Question 1

According to the passage on cyclone naming in the north Indian Ocean, answer the following comprehension question: “Which type of cyclones do people tend to remember by name, as mentioned in the passage?”

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Introduction / Context: This question asks about a specific claim made in the passage concerning which cyclone names people actually remember. The writer explains that many cyclone names never enter public awareness because the storms die out before landfall. Only some cyclones become widely known. You must identify the criterion that, according to the passage, makes certain cyclone names stick in people’s memory. The question therefore tests precise comprehension of the author’s observation. Given Data / Assumptions: The passage notes that many cyclones dissipate long before they hit land, so their names rarely reach newspapers or other media. It then states that the names people know about and remember are “those that were most destructive ones, or very recent.” Examples given include Aila in 2009 and Phailin in 2013, both associated with significant damage. Lesser damaging or harmless cyclones often do not leave a lasting impression on the public. The options offer several possible interpretations, such as origin, memorability of sound, absence of deaths, and level of destruction. Concept / Approach: The key is to focus on the exact wording in the passage rather than relying on assumptions about geography or emotional impact. The author connects public memory directly with the level of destruction or recent occurrence. The question asks which type of cyclones people remember, so you must choose the option that matches this description most closely. Since “most destructive” is explicitly mentioned, and no emphasis is placed on origin in the Bay of Bengal or on the mere sound of names, the answer becomes clear. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Find the sentence that discusses which names people remember. Step 2: Note the phrase that says the names people know and remember are “those that were most destructive ones, or very recent.” Step 3: Compare this statement with the options provided. Step 4: Option A talks about cyclones that originate in the Bay of Bengal, which the passage does not single out as especially memorable. Step 5: Option B suggests that memorable names are remembered for their sound alone, which is not what the passage claims. Step 6: Option C describes cyclones that do not cause any deaths, which directly contradicts the idea of “most destructive.” Step 7: Option D, “the most destructive ones,” matches the wording in the passage and also aligns with the destructive examples Aila and Phailin. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, you can evaluate the given examples. Aila and Phailin are remembered specifically for the enormous destruction they caused in West Bengal, Bangladesh, and along the Odisha coast. The passage does not emphasize their region of origin as the main reason for remembrance; instead, it highlights their destructive impact. Additionally, the author mentions harmless cyclones like Hudhud and Nilofar as possibly memorable because they are recent, but the main emphasis remains on destruction. Therefore, the type of cyclone most strongly associated with being remembered is the destructive one. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Cyclones originating in the Bay of Bengal (Option A) may be frequent, but the passage does not say that origin alone makes them memorable. Option B suggests that the sound or creativity of the name itself makes the cyclone remembered, but the text does not support this claim. Option C describes harmless cyclones with no deaths, whereas the passage focuses on those that caused heavy damage and destruction. Common Pitfalls: A frequent error is to rely on personal intuition, assuming that unusual or pleasant sounding names are remembered more easily. However, examination questions in reading comprehension always require answers grounded in what the passage states, not in general imagination. Another pitfall is to focus only on the examples of recent harmless cyclones and forget the phrase “most destructive ones.” To avoid such mistakes, underline key phrases in the passage and check that your chosen option corresponds directly to those phrases. Final Answer: According to the passage, people mainly remember the cyclone names that belong to “the most destructive ones” (along with very recent storms).

Question 2

Using the information in the passage about Indian cyclone names Agni, Akaash, Bijli, Jal, Leher, Megh, Sagar and Vayu, answer this question: “Which one of the Indian names listed in the passage has not yet been used as a cyclone name so far?”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question again relies on the passage about cyclone naming, but now asks which Indian name has not been used yet. The passage lists eight names contributed by India and indicates how many have already been used. You must correctly interpret this information and identify which names remain unused, then match that with the options. It is a detail and sequence question that checks careful reading rather than complex reasoning. Given Data / Assumptions: The Indian names listed in the passage are Agni, Akaash, Bijli, Jal, Leher, Megh, Sagar, and Vayu, in that order. The passage states that five of these names, “up to Leher,” have been used so far. Therefore, Agni, Akaash, Bijli, Jal, and Leher have already been assigned to cyclones. The remaining Indian names on the list are Megh, Sagar, and Vayu. The options provided are Leher, Agni, Bijli, and Vayu. Concept / Approach: The concept is similar to the previous ordering question: you must distinguish between names already used and those still unused. The crucial phrase “up to Leher” tells you that Leher is included among the used names. Any name in the options that is in this used set cannot be correct. Then you check which option belongs to the unused set. Since Megh and Sagar do not appear among the options, the only unused name present in the options is Vayu. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: List all eight Indian cyclone names in the order given: Agni, Akaash, Bijli, Jal, Leher, Megh, Sagar, Vayu. Step 2: Mark the names that the passage says have already been used: the first five in the list, up to and including Leher. Step 3: Identify the unused Indian names: Megh, Sagar, and Vayu. Step 4: Compare the set of unused names with the options: Leher, Agni, Bijli, Vayu. Step 5: Note that Leher, Agni, and Bijli are part of the first five names and are therefore already used. Step 6: Recognize that Vayu is the only name in the options that belongs to the unused group and has not yet been used. Verification / Alternative check: You can verify the answer by a process of elimination. If you mistakenly think Leher is unused, recheck the phrase “five of these names (that is, up to Leher) have been used so far.” The expression “up to” clearly includes Leher. Agni and Bijli are obviously before Leher and thus also used. Since only Megh, Sagar, and Vayu remain unused, and only Vayu appears among the options, the correct answer must be Vayu. This reasoning confirms that there is exactly one correct option. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Leher is explicitly counted among the names that have already been used as cyclone names, so it cannot be an unused name. Agni is the very first Indian name in the list and lies within the first five, meaning it has been used already. Bijli also appears among the first five and has therefore already been assigned to a cyclone. Common Pitfalls: A common misunderstanding arises from a quick reading of “up to Leher” as if Leher were the next name to be used, rather than part of the used set. This can lead students to choose Leher incorrectly. Others may forget which names appear in the options and guess based on what sounds least familiar. To avoid such errors, always write down the complete list, mark used and unused items clearly, and only then look at the options. This simple technique prevents confusion, especially in questions involving sequences or partial lists. Final Answer: The Indian cyclone name that has not yet been used so far, among the options given, is “Vayu”.

Question 3

Read the passage about the author’s experience with massive open online courses (MOOCs) and then answer this factual question: “Which of the following is the name of a university, and not the name of an online education platform or delivery company,…

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Introduction / Context: This question is based on a passage in which the narrator describes taking a massive open online course, or MOOC, provided through a well known platform. The passage mentions both online education companies and traditional universities that partner with them. The question asks you to distinguish between these two categories and to identify which name among the options refers to a university rather than to an online platform. Given Data / Assumptions: The passage states that the course the author took was “offered by Johns Hopkins, on Coursera.” It then lists Coursera, EdX, and Udacity as examples of platforms that offer MOOCs in partnership with various educational institutions. The text explains that Coursera was founded by two Stanford professors and works with universities around the world. Johns Hopkins is mentioned in the context of being a university that offers a course, not as a platform. The options are Coursera, Johns Hopkins, EdX, and Udacity. Concept / Approach: The key concept here is to distinguish between a university and an online delivery platform. The platforms are technology based companies or consortia that host courses, while universities are educational institutions that design and teach the courses. By paying attention to how each name is used in the passage, you can identify which one is a university. The phrase “offered by Johns Hopkins, on Coursera” clearly separates the university (Johns Hopkins) from the platform (Coursera). Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that the passage introduces Coursera, EdX, and Udacity as providers of MOOCs in partnership with educational institutions. Step 2: Notice the line that says the course “was on clinical trials and ethical practices, offered by Johns Hopkins, on Coursera.” Step 3: From this, infer that Johns Hopkins is the name of the university offering the course. Step 4: Recognize that Coursera is the online platform hosting the course and not itself a university. Step 5: Remember that EdX and Udacity are presented alongside Coursera as similar online learning platforms. Step 6: Conclude that among the options, the only university is Johns Hopkins. Verification / Alternative check: As an additional check, you can think about general knowledge. Coursera, EdX, and Udacity are widely known as global online learning platforms, not as brick and mortar universities. Johns Hopkins, however, is recognized as a prestigious university in the United States. This matches the way the passage pairs Johns Hopkins with Coursera, reinforcing the distinction between course provider and course host. Both the context of the passage and outside knowledge support the same conclusion. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Coursera is described in the passage as an online MOOC platform founded by two Stanford professors, not as a university. EdX is another online learning platform that partners with various universities; it is not itself a university. Udacity is also an online education company that offers MOOCs and nano degree programmes, not a traditional university. Common Pitfalls: Some test takers may confuse well known educational brands with universities, especially when they are not fully familiar with the names. Others may rely more on guesswork than on the passage, thinking that any unfamiliar name might be a university. To avoid such mistakes, pay close attention to phrases like “offered by” and “on,” which indicate who created the course and which platform hosts it. Always base your choice on relationships described in the passage rather than assumptions. Final Answer: The name that refers to a university, not an online platform, is “Johns Hopkins”.

Question 4

In the passage about massive open online courses, the acronym “MOOC” is explained. Answer this vocabulary question: “In the abbreviation MOOC, what word does the letter C stand for according to the passage and standard usage?”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The passage introduces the term MOOC while describing the author’s experience with online learning. It expands the term as “massive online open course” and then uses the abbreviation MOOC throughout. The question asks specifically what the letter C stands for in this acronym. This is a straightforward vocabulary and acronym expansion question that checks whether you have read and understood the definition provided in the text. Given Data / Assumptions: The passage explicitly says that the author completed “my first massive online open course, or MOOC.” This phrase shows that MOOC is formed from the initial letters of “massive,” “online,” “open,” and “course.” The letter C therefore corresponds to the word “course.” The options offered are “Course,” “College,” “Coursera,” and “Class.” We assume the acronym is used in its standard sense, as commonly used in education and technology. Concept / Approach: The concept tested is simple acronym recognition. Acronyms are formed by taking initial letters of words. The C in MOOC comes from the last word of the full phrase. Because the passage has already provided the expansion, you do not need outside knowledge; you only need to recall or recheck the line containing the full form. The distractors are words related to education in general, which can confuse those who did not pay attention to the exact wording. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Locate the sentence in the passage that defines MOOC. Step 2: Read the phrase carefully: “massive online open course, or MOOC.” Step 3: Break the phrase into its four parts: massive (M), online (O), open (O), and course (C). Step 4: Observe that the last word is “course,” which corresponds to the letter C in the acronym. Step 5: Match this with the options and find that Option A, “Course,” is the correct one. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, remember how MOOC is used globally: educational institutions and platforms use the term MOOC to describe large, online courses open to many learners. The phrase “massive open online course” is standard terminology. If you insert “college,” “Coursera,” or “class” as the final word, the phrase no longer matches the accepted definition. Thus, both the passage and standard usage confirm that “course” is correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: “College” does not appear in the expansion given in the passage and would change the meaning, since MOOCs can be offered by a variety of institutions, not just colleges. “Coursera” is the name of one online platform, not part of the acronym. It would not make sense to embed a brand name in the standard expansion. “Class” is related to education but the full form of MOOC is not “massive online open class”; the passage clearly says “course.” Common Pitfalls: One pitfall is to rely on partial memory, such as remembering that the phrase includes the word “online” and then guessing the remaining words. Another is to confuse the platform Coursera with the letter C in MOOC, since the passage mentions both around the same point. To avoid these mistakes, always look for explicit definitions in the text and use them rather than guessing from associations or from other sources. Final Answer: In the acronym MOOC, the letter C stands for “Course”.

Question 5

Referring to the passage about the author’s first MOOC experience, answer this question: “The course that the author completed through the MOOC platform was mainly related to which subject area?”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The passage narrates how the author completed a first MOOC offered by Johns Hopkins on an online platform. It mentions the specific topic of this course and explains why the author chose it at that time. The question asks you to identify the subject area to which this first MOOC belonged. This is a factual detail that comes directly from the early part of the passage. Given Data / Assumptions: The passage describes the author completing a course “on clinical trials and ethical practices.” It notes that this course was mainly designed for health care professionals involved in clinical trials. The author says, “I decided to enroll in the course because it was the only biology related course open at the time.” Later, the passage lists other course areas available later, such as food and nutrition, Greek mythology, and business. The options for this question are Biology, Nutrition, Mythology, and Business. Concept / Approach: The key concept is distinguishing between the subject of the specific course the author actually took and the variety of subjects available later. The course the author completed is directly linked with biology and health sciences through clinical trials and ethics. Other areas like nutrition, mythology, and business appear later in the passage as examples of additional courses, not as the first course taken. To answer correctly, you must focus on the author’s explanation of why that particular course was chosen. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the sentence that describes the first MOOC the author completed. Step 2: Note that this course was on “clinical trials and ethical practices,” offered by Johns Hopkins. Step 3: Read further to see why the author enrolled, and find the line stating it was “the only biology related course open at the time.” Step 4: Recognize that this clearly places the course within the broad subject area of biology and medical science. Step 5: Compare with the options: Nutrition, Mythology, and Business are mentioned later as examples of other courses, not as the specific course completed. Step 6: Conclude that the correct answer is Biology. Verification / Alternative check: A quick way to verify is to recall the detailed description of the course design. The passage states that it was mainly intended for health care professionals who would be involved in actual clinical trials, which is clearly a biological and medical context. None of the other options fit this description. Nutrition is related to health but appears only in the later list of diverse MOOC subjects; mythology and business are clearly unrelated to clinical trials. This confirms that Biology is the correct subject area. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Nutrition is mentioned later as one of many possible course topics, but it is not the subject of the specific course the author completed. Mythology appears as “Greek mythology” in the list of other subjects available on MOOCs, not as the first course taken. Business is likewise cited as a later subject area in the expanding MOOC catalogue and not as the authors first MOOC topic. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes skim the passage and latch onto the later list of subjects, mistakenly thinking that the question refers to that general catalogue instead of the particular course described earlier. Another pitfall is to overlook the phrase “biology related,” which is a very strong clue. To avoid these mistakes, always distinguish between the specific personal experiences of the narrator and the broader examples given later for illustration. Final Answer: The first MOOC the author completed was related to “Biology”, specifically clinical trials and ethical practices in health care.

Question 6

Based on the passage describing the author’s enthusiasm for MOOCs, answer this comprehension question: “What aspect of the MOOC experience especially excited the author, according to the passage?”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The passage not only explains what MOOCs are but also conveys the author’s emotional reaction to discovering them. After completing a first course, the author describes spending hours browsing course catalogues and feeling almost delirious with excitement. The question asks specifically what aspect of MOOCs caused this excitement. To answer correctly, you must focus on the sentences that describe the author’s feelings and the reasons behind them. Given Data / Assumptions: The author notes that by early 2013, Coursera and EdX had partnered with many educational institutions and expanded their course offerings widely. The passage says the author was “spoilt for choice” and spent hours studying course descriptions. Most importantly, the author says he was excited by the fact that he was “actually going to be able to take classes offered by universities I had only dreamt of attending.” The options mention free courses, flexibility to take breaks, the chance to study at dream universities, and the ability to take any course from any university in the world. The passage does not emphasise cost or complete unlimited choice from every university in existence. Concept / Approach: The concept is careful interpretation of the author’s stated motivation. While MOOCs have many advantages, the question is not about what MOOCs can theoretically offer, but about what the author personally found exciting. The key phrase about “universities I had only dreamt of attending” directly expresses the emotional highlight for the author. That phrase closely matches option C and not the other choices, which are either not mentioned or exaggerate the situation beyond what the text says. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Re read the part of the passage where the author describes being “delirious with excitement.” Step 2: Note the sentence that he was going to be able to take classes offered by universities he had only dreamt of attending. Step 3: Compare this directly with option C, which talks about the chance to take a course from a university he dreamt of. Step 4: Examine option A. Although MOOCs can be free, the passage does not emphasise cost as the main source of excitement. Step 5: Examine option B. The idea of taking a break in a course is not discussed in the text at all. Step 6: Examine option D. The passage says the platforms had partnered with many institutions, not literally every university in the world, so this is an exaggeration. Step 7: Conclude that option C accurately captures the author’s expressed excitement. Verification / Alternative check: A good verification technique is to underline the words that express feelings in the passage and see what they refer to. Words like “delirious with excitement” and “spoilt for choice” appear near the comment about universities the author had dreamt of attending. If cost or flexibility were the main reason, the author would have highlighted those factors at that point. Instead, the emotional emphasis is clearly on the status and prestige of the universities whose courses he can now experience online. This confirms that the correct answer is linked to that opportunity. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A mentions free courses, which is a possible benefit of MOOCs, but the passage never frames this as the central exciting factor for the author. Option B introduces the idea of taking a break in a course, which is completely absent from the text and therefore unsupported. Option D exaggerates the situation by saying “any course from any university in the world,” which the passage does not claim. Common Pitfalls: Students often project their own ideas about why MOOCs are attractive, such as low cost or flexibility, instead of sticking to what the author says. Another pitfall is to choose the option that sounds the most impressive, such as being able to study at any university, even if the passage does not support it. To avoid this, always anchor your answer in direct phrases from the text and resist the temptation to inject outside opinions or assumptions. Final Answer: The aspect that especially excited the author was “the fact that he could take a course from the university he had dreamt of attending”.

Question 7

From the passage about the early days of MOOCs and the growth of Coursera and EdX, answer this factual question: “Coursera was founded by professors from which university, as mentioned in the passage?”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: In describing the history of MOOCs, the passage briefly introduces Coursera and explains its origins. This information is used to show how recently MOOCs became popular and how quickly platforms like Coursera grew. The question asks you to recall which university the founders of Coursera came from. It is a straightforward detail question that requires paying attention to a single sentence in the passage. Given Data / Assumptions: The passage states that Coursera “was founded by two Stanford professors.” This line appears while describing how the MOOC sensation was just beginning when the author first used the platform. The options provided are Harvard, Massachusetts, Stanford, and Oxford, all notable universities. We assume the passage is accurate and that “Stanford professors” refers to professors from Stanford University. Concept / Approach: The concept here is direct factual recall. You do not need to infer or interpret anything beyond remembering which university was explicitly named in connection with Coursera’s founders. The presence of multiple famous universities among the options is meant to test whether you remember the exact one mentioned, rather than guessing based on familiarity or prestige. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Locate in your memory or in the text the sentence that talks about Coursera’s founding. Step 2: Recall that the sentence says Coursera was founded by two professors from Stanford. Step 3: Match this information with the options given. Step 4: Identify that option C, Stanford, is the only one that corresponds to the passage. Step 5: Confirm that no other university is mentioned in relation to Coursera’s founders in the text. Verification / Alternative check: If you have some general background knowledge about MOOCs, you might remember that Coursera is widely associated with Stanford University and its computer science faculty. This external knowledge aligns with the passage and supports the choice of Stanford. Additionally, you can scan the passage to see that Harvard, Massachusetts (as shorthand for MIT), and Oxford are not linked to Coursera’s founding in the text. Only Stanford appears in that context, which confirms the answer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Harvard is a prominent university but is not mentioned in the passage as the origin of Coursera’s founders. “Massachusetts” here refers to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, but the passage does not say Coursera was founded by its professors. Oxford is another prestigious university, yet the text does not associate it with the creation of Coursera. Common Pitfalls: Because all the options are famous universities, students sometimes choose based on which one they personally associate with online education, instead of focusing on the text. Another mistake is to confuse the roles of different universities in the broader MOOC movement. To avoid such errors, always rely first on the passage itself. When a detail is explicitly stated, as in “two Stanford professors,” you should treat it as the controlling fact for the question. Final Answer: According to the passage, Coursera was founded by professors from “Stanford” University.

Question 8

In the following question on reported speech, a sentence is given in direct speech: “The Principal said to us, \"Today you will get your diplomas.\"” Choose the option that best expresses the same idea in correct indirect speech.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This grammar question tests your understanding of converting direct speech into indirect or reported speech. The original direct speech sentence describes the Principal addressing students and telling them that they will receive their diplomas “today.” When changing such a sentence into indirect speech, you must adjust the pronouns, tenses, and time expressions appropriately. The question asks you to select the option that correctly follows the standard rules of reported speech in English. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct speech: “The Principal said to us, ‘Today you will get your diplomas.’” The reporting verb is “said to,” which should normally change to “told” followed by an object (“us”). The time expression “today” must be changed to “that day” when reporting later. The future tense “will get” changes to “would be getting” or “would get” in reported speech. The main idea of the sentence must remain that the diplomas will be given on that same day from the viewpoint of the original utterance. Concept / Approach: The key rules in reported speech here are: change “said to” into “told,” backshift the future tense “will” to “would,” and convert the time adverb “today” into “that day.” We must also ensure that the sentence structure is smooth and grammatically correct, and that no unnecessary words like “this” interrupt the clause. The correct indirect sentence will therefore use “told us that on that day we would be getting our diplomas” or a very similar construction. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Replace “said to us” with “told us,” because “told” takes a direct object and is standard in reported speech. Step 2: Introduce the reported clause with “that,” giving “The Principal told us that …” Step 3: Change “today” to “that day” to reflect the shift in time from the moment of speaking to the moment of reporting. Step 4: Backshift “you will get” to “we would be getting,” changing both person and tense, because “you” refers to “us” and future “will” becomes “would.” Step 5: Combine these changes into one sentence: “The Principal told us that on that day we would be getting our diplomas.” Step 6: Compare this sentence with the given options and identify that option A matches exactly. Verification / Alternative check: Check each incorrect option against the rules. Option C retains “this day,” which is inconsistent with the usual shift from “today” to “that day” in indirect speech. Options B and D awkwardly insert “this” before “on that day,” breaking the flow and adding a redundant word. Option D also keeps “will” instead of “would,” failing to backshift the tense. Only option A correctly applies all three changes: reporting verb, tense, and time expression. This confirms that A is the best and grammatically accurate choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B adds “this” unnecessarily and produces an awkward structure: “told us this on that day we would be getting our diplomas.” Option C uses “this day” instead of “that day,” which is not the standard transformation of “today” in indirect speech. Option D both misuses “this” and keeps “will” instead of “would,” so it violates the backshifting rule. Common Pitfalls: Learners often forget to change “today” to “that day” or fail to backshift future tense to “would.” Another common error is to add extra words like “this” that do not belong in the reported clause. To avoid such mistakes, remember to systematically check person, tense, and time words whenever changing direct speech into indirect speech. Practising a clear step by step method, as we applied here, helps ensure that all necessary changes are made consistently. Final Answer: The correct indirect speech sentence is “The Principal told us that on that day we would be getting our diplomas.”

Question 9

In the following question on reported speech, a sentence is given in direct speech: “The Principal said to us, \"Today you will get your diplomas.\"” Choose the option that correctly changes this sentence into indirect speech, following standard g…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This is another version of the same reported speech question, again testing your ability to convert a direct statement into indirect speech. The direct sentence describes the Principal telling students that they will receive their diplomas “today.” When reporting this statement later, we must adjust tenses, pronouns, and time expressions. The options provided differ in subtle ways, and only one option fully respects the rules of reported speech. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct speech: “The Principal said to us, ‘Today you will get your diplomas.’” “Said to us” usually becomes “told us” in indirect speech. “Today” should ordinarily change to “that day” when reported at a later time. “You will get” must be changed to a future in the past form such as “we would be getting” or “we would get.” The indirect version must keep the sense that the diplomas were to be awarded on that very day. Concept / Approach: The essential grammar ideas are: choice of reporting verb, backshifting of tense, and transformation of time adverbs. Because the Principal is speaking to “us,” the pronoun “you” in direct speech refers to “us,” so it must change accordingly. In addition, “will” after a past reporting verb usually becomes “would,” and “today” becomes “that day.” Any option that fails to make these changes or that introduces awkward extra words does not represent standard indirect speech. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Change “said to us” to “told us,” giving “The Principal told us …” Step 2: Introduce the reported clause with “that,” producing “The Principal told us that …” Step 3: Replace “today” with “that day,” which is the usual transformation after a past reporting verb. Step 4: Modify “you will get your diplomas” to “we would be getting our diplomas,” aligning the pronoun “you” with “us” and backshifting “will” to “would.” Step 5: Combine all changes to get “The Principal told us that on that day we would be getting our diplomas.” Step 6: Match this sentence with the options and identify option A as the exact correct form. Verification / Alternative check: Review the incorrect options carefully. Option C uses “this day,” which is not the normal way to report “today” from a later vantage point. Options B and D add the word “this” after “told us,” which breaks the natural flow and creates clumsy structure. Option D also fails to backshift “will” to “would,” which is incorrect after a past reporting verb. Only option A satisfies all the conditions: correct reporting verb, correct time expression, correct pronoun, and correct tense. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B adds an unnecessary “this” and feels incomplete: “told us this on that day we would be getting our diplomas” does not read smoothly. Option C uses “this day” instead of “that day,” which is unidiomatic in standard reported speech. Option D both retains “will” (failing to backshift the tense) and misuses “this,” making the sentence grammatically unsound. Common Pitfalls: Students often focus only on changing the verbs and overlook time words like “today,” or they add extra words such as “this” because they appear in some reported speech structures. Another frequent mistake is to forget that “said to” normally becomes “told,” which takes an object. To avoid such issues, always check whether you have made changes in three areas: reporting verb, tense, and time reference. Working methodically will help you choose the best option even when alternatives look superficially similar. Final Answer: The correct reported speech form is “The Principal told us that on that day we would be getting our diplomas.”

Question 10

In the following question on direct and indirect speech, convert the sentence “Juhi said to her friend, \"I can choose to live the way I want to.\"” into correct indirect speech by choosing the best option.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks your understanding of how to report a statement about personal choice and lifestyle. The direct speech sentence has Juhi asserting that she can choose to live in a particular way. When changing this to indirect speech, you must adjust the modal verb “can,” the pronoun “I,” and the tense of “want” to match the rules of reported speech after a past reporting verb. The goal is to preserve meaning while applying correct backshifting. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct speech: “Juhi said to her friend, ‘I can choose to live the way I want to.’” The reporting verb “said to” should become “told” when followed by the object “her friend.” The modal verb “can” usually changes to “could” in reported speech after a past reporting verb. The subject “I” in the reported clause refers to Juhi herself, so it becomes “she.” The simple present “want” generally backshifts to “wanted” when reporting from a later time. Concept / Approach: The main grammatical principles are: change of person (I to she), backshifting of modal verbs (can to could), and backshifting of present tense verbs (want to wanted) after a past reporting verb like “said.” Additionally, “said to her friend” is more naturally reported as “told her friend that …” The best option will incorporate all of these adjustments while keeping the sentence clear and natural. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Change “said to her friend” into “told her friend,” which is standard in reported speech. Step 2: Replace the first person pronoun “I” with “she,” since Juhi is speaking about herself. Step 3: Backshift the modal “can” to “could,” giving “she could choose.” Step 4: Backshift the verb “want” to “wanted,” giving “the way she wanted to.” Step 5: Combine these changes into “Juhi told her friend that she could choose to live the way she wanted to.” Step 6: Compare this result with the options and identify that option D matches perfectly. Verification / Alternative check: Check the other options for errors. Option A keeps “can” and “want,” failing to backshift both the modal and the main verb. Option B uses an awkward continuous form “could be choosing” and retains “wants,” which is not properly backshifted. Option C mixes present “chooses” with past “wanted,” creating tense inconsistency. Only option D uses “could choose” and “wanted,” which aligns with the rules. This confirms that option D is the only fully correct indirect version. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A does not backshift “can” to “could” and uses “want” instead of “wanted,” making it grammatically incomplete as reported speech. Option B not only misuses aspect with “could be choosing” but also leaves “wants” in the present, causing a tense mismatch. Option C uses “chooses” in the present and “wanted” in the past, which is inconsistent and does not reflect standard reporting rules. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to overlook modal verbs during backshifting, leaving “can” unchanged after a past reporting verb. Another pitfall is to apply backshifting only partially, changing one verb but not the others in the same clause. To avoid errors, always check each verb in the reported clause and ask whether it needs to move one step back in time. Practising with similar sentences helps reinforce a consistent approach to reported speech transformations. Final Answer: The correct indirect speech form is “Juhi told her friend that she could choose to live the way she wanted to.”

Question 11

In the following question, convert the direct speech sentence “My friend said to me, \"I think she will not accept your proposal.\"” into correct indirect speech by choosing the best option.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This reported speech question involves both a reporting clause and a subordinate clause expressing opinion about the future. The speaker’s friend is giving an opinion that “she will not accept your proposal.” When this is reported later, the reporting verb, tense of “think,” and the future “will not accept” must all be adjusted appropriately. The aim is to maintain the original meaning while following standard rules of indirect speech in English. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct speech: “My friend said to me, ‘I think she will not accept your proposal.’” “Said to me” is normally converted into “told me” in reported speech. “I think” refers to the friend’s thought, so “I” becomes “he” (or “she,” depending on context), but in this question the options use “he.” The present simple “think” usually backshifts to “thought.” The future form “will not accept” should backshift to “would not accept.” The pronoun “your” in “your proposal” refers to “me,” so it becomes “my proposal.” Concept / Approach: The central concepts are person change, tense backshift, and correct handling of embedded clauses in reported speech. Since the reporting verb “said” is in the past, both “think” and “will not accept” normally move one step back in time. The reported sentence should clearly show that my friend expressed an opinion in the past about a future refusal. The most natural structure is “My friend told me that he thought that she would not accept my proposal.” Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Change “said to me” to “told me,” giving “My friend told me …” Step 2: Introduce the reported clause with “that,” yielding “My friend told me that …” Step 3: Replace “I think” with “he thought,” shifting both person and tense. Step 4: Change the future “she will not accept” to “she would not accept,” backshifting “will” to “would.” Step 5: Replace “your proposal” with “my proposal,” because the original “your” referred to the speaker. Step 6: Combine everything: “My friend told me that he thought that she would not accept my proposal.” Step 7: Match this full sentence with the given options and identify option A as correct. Verification / Alternative check: Check each alternative. Option B uses “says to me” and “thinks” with “will not accept,” which keeps everything in the present and fails to match the past reporting context of “said.” Option C also uses “thinks” and introduces an unnecessary progressive form “will not be accepting,” which is not justified by the original. Option D adds a double “that that” and also uses a progressive “would not be accepting,” making the sentence clumsy and less accurate in meaning. Only option A uses all the required backshifts and maintains clear, concise structure. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B changes the reporting verb to present “says,” which does not match the original past “said” and keeps the tense “will not accept,” ignoring backshift. Option C keeps “thinks” in the present and switches to “will not be accepting,” introducing unnecessary complexity and incorrect tense. Option D uses “that that,” which is stylistically poor, and “would not be accepting,” which overemphasises duration without reason. Common Pitfalls: Students often forget to change possessive pronouns like “your” to “my” when reporting speech, or they change the reporting verb without adjusting the tenses of the subordinate clause. Another pitfall is overusing continuous forms in reported speech when the original sentence is simple. To avoid such mistakes, handle reported speech in stages: first adjust the reporting verb and pronouns, then systematically backshift each verb in the reported clause, and finally check pronouns and possessives for correct reference. Final Answer: The correct indirect speech sentence is “My friend told me that he thought that she would not accept my proposal.”

Question 12

In the following direct to indirect speech question, change the sentence “She said to the shopkeeper, \"My favourite colour is yellow.\"” into correct indirect speech by selecting the most appropriate option.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question evaluates your understanding of reported speech when the original statement is a simple fact about preference. The direct sentence shows a woman telling a shopkeeper about her favourite colour. When reporting this later, you must choose the correct reporting verb form and decide whether to backshift the present tense “is” to “was.” The best option will reflect a past reporting context and standard grammar conventions. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct speech: “She said to the shopkeeper, ‘My favourite colour is yellow.’” “Said to the shopkeeper” should normally change to “told the shopkeeper” in indirect speech. Because the reporting verb “said” is in the past, “is” in the reported clause usually backshifts to “was.” The pronoun “my” refers to “she,” so it becomes “her” in indirect speech. The core meaning that yellow is her favourite colour must be preserved. Concept / Approach: The main reported speech rules here are: “said to” becomes “told,” first person possessives are converted appropriately, and present simple often shifts to past simple after a past reporting verb. Some grammarians note that permanent truths can stay in the present, but examination patterns usually expect backshift in such indirect speech questions unless the sentence explicitly expresses an eternal fact. A personal preference like a favourite colour is not an eternal truth and is therefore normally backshifted to “was.” Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Replace “said to the shopkeeper” with “told the shopkeeper,” giving “She told the shopkeeper …” Step 2: Introduce the reported clause with “that,” resulting in “She told the shopkeeper that …” Step 3: Change “My favourite colour” to “her favourite colour,” because “my” refers to the speaker “she.” Step 4: Backshift the present tense “is” to “was,” giving “her favourite colour was yellow.” Step 5: Combine all the changes: “She told the shopkeeper that her favourite colour was yellow.” Step 6: Check the options and select option C as the correct sentence. Verification / Alternative check: Review the alternatives. Option B keeps “is yellow” instead of “was yellow,” which some may argue is acceptable because the preference may still be true, but examination style usually expects past backshift here. Options A and D use “informs” or “tells,” which are present tense and do not match the past “said” of the original. Therefore, they are incorrect in this test context. Option C alone reflects the past reporting verb, correct pronouns, and appropriate tense backshift, which confirms it as the best answer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A uses “informs” (present tense), which does not correspond to the past context implied by “said.” Option B has the right reporting verb “told” but retains “is yellow,” failing to apply standard backshift rules. Option D uses “tells” (present tense), again conflicting with the past nature of the original speech event. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes keep the present tense in reported speech because they know the statement can still be true. While this can be correct in everyday usage, exam questions usually emphasise formal backshifting rules. Another pitfall is to overlook the change from “said to” to “told,” which is a very common requirement in such questions. To avoid errors, always check both the form of the reporting verb and the tense of the reported clause. Final Answer: The correct indirect speech form is “She told the shopkeeper that her favourite colour was yellow.”

Question 13

Change the following sentence from direct to indirect speech by choosing the correct option: “The pilgrim said to me, \"When you go down the street you will see the temple to your right.\"”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question involves reporting a set of directions originally given in direct speech by a pilgrim. The pilgrim explains what will happen when the listener goes down a particular street. When this statement is reported later, both the reporting verb and the verbs in the conditional clause must be adjusted. The correct indirect sentence must preserve the conditional meaning and the future result while using standard backshift rules. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct speech: “The pilgrim said to me, ‘When you go down the street you will see the temple to your right.’” “Said to me” should become “told me” in reported speech. The pronoun “you” refers to “me,” so it should change to “I.” The present tense “go” in the time clause usually backshifts to “went.” The future “will see” in the main clause changes to “would see.” The possessive “your right” becomes “my right,” matching the new subject “I.” Concept / Approach: The grammar concepts here include reported speech of complex sentences, conditional or time clauses, and consistent backshifting. Time clauses introduced by “when” often keep their structure but change tense when reported from a later point in time. The future clause also backshifts from “will” to “would.” The overall meaning remains: if I go down that street, I will see the temple on my right. The correct indirect sentence must reflect all these changes clearly. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Change “said to me” into “told me,” producing “The pilgrim told me …” Step 2: Introduce the reported clause with “that,” giving “The pilgrim told me that …” Step 3: Replace “you” in the time clause with “I” and backshift “go” to “went,” resulting in “when I went down the street.” Step 4: Change “you will see” to “I would see,” backshifting the future tense and making the subject consistent. Step 5: Replace “your right” with “my right,” since the directions now refer to me. Step 6: Combine everything: “The pilgrim told me that when I went down the street I would see the temple to my right.” Step 7: Compare this with the options and select option B as the correct one. Verification / Alternative check: Review the other options. Option A keeps “tells me” (present tense) and uses “I go” and “I will see,” ignoring the past reporting context and backshift rules. Option C confuses the structure by inserting “then I go,” which is neither natural nor fully correct after a past reporting verb. Option D uses present “tells me” and unnecessary progressive forms “would be going” and “will be seeing,” which complicate the meaning without justification. Only option B consistently uses past “told,” backshifted “went,” and “would see,” so it passes both grammar and meaning checks. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A does not change the reporting verb to the past and leaves both “go” and “will see” unshifted, contrary to reported speech rules. Option C introduces “then I go,” which is awkward and incomplete, and does not correctly handle tense changes. Option D mixes present reporting with would and will in progressive forms, creating an unnatural and incorrect sentence. Common Pitfalls: Many learners forget to adjust both clauses of a complex sentence when reporting it, focusing only on the main clause and ignoring the time clause introduced by “when.” Others overcomplicate the sentence by adding extra auxiliary verbs or progressive forms. To avoid these errors, treat each verb separately and apply the backshift rule systematically, ensuring that the result remains clear and close in meaning to the original. Final Answer: The correct indirect speech sentence is “The pilgrim told me that when I went down the street I would see the temple to my right.”

Question 14

In this direct and indirect speech question, convert the sentence “He said to the bankers, \"These diamonds are more valuable than a billion dollars.\"” into correct indirect speech by choosing the best option.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question asks you to report a statement comparing the value of diamonds with a billion dollars. The original direct speech contains a demonstrative pronoun “these,” the present tense “are,” and a comparative structure “more valuable than.” When converting this to indirect speech, you have to adjust the reporting verb phrase, the demonstrative pronoun, and the tense, while keeping the comparison intact and grammatically correct. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct speech: “He said to the bankers, ‘These diamonds are more valuable than a billion dollars.’” “Said to the bankers” should be converted to “told the bankers” in indirect speech. The demonstrative “these” normally becomes “those” when the statement is reported later or from a different point of view. The present “are” usually backshifts to “were” after a past reporting verb. The comparative phrase “more valuable than a billion dollars” remains structurally the same. Concept / Approach: The key reported speech ideas here are changing “said to” into “told,” shifting demonstratives from near to distant (these to those), and backshifting the present tense to past tense. The comparative structure itself does not change beyond the tense of the linking verb. The correct indirect sentence will therefore say that he told the bankers that those diamonds were more valuable than a billion dollars. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Replace “said to the bankers” with “told the bankers,” giving “He told the bankers …” Step 2: Introduce the reported clause with “that,” resulting in “He told the bankers that …” Step 3: Change “these diamonds” to “those diamonds,” reflecting the shift from direct to indirect viewpoint. Step 4: Backshift the present tense “are” to “were,” because the reporting verb is in the past. Step 5: Keep the comparative phrase “more valuable than a billion dollars” intact. Step 6: Combine these elements to form “He told the bankers that those diamonds were more valuable than a billion dollars.” Step 7: Compare this sentence with the options and select option D as the correct one. Verification / Alternative check: Examine the other options for errors. Option A contains “then” instead of “than,” which is a spelling mistake and changes the meaning of the comparative expression. It also keeps “these diamonds are,” failing to change “these” to “those” and “are” to “were.” Option B uses the present perfect “has told” and includes an awkward phrase “this that,” which is stylistically poor. Option C correctly changes “these” to “those,” but keeps “are” instead of “were,” not following the normal backshift rule. Only option D applies all the changes consistently and remains grammatically smooth. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A uses the incorrect word “then” instead of “than” and keeps the demonstrative and tense unchanged, both of which are errors. Option B changes the reporting verb to “has told,” which does not match the simple past “said,” and the structure “this that” is unnatural. Option C uses “those diamonds” but retains “are,” ignoring the need to backshift the tense after a past reporting verb. Common Pitfalls: Learners often overlook small but important distinctions between “than” and “then,” or between “these” and “those.” They may also forget to backshift “are” to “were” in reported speech. Another pitfall is to change the reporting verb form unnecessarily, leading to tense mismatches. To avoid such mistakes, check spelling carefully in comparative structures, be mindful of demonstrative pronouns, and always ask whether the tense of the reported clause needs to move back in time relative to the reporting verb. Final Answer: The correct indirect speech version is “He told the bankers that those diamonds were more valuable than a billion dollars.”

Question 15

In this English grammar question on direct and indirect speech, choose the option that correctly changes the sentence into indirect speech: The boss said to the secretary, "Bring the file that I had given to you yesterday."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your understanding of how to change an imperative sentence in direct speech into indirect or reported speech in English grammar. The original sentence is a polite command: the boss is instructing the secretary to bring a particular file. To select the correct option, you must apply the rules for reporting commands, adjust pronouns, and change time expressions like "yesterday" into their correct reported forms. This is a very common pattern in competitive exams and school level English tests, so mastering it will help you handle many similar questions with confidence. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct sentence: The boss said to the secretary, "Bring the file that I had given to you yesterday." Reporting verb: said to, which becomes told in indirect speech when an object is present. The boss is the speaker, and the secretary is the listener. The command uses the base form of the verb: bring. Time expression used: yesterday, which must change in reported speech. Concept / Approach: To change an imperative sentence into indirect speech, we usually follow these steps. First, we change said to into a reporting verb like told, followed by the object. Second, we transform the imperative verb into a to infinitive, so bring becomes to bring. Third, we adjust pronouns so that I refers back to the boss and you refers to the secretary. Fourth, we apply the rule of sequence of tenses and change time expressions such as yesterday into the day before or the previous day in reported speech. Finally, we ensure that the structure sounds natural and grammatically correct in standard English usage. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Replace said to with the correct reporting verb told because there is an object (the secretary). Step 2: Convert the imperative Bring into the infinitive structure to bring after the reporting clause. Step 3: Change the pronoun I so that it matches the subject the boss, which becomes he in indirect speech. Step 4: Change the pronoun you so that it refers to the secretary, which becomes her in indirect speech. Step 5: Change yesterday into the day before to fit standard reported speech time expression rules. Verification / Alternative check: If we put all the pieces together, we get: The boss told the secretary to bring the file that he had given her the day before. The reporting verb told is correct, the verb bring has become to bring, the pronouns I and you have become he and her, and the time expression yesterday has shifted to the day before. The tense of had given is already past perfect, which is acceptable to keep. Read the sentence again to check natural flow and grammatical accuracy. It clearly conveys the same meaning as the original command, so the transformation is correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A is incorrect because it keeps the verb gave and yesterday, which does not fully follow the standard sequence of tenses and time change rules expected in reported speech in exam patterns. Option C is incorrect because it uses a that clause instead of the to infinitive and still keeps yesterday, which is not ideal in this reporting structure. Option D is incorrect because had been giving suggests a continuous past action, which changes the meaning of the original simple completed action had given. Option E is incorrect because would give the next day changes the time reference and suggests future time rather than referring to the file already given before the command. Common Pitfalls: Many learners forget to change yesterday into the day before or the previous day when moving into reported speech. Another common mistake is to keep said to instead of changing it to told when a direct object is present. Learners also sometimes forget to adjust pronouns correctly, leaving I and you unchanged. Finally, some students overcomplicate the tense by using continuous or future forms that change the meaning. Always check pronouns, time expressions, reporting verbs, and verb forms carefully in such questions. Final Answer: The boss told the secretary to bring the file that he had given her the day before.

Question 16

In this question on reported speech in English grammar, select the option that best expresses the promise in indirect speech for the sentence: "I will make for you the best rice you have ever had," said the chef.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This item tests your understanding of reported speech for promises and statements involving future time. The direct sentence contains a promise made by a chef about cooking rice. When converting such a sentence into indirect speech, you must know how to change future tense will into the appropriate form, how to adjust the present perfect you have ever had, and how to maintain pronoun reference. Questions like this appear regularly in competitive exams to check accuracy in sequence of tenses and style in English grammar. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct sentence: "I will make for you the best rice you have ever had," said the chef. The speaker is the chef, and the listener is an unnamed person, referred to as you. The reporting verb said is in the past tense. The sentence includes future tense will make and present perfect you have ever had. The sentence is a promise and a statement combined. Concept / Approach: In reported speech, when the reporting verb is in the past, we normally backshift tenses. Future will becomes would, and present perfect have had becomes past perfect had had or, in many exam patterns, had ever had. We also adjust the pronoun I into he and you into him, according to who is speaking and who is being spoken to. Because the chef is speaking about something he will do for the listener, the structure should be The chef told him that he would make for him the best rice he had ever had. Using told plus an object is preferred when the listener is mentioned, and using that to introduce the reported clause is grammatically standard though it can be omitted in conversation. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the reporting clause: said the chef. Step 2: Change said to told and supply the object him for the listener in indirect speech. Step 3: Change I into he and you into him, because the chef is the speaker and the listener is another person. Step 4: Backshift the tense: will make becomes would make, and have ever had becomes had ever had. Step 5: Combine everything into a smooth reported sentence: The chef told him that he would make for him the best rice he had ever had. Verification / Alternative check: The final sentence reads: The chef told him that he would make for him the best rice he had ever had. This preserves the meaning of the original promise and respects the rules of tense backshift and pronoun change. The use of would after a past reporting verb is correct, and had ever had correctly reports the present perfect you have ever had. The sentence also sounds natural and idiomatic in English, so it passes both grammatical and stylistic checks. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A is incorrect because it keeps will and has, which fails to backshift the tenses from the point of view of the past reporting verb said. Option C is incorrect because the second clause still uses has ever had instead of had ever had, so the tense is not fully backshifted. Option D is incorrect because it uses will after a past reporting verb and mixes will with had, creating an inconsistent tense sequence. Option E is incorrect because it changes the content from best rice you have ever had to best rice he had ever cooked, which alters the original meaning of the statement. Common Pitfalls: Learners often forget to backshift future tense will to would when the reporting verb is in the past. Another frequent error is to leave present perfect unchanged, especially in phrases like have ever had. Students may also overlook proper pronoun adjustments, leaving I and you unchanged. Finally, changing the meaning of the original sentence by altering key phrases such as have ever had to have ever cooked is a serious mistake. Always check tense, pronouns, and meaning carefully before deciding on the correct option. Final Answer: The chef told him that he would make for him the best rice he had ever had.

Question 17

In this English grammar question on direct and indirect speech, choose the option that correctly reports the habitual statement: "I always drink warm water in the morning," she said to me.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks your understanding of how to report a habitual action stated in the simple present tense when the reporting verb is in the past. The original sentence describes a personal routine related to health: drinking warm water every morning. When such a sentence is changed into indirect speech, you must apply the rules of tense backshift while keeping the idea of habit intact. This type of transformation is very common in English grammar examinations and helps demonstrate a solid grasp of reported speech. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct sentence: "I always drink warm water in the morning," she said to me. Reporting verb: said to, which can remain said to me or become told me in another style. The speaker is she, and the listener is me. The main verb in the reported clause is drink, in the simple present tense. The adverb of frequency always and the time phrase in the morning show a repeated habit. Concept / Approach: When the reporting verb is in the past tense, many exam boards teach that we should backshift the tense of the reported clause, especially when the statement describes something from a past point of view. In such patterns, a simple present verb such as drink typically becomes simple past drank, even though the idea is still a habit. Pronoun I must be changed to she, because the speaker is a female third person. We also need to introduce the reported clause with that for formal correctness in many exam keys. The general structure thus becomes: She said to me that she always drank warm water in the morning. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Keep the reporting clause as She said to me or change it to She told me, both are acceptable structures. Step 2: Introduce the reported clause with that for formal exam style: that she always drink. Step 3: Change the pronoun I to she, because the speaker is a woman being referred to in the third person. Step 4: Backshift the simple present verb drink to the simple past drank to match the past reporting verb said. Step 5: Retain the adverb always and the time phrase in the morning to preserve the idea of a regular habit. Verification / Alternative check: The resulting sentence is: She said to me that she always drank warm water in the morning. It maintains the meaning that she regularly drinks warm water, uses the correct pronoun, and follows the sequence of tenses rule as commonly tested. The structure is smooth and grammatically standard, and it clearly mirrors the original statement with only the changes needed for reported speech. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A is incorrect because it keeps drinks, failing to backshift the tense after a past reporting verb in the way exam patterns expect. Option C is incorrect because it omits that and still keeps drinks, so the transformation is less formal and does not match the expected answer key style. Option E is incorrect because would always drink suggests a future in the past, which changes the meaning from a simple statement of habit to a more speculative idea. Option B and Option D are essentially the same meaningful structure, but Option D includes that explicitly and is the most complete formal version, which is why it is selected as the best answer here. Common Pitfalls: Students often hesitate about whether to change a habitual present into past tense in reported speech. In many examination contexts, keeping the tense unchanged may be acceptable in real use, but the exam key typically prefers formal backshift. Another common error is leaving pronouns unchanged, such as keeping I instead of turning it into she. Learners may also omit that in very formal contexts where exam setters expect it. To avoid losing marks, carefully follow the standard rules taught for reported speech in your syllabus. Final Answer: She said to me that she always drank warm water in the morning.

Question 18

In this direct and indirect speech question, select the option that correctly reports the exclamatory statement: My wife said to me, "This is a beautiful necklace!"

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks your knowledge of how to change an exclamatory statement in direct speech into indirect speech. The original sentence shows admiration expressed by a wife about a necklace. When changing such sentences into reported speech, you must focus on the correct reporting verb, replacement of demonstratives like this, and proper sequence of tenses. These details are very important in exams that test English grammar and usage, especially in the area of reported speech. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct sentence: My wife said to me, "This is a beautiful necklace!" Reporting verb: said to, with an object me. The sentence expresses admiration about a necklace using the simple present tense is. The demonstrative pronoun this is used to point to something near in place or time. The context suggests a past report of what the wife said at an earlier moment. Concept / Approach: When we change such sentences into indirect speech, we usually convert said to into told when an object is mentioned. The linking verb is in the reported clause often changes to was if the reporting verb is in the past tense. For demonstratives, this generally becomes that, or in some versions it becomes it when referring to a single object already known in the context. We also remove the exclamation mark and report the feeling as a simple statement. The structure My wife told me that it was a beautiful necklace is a natural and grammatically correct way to report the original remark. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the reporting clause: My wife said to me. Step 2: Change said to me into told me in reported speech, because there is a direct object. Step 3: Introduce the reported clause with that: that this is a beautiful necklace. Step 4: Replace this with it, since the necklace is a specific item already known to both speakers. Step 5: Backshift the simple present is to the simple past was, resulting in that it was a beautiful necklace. Verification / Alternative check: The final sentence becomes: My wife told me that it was a beautiful necklace. It keeps the meaning of admiration, uses the correct reporting verb, and respects the expected tense change. The use of it helps avoid repetition of that that, which can sound awkward, and the past tense was matches the past reporting verb said. Read the sentence to ensure that it sounds natural and clearly reflects the original idea without exclamatory punctuation. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B is grammatically possible but slightly awkward due to that that and is less natural than using it, so it is not the best choice in a test where only one option is preferred. Option C is incorrect because the structure this that was a beautiful necklace is not idiomatic English and creates unnecessary repetition. Option D is incorrect because it mixes that that with is, keeping the present tense where a past tense would normally be expected after a past reporting verb. Option E is incorrect because it keeps the present tense is, which does not follow the standard backshift rule in many examination keys when the context is a past report. Common Pitfalls: One common mistake is to leave this as this in reported speech rather than changing it to that or it. Another frequent error is ignoring the sequence of tenses and keeping the verb in the present tense even when the reporting verb is in the past. Some learners also try to carry over the exclamatory tone directly, but in reported speech we normally report the content as a statement. To avoid these errors, always pay attention to demonstratives, linking verbs like is, and the overall tone of the original sentence that you are reporting. Final Answer: My wife told me that it was a beautiful necklace.

Question 19

In this English grammar question on direct and indirect speech, choose the option that correctly reports the routine action: She said to me, "I always drink a cup of green tea as soon as I get up."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question focuses on changing a sentence about a daily habit from direct speech into indirect speech. The original sentence describes a regular routine involving green tea. When we report such statements, we must handle pronouns, tense, and time expressions carefully. These questions are common in exams because they check your ability to apply reported speech rules in everyday life contexts rather than only abstract examples. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct sentence: She said to me, "I always drink a cup of green tea as soon as I get up." Reporting verb: said to, with the object me. The speaker is she, and the listener is me. The main verb drink is in the simple present tense, showing a habit. Time relationship: as soon as I get up indicates an immediate routine action. Concept / Approach: With a past reporting verb such as said, exam rules usually require us to backshift the tense in the reported clause when the focus is on a past report. So, simple present drink becomes simple past drank. The pronoun I must be changed to she, because the speaker is being referred to in the third person. The expression as soon as I get up becomes as soon as she got up, preserving the idea of immediate action. The reporting verb said to me can be converted into told me for a more natural structure in indirect speech. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Convert the reporting clause She said to me into She told me. Step 2: Introduce the reported clause with that: that I always drink a cup of green tea as soon as I get up. Step 3: Change the pronoun I to she to reflect third person reporting. Step 4: Backshift drink to drank and get up to got up, maintaining the idea of a regular habit. Step 5: Confirm that the adverb always and the phrase a cup of green tea remain unchanged to preserve the original meaning. Verification / Alternative check: The final sentence is: She told me that she always drank a cup of green tea as soon as she got up. This sentence follows the sequence of tenses rule, keeps the habitual sense with always, and uses appropriate pronouns. It sounds natural and fully reflects the original information about the speaker’s routine. There is no unnecessary change in meaning, and the grammar aligns with the kind of answer examination setters expect in questions on reported speech. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B is incorrect because drunk is the past participle, not the simple past; the correct simple past form is drank in this context. Option C is incorrect because it uses had told and keeps drinks and got up together, resulting in an awkward and inconsistent tense mix. Option D is incorrect because would be getting up suggests an unusual future in the past aspect, which is not needed to report a simple habit. Option E is incorrect because it changes the meaning to a more general whenever idea and uses would always drink, which does not match the straightforward routine described in the original sentence. Common Pitfalls: Students often confuse drank and drunk and may use the wrong form in reported speech. Another common issue is overcomplicating the tense by adding would or progressive forms where a simple past would be enough. Learners may also forget to adjust pronouns consistently, leaving I instead of changing it to she. Always remember to check the basic subject pronoun, the main verb tense, and any time expressions like as soon as in order to keep the meaning accurate and the grammar correct. Final Answer: She told me that she always drank a cup of green tea as soon as she got up.

Question 20

In this direct and indirect speech question, choose the option that correctly reports the comparative statement: She said to him, "I can run faster than you."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question examines your ability to convert a statement with a modal verb can into indirect speech. The original sentence expresses a comparison of ability between two people. When reporting such a statement, you must know how to change the modal can, how to adjust pronouns, and how to keep the comparison structure intact. This is a typical reported speech item that combines modal verbs with comparative forms like faster than. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct sentence: She said to him, "I can run faster than you." Reporting verb: said to, with him as the object. The modal verb in the reported clause is can. The comparison uses the structure faster than you. The speaker is she, and the listener is him. Concept / Approach: In reported speech, modal verbs often change when the reporting verb is in the past. Can usually becomes could to reflect the past viewpoint. Pronoun I must be changed to she, and you must be changed to him to match the listener. The structure run faster than him remains the same, preserving the comparative meaning. The reporting verb said to him is more naturally expressed as told him in indirect speech. The final structure should read: She told him that she could run faster than him. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Change said to him into told him for smooth indirect speech. Step 2: Introduce the reported clause with that: that I can run faster than you. Step 3: Replace I with she to match the third person subject in the report. Step 4: Change can to could to follow the sequence of tenses with the past reporting verb. Step 5: Replace you with him to show that the comparison is made with the listener. Verification / Alternative check: The final sentence is: She told him that she could run faster than him. It maintains the idea of comparative ability, uses the correct modal could, and adjusts pronouns appropriately. The sentence is grammatically correct and typical of the type of answer that exam setters choose as the key for a question about can becoming could in indirect speech. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B is incorrect because it keeps can instead of changing it to could, which goes against the usual exam rule for tense backshift after a past reporting verb. Option C is incorrect because could be running suggests a progressive aspect that changes the original meaning from general ability to a temporary ongoing action. Option D is incorrect because has told is present perfect and can remains present, which does not match the original structure with said in the simple past. Option E is incorrect because would run indicates a conditional or future in the past sense, which is different from the simple statement of ability in the original sentence. Common Pitfalls: Learners often overlook how modal verbs change in reported speech. Can, may, and will commonly become could, might, and would when the reporting verb is in the past. Another mistake is leaving pronouns unchanged, especially you, which must be interpreted from context. Some students also introduce continuous or future forms that alter the basic meaning. To avoid these issues, always check the modal verb, the pronouns, and whether the original sentence expresses a general ability, a request, or a promise before you choose the reported version. Final Answer: She told him that she could run faster than him.

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