Question

5.The teacher told us,"The sun rises in the east"

Answer 1

1. Mei said she was very happy to be my friend
2. Tom asked me if I had ever been to Shanghai
3.Mrs.Smith said she had finished her work
4.Kate said she would fly to America next week.
5.Teacher told us the sun rises in the east
直接引语改为间接引语时，要注意时态和三单一的变化，如果引句问句则改为if/whether的从句形式。最后一句也就是楼主的标题是一句特例，因为“太阳从东方升起”是客观事实，时态上仍保持一般现在时。

Answer 2

老师告诉我们，太阳在东方升起。

Answer 3

老师告诉我们“太阳从东边升起”。