Select the option that expresses the given sentence in indirect speech. The teacher said, “There are 8 planets in the solar system.”
The teacher said that there are 8 planets in the solar system.
The governing rule: a universal truth or scientific fact keeps its original tense in indirect speech, even when the reporting verb is in the past.
‘There are 8 planets in the solar system’ is a statement of fact that remains true whenever it is spoken, so are stays are.
This gives ‘The teacher said that there are 8 planets in the solar system.’
Why the others fail:
‘There were 8 planets’ — applies the ordinary backshift. The result is worse than merely unnecessary: it implies the number has since changed, which is exactly the misreading the exemption exists to prevent.
‘There must be 8 planets’ — adds the modal must, turning a statement of fact into an inference the teacher never made.
‘There will be 8 planets’ — moves the fact into the future, again altering the meaning.
Compare with E30 in the same paper: ‘Mohan said, “I live in Mumbai”’ does backshift, because where a particular person lives is a personal circumstance that can change — not a universal truth.
Similar Questions
- Choose the correct idiom for the word highlighted in bold.
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She exclaimed that I was wearing an exquisite ring.
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Important Questions from Direct and Indirect Speech
Select the correct indirect form of the given sentence.
The manager said to the staff, “Please work with dedication. You will be paid overtime whenever you work late.”
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Select the correct indirect narration of the given sentence.
Sushant said to the elderly lady, “Madam, you can take my place and stand here in the queue.”
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Dev said to his mother, “Don’t worry we’ll soon find a way out of this crisis.”
