Vidyalelo
English · Q15

Direct And Indirect Speech

Competitive Exams · English · question 15

Q15

Mohan said, "We shall go to see the Taj in the moonlit night":

A.
Mohan said that we shall go to see the Taj in the moonlit night.
B.
Mohan told that we shall go to see the Taj in moonlit night.
C.
Mohan told that we should go to see the Taj in the moonlit night.
D.
Mohan said that they should go to see the Taj in moonlit night.
Answer

Answer: Option D

Solution

Answer: Option D
Solution:
Original Sentence (Direct Speech):
Mohan said, "We shall go to see the Taj in the moonlit night."

Step-by-step Conversion:
1. Sentence Type: This is a statement, so we use “said that…” in indirect speech.
2. Pronoun Change:
“We” becomes they (when the speaker is not including the listener).
3. Tense Change:
“Shall” changes to should in indirect speech (future tense changes when reporting verb is in past tense).
4. Time & Place:
No change needed for "in the moonlit night" as it's already specific and doesn't fall under usual time changes like "today → that day".

Correct Sentence:
Mohan said that they should go to see the Taj in the moonlit night.

Correct Answer: Option D

Why other options are incorrect:
Option A: Uses “we shall” — ❌ Wrong pronoun and tense not changed.
Option B: “told that” — ❌ We use “told” only when an object (person) is mentioned. Also “shall” not changed.
Option C: Uses “told that” — ❌ Same issue as above. Also unclear if “we” includes listener or not, and “we” not changed to “they”.

Final Answer: Option D – Mohan said that they should go to see the Taj in the moonlit night.