Question

Change the sentence into indirect speech.

“What is the matter”. Said Paul, “Is a fly bothering you?”

1 Paul told what the matter was and whether a fly is bothering him.

2 Paul asked what the matter was and asked whether a fly was bothering him.

3 Paul said what had been the matter and asked whether a fly had been bothering him.

4 Paul asks what was the matter and asked whether a fly was bothering him.


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Answer 1

2 Paul asked what the matter was and asked whether a fly was bothering him.

What is indirect speech?

• In English linguistics, such a speech style in which we use our own words to describe what someone has said is referred to as indirect speech.
• For question sentences, the question mark is removed and replaced with a fullstop.
• Instead of 'said', 'asked' is used.
• Hence, option 2 is the correct option.

Answer 2

Explanation:

2) Paul asked what the matter was and asked whether a fly was bothering him.