In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct speech. Out of the four alternatives, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Indirect speech. Sentence: "What is your name?" she asked him.

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your ability to convert a question from Direct speech to Indirect (reported) speech. The original sentence is a present tense question about identity: "What is your name?" she asked him. In Indirect speech, we must adjust pronouns, word order, and tense according to the rules of reported questions, while keeping the meaning unchanged.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Direct speech: "What is your name?" she asked him.
• Reporting verb: asked (past tense).
• Question word: What.
• Verb in the original question: is (present simple of be).
• We must produce a reported question, not a direct question, in the past context.

Concept / Approach:
When converting a Wh-question to Indirect speech, we keep the question word (What) but change the word order to that of a statement (subject + verb). Since the reporting verb is in the past tense, we usually backshift the tense of the reported clause from present simple (is) to past simple (was). The pronoun your becomes his, referring to him. The question mark is dropped, and no auxiliary do or inversion is used in the reported clause.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the reporting verb and note its tense: asked (past tense). Step 2: Keep the question word what at the beginning of the reported clause. Step 3: Change the word order from What is your name? to what his name was, using subject + verb pattern. Step 4: Change your to his, because she is talking to him and reporting his own name. Step 5: Backshift the tense from is to was because the reporting verb is in the past: asked. Step 6: Combine everything: She asked him what his name was. Step 7: Confirm that this matches option d exactly.

Verification / Alternative check:
Compare each option with the rules of reported speech: Option a uses is, which does not backshift the tense and is less acceptable in formal exam settings. Option b uses has been, which changes the meaning to a present perfect time frame, not needed here. Option c keeps the question order what is his name, which is incorrect because reported questions require statement order. Option d uses what his name was, with correct pronoun and backshifted tense, making it the best choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a, She asked him what his name is, keeps the present tense and is sometimes used in spoken English, but exams typically prefer tense backshift in reported speech when the reporting verb is in the past. Option b, She asked him what his name has been, suggests a continuous or recent past situation, which is not implied by the simple question. Option c, She asked him what is his name, incorrectly retains inversion (verb before subject), which is not used in Indirect questions.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates often forget to change the word order from question style to statement style or ignore tense backshift rules. Another common mistake is not adjusting pronouns correctly. To avoid these errors, remember the pattern: reporting verb + object + question word + subject + verb (with tense backshift if needed). Applying this consistently will help you solve most Direct/Indirect speech questions.

Final Answer:
The correct Indirect speech is: She asked him what his name was.