Select the option that correctly converts the given sentence into reported speech.

The mentor inquired, "Why have you been missing the training sessions for the last couple of weeks?"

The correct answer is: The mentor inquired why I had been missing the training sessions for the last couple of weeks.

Step-by-step explanation:

To convert the given direct speech sentence into reported (indirect) speech, follow these rules:

1. Reporting Verb:
The reporting verb "inquired" is retained as it correctly conveys a question being asked.

2. Conjunction for Wh-Questions:
When converting interrogative sentences starting with a question word (such as why, what, where), the question word itself acts as the joining word/conjunction. No additional conjunction like that or if/whether is used.

3. Tense Change:
The sentence in direct speech uses the Present Perfect Continuous tense ("have been missing"). In reported speech, when the reporting verb is in the past tense ("inquired"), the Present Perfect Continuous tense changes to the Past Perfect Continuous tense ("had been missing").

4. Pronoun Change:
The second-person pronoun "you" changes to the first-person pronoun "I" to match the person being addressed.

5. Sentence Structure (Assertive Form):
In indirect speech, interrogative sentence structure (verb before subject: "have you") changes into an assertive sentence structure (subject before verb: "I had"). The question mark is replaced by a full stop.

Combining all these steps, the direct sentence:
The mentor inquired, "Why have you been missing the training sessions for the last couple of weeks?"
becomes:
The mentor inquired why I had been missing the training sessions for the last couple of weeks.