CBSE Class 10 English The Thief's Story Important Questions Set 01

Extract Based Questions

Extract 1

(a). “I was an experienced and fairly successful hand.” State any one inference about Hari from the given context.
Answer: Hari, who was now fifteen, had become a thief at a very young age.

(b). Which of the statements 1 to 4 given below are TRUE with reference to the following lines?
“You look a bit of a wrestler yourself,” I said. A little flattery helps in making friends. “So do you,” he replied, which put me off for a moment because at that time I was rather thin.
1. Anil didn’t have any malicious intent.
2. Anil was just being funny and easy.
3. Both were trying to make pleasant conversation.
4. Both needed each other.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 4
(d) 3 and 4
Answer: (a) 1 and 2

(c). Hari found Anil ‘simple enough for my purpose’. What does he mean by this? Elaborate in about 40 words, with reference to the extract.
Answer: He means that Anil was too gullible and trusting for his own good. Hari describes him as ‘kind and simple enough’ for his purpose, which was to rob him after winning his confidence with sweet talk.

(d). Which phrase would correctly substitute ‘easy-going’ in the given sentence from the extract?
He was about 25 — a tall, lean fellow — and he looked easy-going, kind and simple enough for my purpose.
Answer: laid-back

(e). Who does ‘I’ refer to in the given extract?
Answer: ‘I’ is the thief, Hari Singh.

(f). What is he a fairly successful hand at?
Answer: He is a fairly successful hand at stealing things without getting caught.

(g). What is the meaning of ‘lean’?
Answer: Very thin or slim.

(h). What was Anil watching?
Answer: Anil was watching a wrestling match.

Extract 2

(a). State any one inference about Hari from the given context.
Hari was not fair in his dealings with Anil. He kept a profit of a rupee from shopping.
Answer: Hari justified the saying ‘Once a thief, always a thief.’

(b). State which of the options from (i) to (iv) can be applied to the given statement or context.
The most important thing that Anil inadvertently taught Hari, apart from arithmetic and making sentences, was being trustworthy and to have integrity.
(a) True because Hari’s actions are a testimony to this.
(b) False because appearances are deceptive.
(c) Partially true because Hari’s actions were questionable.
(d) Not applicable because once a thief, always a thief.
Answer: (a) True because Hari’s actions are a testimony to this.

(c). Anil consoled Hari on hearing his confession that he didn’t know how to cook. What does this show about Anil? Elaborate in about 40 words, with reference to the extract.
Answer: Anil patted Hari on the head to convey that it was okay not to know how to cook. He had already forgiven him for his little lie. He rather liked his persistence in following him and eventually took pity on the poor fellow.

(d). Which phrase would correctly substitute ‘the day’s supplies’ in the given sentence from the extract?
I made the tea in the morning and then would take my time buying the day’s supplies, usually making a profit of about a rupee a day.
Answer: provisions for cooking or stock for the kitchen

(e). Who does ‘I’ refer to in the story?
(a) Anil
(b) Hari
(c) An old man
(d) None of the above
Answer: (b) Hari

(f). What kind of work was the narrator doing before he met Anil?
(a) He was a professor
(b) He was a writer
(c) He was a petty thief
(d) None of the above
Answer: (c) He was a petty thief

(g). What did Anil promise him to teach?
(a) to write his name
(b) to cook
(c) to add numbers
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d) All of the above

(h). Why was the narrator grateful?
(a) because Anil would give him money
(b) because Anil would teach him how to read and write
(c) because Anil would do all his work
(d) None of the above
Answer: (b) because Anil would teach him how to read and write

(i). What qualities did Anil possess?
(a) simplicity
(b) kindness
(c) easy-going attitude
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d) All of the above

Extract 3

(a). State any one inference about Hari’s opinion of Anil from the given context.
It seems he wrote for magazines — a queer way to make a living!
Answer: Hari found this strange about Anil because he had never met a writer before.

(b). State which of the options from (i) to (iv) can be applied to the given statement or context.
“As soon as Anil received a cheque, he would go out and celebrate.”
(a) True because it showed that he was careless with money.
(b) False because he valued money too much to spend it recklessly.
(c) Partially true because he was bad at saving money.
(d) True not because he was careless but because he lived in the moment.
Answer: (d) True not because he was careless but because he lived in the moment.

(c). Anil didn’t confront Hari about the everyday theft of one rupee. Why? Elaborate in about 40 words, with reference to the extract.
Answer: Anil chose to overlook the everyday theft of one rupee because he wasn’t paying Hari any salary. Maybe it was too small an amount to worry about, for Anil was a kind and big-hearted man. He had an easy relationship with money.

(d). Which word or phrase would correctly substitute ‘fits and starts’ in the given sentence from the extract?
Anil made money by fits and starts.
Answer: irregularly or now and then

(e). Anil made money ‘by fits and starts’ means that he :
(a) deemed it fit to start investing money.
(b) started earning money in the recent past.
(c) received money intermittently.
(d) put his money to use frequently.
Answer: (c) received money intermittently.

(f). The information in the extract suggests that Anil could be a :
(a) salaried professional
(b) freelancer
(c) business man
(d) volunteer
Answer: (b) freelancer

(g). If borrow : : lend, then pick the ODD pair from the options below.
(a) give : : take
(b) lose : : find
(c) hop : : skip
(d) buy : : sell
Answer: (c) hop : : skip

(h). The reference to making a little money ‘this way’ refers to a way that is viewed by most people as :
(a) sensible
(b) inappropriate
(c) charitable
(d) aggressive
Answer: (b) inappropriate

(i). Based on your understanding of Anil in the extract, choose the option that synchronises with his thinking.
(a) So what if I don’t have much money? Giving it to that person who needs it is important as they could be a helping hand.
(b) I better learn how to protect my money. I think I’m being looted.
(c) I earn money with such tremendous effort. Where does it all go?
(d) When I become rich, I can begin to help friends then. Right now, I will spend only on myself.
Answer: (a) So what if I don’t have much money? Giving it to that person who needs it is important as they could be a helping hand.

Extract 4

(a). State any one inference about Hari from the given context.
I could live like an oil-rich Arab for a week or two.
Answer: Hari had robbed Anil of all his money when the latter was sleeping.

(b). State which of the options from (i) to (iv) can be applied to the given statement or context.
The train had still to pick up speed and I should have been able to jump into one of the carriages, but I hesitated — for some reason I can’t explain — and I lost the chance to get away.
(a) True because he was afraid of catching a running train.
(b) Yes because he didn’t want to spend on his ticket.
(c) Probably because he hesitated a lot.
(d) Actually, his guilt held him back.
Answer: (d) Actually, his guilt held him back.

(c). ‘The only person I knew really well was the man I had robbed.’ Elaborate the statement given above with reference to Hari’s act of cheating Anil in about 40 words.
Answer: Hari had only one friend, Anil, and he had conveniently robbed him of a rupee every day and that night had fleeced him clean of all his earnings. Although Hari had formed a bond of friendship with Anil, he realised it only now when he had broken his trust.

(d). Which word would correctly substitute ‘deserted’ in the given sentence from the extract?
When the train had gone, I found myself standing alone on the deserted platform.
Answer: empty or isolated

Extract 5

(a). What was the narrator doing at the wrestling match?
Answer: The narrator was a young thief who was looking for his next victim to steal from.

(b). State whether the following is TRUE or FALSE: ‘I hadn’t had much luck of late’ means that the boy hadn’t been successful in duping people for some time. ((C) Thievery and cheating requires acute observation skills and a practical understanding of human psychology. Comment in about 40 words based on the extract. (D) Based on the description of Anil's appearance, how do you think he would have taken the narrator's attempt at flattering him?
Answer: True.

(c). According to the extract, What does ‘simple enough for my purpose’ mean?
(a) simple people are very helpful
(b) simple people are easy to cheat
(c) simple people will help the narrator
(d) Both (a) and (c)
Answer: (b) simple people are easy to cheat

(d). ‘I hadn’t had much luck of late’ means that the boy hadn’t:
(a) ever conned people successfully.
(b) been successful in duping people lately.
(c) understood the consequences of thievery till date.
(d) considered the role of fate in deceiving others.
Answer: (b) been successful in duping people lately.

(e). “I might be able to get into the young man’s confidence.” Choose the option that DOES NOT display what the statement means.
(a) He wanted to win his trust.
(b) He wanted him to share his thoughts without caution.
(c) He wanted him to feel comfortable revealing more details about himself.
(d) He wanted to be able to spend quality time with him.
Answer: (d) He wanted to be able to spend quality time with him.

(f). Anil looked easy-going, kind and simple to the narrator. Which of the given characteristics would NOT fit in with this description?
(a) compassionate
(b) suave
(c) uncomplicated
(d) carefree
Answer: (b) suave

(g). Based on the line, “A little flattery helps in making friends.” Choose the option that displays the quote closest in meaning.
(a) Imitation is the best form of flattery; people generally understand that my comedy is not intended to hurt anybody.
(b) I know imitation is the highest form of flattery, but stealing one’s identity is totally different.
(c) Nothing is so great an example of bad manners as flattery. If you flatter all the company, you please none; If you flatter only one or two, you offend the rest.
(d) One may define flattery as a base companionship which is most advantageous to the flatterer.
Answer: (d) One may define flattery as a base companionship which is most advantageous to the flatterer.

(h). How old was the narrator?
(a) 10 years
(b) 12 years
(c) 15 years
(d) 25 years
Answer: (c) 15 years

(i). What was Anil’s profession?
(a) wrestling
(b) acting
(c) business
(d) article writing for magazine
Answer: (d) article writing for magazine

(j). Identify a word from the above lines which means the same as ‘slender’.
(a) approached
(b) tall
(c) lean
(d) purpose
Answer: (c) lean

(k). Choose the answer that lists the correct reason why the narrator wants to gain Anil’s confidence.
(a) To show his loyalty.
(b) To befriend him.
(c) To rob him.
(d) He didn’t want to leave Anil’s company.
Answer: (c) To rob him.

Extract 6

(a). Even though Hari Singh followed Anil casually, it was a/an ______.
(a) careless action
(b) staged move
(c) unusual decision
(d) bold step
Answer: (b) staged move

(b). From the following options, identify Hari Singh’s intention behind the appealing smile:
(a) Deceit
(b) Harm
(c) Hatred
(d) Jealousy
Answer: (a) Deceit

(c). Select Anil’s characteristics as revealed in the extract.
(a) determined
(b) humorous
(c) judgemental
(d) naive
Answer: (d) naive

(d). Select the most appropriate option based on statements (1) and (2).
(1) Anil gave his meal to a stray dog.
(2) Hari Singh did not know how to cook.
(a) (2) is true and (1) is false.
(b) (2) is the result for (1).
(c) (2) is the cause for (1).
(d) (2) is false and (1) is true.
Answer: (c) (2) is the cause for (1).

(e). Fill in the blank with an appropriate answer. The phrase ‘‘hung around’’ suggests that Hari Singh continued to ______. (CBSE SQP 2021)
Answer: linger.

Extract 7

(a). What does the phrase "out of practice" suggest about the speaker’s activity?
Answer: It suggests that the speaker is a thief who has not stolen anything for some time and needs to get back to his ‘work’.

(b). Which word would correctly substitute 'pleasure', in the given sentence from the extract. Sometimes he doesn’t even notice he’s been robbed and that takes all the pleasure out of the work.
Answer: thrill

(c). State TRUE or FALSE: None of the terms (1) -(3) below, can be applied to the question - What inference can be drawn about the speaker from the extract? (1) The speaker's long-term intentions or future actions beyond the context of the immediate situation. (2) The specific circumstances that led the speaker to become a thief. (3) The speaker has a somewhat manipulative nature.
Answer: False. Term (3) can be applied, as the speaker’s plan to win Anil’s confidence and rob him shows that he has a somewhat manipulative nature.

(d). What is the overall tone conveyed by the speaker's description of Anil as "the most trusting person" and the difficulty in robbing him? Answer in 40 words.
Answer: The tone is ironic and self-justifying. The thief admires Anil’s trusting nature and yet uses it as a reason to rob him, which shows his inner conflict.

Extract 8

(a). What ‘real work’ is the speaker talking about?
Answer: The ‘real work’ in the extract refers to stealing.

(b). Why does the speaker say ‘I’m out of practice’?
Answer: The speaker says so because he is a thief but he has not robbed anyone recently.

(c). Give another word for ‘practice’ as used in the extract.
Answer: Habit

(d). What part of speech is the word ‘real’ in the extract?
Answer: It is an adjective.

Extract 9

(a). Why was the speaker standing alone on the platform?
Answer: The speaker was standing alone on the platform because the train had just left.

(b). Why did he not have any friends?
Answer: The speaker did not have any friends because he was a thief.

(c). Which word in the extract is the opposite of the word ‘crowded’?
Answer: Deserted

(d). What does ‘deserted’ mean?
Answer: It means ‘empty’.

(e). Who is the speaker of the above extract ?
(a) Hari
(b) Anil
(c) An old man
(d) None of these
Answer: (a) Hari

(f). The speaker was standing alone on the platform because :
(a) he wanted to be left alone
(b) he has reached the wrong station
(c) the train had just left
(d) the train had got cancelled
Answer: (c) the train had just left

(g). Why did the speaker not have any friend?
(a) because nobody liked him
(b) because he was a thief
(c) because he was old
(d) because he thought that friends were more trouble than help
Answer: (d) because he thought that friends were more trouble than help

(h). Which word in the extract is the opposite of ‘crowded’?
(a) Alone
(b) Deserted
(c) Congested
(d) Lonely
Answer: (b) Deserted

(i). The word ‘myself’ in the extract is a :
(a) Pronoun
(b) Verb
(c) Noun
(d) Adverb
Answer: (a) Pronoun

Extract 10

(a). Who are ‘he’ and ‘I’ in the given extract?
Answer: ‘He’ is Anil and ‘I’ is Hari Singh, the thief.

(b). What did Anil decide?
Answer: Anil decided to teach Hari to cook, read and write.

(c). Which word in the extract means ‘thankful’?
Answer: Grateful

(d). Why was Hari Singh grateful to Anil?
Answer: Hari Singh was grateful to Anil because he taught him to read, write and add numbers.

Extract 11

(a). Why is the narrator at the train station?
(a) to say goodbye to a friend
(b) to run away after stealing Anil’s money
(c) to steal from the passengers
(d) None of the above
Answer: (b) to run away after stealing Anil’s money

(b). Choose the option that lists the set of statements that are NOT TRUE according to the given extract. 1. The narrator is at the train station to say goodbye to a friend. 2. The narrator is at the train station to run away after stealing Anil’s money. 3. The narrator is at the train station to steal from the passengers. 4. The narrator was hesitant. 5. The narrator was unable to leave with the train. 6. The narrator is at bus stop.
(a) 1, 3, 6
(b) 1, 2, 3
(c) 3, 4, 5
(d) 1, 4, 6
Answer: (a) 1, 3, 6

(c). Pick the option that correctly classifies fact/s (F) and opinion/s (O) about the narrator.
1. The narrator hesitated because he was scared of trains. 2. His conscience made him realise he is guilty. 3. He didn’t know where the train was going. 4. He was at the train station to run away after stealing Anil’s money.
(a) F – 2, 4 and O – 1, 3
(b) F – 2, 3 and O – 1, 4
(c) F – 1, 4 and O – 2, 3
(d) F – 1, 2 and O – 3, 4
Answer: (a) F – 2, 4 and O – 1, 3

(d). Was the narrator able to leave by the Lucknow Express?
(a) Yes
(b) No
(c) Maybe
(d) None of these
Answer: (b) No

(e). Where did the narrator go from the platform?
(a) He went to Anil’s home
(b) Went to Lucknow
(c) Went to his home
(d) None of the above
Answer: (a) He went to Anil’s home

Extract 12

(a). Pick the option that correctly classifies fact/s (F) and myths (M) about the judgement of narrator about Anil for which he returned back to him realising his mistake.
1. Anil’s honesty. 2. Anil’s income. 3. Anil’s education. 4. Anil’s compassion and good behaviour.
(a) F – 2, 4 and M – 1, 3
(b) F – 2, 3 and M – 1, 4
(c) F – 2, 1 and M – 3, 4
(d) F – 3, 4 and M – 1, 2
Answer: (d) F – 3, 4 and M – 1, 2

(b). What did the narrator ask Anil to do for him?
(a) To give him some money
(b) To employ him
(c) To give him food
(d) To give him shelter for a night
Answer: (b) To employ him

(c). How did Anil like the food prepared by Hari?
(a) Anil enjoyed it a lot
(b) Anil threw it to stray dogs
(c) Anil distributed it to his friends
(d) Anil invited his neighbours to relish the food
Answer: (b) Anil threw it to stray dogs

(d). Identify a word from the above lines which means the same as ‘‘err’’.
(a) expected
(b) instantly
(c) misjudged
(d) reply
Answer: (c) misjudged

(e). Hari lied to Anil about his culinary skills. What does this reveal about Hari?
(a) His kind intention.
(b) His affection for Anil.
(c) His dedication to work.
(d) His crafty attitude.
Answer: (d) His crafty attitude.

Extract 13

(a). What is going on in the mind of the speaker?
Answer: Here, the speaker, Hari Singh, is planning his escape to Lucknow after stealing Anil’s hard-earned money by taking the 10.30 train. Since he had been very successful at robbing people earlier, he is thinking of pulling off another robbery.

(b). Why was Anil’s face clear and unlined?
Answer: Anil’s face was clear and unlined as he was sleeping peacefully in his bed. He had no idea that Hari was by his side, planning to steal his money and run away with it.

Short Answer Questions

Question 1. Who does ‘I’ refer to in this story?
Answer: ‘I’ is Hari Singh, the thief.

Question 2. What is he ‘a fairly successful hand’ at?
Answer: He is ‘a fairly successful hand’ at stealing things from houses without being caught.

Question 3. What does he get from Anil in return for his work?
Answer: He gets food and shelter from Anil, and Anil also teaches him to write his name and promises to teach him to write whole sentences and add numbers.

Question 4. How does the thief think Anil will react to the theft?
Answer: The thief thinks that Anil will be sad, not for the loss of money but for the loss of trust.

Question 5. What does he say about the different reactions of people when they are robbed?
Answer: He had studied all kinds of people who had been robbed by him. The greedy man showed fear, the rich man showed anger, and the poor man showed acceptance.

Question 6. Does Anil realise that he has been robbed?
Answer: Anil realises that he has been robbed, because the next morning he gives Hari Singh a fifty-rupee note that is still wet from the rain.