Select the option that expresses the given sentence in direct speech. The…
2019
Select the option that expresses the given sentence in direct speech.
The pedestrian observed that he had never seen such a severe accident and that it was a miracle that the child had escaped unhurt.
The pedestrian said,
- A.
“I have never seen such a severe accident. It is a miracle that the child escaped unhurt.”
- B.
“I had never seen such a severe accident. It was a miracle that the child had escaped unhurt.”
- C.
“He has never seen such a severe accident. It is a miracle that the child is escaping unhurt.”
- D.
“He had never seen such a severe accident and that it was a miracle that the child had escaped unhurt.”
Attempted by 64 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Key idea: convert the reported sentence into the speaker's exact words by changing pronouns, removing reporting words, and adjusting tenses and punctuation.
Change the pronoun: 'he' refers to the pedestrian, so use 'I' in direct speech.
Remove the reporting word 'that' when giving the exact words of the speaker.
Adjust tenses to sound natural in direct speech: 'had never seen' becomes 'have never seen' to express the speaker's experience; the miracle clause becomes 'It is a miracle that the child escaped unhurt.'
Punctuation: split into two sentences for clarity.
Final direct speech:
“I have never seen such a severe accident. It is a miracle that the child escaped unhurt.”
A video solution is available for this question — log in and enroll to watch it.