Question 1

In this English sentence improvement question on conditional structures, consider the sentence If I were you I'd kill him, where the underlined verb phrase after the conditional clause must match the correct pattern for an unreal present condition. …

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests knowledge of conditional sentences, particularly the second conditional, which describes unreal or hypothetical situations in the present. The sentence If I were you I would kill him expresses imagined advice, not a real intention. Examination questions of this type often ask learners to recognise correct conditional forms and avoid replacing them with wrong tense or modal combinations that change the meaning or make the structure grammatically unsound. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence starts with the condition If I were you, which signals a hypothetical situation. The underlined part is I would kill him, written as the contraction I'd kill him. The options are I will kill, I should kill, I must kill, and No improvement. The context is giving strong advice in an unreal scenario where the speaker imagines being the other person. Concept / Approach: The second conditional in English typically has the structure If past simple, would plus base verb, used to describe unreal or unlikely situations and their imaginary results. When the subject in the if clause is I, we still often use were instead of was in formal or careful English, as in If I were you. The natural completion of such a clause is with would, not will, should, or must, because the statement is hypothetical advice, not a real future plan or obligation. Therefore, the correct approach is to check whether the original combination were and would is already the correct second conditional form. Step-by-Step Solution: First, recognise the pattern If I were you, which clearly signals a conditional sentence about an imaginary situation. Second, recall that the second conditional uses a past tense in the if clause and would plus the base form in the main clause. Third, note that I would kill him fits this pattern exactly and expresses strong hypothetical advice. Fourth, consider each alternative: will kill would suggest a real future action, should kill would suggest moral obligation, and must kill would indicate strong necessity, all of which change the meaning. Fifth, conclude that the original structure with would is the appropriate realisation of the second conditional and should be left unchanged. Verification / Alternative check: To confirm, compare similar sentences: If I were you, I would talk to him, or If she were the manager, she would change the policy. In each case, would expresses what the speaker imagines they would do in that hypothetical position. Using will in these sentences, such as If I were you, I will talk to him, sounds incorrect because will is usually reserved for real future events, not imaginary ones. Grammar references on conditionals also list If I were you, I would as a standard pattern that learners are encouraged to memorise. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, I will kill, introduces will, which is not normally used in the main clause of a second conditional About present unreality, so it breaks the conditional pattern. Option B, I should kill, changes the nuance from an imagined action to a statement about what ought to happen, and it does not match the standard conditional form taught in textbooks. Option C, I must kill, expresses strong obligation or necessity and again shifts the meaning away from a hypothetical action to a severe duty, which is not the intended grammatical focus here. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes mix first and second conditional structures, for example by starting with If I were you and finishing with I will, or starting with If you work hard and finishing with you would succeed. Another pitfall is to ignore the specific meaning of would in hypothetical statements and to overuse will in all future related contexts. Recognising that If I were you, I would is a fixed pattern for giving advice in imaginary terms helps prevent these mistakes. Final Answer: The original sentence already uses the correct second conditional form with were in the if clause and would in the main clause, so the best choice is No improvement.

Question 2

In this reported speech question, you are given the indirect sentence They told us that they had waited at the station for a long time and asked to select the direct speech version that correctly expresses the same meaning, including the appropriate…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests the ability to convert from indirect speech back into direct speech while keeping the sequence of tenses correct. The indirect sentence They told us that they had waited at the station for a long time describes a past report about a completed action in the past. To find the original direct speech, you must reason backwards and decide which tense they most likely used when they spoke, before the reporter changed it to the past perfect form had waited. Given Data / Assumptions: Reporting clause: They told us. Reported clause in indirect speech: that they had waited at the station for a long time. The action of waiting at the station was completed before the time of reporting. The options give different direct speech sentences with various tenses. Concept / Approach: When converting from direct to indirect speech with a past reporting verb such as told, English often shifts the tense one step back in time. Simple past in the original direct sentence usually becomes past perfect in the reported clause. Therefore, had waited in indirect speech probably comes from waited in direct speech. In this context, continuous forms such as had been waiting or are waiting would imply a different aspect. Our approach is to find the direct speech sentence whose simple past form would naturally be reported as past perfect after the verb told. Step-by-Step Solution: First, note that the reporting verb is in the simple past, told, which usually triggers backshifting of tenses in indirect speech. Second, observe that the reported action is expressed in the past perfect, had waited, in the indirect sentence. Third, remember that past perfect in reported speech commonly corresponds to simple past in the original direct speech. Fourth, examine the options and identify the one that uses simple past waited in the reported clause. Fifth, select They told us "We waited at the station for a long time". as the direct speech that would normally be changed to They told us that they had waited at the station for a long time. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, you can apply the usual rules of conversion. Start from the direct sentence We waited at the station for a long time. Prepend the reporting clause They told us and then change it to indirect speech by replacing the first person pronoun we with they and keeping at the station for a long time. Now shift the tense from waited to had waited because the reporting verb told is in the past. You obtain They told us that they had waited at the station for a long time, which matches the given indirect sentence exactly, confirming that option A is the correct original form. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B, with had been waiting, would usually be reported as They told us that they had been waiting at the station for a long time, which does not match the given sentence, where only had waited is used. Option C, with are waiting, is present continuous and would normally be reported as were waiting, not had waited, so it does not align with the indirect form here. Option D, with wait, uses simple present, which would generally be reported as waited and not had waited, and in context sounds strange because waiting for a long time is clearly a completed past action. Common Pitfalls: Learners often mix up which tense corresponds to which after backshift in reported speech, especially between past simple and past perfect or between continuous and non continuous forms. Another pitfall is ignoring the aspect of the action and selecting a continuous tense even when the reported sentence clearly marks a completed action. Practising the standard conversion charts for direct and indirect speech helps avoid these errors and makes such questions easier to handle. Final Answer: The direct speech sentence that naturally converts to the given indirect sentence is They told us "We waited at the station for a long time".

Question 3

In this reported speech question, the given indirect sentence is The boss said to him, "Please tell me what the old man said today", and you must choose the indirect form that correctly reports this polite request, with the proper change of time exp…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question examines the correct conversion of a polite request in direct speech into indirect speech, with special attention to changing the time word today and adjusting verb tenses. The original direct sentence has a reporting verb said combined with the polite word please and a request in the imperative form. In reported speech, please normally becomes a reporting verb like requested, and today usually changes to that day when the reporting verb is in the past. You need to select the option that applies these rules correctly. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct speech: The boss said to him, "Please tell me what the old man said today". The boss is addressing him politely and asking for information. The reporting verb said to him will become requested him in indirect speech. The inner clause uses said today, which is a completed past action relative to the time of speaking. Concept / Approach: In reported speech, polite imperatives introduced by please are often reported with verbs like requested or asked, and the bare infinitive tell becomes to tell. Time expressions usually shift when the reporting verb is in the past: today becomes that day, yesterday becomes the previous day, and so on. The tense in the embedded clause said also normally moves one step back, so simple past said may become past perfect had said when the reporting verb is in the past and we are referring to an earlier action. The correct indirect sentence therefore needs requested, to tell, the time expression that day, and past perfect had said to show that the old man spoke before the boss made the request. Step-by-Step Solution: First, identify the reporting clause The boss said to him and the direct quoted request Please tell me what the old man said today. Second, change said to him plus please into requested him, which is the standard reporting structure for a polite request. Third, convert the imperative tell me into the infinitive to tell him, because the boss is now referred to in the third person. Fourth, adjust the tense of said in the embedded clause to had said because the old man spoke before the boss reported this in the past. Fifth, change today to that day to reflect the normal shift of time expression in reported speech. Verification / Alternative check: If we reconstruct the process in reverse, we can start from the chosen indirect sentence The boss requested him to tell him what the old man had said that day and convert it back to direct speech. We would write The boss said to him, "Please tell me what the old man said today". The reporting verb requested becomes said, to tell him becomes tell me, had said returns to said, and that day back to today. The result matches the original direct sentence, showing that we have chosen the correct indirect form. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B keeps the time word today, which is normally changed to that day when the reporting verb is in the past and the sentence is no longer spoken on the same day. Option C does not shift the tense of said to had said, so it fails to show clearly that the old man spoke before the boss made the request, even though this backshift is standard in such constructions. Option D neither changes the tense nor the time expression, so it is the least accurate in applying the rules of reported speech. Common Pitfalls: Learners often forget to shift time expressions such as today, yesterday, and tomorrow in reported speech. Another common error is to change the reporting verb to requested but leave the imperative form unchanged, instead of converting it to an infinitive. Some also ignore the backshift of tense in embedded clauses when the reporting verb is in the past. Regular practice of these rules with simple examples helps avoid such mistakes in examination questions. Final Answer: The indirect sentence that correctly reports the polite request and applies the standard tense and time shifts is The boss requested him to tell him what the old man had said that day.

Question 4

In this reported speech question, the given indirect form is He said, "She had been weeping for an hour", and you must select the correct indirect statement that preserves the tense and meaning of the original sentence. Choose the option that best e…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question deals with reporting a sentence that is already in the past perfect continuous tense. The direct speech is He said, "She had been weeping for an hour". When converting to indirect speech, we must decide whether the tense should remain the same or be shifted further back, and how to introduce the reported clause. The goal is to preserve the meaning that at some time in the past she had already been weeping for a duration of one hour. Given Data / Assumptions: Reporting clause is in the simple past: He said. Direct quoted clause uses past perfect continuous: She had been weeping for an hour. The options give various combinations of reporting verb and reported clause tenses. The context does not force any additional time shift beyond what is already encoded. Concept / Approach: In reported speech, when the original statement already uses past perfect or past perfect continuous, we normally keep that tense because it already expresses the idea of an action completed or ongoing before another past reference point. There is no need to shift it further back. Therefore, we simply introduce the reported clause with that and keep had been weeping. We do not change it to was weeping or has been weeping, because those changes would alter the time relationship. Our approach is to choose the option that preserves the past perfect continuous after the reporting verb said. Step-by-Step Solution: First, identify the tense in the original quoted sentence: had been weeping is past perfect continuous, which describes a continuing action up to a point in the past. Second, recognise that the reporting verb is said in the simple past, which normally causes backshift for present or simple past forms but not for past perfect forms. Third, recall the rule that when the original tense is already past perfect or past perfect continuous, it generally remains unchanged in reported speech. Fourth, add that after said to introduce the reported clause and keep the verb phrase had been weeping as it is. Fifth, select the option He said that she had been weeping for an hour as the correct conversion. Verification / Alternative check: To confirm, you can work from indirect to direct speech. Start with He said that she had been weeping for an hour and convert it back to direct speech: He said, "She had been weeping for an hour". The two forms match each other perfectly, showing that no extra tense change was necessary. If we replaced had been weeping with was weeping, the nuance of the duration before the past reference point might be lost. Using has been weeping would incorrectly suggest a present relevance which is not indicated in the original statement. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, He says that she was weeping for an hour, changes the reporting verb to present says and uses was weeping, which describes a past continuous action rather than an action completed before another past point, and also ignores the original tense. Option B, He said that she was weeping for an hour, shifts the tense from past perfect continuous to past continuous, losing the specific sense of duration before another past point. Option C, He said that she has been weeping for an hour, uses present perfect continuous, which implies a connection to the present, not supported by the original past context. Common Pitfalls: Students often believe that every tense must always be backshifted one step in reported speech, even when the original is already past perfect. This leads to incorrect changes that distort the intended time relationship. Another pitfall is confusing past continuous with past perfect continuous, which have similar forms but different meanings. Remember that past perfect continuous describes an action that was ongoing up to a certain point in the past, which is exactly what had been weeping expresses here. Final Answer: The correct indirect form that preserves the original tense and meaning is He said that she had been weeping for an hour.

Question 5

In this reported speech question, the original direct sentence is The teacher said, "Tell me students, what have you learnt from the lectures this week", and you must choose the indirect form that correctly reports the teacher's question to the stud…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests how to convert a direct question with a present perfect tense and a time expression into indirect speech. The original sentence shows a teacher addressing students directly and asking them what they have learnt from lectures this week. In reported speech, we need to change the pronouns, adjust the tense from present perfect to past perfect, and shift the time word this week to that week. We also have to choose a suitable reporting verb such as asked and decide whether to keep a question structure or use an infinitive construction. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct speech: The teacher said, "Tell me students, what have you learnt from the lectures this week". The teacher is making a request and a question at the same time. The reporting verb said is in the past. The embedded question uses present perfect have you learnt and the time expression this week. Concept / Approach: When reporting a request combined with a question, the polite imperative tell me can be transformed into an infinitive phrase to tell him, while the actual question part what have you learnt becomes a that clause with a backshifted tense. Present perfect in direct speech normally becomes past perfect in indirect speech when the reporting verb is in the past. Time expressions also need adjustment: this week becomes that week. The most complete and accurate indirect sentence will therefore use asked the students to tell him and will change have learnt to had learnt and this week to that week. Step-by-Step Solution: First, identify the reporting clause The teacher said and the full direct utterance Tell me students, what have you learnt from the lectures this week. Second, choose an appropriate reporting verb for a request and question, such as asked, and include the audience the students. Third, change the imperative tell me into an infinitive structure to tell him, since the teacher is now referred to in the third person. Fourth, convert the question what have you learnt into an affirmative clause what they had learnt, changing the pronoun you to they and the tense from have learnt to had learnt. Fifth, adjust this week to that week to reflect the shift in time from the original situation to the reporting context. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, imagine converting the chosen indirect sentence back into direct speech. From The teacher asked the students to tell him what they had learnt from the lectures that week you can reconstruct The teacher said, "Tell me students, what have you learnt from the lectures this week". The change from had learnt back to have learnt and that week to this week follows the standard pattern. The use of asked and to tell reflects the teacher's polite request. This confirms that the selected option is the most complete and accurate representation of the original utterance. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, The teacher asked the students what they learnt from the lectures that week, does not include the request element tell me and uses learnt instead of had learnt, which does not fully apply tense backshift from present perfect. Option B, The teacher asked the students to tell him what they learnt from the lectures that week, includes the request but still uses learnt instead of had learnt, so it partially ignores the shift from have learnt to had learnt. Option C, The teacher wanted to know what the students learnt from the lectures that week, changes the reporting verb to wanted to know and again fails to show the backshift to had learnt; it is also less precise about the original wording. Common Pitfalls: Learners often forget to change the present perfect to past perfect when reporting questions that refer to recent completed actions. Another common problem is overlooking the time expression this week and leaving it unchanged in reported speech, which does not reflect the shift in perspective. There is also a tendency to simplify complex utterances by dropping parts like tell me, but examination questions generally expect the more complete indirect form when it is offered among the options. Final Answer: The indirect sentence that correctly conveys the teacher's request and question, with proper tense and time changes, is The teacher asked the students to tell him what they had learnt from the lectures that week.

Question 6

In this reported speech item, the direct sentence is I said to you, "He should not be trusted", and you must choose the indirect version that correctly reports this statement with appropriate changes in pronouns and structure. Select the alternative…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks your understanding of reporting a statement that contains the modal verb should, which expresses advice or moral judgement. The direct sentence is I said to you, "He should not be trusted". In indirect speech, said to you is usually changed to told you, and the quoted clause is introduced with that. We must preserve the modality expressed by should, because it represents the speaker's opinion or advice about trusting the person. Given Data / Assumptions: Reporting clause: I said to you. Reported clause: He should not be trusted. The speaker is giving a warning or piece of advice. We need to select the best indirect form from the given options. Concept / Approach: When converting direct speech containing should into indirect speech, the modal should usually remains unchanged because it already expresses a kind of past independent modality that is not tied to a specific time frame in the same way as simple present or past forms. The verb said to with an object is normally replaced by told with that plus a clause. Therefore, the correct indirect sentence should have I told you that followed by he should not be trusted. Changing should to cannot or shall not would modify the meaning and is not required by the rules of reported speech. Step-by-Step Solution: First, identify the two parts of the direct sentence: the reporting part I said to you and the content He should not be trusted. Second, change said to you into told you, which is the usual reporting verb structure when there is a direct object. Third, introduce the reported clause with that and keep the pronoun he as it is, since the person being discussed does not change. Fourth, keep the modal should because it expresses advice or recommendation and does not need tense backshift. Fifth, combine these elements to form I told you that he should not be trusted. Verification / Alternative check: To check, convert the candidate indirect sentence back into direct speech. From I told you that he should not be trusted we can recover I said to you, "He should not be trusted". The meaning and modal force are the same, and the only structural change is the use of told instead of said to and the addition of that. This symmetry confirms that the indirect sentence preserves the original sense of warning or advice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, I said to you do not trust him, is awkward because it does not use that and still tries to keep an imperative structure, which is not the same as the original modal statement. Option B, I told you that he cannot be trusted, changes should not be trusted to cannot be trusted, which is stronger and states an absolute impossibility rather than a recommendation or judgement. Option C, I told you he shall not be trusted, uses shall not, which sounds formal and future oriented, and again shifts the meaning away from advice toward a prediction or decision. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes think that all modal verbs must change in reported speech, but should, could, might, and ought to often remain unchanged because they do not refer directly to a specific time. Another pitfall is to over generalise the use of cannot and shall not in indirect statements, which alters the degree of obligation or possibility expressed by the original sentence. It is essential to respect the meaning encoded by the modal word when converting between direct and indirect forms. Final Answer: The indirect sentence that accurately reports the warning while preserving the modal should is I told you that he should not be trusted.

Question 7

In this reported speech question, the direct sentence is The clerk said to the visitor, "Shall I ask these people to wait for you", and you must select the indirect version that correctly reports this offer or suggestion. Choose the option that best…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question examines the conversion of a direct yes or no question with shall into indirect speech. The clerk is making an offer or suggestion by asking Shall I ask these people to wait for you. In indirect speech, such questions usually become if clauses with should rather than shall, as should is typically used to express polite offers or suggestions in reported form. The reporting verb asked the visitor introduces the indirect question. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct speech: The clerk said to the visitor, "Shall I ask these people to wait for you". The structure is a yes or no question with shall I as the auxiliary. The reporting verb said to becomes asked in indirect speech. The pronouns and demonstratives may change: these people may become those people, and you may become him. Concept / Approach: When reporting a question with shall I, which expresses an offer or suggestion, English often uses should in the indirect form. The question form with inversion shall I ask becomes a statement form introduced by if, such as if he should ask. The pronoun I becomes he, referring to the clerk, and you becomes him, referring to the visitor. Demonstratives often shift according to distance, so these people can become those people. Therefore, our task is to select the option that uses asked the visitor if he should ask those people to wait for him, preserving the meaning and applying the usual changes. Step-by-Step Solution: First, identify the main components: the reporting clause The clerk said to the visitor and the question Shall I ask these people to wait for you. Second, change said to into asked to reflect that a question is being reported. Third, transform the question into an if clause and replace shall with should, in line with standard reported speech for offers. Fourth, shift pronouns: I becomes he (the clerk) and you becomes him (the visitor), while these people changes to those people. Fifth, assemble the indirect sentence as The clerk asked the visitor if he should ask those people to wait for him. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, imagine the indirect sentence being converted back to direct speech. From The clerk asked the visitor if he should ask those people to wait for him you can reconstruct The clerk said to the visitor, "Shall I ask these people to wait for you". The pronoun shifts and demonstrative changes reverse naturally, and should returns to shall as the auxiliary of the direct question. This back conversion shows that the chosen indirect form accurately represents the original meaning and structure. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B, The clerk asked the visitor if he shall ask these people to said for him, contains grammatical errors, including shall in reported speech and the incorrect phrase to said for him. Option C, The clerk asked the visitor if he had asked those people to wait for him, changes the time reference and implies a past completed action instead of an offer about a future action. Option D, The clerk told the visitor that he should ask these people to wait for him, reports a statement rather than a question and does not use if to introduce the indirect question, so it does not match the original form. Common Pitfalls: Learners often forget to change shall to should in reported questions, or they fail to adjust pronouns and demonstratives according to the new point of view. Another common error is to report questions as statements by dropping the if or whether marker. Practising with multiple examples of shall I questions and their indirect forms helps in mastering this pattern. Final Answer: The correct indirect form that reports the clerk's offer or suggestion is The clerk asked the visitor if he should ask those people to wait for him.

Question 8

In this reported speech question, the direct sentence is Robin said to Peg, "Are you listening? Do not be thick", and you must choose the indirect version that correctly reports both the yes or no question and the negative imperative. Select the opt…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question combines the reporting of a yes or no question with the reporting of a negative command. Robin first checks whether Peg is listening and then tells Peg not to be thick, which is an informal way of saying not to be dull or foolish. In indirect speech, the question Are you listening is converted into an if clause, and the imperative Do not be thick is expressed using a reporting verb such as advised and the infinitive not to be thick. The correct answer must capture both elements in a single sentence. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct sentences: "Are you listening" and "Do not be thick". Reporting clause: Robin said to Peg. The task is to express both the question and the command in indirect speech. Pronouns may need adjustment, but the context suggests he refers to Peg. Concept / Approach: For yes or no questions, the usual pattern in reported speech is asked plus if or whether and a clause in normal word order: if he was listening. For negative imperatives, we often use a reporting verb such as told, ordered, or advised plus not to and the base form of the verb: not to be thick. Since Robin is speaking to Peg and telling him not to behave in a foolish way, a verb like advised captures the sense of strong suggestion or warning. The correct answer needs to combine asked for the question and advised for the command, while joining them with and. Step-by-Step Solution: First, convert the question Are you listening into indirect form: Robin asked Peg if he was listening, keeping the verb in the past continuous because said is in the past. Second, convert the imperative Do not be thick into a negative infinitive clause: and advised him not to be thick. Third, join the two parts into a single sentence that reflects both aspects of Robin's speech. Fourth, make sure the pronoun he clearly refers to Peg and the verbs asked and advised are appropriate reporting verbs for a question and a piece of advice. Fifth, choose the answer that reads Robin asked Peg if he was listening and advised him not to be thick. Verification / Alternative check: To check, imagine turning the indirect sentence back into direct speech. From Robin asked Peg if he was listening and advised him not to be thick we can derive Robin said to Peg, "Are you listening? Do not be thick". The indirect question if he was listening corresponds naturally to Are you listening, and advised him not to be thick returns to Do not be thick. The core meaning and tone are preserved, confirming that the choice is correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B, Robin told Peg to listen to him and not to be thick, reports only an imperative and ignores the original yes or no question Are you listening, so it does not fully reflect the original speech. Option C, Peg was asked to listen to Robin and not to be thick, changes the sentence into the passive voice and again does not make clear that there was a question plus a follow up command. Option D, Robin invited Peg to listen and not to be thick, uses invited, which is not an accurate description of the tone; invite is used for polite invitations, not for scolding or warning. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes focus only on one part of a multi part direct sentence and forget to report the other part, especially when there is both a question and a command. Another pitfall is choosing a reporting verb that does not match the tone of the original utterance. Understanding which reporting verbs go with which kinds of clauses, such as asked for questions and advised for suggestions or warnings, is key to handling such problems correctly. Final Answer: The indirect sentence that correctly reports both Robin's question and his warning is Robin asked Peg if he was listening and advised him not to be thick.

Question 9

In this reported speech question, the indirect sentence is Mother told me that I should listen to her first and then do anything as I pleased, and you must find the direct form that correctly expresses the same advice with appropriate pronouns and m…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your ability to move from indirect speech back to direct speech while correctly handling pronouns and modal verbs. The indirect sentence Mother told me that I should listen to her first and then do anything as I pleased reports advice that a mother gave to her child. To reconstruct the original direct speech, we must return to the second person form that the mother used and adjust pronouns and verbs so that the sentence sounds natural when spoken directly. Given Data / Assumptions: Indirect speech: Mother told me that I should listen to her first and then do anything as I pleased. The reporting verb is told in the past. The reported clause contains I should listen to her and do anything as I pleased. In direct speech, Mother would address her child as you, not I. Concept / Approach: When converting from indirect to direct speech, the first person pronoun I in the reported clause may become you if the original speaker was addressing another person, as is the case here. The pronoun her referring to Mother becomes me in direct speech because Mother speaks about herself. The phrase as I pleased is a backshifted form of as you please. The modal should remains the same in direct speech. The aim is to reconstruct a sentence that a mother would naturally say to her child, which is You should listen to me first and then do anything as you please. Step-by-Step Solution: First, observe that Mother told me marks the child as the listener and Mother as the speaker. Second, note that in indirect speech the clause uses I should listen to her, where I refers to the child and her refers to Mother. Third, convert I back to you and her back to me to reflect Mother speaking directly. Fourth, change as I pleased to as you please, reversing the backshift so that it again refers directly to the child in the present like normal advice. Fifth, insert these adjustments into the direct quote: Mother said to me, "You should listen to me first and then do anything as you please." Verification / Alternative check: To verify, convert the candidate direct sentence back into indirect speech. From Mother said to me, "You should listen to me first and then do anything as you please" we would write Mother told me that I should listen to her first and then do anything as I pleased. You becomes I, me becomes her, and the present form please becomes the backshifted form pleased. This matches the given indirect sentence, which confirms that the reconstructed direct sentence is correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, with I should listen to me first, is illogical because a speaker normally does not tell someone I should listen to me; the pronouns are incorrectly aligned. Option B, with He should listen to her first, introduces third person pronouns he and her, which do not fit the original relationship where Mother is speaking directly to her child. Option C, "You should listen to me first and then do anything I pleased", keeps you for the child but incorrectly keeps pleased instead of please, which would not normally be used in direct speech giving present advice. Common Pitfalls: Learners often find it difficult to reverse pronoun changes when moving from indirect to direct speech, especially when there are several pronouns in the sentence. Another common error is forgetting to reverse tense backshift for parts like as I pleased, which should return to as you please in direct speech. Practising careful tracking of who is speaking and who is being addressed helps to avoid these mistakes. Final Answer: The direct sentence that correctly reconstructs the mother's advice is Mother said to me, "You should listen to me first and then do anything as you please."

Question 10

In this reported speech question, the direct sentence is He said, "They will be using my car for the trip", and you must choose the indirect form that correctly reports this statement with appropriate changes to pronouns and the future form. Select …

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question focuses on converting a direct statement in the future continuous tense into reported speech. The speaker says, They will be using my car for the trip. In reported speech, the future form will be using normally changes to would be using when the reporting verb is in the past. In addition, the possessive pronoun my, which refers to the speaker, usually becomes his in indirect speech when the speaker is referred to in the third person as he. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct speech: He said, "They will be using my car for the trip". Reporting verb is said in the simple past. The reported clause uses future continuous: will be using. The possessive my refers to the speaker, who is identified as he in the reporting clause. Concept / Approach: When converting future forms in direct speech to reported speech with a past reporting verb, will normally changes to would. Thus will be using becomes would be using. Pronouns and possessives must also be adjusted to reflect the perspective of the reporter: my becomes his if the speaker is a male referred to as he. The subject they remains they, as it still refers to the same group. Therefore, the most accurate reported sentence will say that they would be using his car for the trip. Step-by-Step Solution: First, identify the reporting clause He said and the reported clause They will be using my car for the trip. Second, change will be using to would be using because the reporting verb is in the past, which calls for backshift of the future tense. Third, convert the possessive my to his, since the speaker is referred to as he and my car refers to his own car. Fourth, introduce the reported clause with that to form He said that they would be using his car for the trip. Fifth, check that all pronouns and verb forms now reflect the correct point of view and time relationship. Verification / Alternative check: To confirm, convert the candidate indirect sentence back to direct speech. From He said that they would be using his car for the trip we can reconstruct He said, "They will be using my car for the trip". Here, would be using becomes will be using, and his car becomes my car. This process returns us to the original direct sentence, which indicates that the indirect form is correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, He said that they would be using my car for the trip, fails to change my to his, so the pronoun still reflects the speaker's immediate viewpoint and not the third person reporting perspective. Option C, He said that we will be using his car for the trip, changes the subject from they to we and does not shift will to would, which alters both the participants and the time reference. Option D, He said that they will be using my car for the trip, keeps both will and my, ignoring the usual tense backshift and pronoun change required in reported speech with a past reporting verb. Common Pitfalls: Learners often forget to change future forms when reporting from a past viewpoint, leaving will unchanged instead of converting it to would. Another common difficulty is correctly changing personal and possessive pronouns, especially my and your, which must be interpreted relative to the original speaker and listener. Careful attention to these shifts is necessary to produce accurate reported speech in examinations. Final Answer: The correct indirect sentence that applies both tense and pronoun changes properly is He said that they would be using his car for the trip.

Question 11

In this reported speech question, the direct sentence is The wayfarer said to me, "Do you know the way to the Asiad village", and you must choose the indirect form that correctly reports this yes or no question. Select the alternative that best expr…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question concerns the reporting of a yes or no question in simple present tense. The wayfarer directly asks Do you know the way to the Asiad village. In indirect speech, such questions are usually introduced by asked plus if or whether, followed by a clause in normal statement order. The tense may shift from simple present to simple past because the reporting verb is in the past, and the pronouns must be adjusted to fit the new point of view. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct speech: The wayfarer said to me, "Do you know the way to the Asiad village". The reporting verb is said to, which will normally become asked in indirect speech. The question is in simple present tense: do you know. The pronoun you refers to me, the listener in the reporting clause. Concept / Approach: For yes or no questions in reported speech, the structure is asked plus if or whether plus clause. The auxiliary do disappears, and we use normal subject verb order: if I knew. Because the reporting verb is in the past (said to), the simple present know usually becomes simple past knew in the reported clause. The pronoun you turns into I, because the person being asked now tells the story. Therefore, the correct indirect sentence should be The wayfarer asked me if I knew the way to the Asiad village. Step-by-Step Solution: First, change said to me to asked me to show that a question is being reported. Second, introduce the reported question with if, because the original is a yes or no question. Third, transform do you know into normal statement order with tense backshift, giving I knew instead of do you know. Fourth, keep the rest of the sentence the same, as the Asiad village remains the destination mentioned. Fifth, combine these elements to form The wayfarer asked me if I knew the way to the Asiad village. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, convert the candidate indirect sentence back to direct speech. From The wayfarer asked me if I knew the way to the Asiad village we can reconstruct The wayfarer said to me, "Do you know the way to the Asiad village". The pronoun I returns to you, and the simple past knew returns to simple present know, while if is replaced by the auxiliary do in the question. This symmetry shows that the indirect sentence accurately represents the original question. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, The wayfarer asked me if I did know the way to the Asiad village, uses did know, which gives an unnecessary emphasis and is not the usual pattern for reported yes or no questions; simple knew is preferred. Option C, The wayfarer asked me if he knew the way to the Asiad village, changes the pronoun from I to he, incorrectly suggesting that the wayfarer was asking about his own knowledge rather than mine. Option D, The wayfarer asked me that if I knew the way to the Asiad village, is ungrammatical because that and if are not used together in this way in reported questions. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes keep the auxiliary do or does in reported questions, leading to forms like if I do know, which is incorrect. Another frequent mistake is forgetting to change pronouns and tenses to match the new perspective and time frame. Using a clear rule that yes or no questions become if or whether plus subject and verb in normal order greatly reduces such errors. Final Answer: The indirect question that correctly reports the wayfarer's enquiry is The wayfarer asked me if I knew the way to the Asiad village.

Question 12

In the following question, a sentence is given in Direct speech. Out of the four alternatives, select the option that best expresses the same sentence in Indirect (reported) speech: He has just said, "My son will be back on Friday."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests the rules of converting a sentence from Direct speech to Indirect (reported) speech when the reporting verb is in the present perfect tense. The direct sentence is: He has just said, "My son will be back on Friday." You must identify which option correctly reports this sentence without changing the meaning, tense, or time reference. Given Data / Assumptions: - Reporting clause: He has just said. - Reported clause: "My son will be back on Friday." - Reporting verb tense: present perfect (has said). - Speaker is "he", and the owner of "my son" is also "he". - The future time expression is "on Friday". Concept / Approach: When the reporting verb is in the present or present perfect tense, the tense inside the reported clause usually does not change. The quoted future form "will be back" therefore remains "will be back" in Indirect speech. However, pronouns and possessives need to be adjusted according to the perspective of the reporter. The first person pronoun or possessive "my" changes according to the subject of the reporting verb. Here "my son" must become "his son" because "he" is the speaker. Time expressions like "on Friday" remain the same because the time reference has not shifted. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the reporting verb and its tense: "has just said" is in the present perfect, so no tense backshift is needed. Step 2: Remove the quotation marks and introduce the conjunction "that" to connect the clauses. Step 3: Change the pronoun "my" to "his" because the speaker is "he" and he talks about his own son. Step 4: Keep the future tense "will be back" unchanged, as the reporting verb is not in the past. Step 5: Keep the time expression "on Friday" as it is because the reference point is still current. Step 6: The correct reported sentence becomes: He has just said that his son will be back on Friday. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, convert the correct Indirect sentence back to Direct speech. From "He has just said that his son will be back on Friday", we can reconstruct: He has just said, "My son will be back on Friday." The tense, time expression, and meaning all match the original sentence. This confirms that the structure and pronoun change are correct. None of the other options give this exact reversible relationship while preserving grammar and sense. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A uses "my son", which wrongly suggests the listener is the speaker, not "he". Option C replaces "will" with "shall", which changes the original auxiliary and is not required in this transformation. Option D changes "will be back" to "would have been back next Friday", which alters both the tense and the time reference and completely changes the meaning. Common Pitfalls: Learners often think that the tense must always change when going from Direct to Indirect speech. In reality, when the reporting verb is in the present or present perfect, the tense inside the reported part usually stays the same. Another frequent error is to forget to shift the possessive pronoun from "my" to "his" or "her" depending on the subject of the reporting verb. Confusing time expressions like "Friday", "that day", or "the next day" is also common. Always check whether the point of reference for time has actually moved into the past before changing these expressions. Final Answer: He has just said that his son will be back on Friday.

Question 13

In the following question, a sentence is given in Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives, select the option that correctly expresses the same idea in Direct speech: The doctor advised the patients to give up smoking.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks your understanding of how to convert a sentence from Indirect speech back into Direct speech. The given Indirect sentence is: The doctor advised the patients to give up smoking. You must decide which Direct speech sentence most naturally and accurately leads to this reported form, while preserving the intention of advice and the reference to the patients. Given Data / Assumptions: - Reporting verb: advised (past tense, expresses advice). - Indirect structure: advised the patients to give up smoking. - The message is a strong recommendation, not a question or simple statement of fact. - The addressees are "the patients" in plural. Concept / Approach: When an Indirect sentence uses a structure like "advised someone to do something", it often comes from a Direct speech sentence using modal verbs such as "should", "must", or sometimes from an imperative form. The nature of the reporting verb "advised" suggests polite but firm recommendation rather than a direct command. Therefore, a sentence like "You should give up smoking" is a very natural source for the reported sentence. The subject "you" refers collectively to the patients, and the modal "should" aligns neatly with the idea of advice. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the core idea: the doctor recommends the action of giving up smoking. Step 2: Recognise that "advised the patients to give up smoking" is a typical reporting of "You should give up smoking." Step 3: Reconstruct the Direct speech with the doctor speaking to the patients in the second person plural: "You should give up smoking." Step 4: Add the reporting clause in the correct pattern for Direct speech: The doctor said to the patients, "You should give up smoking." Step 5: Check that this, when reported, becomes: The doctor advised the patients to give up smoking. Verification / Alternative check: If we start from option B, "The doctor said to the patients, "You should give up smoking.", and convert it to Indirect speech, we obtain: The doctor advised the patients to give up smoking. This matches the given sentence exactly in meaning. Neither the relationship between speaker and listeners, nor the nature of the advice, nor the action itself changes. Thus option B is fully consistent with the target Indirect form. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A is in the form of a question starting with "Why do not you", which would usually be reported with a "why" clause, not "advised to". Option C is a direct imperative command "Give up smoking.", which is usually reported as "ordered" or "told" rather than "advised", suggesting a different tone. Option D introduces "I am advising you", which would typically become "said that he was advising" plus an object clause, not the compact "advised the patients to give up smoking". Common Pitfalls: Students often treat all transformations from Indirect to Direct speech as purely mechanical and ignore the nuance of the reporting verb. "Advised" implies recommendation, not interrogation or strict command. Another common mistake is ignoring the match between the structure "to give up smoking" and the Direct speech modal "should". Paying attention to the tone of the verb (advised, ordered, requested, suggested) helps you choose or construct the correct Direct speech sentence in exams. Final Answer: The doctor said to the patients, "You should give up smoking."

Question 14

In the following question, a sentence is given in Direct speech. Out of the four alternatives, select the option that best expresses the same sentence in Indirect (reported) speech: She said to me, "What can I do for you, dear?"

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question examines how to convert an interrogative sentence from Direct speech to Indirect speech. The original sentence is: She said to me, "What can I do for you, dear?" You must understand how to handle question word "what", auxiliary verb "can", the change of tense, and the affectionate tone expressed in the sentence. Given Data / Assumptions: - Reporting clause: She said to me. - Reported question: "What can I do for you, dear?" - Interrogative word: what. - Modal verb: can, in the present tense. - The tone is affectionate, shown by the word "dear". Concept / Approach: When a Direct question begins with a question word such as "what", "why", "when", or "how", the same word is used to introduce the reported clause. Therefore, we keep the word "what" and do not introduce "if" or "whether". Because the reporting verb "said" is in the past tense, the auxiliary "can" usually changes to "could". The word order must become that of a statement: subject followed by verb, not verb followed by subject. We also preserve the sense of affection with an adverb such as "affectionately". Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Change "said to me" to the reporting verb for a question: "asked me". Step 2: Retain the question word "what" to introduce the reported clause. Step 3: Change the first person pronoun "I" (referring to "she") into "she" in Indirect speech. Step 4: Change the modal "can" to "could" because the reporting verb is in the past tense. Step 5: Use statement word order: subject "she" before modal "could". Step 6: Add the phrase "for me" at the end and keep the adverb "affectionately" to show tone. Verification / Alternative check: The resulting sentence is: She asked me affectionately what she could do for me. If we change this back to Direct speech, we arrive at a natural form such as: She said to me, "What can I do for you, dear?" The structure, meaning, and politeness remain intact. The shift in modal verb from "can" to "could" is expected due to backshifting when the reporting verb is in the past tense. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A uses the incorrect word order "what could she do for me", which still sounds like a question rather than reported speech; however, the main problem is that in reported clauses, the subject normally precedes the auxiliary without inversion. Option C keeps "can" instead of changing it to "could", ignoring the required backshift of tense. Option D changes the structure to "if she could do anything for me", which does not directly match the "what" question structure of the original sentence. Common Pitfalls: Students often forget that question word clauses in reported speech follow the order of a normal statement, not the inversion used in direct questions. Another frequent mistake is failing to backshift modal verbs like "can" to "could" when the reporting verb is in the past. Additionally, learners sometimes omit important discourse markers such as "affectionately", which carry tonal information useful in competitive exam questions focused on accurate reporting of speech. Final Answer: She asked me affectionately what she could do for me.

Question 15

In the following question, a sentence is given in Direct speech. Out of the four alternatives, select the option that best expresses the same sentence in Indirect (reported) speech: The teacher said to the boys, "Can you sit still and do your work?"

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question focuses on converting a yes or no question from Direct speech to Indirect speech. The original sentence is: The teacher said to the boys, "Can you sit still and do your work?" You need to apply the rules for reporting questions that begin with an auxiliary verb and require an "if" or "whether" clause in Indirect speech. Given Data / Assumptions: - Reporting clause: The teacher said to the boys. - Reported question: "Can you sit still and do your work?" - The question expects a yes or no reply. - Auxiliary verb: can. - The subject "you" refers to the boys. Concept / Approach: Yes or no questions in Indirect speech are introduced with "if" or "whether" instead of repeating the question word order. When the reporting verb is in the past tense ("said"), the auxiliary "can" often changes to "could". The structure becomes that of a statement, with subject before auxiliary. Because the sentence expresses a question about ability and behaviour, the tone remains interrogative in meaning but not in grammatical form. The reporting verb "said to" changes to "asked" to show that a question is being reported. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Replace "said to" with "asked" because a question is being reported. Step 2: Introduce the reported clause with "if" since it is a yes or no question. Step 3: Change the pronoun "you" into "they" because it refers to the boys collectively. Step 4: Backshift the modal "can" to "could" in keeping with the past tense reporting verb. Step 5: Use statement word order: subject "they" followed by "could", and include the rest of the predicate "sit still and do their work". Step 6: The final reported sentence is: The teacher asked the boys if they could sit still and do their work. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, convert the Indirect sentence back into Direct speech. From "The teacher asked the boys if they could sit still and do their work", we can reconstruct: The teacher said to the boys, "Can you sit still and do your work?" The meaning and relationship between teacher and students remain the same, and the structure is appropriate for an exam question on reported speech. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A uses "told" instead of "asked" and the word "whether", but the structure "told whether" is incorrect for reporting a question. Option B is grammatically faulty and still has a quasi-direct word order "can't they", which is not the correct reported form. Option C completely drops the question structure and only keeps a request to sit still, omitting "do their work" and losing the interrogative meaning. Common Pitfalls: Many learners forget to change the reporting verb from "said" to "asked" when converting questions. Another frequent mistake is keeping the original question word order, such as "could they", while also misplacing "if" or "whether". It is also common to forget to shift "can" to "could" when the reporting verb is in the past tense. Always check whether the original is a yes or no question; if it is, introduce the reported clause with "if" or "whether" and then follow normal statement order. Final Answer: The teacher asked the boys if they could sit still and do their work.

Question 16

In the following question, a sentence is given in Direct speech. Out of the four alternatives, select the option that best expresses the same sentence in Indirect (reported) speech: Ritu said to you, "You are looking very pretty."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question examines how to convert a present continuous compliment in Direct speech into Indirect speech. The direct sentence is: Ritu said to you, "You are looking very pretty." You must pay attention to the change of pronouns, the tense shift, and the introduction of the conjunction "that". Given Data / Assumptions: - Reporting clause: Ritu said to you. - Reported clause: "You are looking very pretty." - Tense in the reported clause: present continuous (are looking). - The listener is "you", who is also the person being complimented. Concept / Approach: When the reporting verb is in the past tense ("said"), a present continuous form in the reported speech usually changes to its past continuous counterpart in Indirect speech. The pronoun "you" in the quoted words refers to the person addressed by Ritu; in reported form, that person is still "you" from the perspective of the narrator. The verb "said to" is often changed to "told" when followed directly by an object pronoun. The conjunction "that" is used to introduce the reported clause in a clear and formal way, which is typical in exam-style questions. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Change "said to you" into "told you" to make the reporting clause more natural. Step 2: Introduce the reported clause with "that". Step 3: Keep the pronoun "you" because in the reporting context the listener is still addressed as "you". Step 4: Change the tense of "are looking" (present continuous) to "were looking" (past continuous) because the reporting verb is in the past. Step 5: Keep the complement "very pretty" unchanged, as it is simply an adjective phrase. Step 6: The final reported sentence becomes: Ritu told you that you were looking very pretty. Verification / Alternative check: If we convert the Indirect sentence "Ritu told you that you were looking very pretty" back into Direct speech, we get: Ritu said to you, "You are looking very pretty." The compliment, the person receiving it, and the general sense of time are all preserved. This confirms that the transformation follows the standard rule of backshifting continuous tenses when the reporting verb is in the past. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B changes the pronoun in the reported clause to "I", which incorrectly suggests that Ritu was complimenting herself. Option C uses "she" as the subject of the compliment in the reported clause, again suggesting Ritu is talking about herself, which is not true. Option D does not backshift "are looking" to "were looking" even though the reporting verb "told" is in the past; this breaks the standard sequence of tenses. Common Pitfalls: Students often get confused about the pronoun "you" in reported speech. The correct choice depends on who "you" refers to: it can become "I", "we", "he", "she", "they", or stay "you". Another pitfall is to forget backshifting from present continuous to past continuous when the reporting verb is in the past. In exam questions, paying attention to who is speaking to whom and at what time helps you avoid these typical mistakes. Final Answer: Ritu told you that you were looking very pretty.

Question 17

In the following question, a sentence is given in Direct speech. Out of the four alternatives, select the option that best expresses the same sentence in Indirect (reported) speech: He said to me, "Please be kind and help me."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests the rules for reporting polite requests in Indirect speech. The original sentence is: He said to me, "Please be kind and help me." You must understand how the word "please" is handled, how "said to" changes, and how the infinitive structure is used to express the request. Given Data / Assumptions: - Reporting clause: He said to me. - Reported words: "Please be kind and help me." - Tone: polite request (indicated by "please"). - The person being addressed is "me". Concept / Approach: When a Direct speech sentence expresses a request or plea, the reporting verb is usually changed from "said to" to "requested", "begged", or a similar verb that reflects politeness. The word "please" is normally dropped, and its sense is carried by the verb "requested". The rest of the sentence is typically restructured using an infinitive construction such as "to be kind and help him". The pronoun "me" becomes "him" inside the reported clause because "he" refers back to the original speaker and "me" refers to that same person when mentioned indirectly. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Replace "said to me" with "requested me" to show that a request is being reported. Step 2: Omit "please" and let the verb "requested" carry the polite tone. Step 3: Convert the imperative "be kind and help me" into the infinitive structure "to be kind and help him". Step 4: Change the pronoun "me" to "him" to refer back to the speaker "he". Step 5: Combine the elements into a single reported sentence: He requested me to be kind and help him. Verification / Alternative check: To check correctness, imagine converting the Indirect sentence "He requested me to be kind and help him" back to Direct speech. A natural reconstruction is: He said to me, "Please be kind and help me." The core meaning of a polite request for assistance is preserved, and the pronouns all point to the correct participants in the conversation. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A uses "requested to me", which is grammatically incorrect; the verb "request" takes a direct object, so it should be "requested me". Option B keeps "told me" with "kindly help him", which does not clearly express the polite request "be kind and help me" and slightly alters the nuance. Option C has awkward phrasing: "to be kind to help him" is not idiomatic and does not flow naturally in English. Common Pitfalls: Exam candidates often either keep "please" in the reported clause or forget to change "said to" into a more suitable reporting verb like "requested" or "begged". Another common error is mishandling pronouns: the first person or object pronouns in the Direct speech must be changed according to who is speaking and who is reporting. Remember that requests and commands are usually reported with an infinitive construction ("to do something") instead of a full finite clause. Final Answer: He requested me to be kind and help him.

Question 18

In the following question, a sentence is given in Direct speech. Out of the four alternatives, select the option that best expresses the same sentence in Indirect (reported) speech: He said to Raina, "I cannot marry you now but I shall surely do so …

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question deals with reporting a complex statement about future intention and inability. The direct sentence is: He said to Raina, "I cannot marry you now but I shall surely do so next year." The task is to apply the rules of tense backshifting, pronoun change, and time expression change correctly while keeping the promise and contrast intact in Indirect speech. Given Data / Assumptions: - Reporting clause: He said to Raina. - Reported clause: "I cannot marry you now but I shall surely do so next year." - Tenses: present modal "cannot", future modal "shall". - Relationship: "I" refers to "he"; "you" refers to Raina. - Time expressions: "now" and "next year". Concept / Approach: Because the reporting verb "said" is in the past tense, we normally backshift modals where possible. "Cannot" becomes "could not", and "shall" usually becomes "would". Pronouns must be adjusted: "I" changes to "he"; "you" changes to "her" because Raina is a female object of the verb "marry". Time expressions also change relative to the time of reporting: "now" becomes "then", and "next year" becomes "the following year". The conjunction "that" is used after "told" to introduce the reported clause. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Change "said to Raina" to "told Raina" for natural reported speech with an object. Step 2: Introduce the clause with "that". Step 3: Replace "I" with "he" and "you" with "her". Step 4: Change "cannot marry" to "could not marry" due to backshift of "can" to "could". Step 5: Replace "now" with "then" because the time of speaking is in the past. Step 6: Backshift "shall" to "would" and keep "do so" to refer to marrying. Step 7: Change "next year" to "the following year" to reflect the time from the past point of view. Step 8: The complete reported sentence becomes: He told Raina that he could not marry her then but he would surely do so the following year. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, convert the Indirect sentence back into Direct speech. From "He told Raina that he could not marry her then but he would surely do so the following year", we reconstruct: He said to Raina, "I cannot marry you now but I shall surely do so next year." All key parts match: inability at the present moment, a promise for the future, and correct participants. The time expressions and modal verbs line up when we adjust for the point of reference. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A keeps "cannot" instead of "could not", so it fails to backshift the modal and also looks inconsistent with the past reporting verb. Option B awkwardly says "he told her that he could not marry Raina", which suggests that Raina is a third person instead of the listener, creating confusion. Option D changes the meaning by stating "he would not marry her then", which suggests refusal rather than inability, and this is different from "cannot marry you now". Common Pitfalls: Candidates often forget to change time expressions such as "now", "tomorrow", or "next year" when reporting statements from the past. They also mix up the meanings of "cannot" versus "will not" or "would not", which changes the nuance from inability to refusal. Another frequent issue is incorrect pronoun reference when the reported sentence involves two people, such as a man speaking to a woman about marrying her. Mapping each pronoun to its correct referent is critical in reported speech questions. Final Answer: He told Raina that he could not marry her then but he would surely do so the following year.

Question 19

In the following question, a sentence is given in Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives, select the option that correctly expresses the same idea in Direct speech: He told Pawan that they should have tried harder.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question asks you to transform an Indirect statement into its most likely Direct speech form. The Indirect sentence is: He told Pawan that they should have tried harder. You must determine which Direct sentence, when reported, naturally gives this Indirect version, taking into account the modal verb "should have" and the subject reference "they". Given Data / Assumptions: - Reporting verb: told (past tense). - Listener: Pawan. - Reported idea: they should have tried harder. - The subject "they" may represent a group including or associated with the speaker. Concept / Approach: In Indirect speech, "told someone that they should have tried harder" typically comes from a Direct sentence using "we should have tried harder" or "they should have tried harder", depending on the context. Because Pawan is the addressee, the speaker is most likely including Pawan in the group by using "we". The Direct version would therefore typically be: He said to Pawan, "We should have tried harder." This uses first person plural, which can be reported as "they" from an external narrator's viewpoint. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the core reported meaning: a regret that more effort was needed. Step 2: Recognise that "should have tried harder" expresses a past obligation that was not fulfilled. Step 3: Choose a Direct speech sentence that uses the first person plural "we" when the speaker talks to Pawan. Step 4: Formulate the Direct sentence: He said to Pawan, "We should have tried harder." Step 5: Check that when this sentence is reported, it can reasonably become: He told Pawan that they should have tried harder. Verification / Alternative check: Starting from option A, "He said to Pawan, "We should have tried harder.", the reported form is: He told Pawan that they should have tried harder. The first person plural "we" changes to "they" from the perspective of an outside narrator. The modal phrase "should have tried harder" remains unchanged in meaning. Thus option A aligns perfectly with the given Indirect sentence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B makes the subject "you", which would be reported as "Pawan should have tried harder", not "they should have tried harder". Option C is a question with a tag "do not you think", which would lead to a different reporting structure involving a question, not the simple "told Pawan that they should have tried harder". Option D, "we had tried harder", suggests that they actually did try harder, which contradicts the idea of regret expressed by "should have tried harder". Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes ignore the subtle difference between "should have done" (obligation or expectation not met) and "had done" (action actually completed). Another typical mistake is to misinterpret the pronoun "they" in Indirect speech and choose a Direct sentence with "you" or another pronoun that would not map correctly when reported. Always visualise who is speaking, who is listening, and which group the speaker includes when using pronouns like "we" and "they". Final Answer: He said to Pawan, "We should have tried harder."

Question 20

In the following question, a sentence is given in Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives, select the option that correctly expresses the same idea in Direct speech: They told me that they had been befooled by those men.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question requires you to convert an Indirect narrative sentence back into Direct speech. The Indirect sentence is: They told me that they had been befooled by those men. You need to select the Direct sentence that most naturally corresponds to this reported form, taking into account tense changes and demonstrative pronouns such as "these" and "those". Given Data / Assumptions: - Reporting verb: told (past tense). - Listener: me. - Reported idea: they had been befooled by those men. - Tense in reported clause: past perfect passive ("had been befooled"). Concept / Approach: When a Direct past simple passive sentence like "We were befooled by these men" is reported from the past, it typically changes to the past perfect passive: "they had been befooled by those men". The subject "we" in Direct speech becomes "they" from an outside narrator's point of view, and the demonstrative "these" usually shifts to "those" to reflect the distance in time or perspective. Therefore, we should look for a Direct sentence with "We were befooled by these men." spoken by "they" to "me". Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recognise that "had been befooled" in Indirect speech often comes from "were befooled" in Direct speech. Step 2: Replace "they" (reported subject) with "we" in the Direct sentence, because the original speakers refer to themselves. Step 3: Use the past simple passive: "were befooled". Step 4: Change "those men" back to "these men", since the people are likely present or near in the original conversation. Step 5: Add the reporting clause: They said to me, "We were befooled by these men." Verification / Alternative check: Reporting the Direct sentence "They said to me, "We were befooled by these men.", we obtain: They told me that they had been befooled by those men. "We" changes to "they", "were befooled" changes to "had been befooled", and "these" changes to "those". This matches the given Indirect sentence very closely, confirming option A as correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B has "They had befooled us", which makes "those men" the subject and changes the structure from passive to active. Option C uses the present perfect passive "have been befooled", which would be reported differently and would not normally become "had been befooled" with the same nuance. Option D uses the present simple passive "are befooled", again not matching the past perfect passive used in the Indirect sentence. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes ignore whether a sentence is in the active or passive voice when moving between Direct and Indirect speech. They also forget that demonstrative pronouns like "this" and "these" often become "that" and "those" in reported form. Another typical error is to mix up tenses, for example reporting "were" as "were" instead of "had been" when the reporting verb is in the past. Always check whether the event clearly occurred before the time of reporting, in which case the past perfect often appears in Indirect speech. Final Answer: They said to me, "We were befooled by these men."

English Questions