CBSE Class 12 English HOTs The Rattrap

Refer to CBSE Class 12 English HOTs The Rattrap. We have provided exhaustive High Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) questions and answers for Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 4 The Rattrap. Designed for the 2025-26 exam session, these expert-curated analytical questions help students master important concepts and stay aligned with the latest CBSE, NCERT, and KVS curriculum.

Flamingo Chapter 4 The Rattrap Class 12 English HOTS with Solutions

Practicing Class 12 English HOTS Questions is important for scoring high in English. Use the detailed answers provided below to improve your problem-solving speed and Class 12 exam readiness.

HOTS Questions and Answers for Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 4 The Rattrap

Question. She ………. at him compassionately, with her heavy eyes, and then she noticed that the man was afraid.
(a) had looked
(b) looking
(c) look
(d) looked

Answer : D

Question. He accepted the fur coat.
(a) The fur coat will be accepted by him.
(b) The fur coat were accepted by him.
(c)The fur coat is accepted by him.
(d) The fur coat was accepted by him.

Answer : D

Question. Why was he amused by his idea of a rattrap?
(a) it was a bad joke
(b) it was a good comparison
(c) it was the exact situation and was humorous
(d) none

Answer : C

Question. Why did the Peddler feel that he had fallen into the Rattrap?
(a) because he fell into a pit
(b) because he fell in love with Edla
(c) because his heart is changed
(d) because of his greedy action and pitiable circumstances

Answer : D 

Question. From where did the Peddler get the material to make rattraps?
(a) shops
(b) roads
(c) streets
(d) stores

Answer : D

Question.  How did Crofter treat the Peddler?
(a) very rudely
(b) in a strange manner
(c) friendly manner
(d) none

Answer : C

Question. Why did Peddler sign himself as Captain Von Stahle?
(a) he didn't want to hurt them
(b) because of love and care
(c) because of mistaken identity
(d) none

Answer : C

Question. Why did ironmaster realise his mistake?
(a) because of Edla
(b) because of pedlar's words
(c) because of his friend
(d) because of uncertain reflections and Edla

Answer : D

Question. What made the Peddler finally change his heart?
(a) Edla's words
(b) Edla's appearance
(c) Edla's father
(d) Edla's goodness and care

Answer : D

Question. What was the Peddler's profession and who he was?
(a) selling, traveller
(b) begging, traveller
(c) stealing, thief
(c) none

Answer : C

Question. Why did Crofter show 30 Kronor to the Peddler?
(a) to boast
(b) to flaunt
(c) because he considers him a friend
(d) to share his feelings of pride

Answer : D

Question. Why did the Peddler have to resort to begging and thievery?
(a)Poverty
(b)miserable life
(c) because of non-profitability of his business
(d) none

Answer : C

Question. Who used to make rattraps?
(a) Crofter
(b) Edla
(c) Crofter and Edla
(d) Peddler

Answer : D

Question. He realised, of course, that at first he ………….. not continue on the public highway
(a) may
(b) could
(c) would
(d) dared

Answer : D

Question. He …………… nothing but a long shirt and a pair of wooden shoes.
(a) wear
(b) worn
(c) wore
(d) wearing

Answer : C


Passages for Comprehension

Passage 1
The stranger must have seemed incredulous, for the old man got up and went to the window, took down a leather pouch which hung on a nail in the very window frame, and picked out three wrinkled ten-kronor bills. These he held up before the eyes of his guest, nodding knowingly, and then stuffed them back into the pouch.

Question. Where was the leather pouch?
(a) hung on a nail
(b) hung on a tree
(c) hung on a cow
(d) hung on a cot
Answer. A

Question. Who showed the leather pouch?
(a) the rattrap seller
(b) the iron master
(c) the villagers
(d) the old crofter
Answer. D

Question. To whom did the old crofter show the pouch?
(a) to the Blacksmith
(b) to the crofter
(c) to the rattrap seller
(d) to the iron master
Answer. C

Question. How much money the crofter had?
(a) 10 kroner
(b) 20 kroner
(c) 30 kroner
(d) 40 kroner
Answer. C

Question. Where was the money?
(a) in the leather pouch
(b) in the bag
(c) in the trunk
(d) in the case
Answer. A

Question. Find the word that means the same as ‘unbelievable’ in the given passage
Answer. incredulous


Passage 2
One dark evening as he was trudging along the road he caught sight of a little grey cottage by the roadside, and he knocked on the door to ask shelter for the night. Nor was he refused. Instead of the sour faces which ordinarily met him, the owner, who was an old man without wife or child, was happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness.
Immediately he put the porridge pot on the fire and gave him supper; then he carved off such a big slice from his tobacco roll that it was enough both for the stranger’s pipe and his own. Finally he got out an old pack of cards and played ‘Mjolis’ with his guest until bedtime.

Question. What did the vagabond see one evening?
(a) an old man
(b) a big grey cottage
(c) a grand grey cottage
(d) a little grey cottage
Answer. D

Question. Who put the porridge pot on the fire?
(a) the old man’s wife
(b) the old man child
(c) the owner of the grey cottage
(d) the rattrap peddler
Answer. C

Question. Which game did the old man and his guest play?
(a) Cheat
(b) Poker
(c) Rummy
(d) Mjolis
Answer. D

Question. Who offered shelter to the Peddler?
(a) a beggar
(b) a friend
(c) a milkman
(d) an old crofter
Answer. D

Question. How did Crofter treat the Peddler?
(a) very rudely
(b) in a strange manner
(c) friendly manner
(d) none of these
Answer. C

Question. Find the word that means the same as ‘ultimately’ in the given passage
Answer. finally

 
Short Questions
1. Why does the peddler feel that the whole world is a rattrap?
2. How did people usually treat the peddler and what made the crofter different?
3. Breach of trust is the worst crime one can commit? How is it true in the case of peddler?
4. How does the writer bring out the allegory in the lesson when the peddler is trapped in the forest?
5. What made the peddler respond to the name Nils Olof?
6. What made the ironmaster send his daughter to persuade the peddler?
7. What shows that Edla was very observant, quick and sharp by nature?
8. Why does Edla stop the peddler from going away though she knew that he was not the captain?
9. What trait of the daughter is brought out when her father talks about her being worse than a parson?
10. Safety and security is a distant dream even in one’s own home. What makes the peddler safe and secure in the house of ironmaster?
11. What was Edla`sX`mas gift to the peddler?
12. What was the peddler’s gift to Edla?
13. Why does he sign in as the captain?
 
Essays
 
1. How were the two hosts’ - the crofter and the ironmaster different from one another?
2. In what way does humour help us to sympathize with the peddler?
3. Is the reader relieved by the way the story ended. Justify your answer
4. The story Rattrap is highly philosophical. Discuss
5. The metaphor of Rattrap highlights human nature. Discuss
 
More Important Questions For CBSE Class 12 English HOTs The Rattrap........ 
 
Question. To be grateful is a great virtue of a gentleman. How did the peddler show his gratitude to Edla?
Answer : The Rattrap is the story of a peddler who used to earn his living by selling small rattraps of wire. But, since his business was not profitable, he often indulged in begging and stealing. He had a grudge against the world because no one was ever kind to him. He took pleasure in imagining others in pain and misery as much as he was. This is why he did not mind absconding with the old crofter’s thirty kronors even though the crofter treated him with kindness. However, Edla’s sympathetic behaviour and understanding nature transformed the thief into an honest man. Edla’s father wanted the peddler out of his house immediately when he came to know that he was not his old friend. But Edla insisted that the peddler should spend the Christmas Eve with them and stay for the Christmas feast. She fed him, gave him clean clothes to wear and a place to sleep for the night. The peddler was not expecting to be treated with so much respect, almost like a gentleman. Edla’s humbleness and compassion won over the peddler and brought about a change in him. He not only left behind the thirty kronors notes to be returned to the crofter, the peddler also left Edla a rattrap as her Christmas gift. In the letter, the peddler thanked Edla for her kindness and hospitality. He signed the letter as Captain von Stahle because Edla made her feel so honoured. The peddler’s transformation proves that basic human goodness can be brought out by understanding and love
 
Question. Why didn’t the stranger tell the ironmaster that he was not Nils Olof ?
Answer : The stranger thought that the ironmaster might give him a couple of kronor taking pity on an old known person. So, he didn’t tell the ironmaster
that he was not Nils Olof.
 
Question. What made the peddler finally change his ways?
Answer : The kind, understanding and generous behaviour of Edla, the ironmaster’s daughter, finally changed him.
 
Question. Why did the peddler derive pleasure from his idea of the world as a rattrap?
Answer : The peddler handcrafted rattraps and sold them to earn a living, besides begging and stealing. His life was sad and monotonous; no one treated him kindly. He often felt gloomy because of his loneliness and at such times it gave him unwonted joy to think that the world was a giant rattrap, which lured and entrapped others in it by offering temptations, just as a rattrap would offer treats as bait. As he enjoyed thinking ill of the world, it pleased him that he was free from the rattrap; the temptations of the world could not ensnare him in the trap.
 
Question. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
Answer : The ironmaster saw the peddler in rags, sitting close to the furnace. He mistook him for an old acquaintance and expressed his joy on meeting him after a long time. The ironmaster wanted to spend the Christmas Eve with his old friend. Moreover, seeing the man in dishevelled condition, the ironmaster felt pity for him. Therefore, he spoke to the peddler kindly and invited him to his home. 20. The blacksmith and his worker did not notice the peddler entering the forge because it was dark and they were busy doing their work. Besides, there was a lot of noise in the forge due to iron bar being hammered on the anvil and the heavy storms outside.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. Why was the peddler amused at the idea of the world being a rattrap?
Answer : The peddler believed that the world with all its riches and joys, food and shelter appears as a rattrap to tempt people. He was amused to think of many other people he knew, who were already caught in the trap, and some others who were circling around the bait.

Question. Why did Edla invite the peddler to stay with her family?
Answer : Edla was a kind and compassionate young lady. It was Christmas and she wanted the peddler to be a guest for the occasion and share all the goodies that were prepared for Christmas. She had also sensed his fear but she wanted him to spend some time in her house without any fear and relax in comfortable security.

Question. What do we learn about the crofter’s nature from the story, ‘The Rattrap’?
Answer : The crofter was lonely and trusting. He was hospitable and gullible. Without any doubt on the peddler, he invites the peddler inside his house at night and shares not only his food but also the whereabouts of his hard earned money. He was friendly and talkative. He felt proud of his cow that gave him enough milk to support him and talks a lot about it.

Question. What did the gift of the rat trap signify?
Answer : In the story ‘The Rattrap’ the peddler leaves a small rat trap with thirty kronors and a note for Edla. He confesses his mistake and asks Edla to return the money to the crofter. He admits that he got caught in his own rattrap. He also thanks her for treating him as a real captain and for giving him another chance. Life is one big rat trap, one gets trapped by own deeds. The gift of the rattrap signified that the peddler was releasing himself from the trap he had very nearly got into. It was an expression of gratitude to Edla, for enabling him get out if it became of her behaviour towards him. It is important that everyone gets a second chance to improve oneself, and Edla had given him his chance.

Question. What hospitality did the peddler receive from the crofter?
Answer : The peddler was surprised as he was not only welcomed at the night time but was also provided food and shelter. He was treated like a guest and not as a beggar. The crofter was a lonely man, he also needed company.

Question. Why did the Crofter show the thirty kroner to the peddler?
Answer : The crofter felt proud of the cow that gave him enough milk to support him. So he told the peddler that he had got thirty kronors from the creamery as the payment of previous month’s supply. However, he felt that the peddler did not believe him. Thus, he showed the money to convince him.

Question. Why did the peddler think that the world was a rattrap?
Answer : The peddler was a very poor man. He earned his living by selling rattraps made out of material bought by begging. Suddenly he realised that the whole world was a rattrap. The riches and luxuries and comforts are the baits. Like rats, people allow themselves to be tempted by these baits. Once caught, everything is lost and even struggles would not let anyone escape.

Question. Why did the ironmaster speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home?
Answer : The iron master mistook the peddler to be “Nils olof ”, his old regimental comarade. He goes on to tell him that he would not have allowed him to resign if he had been in service. As if to make amends for what had happened, the ironmaster tells the peddler to accompany him to the manor, so that he can be received honourably like an old regimental comrade.

Flamingo Chapter 01 The Last Lesson
CBSE Class 12 English HOTs The Last Lesson
Flamingo Chapter 02 Lost Spring
CBSE Class 12 English HOTs The Lost Spring
Flamingo Chapter 03 Deep Water
CBSE Class 12 English HOTs Deep Water
Flamingo Chapter 04 The Rattrap
CBSE Class 12 English HOTs The Rattrap
Flamingo Chapter 05 Indigo
CBSE Class 12 English HOTs Indigo
Flamingo Chapter 06 Poets And Pancakes
CBSE Class 12 English HOTs Poets And Pancakes
Flamingo Chapter 07 The Interview
CBSE Class 12 English HOTs The Interview
Flamingo Chapter 08 Going Places
CBSE Class 12 English HOTs Going Places
Flamingo Poetry Chapter 01 My Mother at Sixty Six
CBSE Class 12 English HOTs My Mother at Sixty Six
Flamingo Poetry Chapter 02 Keeping Quiet
CBSE Class 12 English HOTs Keeping Quiet
Flamingo Poetry Chapter 03 A Thing of Beauty
CBSE Class 12 English HOTs A Thing Of Beauty
Flamingo Poetry Chapter 04 A RoadSide Stand
CBSE Class 12 English HOTs A Road Side Stand
Flamingo Poetry Chapter 05 Aunt's Jeniffer Tigers
CBSE Class 12 English HOTs Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers
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CBSE Class 12 English HOTs The Third Level
Vistas Chapter 02 The Tiger King
CBSE Class 12 English HOTs The Tiger King
Vistas Chapter 03 Journey to the End of the Earth
CBSE Class 12 English HOTs Journey to the End of the Earth
Vistas Chapter 04 The Enemy
CBSE Class 12 English HOTs The Enemy
Vistas Chapter 05 On The Face Of It
CBSE Class 12 English HOTs On The Face Of It

HOTS for Flamingo Chapter 4 The Rattrap English Class 12

Students can now practice Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) questions for Flamingo Chapter 4 The Rattrap to prepare for their upcoming school exams. This study material follows the latest syllabus for Class 12 English released by CBSE. These solved questions will help you to understand about each topic and also answer difficult questions in your English test.

NCERT Based Analytical Questions for Flamingo Chapter 4 The Rattrap

Our expert teachers have created these English HOTS by referring to the official NCERT book for Class 12. These solved exercises are great for students who want to become experts in all important topics of the chapter. After attempting these challenging questions should also check their work with our teacher prepared solutions. For a complete understanding, you can also refer to our NCERT solutions for Class 12 English available on our website.

Master English for Better Marks

Regular practice of Class 12 HOTS will give you a stronger understanding of all concepts and also help you get more marks in your exams. We have also provided a variety of MCQ questions within these sets to help you easily cover all parts of the chapter. After solving these you should try our online English MCQ Test to check your speed. All the study resources on studiestoday.com are free and updated for the current academic year.

Where can I download the latest PDF for CBSE Class 12 English HOTs The Rattrap?

You can download the teacher-verified PDF for CBSE Class 12 English HOTs The Rattrap from StudiesToday.com. These questions have been prepared for Class 12 English to help students learn high-level application and analytical skills required for the 2025-26 exams.

Why are HOTS questions important for the 2026 CBSE exam pattern?

In the 2026 pattern, 50% of the marks are for competency-based questions. Our CBSE Class 12 English HOTs The Rattrap are to apply basic theory to real-world to help Class 12 students to solve case studies and assertion-reasoning questions in English.

How do CBSE Class 12 English HOTs The Rattrap differ from regular textbook questions?

Unlike direct questions that test memory, CBSE Class 12 English HOTs The Rattrap require out-of-the-box thinking as Class 12 English HOTS questions focus on understanding data and identifying logical errors.

What is the best way to solve English HOTS for Class 12?

After reading all conceots in English, practice CBSE Class 12 English HOTs The Rattrap by breaking down the problem into smaller logical steps.

Are solutions provided for Class 12 English HOTS questions?

Yes, we provide detailed, step-by-step solutions for CBSE Class 12 English HOTs The Rattrap. These solutions highlight the analytical reasoning and logical steps to help students prepare as per CBSE marking scheme.