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Select the most appropriate option to transform the given sentence into reported speech. The interviewer asked me, "Can you use a computer?"
Question

Select the most appropriate option to transform the given sentence into reported speech.
The interviewer asked me, "Can you use a computer?"

A.

The interviewer asked me if I could use a computer.

B.

The interviewer questioned me whether I can use a computer.

C.

The interviewer asked me if I had used a computer.

D.

The interviewer wanted to find out if I used a computer.

Correct option is A


The correct option is (a) The interviewer asked me if I could use a computer.

Explanation:
The given sentence is a direct question in reported speech. The rules for converting a Yes/No question from Direct to Indirect (Reported) Speech are:

Rules Applied in Conversion (Direct → Indirect):

  • Reporting verb: asked is retained as it is appropriate for questions.
  • Conjunction: For Yes/No questions, if or whether is used instead of that.
  • Pronoun change: youI (based on the listener's perspective).
  • Tense change: Can (present modal) → could (past modal), since the reporting verb asked is in the past tense.
  • Question word order changes to statement order in indirect speech.
  • Quotation marks are removed.

Explanation of Other Options:
  • (b) questioned me whether I can useCan is not changed to could; tense backshift is not applied. Also, questioned is less standard here.
  • (c) asked me if I had used – Changes meaning; had used (past perfect) implies a past event, not a present ability.
  • (d) wanted to find out if I used – Changes the reporting verb unnecessarily; alters the tone and meaning of the original sentence.

So the correct answer is (a)

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