In this Direct and Indirect Speech question, choose the correct Indirect Speech form of the command: "Mother said to my sister, 'Tell him sorry right now.'"

Introduction / Context:
This question examines how to report an imperative or command in indirect speech, particularly when the expression right now is used. The direct sentence is: Mother said to my sister, "Tell him sorry right now." You must convert this into reported speech by using the correct infinitive form and by adjusting the time expression now to then.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- Speaker: Mother. - Listener: my sister. - Direct command: Tell him sorry right now. - Reporting verb: said to, in the past tense. - Time expression: right now, indicating immediate action.

Concept / Approach:
Imperatives in direct speech are reported using an infinitive structure, typically to plus the base form of the verb. So Tell him sorry becomes to tell him sorry. When the reporting verb is in the past, the time expression now usually changes to then. The phrase right now therefore becomes right then in indirect speech. We generally keep said to my sister unchanged, although in free writing we might prefer told my sister. The emphasis remains on the command.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, imagine going back to direct speech. From Mother said to my sister to tell him sorry right then, you change right then to right now and convert the infinitive to the imperative form Tell him sorry, then add quotation marks. You obtain: Mother said to my sister, "Tell him sorry right now." which is the same as the original sentence, confirming that the indirect version is correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B keeps right now instead of changing it to right then, which is not correct in normal reported speech. Option C and option D both use says, indicating present tense, but the original uses said and is clearly about a past command. Option E changes the structure to should tell, which is more of a suggestion than a direct command and keeps right now unchanged. Option A alone uses the proper infinitive structure and the correct time expression, right then, making it the best answer.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes forget that imperatives are reported with to plus verb or not to plus verb and instead try to use that followed by a finite verb. Another frequent error is leaving now unchanged, which does not fit the shifted time perspective of reported speech. It is also common to overlook the object of the reporting verb and to omit to my sister. Always pay attention to who is being instructed, the form of the command and the time expressions that need adjustment.

Final Answer:
The correct indirect speech sentence is Mother said to my sister to tell him sorry right then.