In the following question, a sentence is given in Direct speech. Choose the option that best expresses the same idea in Indirect or reported speech. "I always keep a tin of biscuits in my room, girls."

Introduction / Context:
This item tests the conversion of a simple present tense statement in Direct speech into Indirect speech while keeping the idea of a habitual action. The speaker is the matron, addressing a group of girls and stating a routine practice. The question also checks whether you can choose a proper reporting verb like "informed" and maintain the correct tense and pronoun changes.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Direct speech: "I always keep a tin of biscuits in my room, girls."
• The speaker is the matron and the listeners are the girls.
• The verb "keep" in simple present indicates a habit or regular practice.
• The adverb "always" reinforces the idea of habitual action.
• The matron is talking about her own room and not somebody else's room.

Concept / Approach:
When the reporting verb is in the past tense, a simple present tense in Direct speech changes to simple past in Indirect speech, unless the statement is a universal truth. Here, "always keep" is not a universal truth but a personal habit, so it should become "always kept". The pronoun "I" changes to "she", and "my room" becomes "her room". The reporting verb can be "told", "said to", or "informed", but the most appropriate option here clearly marks that the girls are the listeners. The phrase "to the girls" may be expressed by "informed the girls" or "told the girls".

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
The final sentence keeps the idea of a repeated action through the word "always". It changes person and tense correctly and specifies the audience. The tense backshift from "keep" to "kept" follows the standard rule because the reporting verb refers to a past situation. There is no unnecessary shift to future or perfect tenses. The meaning that the matron regularly keeps biscuits in her own room remains clear.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A keeps "keeps" instead of "kept", which does not follow the usual backshift rule and may be considered incorrect in exam keys. Option C uses "would always keep", which introduces a conditional or future like meaning and is not required here. Option D says "had kept", which suggests a completed action in the more distant past, not a general habit at the time of speaking. Therefore, option B is the closest and most accurate transformation.

Common Pitfalls:
Many learners assume that habitual actions must remain in simple present even after reporting, but in Indirect speech with a past reporting verb, the normal rule is to shift to simple past. Another mistake is ignoring the change from "my" to "her", leaving the reported sentence ambiguous. It is also important not to add extra ideas such as promises or conditions when the original sentence is only a simple statement of fact.

Final Answer:
The correct reported speech sentence is The matron informed the girls that she always kept a tin of biscuits in her room.