Choose the correct option to fill in the blank:
Last winter, Ritika told the coach that she ______ run five kilometres without stopping, but she gave up after three.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → could
Complete sentence: Last winter, Ritika told the coach that she could run five kilometres without stopping, but she gave up after three. “Told” is in the past, and Ritika’s words were “I can run five kilometres”.
| Option | Meaning and use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) can | the present form; after a past reporting verb like “told”, it changes to “could” | Ritika says that she can run five kilometres. |
| (2) will | also a present form; after a past reporting verb, it changes to “would” | She says she will join the morning batch. |
| (3) shall | offers and suggestions, mainly with I and we | Shall we practise the relay once more? |
| (4) could (answer) | after a reporting verb in the past (told, said), can changes to could in the reported part | Aman said that he could fix the fan himself. |