the principal addressed the girls and gave an order to be quiet. Step 5: Compare other options and note that they either weaken the force of the command or use less natural reported speech structures. Step 6: Conclude that option A is the most accurate and idiomatic reported version.

Verification / Alternative check:
Option D (“The principal said that the girls should be quiet.”) is grammatically correct but not the standard transformation for a direct command. It reports a statement about what should happen rather than an explicit order to do it. Exam patterns typically prefer the use of an infinitive clause after “ordered” or “told” for imperatives. Option C (“urged the girls”) sounds much softer than the original strict command.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Option B: “commanded the girls that they be quiet” is awkward and unnatural in modern English; we usually say “commanded the girls to be quiet”.
- Option C: “urged the girls” changes the tone from a firm order to a strong request, which does not fully match the command “Be quiet”.
- Option D: uses a “that” clause and the modal “should”, losing the clear imperative structure.
- Option E: “told that the girls had to be quiet” is grammatically unclear about who was told and is not a direct transformation of the original sentence.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often ignore the difference between a command and a suggestion, using verbs like “requested” or “urged” in all cases. It is important to consider the power relationship and the exact wording. When a teacher or principal uses a bare imperative like “Be quiet”, the reporting verb “ordered” or “told” plus “to be quiet” is normally the safest choice in exam contexts.

Final Answer:
The best Indirect speech form is “The principal called the girls and ordered them to be quiet.”