Select the option that expresses the given sentence in direct speech.
The traveller asked the owner if he could stay in that tavern. The peasant replied that he could.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer is option 2 i.e. The traveller said, “Can I stay in this tavern?” The peasant replied, “You can.”
Changes required:
Conjunction removal: In direct speech, inverted commas (“__”) are used and “if” is removed.
Pronoun: In indirect speech, “he” becomes “I” in direct speech for the traveller, and “he” becomes “you” in direct speech for the peasant's reply.
Tense/Verb: “Could” in indirect becomes “can” in direct to reflect the original present/future permission.
Place word: “That tavern” becomes “this tavern” in direct speech to reflect proximity.
Converted sentence: The traveller said, “Can I stay in this tavern?” The peasant replied, “You can.”
Hence, the chosen option is correct.