In the following question, a sentence is given in Direct speech. Choose the option that correctly expresses the same idea in Indirect speech: Rashmi said to me, "Where is the telephone exchange"?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests reported speech, also called indirect speech, focusing on reporting a question. In English, when we report a wh question, we generally use the reporting verb asked and keep the wh word, such as where, but we change the word order to that of a statement instead of a direct question. Understanding this structure is important for accurate grammar in both spoken and written English, especially in formal contexts or examinations.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Direct speech: Rashmi said to me, "Where is the telephone exchange"?
- We must convert this into indirect speech.
- The reporting verb is said to, which often becomes asked in reported questions.
- The wh word where must be retained but the auxiliary and subject order needs adjustment.

Concept / Approach:
When transforming direct wh questions into indirect speech, the following rules usually apply. First, change said to into asked if the question is genuine information seeking. Second, remove the quotation marks and connect the sentence using the wh word directly, without using that. Third, use the normal statement order subject plus verb, and, if the reporting verb is in the past, shift the tense in the reported clause where appropriate. In this case, is becomes was because the reporting verb is in the past tense said.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Replace said to me with asked me, since Rashmi is asking a question.Step 2: Remove the quotation marks and connect the reported part with the wh word where, so we start the reported clause with where.Step 3: Change the question order is the telephone exchange into the statement order the telephone exchange was.Step 4: Apply tense backshift since the reporting verb is in the past. The present tense is becomes the past tense was.Step 5: The final indirect sentence becomes Rashmi asked me where the telephone exchange was.

Verification / Alternative check:
We can verify the answer by imagining the original situation. If someone reports the conversation later, they would naturally say Rashmi asked me where the telephone exchange was. The meaning remains the same as the direct question, but there are no quotation marks and the sentence follows normal statement order. There is no need for that after asked in a wh question because the wh word already links the clauses.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Rashmi asked me that where the telephone exchange was is wrong because that is not used together with a wh word in this structure.
- Rashmi asked me where was the telephone exchange uses question order in an indirect sentence, which is incorrect. Indirect speech requires statement order subject followed by verb.
- Rashmi wanted to know where the telephone exchange was is grammatically correct but changes the reporting verb from asked to wanted to know, which is not the best direct transformation of the original said to me construction for an examination question.

Common Pitfalls:
A common error is to keep the auxiliary before the subject in reported questions, for example where was the telephone exchange, which looks like a direct question. Another mistake is to insert that after asked when a wh word is already present. Learners should also remember to make tense changes where needed when the reporting verb is in the past. Regular practice with different question types helps to internalise these patterns and avoid confusion in exams.

Final Answer:
The correct indirect speech form is Rashmi asked me where the telephone exchange was.