In the following question, a sentence is given in direct speech. Select the option that best expresses the same sentence in indirect (reported) speech. They said to me, "We will help your team if you sign on this document."

Introduction / Context:
This item deals with reporting a conditional statement. The original promise connects future help with signing a document. The learner must change the future tense, the condition clause, and the demonstrative "this" appropriately while keeping the conditional structure intact. Conditional sentences in reported speech can be tricky because both clauses may require some change.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Reporting verb: "said to me" in simple past.
• Direct speech: "We will help your team if you sign on this document."
• Pronouns: "we" becomes "they" and "you" becomes "I" from the narrator point of view.
• Verb "will help" is simple future; "sign" is simple present in the if clause.
• "This document" refers to a specific document near the original speakers.

Concept / Approach:
In reported speech after a past reporting verb, "will" generally becomes "would". In many exam patterns, the if clause simple present "sign" changes to simple past "signed" to keep the conditional aligned with the main clause now in future in the past. The demonstrative "this" becomes "that". The promise remains conditional, and conjunction "if" stays as it is. The structure should still show that help is dependent on signing the document.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Replace "said to me" with "said to me that" to start the reported clause. Step 2: Change "we" to "they" and "your team" to "my team" to match the narrator perspective. Step 3: Backshift "will help" to "would help" to show future in the past. Step 4: Change "you sign" to "I signed" in the if clause so that the conditional structure matches the new time frame. Step 5: Replace "this document" with "that document" to show the shift in reference. Step 6: The final reported sentence becomes "They said to me that they would help my team if I signed on that document."

Verification / Alternative check:
The reported sentence still clearly states that help is dependent on the narrator signing a specific document. The main clause uses "would help", correctly following a past reporting verb. The if clause simple past "signed" combines naturally with "would help" to express the same type one conditional meaning in indirect speech. The demonstrative change from "this" to "that" is appropriate because the document is no longer being shown directly.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B keeps "will help" and "this document", not respecting the backshift rules and change in perspective. Option C uses "would be helping", which changes the aspect without any need and can sound unnatural in this context, even though it backshifts the future. Option D keeps both "will help" and "sign" as if the sentence were still in direct speech, so it does not correctly apply reported speech rules.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes change the main clause but neglect the if clause, leaving it in the original tense. Others over modify the conditional, turning it into a different type that changes the meaning. Demonstratives like "this" and "that" are often neglected but are important to preserve the sense of distance in time or space. A consistent approach is first to handle pronouns, then auxiliaries and tense, then condition clauses, and finally demonstratives.

Final Answer:
The correct reported sentence is They said to me that they would help my team if I signed on that document.