Q:

The karate teacher asked me why I had been absent the day before. 

• 1
  The karate teacher asked me, "Why are you absent the day before ?"
• 2
  The karate teacher asked me, "Were you absent the day before?"
• 3
  The karate teacher asked me, "Why were you absent yesterday ?"
• 4
  The karate teacher asked me, "Why are you absent yesterday ?"