CBSE Class 10 English The Midnight Visitor VBQs

Extract-Based Questions

Q. 1. Max was slender, a little less than tall, with features that suggested slightly the crafty, pointed countenance of a fox. There was about him — aside from the gun — nothing especially menacing. “The report,” he murmured. “The report that is being brought to you tonight concerning some new missiles. I thought I would take it from you. It will be safer in my hands than in yours.” Ausable moved to an armchair and sat down heavily. “I’m going to raise the devil with the management this time, and you can bet on it,” he said grimly. “This is the second time in a month that somebody has got into my room through that nuisance of a balcony!”

Question. Choose the option that displays the correct analogy.
(a) crafty : fox :: menacing : gun
(b) report : missile :: management : devil
(c) crafty : fox :: management : balcony
(d) armchair : grim :: balcony : nuisance
Answer : A

Question. Which word replaces ‘sat down heavily’ in the sentence—’Ausable moved to an armchair and sat down heavily’?
(a) dumped
(b) flumped
(c) pumped
(d) jumped
Answer : B

Question. Choose the part of the house through which Ausable thought Maxwell had entered his room.

(a) Option 1
(b) Option 2
(c) Option 3
(d) Option 4
Answer : B

Question. Owning a gun gave a menacing impression to Max’s character because
(a) a gun is only used by police officials.
(b) he was carrying it without any official license.
(c) a gun has a threatening implication.
(d) the gun was particularly huge.
Answer : C

Question. Delnaaz is a new tenant in her locality and Mrs. Mehta is the landlady. Choose the option that lists an action that would require Mrs. Mehta to ‘raise the devil’ with Delnaaz.

(a) Option 1
(b) Option 2
(c) Option 3
(d) Option 4
Answer : D

Q. 2. Ausable did not fit any description of a secret agent Fowler had ever read. Following him down the musty corridor of the gloomy French hotel where Ausable had a room, Fowler felt let down. It was a small room, on the sixth and top floor, and scarcely a setting for a romantic adventure. Ausable was, for one thing, fat. Very fat. And then there was his accent. Though he spoke French and German passably, he had never altogether lost the American accent he had brought to Paris from Boston twenty years ago. “You are disappointed,” Ausable said wheezily over his shoulder.

Question. It can be inferred from the extract that a secret agent is expected to be
(1) fit. (2) compassionate.
(3) apologetic. (4) suave.
(5) violent.
(a) Option 1, 3 & 5
(b) Option 1 & 4
(c) Option 2, 4 & 5
(d) Option 2 & 3
Answer : B

Question. “Following him down the musty corridor of the gloomy French hotel where Ausable had a room…”
Choose the correct option to replace the underlined words.
(a) expansive, abnormal
(b) lighted; formal
(c) damp; dingy
(d) uncanny; smart
Answer : C

Question. The reason Fowler was disappointed by Ausable when he met him was because Ausable
(a) lived in a shady French hotel.
(b) was related to the cops.
(c) didn’t have the personality of a spy.
(d) had a very strange accent.
Answer : C

Question. Amy is an American woman who teaches French and German in a primary school. This means that Amy is
(a) an empathetic teacher.
(b) a rational human being.
(c) an experienced guide.
(d) a multilingual instructor.
Answer : D

Question. Choose the option that lists the INCORRECT statements about the given passage.
1. Fowler had no expectations at all from Ausable.
2. Fowler was elated when he met Ausable.
3. Ausable was living in France as a spy.
4. Ausable had acquired the French accent over twenty years ago.
(a) 1, 2
(b) 3, 4
(c) 1, 3
(d) 2, 4
Answer : D

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question. Discuss, briefly, the reasons owing to which Fowler was interested in meeting Ausable.
Answer : Fowler had come to gather necessary material for his book on secret agents. Also, like all people, he too was interest in meeting a real secret agent. He had formed quite a romantic picture of secret agent as represented in books and films.

Question. Henry unintentionally saved Ausable’s life. Briefly comment.
Answer : Henry was a waiter in the same hotel in which Ausable was living in. Henry, fortunately, knocked at the door, when Ausable was convincing max about an imaginary balcony. Assuming that it was police at the door, Max desperately jumped through the window. Hence, Ausable was saved.

Question. Ausable was always one step ahead of everyone. Highlight any two instances from “The Midnight Visitor” when this holds true.
Answer : Although, Ausable was fat and sloppy, he knew all the tricks of his trade. He not only convinced crafty Max that there was a balcony below the window of his room but also was successful in killing Max without using any weapon.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. “Stereotypes are often misleading”. Elaborate on the given quote in the context of “The Midnight Visitor”.
Answer : Ausable did not fit any description of a secret agent. He did not seem to be so smart, active, movable aggressive and romantic as we read in book or see in films. He was very fat and sloppy. The Crack of pistols, wine and dark eyed beauties- had nothing to do with Ausable. Hence, stereotypes are often misleading.

Question. Fowler’s day took a one-eighty degree turn by the end of the evening. Examine the statement with reference to “The Midnight Visitor”.
Answer : Fowler was, initially, disappointed to meet Ausable as he found him much felt and boring man. But Fowler’s day took a one eighty degree turn by the end of the evening, as he was much surprised by the tactful nature of Ausable. He cocked-up a story about the balcony and the police. Ausable also got the intruder, Max, killed without firing a shot. Hence it proved to be a thrilling episode.

Question. Max was unprepared for his mission. Discuss with reference to the chapter “The Midnight Visitor”.
Answer : Though Max was very cunning and he came prepared with a gun but he was indeed no match to Ausable. He was easily misled by Ausable into believing that there was a balcony attached to the room. So we can say that Max was a little spy before Ausable and he was also unprepared for his mission.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. A new secret agent has asked Ausable’s opinion on the traits they should be looking for in a person filling in his shoes. Create a conversation between Ausable and the new agent about indispensable traits that a secret agent must have.
Answer : New agent: Monsieur Ausable, you have been famous as a committed employee in our department. I have also heard a lot about your quick wiliness, intelligence and hard work. But when I saw you I was really surprised to see your simple way of living. Please guide me by throwing some light on the traits a secret agent must have. Ausable: Well! Being a secret agent may not match the glamorous and flashy images from movies and television.
Spying is often a low-key, tireless and thankless endeavour. However, it is certainly not for those who lack commitment or the joint of heart. One needs to develop a number of practical and risk- a verse characteristics for spying. As a spy, you need to have keen senses and develop them further through training in how to collect and evaluate vital information. Also, you must have a natural adaptable and high functioning ability to interact with others. While doing so, it is essential that you keep your composure and be able to work independently. You see appearances are deceptive. You need to have a clever mind and be witty to become a successful secret agent.

Question. Ausable’s employer has been asked to write a recommendation letter for Ausable so that he may be promoted to a higher rank in the secret services. As his manager, draft the letter detailing his personality traits with reference to the instance in the chapter as a prime example of Ausable’s genius.
You may begin this way:
22, Rue Nationale
Paris
26 March’ 78
The General Director
Department for Internal Security
11-A, Rue de Dunkerque
Paris
Subject: Letter of Recommendation
This is to state that Monsieur Ausable has been a committed employee with us for the past two years. In this time, he has
………………………………(continue)…………………………
Yours sincerely ABC
Answer : 22, Rue National
Paris.
26 March 78
The General Director
Department of Internal Security
11-A, Rue de Dunkerque
Paris
Subject : Letter of Recommendation 
This is to state that Monsieur Ausable has been a committed employee with us for the past two years. In this time, he has very well proved that presence of mind and intelligence are more powerful than gun.
His sharp reaction, particularly to a dangerous situation, is very quick and thorough. He has outwitted and defeated many rival secret agents who had come to take away the important reports. Ausable has my enthusiastic recommendation. He is a kind, intelligent, quick-witted and a strong person who has a clear sense of direction, purpose and decision-making. I am confident that he will bring the same warmth, support, insight and hard work to his new work place and position. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any further information. It’s a privilege to have such devoted employees like Ausable in our department wishing him a bright future ahead.
Yours sincerely
ABC