Select the option that expresses the given sentence in indirect speech.

Mrs. Gomes said, “Virtue is its own reward.”

Mrs. Gomes said that Virtue is its own reward.

The most appropriate option to express the given sentence in indirect speech is:

Mrs. Gomes said that virtue is its own reward.

The other options are incorrect:

• Mrs. Gomes said that Virtue was its own reward. - This is incorrect because the verb "was" is in the simple past tense, but the reporting verb "said" is in the past tense.
• Mrs. Gomes said that Virtue had its own reward. - This is incorrect because the verb "had" is in the past perfect tense, but the reporting verb "said" is in the past tense.
• Mrs. Gomes said that Virtue has its own reward. - This is incorrect because the verb "has" is in the present tense, but the reporting verb "said" is in the past tense.