Change the following sentence from direct to indirect speech: The teacher said, "The Earth revolves around the sun."

Introduction / Context:

This question tests your knowledge of direct and indirect speech, especially for sentences containing universal truths or scientific facts. The original sentence is a statement by a teacher about the movement of the Earth around the sun. In reported speech, the tense of a universal truth generally remains unchanged because the fact is still true at the time of reporting.

Given Data / Assumptions:

Concept / Approach:

In indirect speech, if the original statement expresses a universal truth, habitual action, or general fact, we usually do not change the tense of the verb in the reported clause. Although the reporting verb said is in past tense, the verb revolves remains in simple present because the Earth still revolves around the sun today. The structure becomes The teacher said that plus unchanged fact. Any form like revolved or had been revolving would wrongly suggest a change in the nature or time of the fact.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Test what happens if you change the tense. If you say The teacher said that the Earth revolved around the sun, the sentence sounds as if the fact might no longer be true, which is incorrect for a universal truth. Similarly, The teacher said that the Earth had been revolving around the sun suggests a focus on an action continuing in the past rather than a timeless fact. The form is being revolving is ungrammatical. Therefore, keeping revolves is the only option that accurately preserves meaning and correctness.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Common Pitfalls:

Students often apply a mechanical rule that simple present becomes simple past whenever the reporting verb is in past tense. This is not true for universal truths and habitual facts. When a sentence expresses something that does not change with time, such as two and two make four or the sun rises in the east, the tense of the reported clause remains in simple present in indirect speech. Always consider the meaning before changing tenses.

Final Answer:

The correct indirect speech is The teacher said that the Earth revolves around the sun.