Select the option that expresses the given sentence in reported speech.
'Do you have a fair copy of this document?' The editor asked the reporter.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 2 i.e. The editor asked the reporter whether he had a fair copy of that document.
Meaning/Concept: Reported speech changes direct questions into indirect form.
Explanation: The direct question is in present tense (“Do you have”), so in reported speech it changes to past tense (“had”). The question word “whether” introduces the indirect question without inversion (no “did/he” or “had/he”). “This” changes to “that” for correct narration.
Example/Usage:
Direct: She asked, “Do you know the answer?”
Reported: She asked whether he knew the answer.
Conclusion: The correct reported speech is “The editor asked the reporter whether he had a fair copy of that document.”