Select the correct option for the Direct Speech conversion of the sentence below.
The primatologist pointed out that grooming behaviour would diminish if the troop hierarchy were destabilised.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The primatologist said, "Grooming behaviour would diminish if the troop hierarchy were destabilised."
Explanation:
Indirect speech:
The primatologist pointed out that grooming behaviour would diminish if the troop hierarchy were destabilised.
To convert into direct speech:
Keep the same tense (would diminish)
Remove “that”
Maintain the conditional structure
Other options:
B → changes tense (will / is)
C → changes to past perfect condition
D → incorrect modal (“must”)
Hindi meaning:
प्राइमेटोलॉजिस्ट ने कहा, “यदि समूह की संरचना अस्थिर हो जाए, तो ग्रूमिंग व्यवहार कम हो जाएगा।”