English · Narrations
Work through this past-paper style MCQ, then read the full explanation. Practice more english questions on mMCQ with adaptive practice and topic analytics.
Choose the correct indirect speech:
She said, “What a lovely dress it is.”
- A
She exclaimed that it is a lovely dress.
- B
She exclaimed that it was a lovely dress.
- C
She exclaimed that what a lovely dress it was.
- D
She exclaimed what a lovely dress it is.
In indirect speech, the tense of the verb usually shifts back to reflect the fact that the reporting is happening after the original speech. As a result, 'is' becomes 'was'. Additionally, exclamatory sentences are often reported by using verbs like 'exclaimed' and converting the sentence into a statement. The correct answer, Option B, successfully makes these adjustments. Option A fails to change the verb tense. Option C improperly retains the exclamatory form. Option D also fails to change the verb tense and retains the exclamatory structure.
This option is incorrect because the verb 'is' should be changed to the past tense 'was' to match the rules of indirect speech conversion.
This is the correct option because it properly converts the direct speech into indirect speech by changing the verb 'is' to 'was' and restructuring the sentence as an exclamatory statement.
This option is incorrect because it retains the exclamatory form 'what a lovely dress' which should be restructured in indirect speech.
This option is incorrect as it fails to convert the verb 'is' to the past tense 'was', and it also retains the exclamatory form.
Tagged under English · Narrations · 2018