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.
The scientist stated that water boiled at 100 degrees Celsius.

Correct option is B

The correct indirect/ direct speech is (b) "Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius," the scientist stated.
The sentence expresses a scientific fact/universal truth. In such cases, the tense does not change in reported speech; it stays in the simple present because the fact remains true at all times. Therefore, in direct speech, the most accurate form is “Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.” Option (b) preserves this universal truth correctly.
Rules of conversion used:
Universal truth/general fact → tense remains present
Example: He said that the sun rises in the east. → “The sun rises in the east,” he said.
Information booster / exceptions related to the topic:
If the statement is a timeless fact, do not shift it to past or future unnecessarily in exams.