In the following question on reported speech, the given sentence is in Direct speech. Choose the alternative that best expresses the same idea in Indirect speech: Sahil said, "Where will I be this time next year!"

Introduction / Context:
Questions on Direct and Indirect speech test understanding of how to report spoken words correctly when we move from quoted speech to reported speech. In this item, the speaker Sahil is expressing a doubt or reflection about where he will be at a particular time in the future. The task is to convert this Direct speech sentence into an Indirect speech sentence that keeps the original meaning, tense, and sense of wonder intact.

Given Data / Assumptions:
The original sentence in Direct speech is: Sahil said, "Where will I be this time next year!" The reporting verb is said. The sentence is a wh type question combined with an exclamatory feeling of worry or wonder. The time reference this time next year must change in reported speech. We also assume normal rules of backshifting of tense and change of time expressions in English grammar.

Concept / Approach:
When we change a wh type question from Direct to Indirect speech, we remove the question order and use statement order. The wh word where is kept. Because the reporting verb is in the past, will usually changes to would. The expression this time next year changes to that time the following year. Also, the feeling in the sentence is not a simple question but a kind of self reflection, so verbs like wondered or asked himself fit better than simply said or asked.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the reporting verb: said.
Step 2: Note that the question is introduced by the wh word where, so we keep where in the reported clause.
Step 3: Change the question structure will I be to normal word order he would be in Indirect speech.
Step 4: Backshift will to would because the reporting verb is in the past.
Step 5: Change this time next year to that time the following year to match Indirect speech rules for time expressions.
Step 6: Choose a suitable reporting verb that shows inner doubt or reflection. The verb wondered is the most natural choice.

Verification / Alternative check:
If we read the final sentence Sahil wondered where he would be that time the following year, it sounds natural and keeps the same meaning as the original Direct speech. The tense is correct, the pronoun I becomes he, and the time expression has been properly shifted. The sentence neither sounds like a direct question nor loses the emotional tone of uncertainty. Therefore it is a valid and accurate transformation.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A uses should be instead of would be, which slightly changes the meaning from future prediction to obligation. Option B uses worried, which overemphasizes fear rather than neutral wondering and still is less standard. Option D simply repeats said where he would be, which does not correctly reflect the interrogative sense and sounds unnatural. Option E is close in meaning but the verb wanted to know is less precise than wondered for the reflective tone of the original sentence.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners often keep the auxiliary will in the reported clause instead of changing it to would after a past reporting verb. Another frequent error is to preserve the question word order or to introduce the clause with if instead of using where in a wh question. Many students also forget to change this time next year into that time the following year. Careful attention to tense backshift, pronoun change, and time expression is necessary for full marks in questions on Direct and Indirect speech.

Final Answer:
The correct Indirect speech form is Sahil wondered where he would be that time the following year.