Select the option that expresses the given sentence in indirect speech.
The teacher said, “There are 8 planets in the solar system.”

Correct option is B

The correct indirect speech of the given sentence is "The teacher said that there are 8 planets in the solar system."
Explanation:
· When reporting universal facts, scientific truths, or general facts, the tense remains unchanged in indirect speech.
· "There are 8 planets in the solar system" is a scientific fact, so "are" remains unchanged.
Correct Structure:
· Direct: The teacher said, *"There are 8 planets in the solar system."
· Indirect: The teacher said that there are 8 planets in the solar system.
Incorrect Options:
· (a) Must be – Incorrect modal verb.
· (c) Will be – Incorrect future tense.
· (d) Were – Incorrect past tense; scientific facts remain unchanged.