In this English grammar question on direct and indirect speech, choose the option that correctly reports the statement: My friend said, "I can lift 50 kilos easily."

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your ability to report a statement that contains a modal verb and a numerical quantity. The original sentence expresses the speaker’s physical ability to lift a certain weight. When changing it into indirect speech, you must know how to handle the modal can, how to adjust pronouns, and how to keep the number and unit unchanged. Such questions are typical in grammar exams that evaluate understanding of modals in reported statements.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Direct sentence: My friend said, "I can lift 50 kilos easily."
• Reporting verb: said, in the simple past tense.
• The modal verb used is can, indicating ability.
• The numerical information 50 kilos must remain unchanged.
• The speaker is my friend, and the report is likely made later to someone else.

Concept / Approach:
In reported speech, when the reporting verb is past, can usually becomes could. The pronoun I must be changed to he, assuming the friend is male in this context. The number and unit 50 kilos should remain exactly the same to preserve the factual content. The reporting verb said can be changed to told plus an object if we mention the people who heard the statement. So a standard reported form would be My friend told us that he could lift 50 kilos easily.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Transform the reporting clause My friend said into My friend told us to show to whom he spoke. Step 2: Begin the reported clause with that, which is common in formal indirect speech. Step 3: Replace I with he to refer to my friend in the third person. Step 4: Change the modal can to could, following the usual backshift rule for modals. Step 5: Keep the phrase lift 50 kilos easily unchanged, maintaining the same factual detail about weight and ease.

Verification / Alternative check:
The final sentence is: My friend told us that he could lift 50 kilos easily. This sentence follows the rules for reported speech: it uses a correct reporting verb, changes the pronoun appropriately, backshifts the modal, and keeps the numeric information intact. It reads naturally and conveys the same meaning as the original direct speech, which is exactly what an exam expects in this type of question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B is incorrect because can is not changed to could, so it does not reflect the tense change after a past reporting verb.
Option C is incorrect because the structure told us this that is awkward and not standard in indirect speech.
Option D is incorrect because it combines the awkward structure this that with the unchanged modal can.
Option E is not the best answer because, although it is close in meaning, it introduces very easily and uses said that instead of told us, and the pattern given in the options clearly marks Option A as the intended correct choice.

Common Pitfalls:
Many learners forget to change can to could in reported speech, especially with ability statements. Another common problem is altering the numeric information by mistake, which can change the meaning of the sentence. Some students also create unnecessary structures like this that, which make the sentence less natural. To avoid losing marks, check that the modal has been backshifted correctly, the pronoun matches the new subject, and the numbers remain exactly the same as in the original sentence.

Final Answer:
My friend told us that he could lift 50 kilos easily.