Choose the correct direct speech form of the following sentence.
Simran said that she had been writing a letter to the principal.

Correct option is B

The correct indirect/ direct speech is (b).
Explain the rules of conversion in detail.
· Backshift rule: From Present Perfect Continuous ( have/has been V-ing) in direct speech → Past Perfect Continuous ( had been V-ing) in indirect when the reporting verb is past ( said).
· Pronoun change: I → she (to match Simran).
· Linker “that” is used in indirect and dropped in direct; time references adjust if present (none here).
· Given indirect “she had been writing …” most naturally corresponds to direct “I have been writing …” uttered at the time of speaking.
· Why others are incorrect:
· (a) “I have writing” is ungrammatical; needs have been writing.
· (c) “was being writing” is wrong form (no being with progressive like this).
· (d) “was written” is passive simple past; meaning changes.
Example:
· Direct: He said, “I have been studying for hours.” → Indirect: He said that he had been studying for hours.