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Convert the following to indirect speech: "Can you help me?" asked Arjun.

easy MCQ 1 mark Class 9 · English · English Grammar - Reported Speech
  1. Arjun asked if I can help him.
  2. Arjun asked if I could help him.
  3. Arjun asked if I will help him.
  4. Arjun asked if I would help him.
Answer
Arjun asked if I could help him.

The correct answer is Arjun asked if I could help him. — Write the final indirect sentence: "Arjun asked if I could help him."

Step-by-step solution

  1. Identify the reporting verb "asked".
  2. Recognise the modal verb "can" in the question.
  3. In indirect speech, change "can" to "could" to maintain the past reporting verb.
  4. Replace the pronoun "me" with "him" because the speaker is the third person in the reporting clause.
  5. Insert "if" after "asked" to introduce the indirect question.
  6. Write the final indirect sentence: "Arjun asked if I could help him."
Common mistake: Keeping the modal verb "can" unchanged in the indirect speech

Concept tested: Indirect Speech of a Question with Modal Verb

Published · How this solution was prepared and checked

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