Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.
Peter said, ‘’Alice, are you busy now?” Peter asked Alice __________.
a. She was busy.
b. If she was busy then.
c. She would be busy.
d. If she wasn’t busy then.
e. If she is busy.

Answer 1

Hint: Indirect speech is written in the past tense. They do not make use of quotation marks.

Complete step-by-step answer:

 Direct speech is the direct quotation of a quote. It reports the words exactly as they have been spoken. This kind of speech is always found within inverted commas. Quotes that are reported indirect speech are the exact reproduction of the words as they have been spoken.
Indirect speech is the opposite of direct speech. It is the indirect quotation of a quote. It reports the words in a manner that is indirect. This kind of speech is not found within inverted commas.
Here are some tips to remember while converting direct speech into indirect speech.
The inverted commas are removed from the sentence.
In the case of an interrogative sentence, the indirect speech will begin with the word if.
Words like ‘now’ change to ‘then’.
Indirect speech is always framed in the past tense.
The type of tense remains the same in the past tense. E.g. Simple Present Tense changes into Simple Past Tense.
Now, let us consider the question given above:
Peter said, ‘’ Alice, are you busy now?” Peter asked Alice __________.
Following the rules given above, this sentence will change as per the following:
Peter asked Alice if she was busy then.
Therefore, option ‘b’ is the correct answer.

Note: Remember to follow all the rules of changing direct speech into indirect speech to get the most accurate answer.