Select the option that completes the sentence appropriately. The boy said that he ______ solve ______ problem.
Answer और ExplanationAnswer and explanation
Answer: (D) could / that
Concept (Reported Speech में can से could): Reporting verb 'said' Past में होने पर Reported clause में 'can' बदलकर 'could' हो जाता है। साथ ही निकट का संकेत देने वाला 'this' Reported Speech (अप्रत्यक्ष कथन) में 'that' बन जाता है।
✓ शुद्ध वाक्य: The boy said that he could solve that problem.
विकल्प (a) और (b) में Tense का मेल नहीं है। विकल्प (c) में 'can' और 'this' यथावत रह गए हैं।
Examiner का जाल: 'can' को 'could' और 'this' को 'that' न बदलने वाले विकल्प।
Concept (Reported 'can' to 'could'): when the reporting verb 'said' is in the past, 'can' changes to 'could' in the reported clause. The word 'this', which refers to something near, changes to 'that' when reported.
✓ Correct sentence: The boy said that he could solve that problem.
Options (a) and (b) do not match the past tense of the reporting verb. Option (c) leaves 'can' and 'this' unchanged.
Exam trap: not changing 'can' to 'could', or 'this' to 'that'.
Source: DSSSB ASO 2026 · 16 Oct 2026 · Shift II। Solution: Prashant Sir, Ramban।Source: DSSSB ASO 2026 · 16 Oct 2026 · Shift II. Solution by Prashant Sir, from Ramban.