Question

Convert the given sentence into direct speech:
He said that he did not like horror movies.

• A. He said, ``I did not like horror movies''
• B. He says, ``I did not like horror movies''
• C. He said, ``I do not like horror movies''
• D. None

Hint:

When converting backwards from indirect past tense ('did not like') to direct speech, the tense usually shifts forward by one step to the present tense ('do not like'), provided it states an ongoing preference or fact.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: This question requires reverse transformation from indirect speech back into direct speech. We must reverse the tense backshifting and pronoun adaptations that occur in indirect speech.

Step 1: Tracking the required reversals.
Let us evaluate the components of the indirect sentence: "He said that he did not like horror movies."

• Reporting structure: "He said that" reveals a past-tense reporting environment. We replace "that" with a comma and open quotation marks.

• Pronoun adjustment: The indirect pronoun "he" in the reported clause refers to the speaker "He". In direct speech, this must be restored to the first-person perspective:

"I".

• Tense reversal: The indirect phrase uses the simple past tense

"did not like". When reversing backshifted past tense back to direct speech, it returns to its original present tense form:

"do not like".

Step 2: Evaluating the options.
Let us test the options by converting them forward to see if they match the prompt:

• Option (A): He said, "I did not like..." If we convert this to indirect speech, the simple past "did not like" would backshift to the past perfect "had not liked". This does not match our prompt sentence.

• Option (B): Uses the present tense reporting verb "says", which contradicts the past tense "said" in the prompt.

• Option (C): He said, "I do not like horror movies" Converting this forward: "He said that" + "I" changes to "he" + simple present "do not like" backshifts to simple past "did not like". This matches our prompt perfectly.
Thus, Option (C) is the correct choice.