Question

Fill in the blank with a suitable option:
Evans says, "I don't tell a lie."
Evans says that __________ tell a lie.

• A. he don't
• B. he did not
• C. he doesn't
• D. I didn't

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

he doesn't

In reported speech, the word order and pronouns will be different from the original speech, because the speaker has changed. Accordingly, the tense will also change, in most cases.
The simple present tense in direct speech usually changes to simple past tense in the reported form.
It isn't always necessary to change the tense. The given speech states a truth "I don't tell a lie" which still holds true. Hence the tense remains as present simple.
Option C: 'He doesn't' is in the present simple, the subject 'I' has changed to 'he' as the narrator has changed. Hence C is the correct option.
Option A: The verb 'don't' in 'he don't' must change in person (third person point of view) as the subject has also changed in person (from first to third). Hence A is incorrect.
Option B: 'He did not' is in the simple past tense. It suggests that an event has happened in the past. But, 'I don't tell a lie' is a truth, not a particular event. Hence the tense does not change to past. So, option B is incorrect. (did not is an expansion of didn't)
Option D: The subject and verb changes in reported speech. 'I' will change to 'he' as the narrator has changed. ('he' refers to Evans)
Hence option D is incorrect.