Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is choice C: "I'm tired," she said. Direct speech involves quoting the exact words spoken by someone, typically indicated by quotation marks. In this sentence, the speaker's words are directly quoted within quotation marks, making it an example of direct speech. Choices A, B, and D do not directly quote the speaker's words within quotation marks, making them indirect speech examples.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct use of a semicolon is to join two closely related independent clauses. Choice A is the only option that correctly uses a semicolon to connect two independent clauses: 'I have a big test tomorrow' and 'I can't go out tonight.' Choice B incorrectly uses a comma instead of a semicolon. Choice C adds an unnecessary 'and' after the semicolon, which disrupts the correct punctuation usage. Choice D introduces a contradictory conjunction 'but' after the semicolon, which is not necessary for the given context. Therefore, the correct answer is A.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'It wastes effort.' Editing while writing the first draft can be counterproductive as it interrupts the flow of ideas and slows down the writing process. Instead of focusing on perfecting each sentence or paragraph, it is more beneficial to get all ideas down first during the initial drafting phase. Choice A is incorrect as editing is not part of the prewriting stage. Choice C is incorrect because editing may affect the quality of judgment but is not the primary reason to avoid it during the first draft. Choice D is incorrect because changes in organization can be made during the revision stage, not necessarily while writing the initial draft.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'I can't bear to see this.' The words 'bear' and 'bare' are homonyms, as they sound the same but have different meanings. Choice A does not contain a homonym; it correctly uses 'bear' in the context of enduring pain. Choice B uses 'bear' as a noun referring to the animal, not a homonym. Choice D uses 'bears' as a verb, not a homonym.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The simple subject is the noun or pronoun that the sentence is about. In this sentence, the subject is 'man' because it is the entity performing the action of watching. 'The flustered man' is a noun phrase but not the simple subject as it includes an article and an adjective. 'Watched' is a verb and 'train' is the object of the action, not the subject. Therefore, 'man' is the correct simple subject in this sentence.