A Question of Trust by VICTOR CANNING - Class 10 - NCERT - Q&A Solved

Table of Contents

• Summary of "A Question of Trust"
• Q&A - READ AND FIND OUT (Page 20)
• Q&A - READ AND FIND OUT (Page 22)
• Q&A - THINK ABOUT IT
• Q&A - TALK ABOUT IT
• 20 Multiple Choice Questions(MCQS) on the Story 'A Question of Trust'

Summary of "A Question of Trust"

Horace Danby is a seemingly respectable locksmith who harbours a secret passion for rare books. To fund this hobby, he resorts to burglary, meticulously planning one heist each year. This year, he targets Shotover Grange, believing it to be an easy mark while the owners are away. However, as he is about to crack the safe, he encounters a woman who claims to be the lady of the house. She convinces Horace to open the safe for her jewels, promising not to turn him in. After complying, Horace soon finds himself arrested, as the woman was actually a clever thief who tricked him. His fingerprints left at the scene seal his fate, and Horace ends up in prison, reflecting bitterly on the betrayal and the lack of honour among thieves.

Q&A - READ AND FIND OUT (Page 20)

• What does Horace Danby like to collect?
  Horace Danby likes to collect rare and expensive books.
  
  
• Why does he steal every year?
  He steals every year to fund his passion for collecting these rare books.

Q&A - READ AND FIND OUT (Page 22)

• Who is speaking to Horace Danby?
  A woman who pretends to be the lady of the house is speaking to Horace Danby.
  
  
• Who is the real culprit in the story?
  The real culprit is the woman who tricked Horace into opening the safe for her.

Q&A - THINK ABOUT IT

1. Did you begin to suspect, before the end of the story, that the lady was not the person Horace Danby took her to be? If so, at what point did you realize this, and how?

ANSWER:

Yes, suspicion might arise when the lady easily convinces Horace to open the safe and seems too calm and prepared for a burglar's presence.

2. What are the subtle ways in which the lady manages to deceive Horace Danby into thinking she is the lady of the house? Why doesn’t Horace suspect that something is wrong?

ANSWER:

The lady deceives Horace by confidently speaking about the house, handling the dog, and casually mentioning her supposed husband. Horace doesn’t suspect anything because she appears knowledgeable and calm, fitting his expectations of the homeowner.

3. “Horace Danby was good and respectable — but not completely honest”. Why do you think this description is apt for Horace? Why can’t he be categorized as a typical thief?

ANSWER:

This description fits Horace because, despite his respectable appearance and lifestyle, he commits theft to support his book collection. He can’t be categorized as a typical thief because he steals only once a year and targets only the wealthy to fulfil a specific passion.

4. Horace Danby was a meticulous planner but still he faltered. Where did he go wrong and why?

ANSWER:

Horace went wrong by letting his guard down and trusting the woman too easily without verifying her identity. His meticulous planning didn’t account for the possibility of being deceived by someone posing as the homeowner.

Q&A - TALK ABOUT IT

1. Do you think Horace Danby was unfairly punished, or that he deserved what he got?

ANSWER:

Horace Danby deserved his punishment because, despite his good intentions, he still committed a crime. Being tricked by another thief doesn’t absolve him of his wrongdoing.

2. Do intentions justify actions? Would you, like Horace Danby, do something wrong if you thought your ends justified the means? Do you think that there are situations in which it is excusable to act less than honestly?

ANSWER:

Intentions don’t always justify actions. Doing something wrong, even with good intentions, can have negative consequences and is usually not excusable. There might be rare situations where acting less than honestly seems necessary, but such actions should be carefully considered and justified only when no better options are available.

20 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) on the story 'A Question of Trust'

1. What is Horace Danby’s profession?

   • A) A banker
   • B) A locksmith
   • C) A librarian
   • D) A gardener

2. Why does Horace Danby commit a robbery each year?

   • A) To pay off his debts
   • B) To buy expensive books
   • C) To help his family
   • D) To travel the world

3. What is the value of the jewels in the safe at Shotover Grange?

   • A) Ten thousand pounds
   • B) Fifteen thousand pounds
   • C) Twenty thousand pounds
   • D) Five thousand pounds

4. How does Horace avoid leaving fingerprints?

   • A) By wiping surfaces clean
   • B) By wearing gloves
   • C) By using a special spray
   • D) By covering his hands with cloth

5. What causes Horace to sneeze while he is in the house?

   • A) Dust
   • B) Perfume
   • C) Flowers
   • D) A cold

6. How does Horace gain entry into the house?

   • A) Through a window
   • B) By breaking the lock
   • C) With a key from the hook outside
   • D) By forcing the door open

7. What does Horace find in the drawing-room?

   • A) A painting that hides a safe
   • B) A dog guarding the safe
   • C) An alarm system
   • D) A hidden camera

8. How does Horace react when he first hears the woman's voice?

   • A) He tries to run
   • B) He freezes in place
   • C) He sneezes and responds automatically
   • D) He threatens her

9. What does the woman claim to have forgotten?

   • A) The combination to the safe
   • B) The location of the safe
   • C) Her husband's phone number
   • D) The alarm code

10. What ultimately leads to Horace’s arrest?

    • A) The woman's phone call to the police
    • B) The discovery of his tools
    • C) His fingerprints left on the safe
    • D) A witness identifying him

11. What is ironic about the woman's role in the story?

    • A) She is actually a police officer
    • B) She is the real thief
    • C) She is Horace's old friend
    • D) She is not related to the family at all

12. What does Horace enjoy collecting?

    • A) Rare stamps
    • B) Antique coins
    • C) Rare, expensive books
    • D) Vintage cars

13. What does Horace plan to buy with the money from the robbery?

    • A) A new house
    • B) A vacation
    • C) Rare books
    • D) Jewelry

14. What precaution does Horace take before entering the house?

    • A) He disables the alarm system
    • B) He feeds the dog
    • C) He waits for the servants to leave
    • D) He checks for security cameras

15. Why does the woman come to the house unexpectedly?

    • A) She forgot her jewellery
    • B) She missed her train
    • C) She wanted to check on the servants
    • D) She planned to meet Horace

16. What mistake does Horace make that leads to his capture?

    • A) Leaving the tools behind
    • B) Forgetting to wear gloves while opening the safe
    • C) Not checking the woman's identity
    • D) Underestimating the police response time

17. What does Horace realize about the woman after his arrest?

    • A) She was an undercover detective
    • B) She was in the same profession as him
    • C) She was the owner of the house
    • D) She was a neighbor

18. What is Horace’s sentence after he is caught?

    • A) Five years in prison
    • B) Ten years in prison
    • C) He becomes the assistant librarian in the prison
    • D) He is released with a warning

19. What does the story suggest about 'honor among thieves'?

    • A) Thieves always support each other
    • B) Thieves have their own code of conduct
    • C) Thieves often betray each other
    • D) Thieves are always honest with each other

20. What lesson does Horace learn by the end of the story?

    • A) Trust no one
    • B) Crime never pays
    • C) Always verify identities
    • D) Be careful with fingerprints

Answer Key:

1. What is Horace Danby’s profession?

   • B) A locksmith

2. Why does Horace Danby commit a robbery each year?

   • B) To buy expensive books

3. What is the value of the jewels in the safe at Shotover Grange?

   • B) Fifteen thousand pounds

4. How does Horace avoid leaving fingerprints?

   • B) By wearing gloves

5. What causes Horace to sneeze while he is in the house?

   • C) Flowers

6. How does Horace gain entry into the house?

   • C) With a key from the hook outside

7. What does Horace find in the drawing room?

   • A) A painting that hides a safe

8. How does Horace react when he first hears the woman's voice?

   • C) He sneezes and responds automatically

9. What does the woman claim to have forgotten?

   • A) The combination to the safe

10. What ultimately leads to Horace’s arrest?

    • C) His fingerprints left on the safe

11. What is ironic about the woman's role in the story?

    • B) She is the real thief

12. What does Horace enjoy collecting?

    • C) Rare, expensive books

13. What does Horace plan to buy with the money from the robbery?

    • C) Rare books

14. What precaution does Horace take before entering the house?

    • C) He waits for the servants to leave

15. Why does the woman come to the house unexpectedly?

    • A) She forgot her jewellery

16. What mistake does Horace make that leads to his capture?

    • B) Forgetting to wear gloves while opening the safe

17. What does Horace realize about the woman after his arrest?

    • B) She was in the same profession as him

18. What is Horace’s sentence after he is caught?

    • C) He becomes the assistant librarian in the prison

19. What does the story suggest about 'honour among thieves'?

    • C) Thieves often betray each other

20. What lesson does Horace learn by the end of the story?

    • A) Trust no one

Mijbil the Otter by Gavin Maxwell - Class 10 - NCERT - Q&A Solved

Table of Contents

1. Oral Comprehension Check (page 106)
2. Oral Comprehension Check (page 108)
3. Oral Comprehension Check (Page 110)
4. Thinking About the Text
5. 20 Multiple Choice Questions on 'Mijbil the Otter'

Summary of "Mijbil the Otter"

In "Mijbil the Otter," the narrator, Gavin Maxwell, describes his experiences with an otter named Mijbil. The story begins with Maxwell receiving Mijbil as a pet from a friend. Maxwell quickly bonds with the otter, who exhibits a playful and curious nature. Mijbil becomes an integral part of Maxwell's life, adapting to his new home and surroundings with enthusiasm.

Maxwell recounts the challenges and joys of raising Mijbil, highlighting the otter's unique behaviours and intelligence. Mijbil's antics, such as his fascination with water and his ability to open taps, bring both amusement and occasional trouble. Despite these challenges, Maxwell's affection for Mijbil grows stronger, and he learns to appreciate the otter's distinct personality.

The story emphasizes the bond between humans and animals, showcasing the mutual companionship and understanding that can develop. Through his narrative, Maxwell conveys the importance of patience, empathy, and respect in nurturing such relationships. "Mijbil the Otter" ultimately celebrates the joy and fulfilment that come from sharing one's life with a beloved animal companion.

Oral Comprehension Check (page 106)

1. What ‘experiment’ did Maxwell think Camusfearna would be suitable for?

   • Maxwell thought Camusfearna would be suitable for keeping an otter as a pet. He wanted to see if an otter could adapt to living in that environment.

2. Why does he go to Basra? How long does he wait there, and why?

   • Maxwell goes to Basra to collect and bring back an otter. He waits there for five days because of the delay in obtaining the otter and the necessary travel arrangements.

3. How does he get the otter? Does he like it? Pick out the words that tell you this.

   • Maxwell receives the otter from a local who brings it to him. He likes the otter immediately. Words like "thrilled" and "fascinated" show his affection for the otter.

4. Why was the otter named ‘Maxwell’s otter’?

   • The otter was named ‘Maxwell’s otter’ because it was uncommon and Maxwell had introduced this particular otter to people.

5. Tick the right answer. In the beginning, the otter was:

   • • aloof and indifferent
   • • friendly
   • • hostile

6. What happened when Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom? What did it do two days after that?

   • When Maxwell took Mijbil to the bathroom, the otter enjoyed playing with water and splashed around. Two days later, it learned how to turn on the tap on its own.

Oral Comprehension Check (page 108)

1. How was Mij to be transported to England?

   • Mij was to be transported to England in a box.

2. What did Mij do to the box?

   • Mij chewed through the box and made holes in it.

3. Why did Maxwell put the otter back in the box? How do you think he felt when he did this?

   • Maxwell put the otter back in the box to keep it safe and prevent it from running away. He likely felt worried and anxious about Mij’s safety and comfort.

4. Why does Maxwell say the airhostess was “the very queen of her kind”?

   • Maxwell says this because the airhostess was extremely kind and helpful when she saw Mij and allowed Maxwell to keep him out of the box.

5. What happened when the box was opened?

   • When the box was opened, Mij leaped out and caused a commotion by running around the plane.

Oral Comprehension Check (Page 110)

1. What game had Mij invented?

   • Mij invented a game of juggling small objects like marbles and ping-pong balls with his paws.

2. What are ‘compulsive habits’? What does Maxwell say are the compulsive habits of:

   • (i) school children
     • School children have a compulsive habit of having a snack during breaks.
   • (ii) Mij?
     • Mij had a compulsive habit of playing with water and small objects.

3. What group of animals do otters belong to?

   • Otters belong to the group of animals called mustelids, which also includes weasels, badgers, and minks.

4. What guesses did the Londoners make about what Mij was?

   • Londoners guessed that Mij was a baby seal, a squirrel, a hippo, a beaver, or even a bear cub.

Thinking About the Text

1. What things does Mij do which tell you that he is an intelligent, friendly, and fun-loving animal who needs love?

   • Mij enjoys playing with water, invents games, and shows affection by nuzzling Maxwell. These behaviors indicate his intelligence, friendliness, and love for fun.

2. What are some of the things we come to know about otters from this text?

   • Otters are playful, intelligent, and curious animals. They have a fascination with water and are skilled swimmers. They belong to the mustelid family.

3. Why is Mij’s species now known to the world as Maxwell’s otter?

   • Mij’s species is known as Maxwell’s otter because Maxwell introduced it to the world through his writings and experiences.

4. Maxwell in the story speaks for the otter, Mij. He tells us what the otter feels and thinks on different occasions. Given below are some things Mij does. Complete the following sentences, imagining that you are Mij. He would say:

   (i) I reached the terminal building ________________________.
   (ii) The hurly-burly of the flight ________________________.
   (iii) I felt my travel box ________________________.

• (i) I reached the terminal building and felt excited and curious about the new place.
• (ii) The hurly-burly of the flight made me a bit anxious, but I soon calmed down.
• (iii) I felt my travel box was too confining and wanted to explore outside.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. Where did the narrator first encounter Mijbil the Otter?

   • a) In a zoo
   • b) At a pet store
   • c) In the marshes
   • d) In a friend's house

2. What was the initial reaction of Mijbil when he was brought to the narrator's home?

   • a) Fearful and aggressive
   • b) Curious and playful
   • c) Shy and withdrawn
   • d) Excited and energetic

3. How did Mijbil react to the presence of water?

   • a) He avoided it completely.
   • b) He was indifferent to it.
   • c) He loved playing in it.
   • d) He was scared of it.

4. What was the main reason the narrator decided to keep an otter as a pet?

   • a) He had always wanted an otter.
   • b) His dog had recently died.
   • c) He was given the otter as a gift.
   • d) He found the otter abandoned.

5. What challenges did the narrator face while transporting Mijbil?

   • a) Mijbil was noisy and disruptive.
   • b) Mijbil escaped several times.
   • c) Mijbil was sick during the journey.
   • d) Mijbil was calm and well-behaved.

6. How did Mijbil's behaviour change once he settled into the narrator's home?

   • a) He became more playful and less fearful.
   • b) He became more aggressive and territorial.
   • c) He remained shy and fearful.
   • d) He showed no change in behaviour.

7. What unique characteristic did Mijbil display that fascinated the narrator?

   • a) His ability to mimic sounds
   • b) His love for shiny objects
   • c) His skill in opening locks
   • d) His talent for swimming underwater

8. How did the narrator describe Mijbil's intelligence?

   • a) Comparable to that of a dog
   • b) Greater than that of a cat
   • c) Equal to that of a human child
   • d) Less than that of other common pets

9. What incident caused Mijbil to become frightened during the journey?

   • a) A loud noise
   • b) A strange animal
   • c) A sudden movement
   • d) A change in temperature

10. What did Mijbil do when he was first introduced to water in the narrator's bathroom?

    • a) He swam around happily.
    • b) He tried to escape.
    • c) He played with the water.
    • d) He ignored the water.

11. How did the narrator manage to keep Mijbil entertained during the journey?

    • a) By giving him toys
    • b) By playing with him
    • c) By feeding him frequently
    • d) By letting him explore

12. What was the reaction of people when they saw Mijbil with the narrator?

    • a) They were scared.
    • b) They were curious.
    • c) They were indifferent.
    • d) They were hostile.

13. How did Mijbil respond to the new environment when they reached London?

    • a) He was frightened and tried to escape.
    • b) He adapted quickly and became playful.
    • c) He remained indifferent to the surroundings.
    • d) He showed signs of illness.

14. What was one of Mijbil's favourite activities?

    • a) Playing with other animals
    • b) Swimming in water
    • c) Running around the house
    • d) Sleeping in the sun

15. What did the narrator use to transport Mijbil during their travels?

    • a) A sturdy box
    • b) A pet carrier
    • c) A specially designed bag
    • d) A makeshift cage

16. How did Mijbil react to strangers?

    • a) He was aggressive towards them.
    • b) He ignored them completely.
    • c) He was curious and approached them.
    • d) He was fearful and hid from them.

17. What lesson did the narrator learn from keeping Mijbil as a pet?

    • a) Patience and understanding are crucial.
    • b) Wild animals should not be kept as pets.
    • c) Otters are difficult to take care of.
    • d) Pets can significantly improve one's life.

18. Which of the following best describes the bond between Mijbil and the narrator?

    • a) Formal and distant
    • b) Professional and business-like
    • c) Deep and affectionate
    • d) Casual and indifferent

19. What challenge did Mijbil face while adapting to life in the city?

    • a) Finding suitable food
    • b) Navigating the urban environment
    • c) Interacting with other pets
    • d) Coping with the noise

20. How did Mijbil's presence impact the narrator's daily routine?

• a) It became more structured.
• b) It became more chaotic.
• c) It remained unchanged.
• d) It became more relaxed.

Answer Key

1. c
2. a
3. c
4. b
5. a
6. a
7. c
8. c
9. a
10. c
11. a
12. b
13. b
14. b
15. a
16. c
17. a
18. c
19. d
20. b