Meaning of would, am, was, will?

[Elga]

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #117 "Past Tenses", question 1

I told them I ......... just going out for a short walk.

(a) would
(b) am
(c) was
(d) will

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #117 "Past Tenses", answer 1

I told them I was just going out for a short walk.

Correct answer: (c) was
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what means would, as, was, will?

Elga

[Alan]

Hi Elga,

The direct statement is: I am going out for a walk.

The indirect statement is: I told them I was going out for a walk.

I will go out means either I want to go now or I am going out (in the future)

I am going out for a walk means I am walking now.

I would go out (conditional) if I wasn't raining.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story A day in the life of a flat hunter

[Andreana]

Hi Elga, in addition to Alan's detailed explanation I would like to point out the following. The correct question should be

What does ..... mean?
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