In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Indirect speech. The spectators said, "Bravo! Good hit, Jay!"

Introduction / Context:
This question tests the ability to convert an exclamatory sentence in Direct speech into an appropriate Indirect speech sentence. The original quotation includes both an exclamation of praise, Bravo, and a specific compliment, Good hit, Jay. When reporting such exclamations, English often uses reporting verbs like applauded, exclaimed, or cheered, together with a clause that summarises the praise. The task is to choose the option that best captures both the content and the tone in reported form, while maintaining correct tense.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Direct speech: The spectators said, "Bravo! Good hit, Jay!"
• Speaker: the spectators.
• Reported content: praise for Jay because of a good hit.
• Options include both past and present tenses and different reporting structures.

Concept / Approach:
When transforming exclamations like Bravo or Well done into Indirect speech, we do not usually preserve the interjection itself. Instead, we use a verb like applauded, congratulated, praised, or exclaimed, followed by a statement indicating what they praised. The reporting verb said can be replaced by a more specific verb like applauded, which fits the context of spectators reacting to a sporting action. Since said is in the past tense, the reported verb should also be in the past: applauded, not applaud. The phrase for his good hit neatly summarises the content Good hit, Jay without repeating the exclamatory structure.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the nature of the direct speech: it is an exclamation of praise directed at Jay.Step 2: choose a suitable reporting verb to replace said, such as applauded or praised, which conveys the idea of enthusiastic approval.Step 3: Maintain the past tense, because the original reporting verb is said, so the correct form is applauded, not applaud.Step 4: Summarise the exclamatory content as a statement: Jay for his good hit, indicating the reason for the applause.Step 5: This produces The spectators applauded Jay for his good hit, which matches option A.

Verification / Alternative check:
Option B, The spectators applauded Jay saying, bravo, good hit Jay, partially preserves the original exclamation but fails to change the punctuation and structure into proper Indirect speech; it still reads like a mixed direct quotation and is stylistically clumsy. Options C and D use applaud instead of applauded, shifting the tense from past to present without justification. Since the original sentence clearly refers to a completed event, the present tense is inappropriate. Among all choices, only option A correctly transforms the exclamation into a past tense report that is clear and grammatically sound.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B: Although it includes applauded, it retains the direct exclamation bravo, good hit Jay within the sentence without proper quoting or conjunction, making it more like a hybrid between direct and indirect speech than a true report. Option C: The spectators applaud Jay for his good hit uses present tense applaud, which does not match the original past context and breaks standard backshifting rules. Option D: Similar to option C, it keeps applaud in the present and adds saying, bravo, good hit Jay without restructuring the exclamation into proper reported form.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes believe that Indirect speech must always begin with that and strictly follow mechanical rules, but exclamations and imperatives are often better reported using verbs like applauded, exclaimed, or wished without that. Another pitfall is ignoring tense consistency; when the reporting verb is in the past, the main reporting clause usually also remains in the past. A useful strategy is to first summarise the emotional content in your own words as a statement and then check which option matches that summary most closely in correct tense and tone.

Final Answer:
The best Indirect speech form is The spectators applauded Jay for his good hit.