SSC Stenographer 2024 PYQ — Question 7

SSC Stenographer - 11/12/2024 (4:30 PM to 6:30 PM) • English • Q7

Select the option that expresses the given sentence in direct speech.
They said that they were practising for the next annual function.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Explanation

The correct answer is option 2 i.e. They said, “We are practising for the next annual function.”

Changes required:

Conjunction removal: In direct speech, “that” is removed and inverted commas (“__”) are used.
Pronoun: In indirect speech, “they” becomes “we” in direct speech because the speakers are referring to themselves.
Tense: “Were practising” (past continuous) in indirect speech changes to “are practising” (present continuous) in direct speech to reflect the original words.
Time phrase: “The next annual function” remains the same, as it refers to a future event from both perspectives.

Converted sentence: They said, “We are practising for the next annual function.”

Hence, the chosen option is correct.