A sentence is provided in indirect speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding direct speech.
He said that he would join the meeting after lunch.

Correct option is A

The correct direct speech is (a) “I will join the meeting after lunch,” he said.
Rules of conversion (in detail):
· Backshift reversal: Indirect would often reflects direct will when the original speech was simultaneous/future relative to the time of speaking.
· Pronoun adjustment: Indirect he (reported subject) → Direct speaker I.
· Retention of adverbial: after lunch remains unchanged as it still refers to a future/relative time from the original utterance.
· Punctuation/format: Quotation marks enclose the exact words; reporting clause may follow or precede.
· Example: Indirect: She said that she would call later. → Direct: “I will call later,” she said.
· Why other options are incorrect:
· (b) would in direct speech usually expresses willingness in certain contexts, but here it misrepresents the original present-future intent.
· (c) shall is formal and mainly with I/We for offers/promises; while possible, exam-standard reversal from would is will.
· (d) can alters meaning to ability, not future intention.