A sentence is provided in direct speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding indirect speech. He said, “I have finished my assignment.”

Explanation

The correct option is (a). To convert direct to indirect speech, we must change the reporting structure and apply tense backshift when the reporting verb is in the past (“said”). The direct sentence uses Present Perfect tense: “I have finished”. In indirect speech, Present Perfect generally changes to Past Perfect when the reporting verb is in the past. Rule-based changes applied: Reporting verb: “said” remains “said” (no question or request here). Conjunction: Use “that” to join the reported clause. Pronoun change: “I” changes to “he” because the speaker is “He”. Tense backshift: “have finished” (Present Perfect) changes to “had finished” (Past Perfect). Possessive change: “my” changes to “his” to match the subject “he”. Therefore, the correct indirect form is: “He said that he had finished his assignment.” So the correct answer is (a)