Direct and Indirect Speech — Practice Quiz

She asked if I could help her.

For yes/no questions in indirect speech: 1) Use 'if' or 'whether' to introduce the question, 2) Change 'can' to 'could' following backshift rules, 3) Change pronouns: 'you' becomes 'I', 'me' becomes 'her'. Option A keeps 'can' incorrectly, Option C doesn't use proper indirect structure, Option D uses wrong reporting verb and structure.

there

Place expressions change perspective in indirect speech. 'Here' refers to the speaker's current location in direct speech, but when reported later, it becomes 'there' from the reporter's perspective. Similarly, 'this' becomes 'that', and 'these' become 'those'. Options A, C, and D don't follow the standard conversion rules for place adverbs.

The teacher said that the sun rises in the east.

Universal truths and scientific facts remain in simple present tense even in indirect speech, regardless of the reporting verb tense. 'The sun rises in the east' is a universal truth, so it stays in present tense. Options A, C, and D incorrectly change the tense when the rule states that universal truths don't follow the backshift rule.

requested

The word 'Please' indicates politeness and a request, not a command or order. 'Requested' is the appropriate reporting verb for polite requests. 'Ordered' and 'commanded' suggest authority and force, which don't match the polite tone. 'Declared' is used for statements, not requests. The reporting verb should match the tone and intent of the original speech.