---
id: 67c9e3bba8009da1e7f47ce9
title: Task 116
challengeType: 19
dashedName: task-116
lang: en-US
---

<!-- (Audio) Maria: Yes, they said they're already putting in extra hours. -->

# --instructions--

Listen to the audio and answer the question below.  

# --questions--

## --text--

Why does the team think the deadline is too tight, according to Maria?

## --answers--

Because they haven't started working on the project yet.

### --feedback--

Maria says they are already working on the project.  

---

Because they are already working longer hours.  

---

Because they believe the deadline is too far away.

### --feedback--

Maria does not mention that it's too far away.

---

Because they think the project is easy to complete.

### --feedback--

Maria actually indicates that the team is struggling.

## --video-solution--

2  

# --explanation--

Maria uses **reported speech** after `they said` to share what the team previously stated. In reported speech, verbs often shift to a past form, but `Present Continuous` (`are putting`) remains continuous (`they're already putting in extra hours`). For example:

- Direct speech: `"We are working late," they said.`  

- Reported speech: `They said they were working late.`

Here's another example:

- Direct speech: `"I have finished the report," she said.`

- Reported speech: `She said she had finished the report.`

# --scene--

```json
{
  "setup": {
    "background": "company2-boardroom.png",
    "characters": [
      {
        "character": "Maria",
        "position": {
          "x": 50,
          "y": 0,
          "z": 1.5
        },
        "opacity": 0
      }
    ],
    "audio": {
      "filename": "B1_12-3.mp3",
      "startTime": 1,
      "startTimestamp": 15.1,
      "finishTimestamp": 17.78
    }
  },
  "commands": [
    {
      "character": "Maria",
      "opacity": 1,
      "startTime": 0
    },
    {
      "character": "Maria",
      "startTime": 1,
      "finishTime": 3.68,
      "dialogue": {
        "text": "Yes, they said they're already putting in extra hours.",
        "align": "center"
      }
    },
    {
      "character": "Maria",
      "opacity": 0,
      "startTime": 4.18
    }
  ]
}
```
