Question

A sentence is provided in indirect speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding direct speech. The librarian said that silence must be maintained in the library.

• A. "Silence should be maintained in the library," said the librarian.
• B. "You will maintain silence in the library," the librarian said.
• C. "Maintain silence in the library," said the librarian.
• D. "Must you maintain silence in the library?" asked the librarian.

Answer 1

Answer:

C. "Maintain silence in the library," said the librarian.

• Identify the Sentence Type: The indirect sentence "The librarian said that silence must be maintained..." represents a command or a formal instruction.

• The Modal "Must": In indirect speech, "must" is often used to report an Imperative sentence (a direct command or rule). When converting back to direct speech, the most natural form is the imperative: "Maintain silence."

• Passive to Active Shift: While the indirect speech is in the passive form ("silence must be maintained"), the most accurate direct speech for a librarian's instruction is the authoritative imperative form.