Directions: Select the option that is the direct form of the given sentence.…

Correct answer: Nidhi exclaimed, "What a beautiful painting!"

Explanation:

• Identify the reported content: the indirect sentence reports an exclamation that the painting was beautiful ('that it was a beautiful painting').

• Choose the reporting verb: 'exclaimed' indicates a sudden forceful expression and matches the indirect verb used in the question.

• Form the direct exclamation: transform 'it was a beautiful painting' into an exclamatory sentence. For a strong adjective like 'beautiful', use the pattern 'What a + adjective + noun' → 'What a beautiful painting!'

• Combine reporting verb and direct speech: 'Nidhi exclaimed, "What a beautiful painting!"' preserves both meaning and exclamatory force.

Why the other sentences are not correct:

• 'Nidhi said to the artist in surprise, "How beautiful you made that painting!"' changes the focus by implying the artist made it beautiful and is phrased awkwardly; it does not directly mirror the original exclamation about the painting itself.

• 'Nidhi told him in wonder, "How beautiful!"' omits the object 'painting' and uses 'told him' rather than an exclamatory reporting verb, so it is less precise and does not preserve the original force.

• 'Nidhi said to the artist, "That looks like a beautiful painting!"' weakens the statement ('looks like') and changes the meaning to an observation rather than a strong exclamation; it also adds a recipient ('to the artist') not specified in the indirect form.