Select the option that expresses the given sentence in direct speech.
"The Minister explained that he was working for the benefit of the country."

Explanation of the Correct Answer:
· The given sentence is in indirect speech, and we need to convert it into direct speech.
· The phrase "he was working" in indirect speech should be changed to "I am working" in direct speech.
· The correct transformation follows:
· "The Minister explained, ‘I am working for the benefit of the country.’"
Other options:
· (a) "I will work for the benefit of the country." → Incorrect; the original sentence is in the past continuous tense, not future tense.
· (c) "He was working for the benefit of the country." → Incorrect; "he" should change to "I" in direct speech.
· (d) "I was working for the benefit of the country." → Incorrect; the verb should be "am working" to match the original past continuous tense.
Thus, the correct answer is (b) The Minister explained, “I am working for the benefit of the country.”