Select the option that expresses the given sentence in direct speech.
She asked me why I was not eating.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer is option 2 i.e. She said, “Why are you not eating?”
The given sentence is in indirect speech:
'She asked me why I was not eating.'
To change it into direct speech, we need to follow these steps:
Step 1: Identify the reporting verb
'Asked' is used, which introduces a question.
Step 2: Change pronouns and tense
“I” (in reported speech) becomes “you” in direct speech.
The tense “was not eating” (past continuous) changes to “are not eating” (present continuous) to reflect the original question.
So, it becomes: She said, “Why are you not eating?”
Why other options are incorrect:
“Why don’t you eat?”
This is present simple, not past continuous.
“Why am I not eating?”
Incorrect pronouns and point of view.
“Why is he not eating?”
Changes the subject from 'me' to 'he' — not accurate.