In this reported speech question, you must choose the correct indirect form of the direct sentence "My sister said, \"They will contact you as soon as they finish the job.\"" based on standard rules of tense and conjunction usage.

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your ability to handle reported speech involving a future action with a time clause introduced by "as soon as". The original direct sentence is "My sister said, 'They will contact you as soon as they finish the job.'" You must select the indirect version that respects both tense backshifting and the usual treatment of clauses with "as soon as".

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Direct sentence: My sister said, "They will contact you as soon as they finish the job."
• Reporting verb: "said" in the past tense.
• Main future clause: "They will contact you".
• Time clause: "as soon as they finish the job".

Concept / Approach:
When reporting a future tense statement with a past reporting verb, "will" usually changes to "would". In time clauses introduced by "as soon as", "when", or "after", English often uses present tense even when the main clause talks about the future. Many grammar books accept keeping the present tense in such subordinate clauses even when the main clause is backshifted. Therefore "will contact" becomes "would contact", while "finish" can stay in the present form within the time clause.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Change the reporting of the listener: "you" becomes "me" because the narrator is the person addressed.Backshift "will contact" to "would contact" under the past verb "said".Retain "as soon as" because the condition and time relationship remain the same.Keep "finish the job" in present tense within the "as soon as" clause, which is normal in subordinate time clauses.Form the sentence: "My sister said that they would contact me as soon as they finish the job."

Verification / Alternative check:
The final sentence reads smoothly and clearly: "My sister said that they would contact me as soon as they finish the job." It shows that the contacting will only happen after the job is completed and correctly reflects both the original meaning and the usual grammar pattern for time clauses.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A and Option D use "would finish" inside the time clause, which is less natural and generally avoided in standard grammar; they also repeat "would" unnecessarily. Option C uses "will" after "as soon as" in reported speech, which conflicts with the backshift that has already changed "will contact" to "would contact". Option D also incorrectly uses "told to me" instead of "told me".

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes try to backshift every verb they see in a sentence, including those in subordinate time clauses, even though English often keeps simple present there to express future time. It is also common to forget to change pronouns like "you" to "me" when the narrator is the person originally addressed. Pay attention to both the main clause and the subordinate clause when dealing with reported speech.

Final Answer:
The most appropriate indirect version is My sister said that they would contact me as soon as they finish the job.