** In **yes/no questions in reported speech**, we use "if" or "whether" and apply the **sequence of tenses**. Present "is" becomes past "was." The adverb "now" changes into "then." Option (b) fails because it keeps present tense. Option (c) wrongly uses "your husband" (instead of her husband) and future tense "will." Option (d) changes the tense to "had become," which suggests completion, not the original sense. Therefore, option (a) is correct. ---

** According to the **Rule of Reported Speech (Sequence of Tenses)**, when the reporting verb ("said") is in past tense, the verb inside the reported clause must shift one step back in tense. "Is going to" changes into "was going to." Option (a) is wrong because "everything are" is a subject–verb agreement error (everything is singular). Option (b) keeps "is" without changing tense, which breaks the rule. Option (c) incorrectly changes "going to" into "will," which alters the meaning. Hence, option (d) is correct. ---

The phrase "picking in with" is not a standard idiom. The correct phrasal verb is "picking up," which means to learn a new skill or language informally. The provided answer key is (c). This seems to be a mistake in the original source, as "pick up the language" is the correct phrase. I will follow the provided answer key.

The verb "persisted" is followed by the preposition "in," which means to continue to do something despite opposition or difficulty. She is not very quick at picking ____ the language. (a) in on (b) into (c) in with (d) in for

The phrasal verb "perk up" means to become more cheerful or lively. The line of action, if persisted ____, could lead to disaster. (a) into (b) from (c) in (d) on

The phrasal verb "pent up" means to be confined or suppressed. He was very worried, so I suggested he could use some of the money. She perked ____ at that. (a) up (b) on (c) upon (d) in

The phrasal verb "pass down" means to transmit from one generation to another. All this anger that's pent ____ inside him has to break out from time to time. (a) in (b) on (c) with (d) up

To be "parted from" something means to be separated from it. There high standards of craftsmanship have been passed ____ ever four generations. (a) on (b) down (c) in (d) to

The verb "oust" is followed by the preposition "from," which means to force someone out of a position. He is not easily parted ____ his money. (a) from (b) with (c) to (d) up

The adjective "opposed" is always followed by the preposition "to." Javed was ousted ____ his post as a result of manoeuverings by departmental rivals. (a) with (b) into (c) from (d) from