In the following question, a sentence is given in Indirect speech. Choose the option that best expresses the same idea in Direct speech. Salim told Ajay that he would return the book to him the next day.

Introduction / Context:
This item focuses on changing reported speech about a future action back into Direct speech. The sentence is about Salim promising or stating that he will return a book to Ajay on the day after the day of speaking. The test checks whether you can correctly restore pronouns, time expressions, and word order in the Direct form while maintaining the original meaning of the promise.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Indirect speech: Salim told Ajay that he would return the book to him the next day.
• Salim is the speaker in Direct speech, and Ajay is the listener.
• "He would return the book" is the reported future in the past form.
• "The next day" is the reported form of "tomorrow" in Direct speech.
• We assume Salim is directly addressing Ajay while speaking.

Concept / Approach:
When converting from Indirect to Direct speech, "would" normally changes back to "will" for future actions, and expressions like "the next day" change back to "tomorrow". Pronouns "he" and "him" are replaced with "I" and "you" because Salim talks about himself and addresses Ajay. Direct speech also uses a vocative form "Ajay," at the beginning to show that the speaker is talking to him directly. The reporting verb "told Ajay" corresponds to a pattern such as "Ajay, ...," said Salim. in Direct speech.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Read the resulting sentence and check if it naturally matches the meaning of the original reported sentence. The new Direct speech clearly shows who is speaking, to whom, and what promise is being made. The time reference "tomorrow" correctly corresponds to "the next day" and the future auxiliary "will" correctly replaces "would". All pronouns are now from the immediate perspective of the conversation.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A uses "this book" and "the next day" together, which is an odd mixture because "next day" should be used in reported style, not in Direct speech. Option B has a longer progressive future "will be returning" and uses "said" instead of directly addressing Ajay in the vocative, which is not exactly what "told Ajay" suggests, though it is closer than some others. Option D completely changes the meaning by saying "Ajay will return this book to you tomorrow," which suggests someone else will return the book, not Salim. Option C most clearly reflects the original relation between Salim and Ajay and the promised action.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates often forget to change time expressions like "the next day" back to "tomorrow" and may leave "would" as it is. Another mistake is swapping pronouns incorrectly, such as writing "he will return the book to him tomorrow" in Direct speech, which does not show who is speaking to whom. Always map pronouns and time words carefully when reversing reported speech.

Final Answer:
The correct Direct speech reconstruction is "Ajay, I will return the book to you tomorrow," said Salim.