CBSE Class 10 English (Footprints Without Feet) Important Questions Chapter 3 - The Midnight Visitor

1. Who is Ausable?
Ans: Ausable is a spy who works in Paris, though he doesn’t look or act like a typical spy.

2. How does Fowler feel about Ausable initially?
Ans: Fowler feels disappointed when he first meets Ausable, as he doesn’t fit Fowler’s image of a spy.

3. What is Max looking for in Ausable’s room?
Ans: Max is looking for a secret report on missiles that Ausable is supposed to receive.

4. Why does Ausable mention a balcony outside his room?
Ans: Ausable invents a story about a balcony to mislead Max into thinking there is a way out of the room.

5. How does Max leave the room?
Ans: Max tries to escape through the window, believing there is a balcony, but falls as there is none.

6. Describe Ausable’s appearance and how it differs from Fowler’s expectations.
Ans: Ausable is overweight, clumsy, and doesn’t have the physical attributes or aura that Fowler imagined a spy would have. Fowler had expected a mysterious and sharp-looking figure but finds Ausable quite ordinary and unassuming, which disappoints him initially.

7. How does Ausable outsmart Max?
Ans: Ausable outsmarts Max by fabricating a story about a balcony outside his window. He also mentions the police arriving to heighten Max’s fear, causing Max to attempt an escape through the non-existent balcony, leading to his fall.

8. Why is Fowler fascinated by Ausable by the end of the story?
Ans: Fowler is fascinated because Ausable’s quick thinking and clever manipulation of Max reveal an unexpected and thrilling side of him. This encounter shows that Ausable is much more resourceful than he initially appeared, impressing Fowler with his intelligence.

9. Why does Ausable tell Max that the police are coming?
Ans: Ausable invents the story about the police coming to scare Max and pressure him into a hurried escape. This tactic pushes Max to act recklessly, ultimately leading him to jump out of the window.

10. What was Ausable’s plan when he mentioned a non-existent balcony?
Ans: Ausable’s plan was to mislead Max into believing there was a way out through the balcony. By suggesting an escape route, he lures Max into attempting to leave through the window, ultimately outsmarting him.

11. Describe how Ausable’s appearance and behaviour help him in dealing with Max.
Ans: Ausable’s unassuming appearance and calm demeanour make Max underestimate him, as he doesn’t seem like a typical secret agent. Ausable’s casual, even clumsy, approach makes Max relax his guard, believing Ausable isn’t much of a threat. When Ausable cleverly mentions the balcony and the police, Max falls for the ruse because he didn’t expect such quick thinking from someone as unimpressive as Ausable. This unexpected cleverness allows Ausable to handle Max without needing physical strength or force.

12. Explain how Ausable uses his surroundings to gain an advantage over Max.
Ans: Ausable uses the setting of his room to his benefit by making up a story about the balcony outside his window. Even though there isn’t one, Ausable describes it convincingly, prompting Max to believe it exists as an escape route. By adding that the police are arriving, Ausable forces Max into a panic, causing him to attempt an escape through the window. This creative use of his surroundings helps Ausable defeat Max without any violence.

13. What role does Fowler play in the story, and how does his perception of Ausable change?
Ans: Fowler plays the role of an observer who initially views Ausable as disappointing and unimpressive. Throughout the story, as he witnesses Ausable’s cleverness and ability to handle danger, Fowler’s perception changes. He becomes impressed by Ausable’s intelligence and resourcefulness, realising that being a spy isn’t just about appearance but about wit and strategy. Fowler leaves the encounter with a newfound respect for Ausable’s abilities.

14. How does Ausable’s story about the police affect Max’s actions?
Ans: Ausable’s story about the police arriving adds urgency and fear to the situation, making Max believe he is in immediate danger of being caught. This forces Max to consider a quick escape, and since he now believes there is a balcony outside, he chooses to try fleeing through the window. Ausable’s fabricated story successfully manipulates Max’s actions, leading to his downfall.

15. Discuss the theme of appearance versus reality as portrayed in The Midnight Visitor.
Ans: The theme of appearance versus reality is prominent, as Ausable’s looks and mannerisms are quite misleading. Fowler’s initial disappointment reflects society’s tendency to judge others based on appearance. However, Ausable’s real strength lies in his intelligence and creativity, not in his physical looks. This contrast between how Ausable looks and how he actually is highlights the idea that appearances can be deceiving, and real skill often goes beyond looks.

16. How does Ausable’s behaviour demonstrate effective problem-solving skills?
Ans: Ausable stays calm and uses his surroundings creatively to manipulate Max. His ability to make up a believable story about the balcony and police shows quick thinking and adaptability in a tough situation, solving the problem without confrontation.

17. What lesson can be learned from how Ausable handles Max?
Ans: The story suggests that intelligence and composure are more effective than aggression. Ausable’s wit allows him to outsmart Max without violence, teaching that brains can often solve problems more effectively than physical strength.

18. How does Robert Arthur build suspense throughout The Midnight Visitor?
Ans: The suspense builds as Ausable and Fowler enter the room, only to find Max holding a gun. Arthur creates tension with the dialogue and by revealing Ausable’s quick thinking through the invented story about the balcony, keeping readers uncertain about Max’s fate until the end.

19. Why is Max’s trust in Ausable’s words ironic in the story?
Ans: It’s ironic because Max is an experienced spy, yet he doesn’t question Ausable’s story about the balcony or the police. He falls for Ausable’s words without verifying, highlighting that Max’s failure lies in his overconfidence and lack of scepticism.

20. How does the author challenge the reader’s expectations of a typical spy in The Midnight Visitor?
Ans: The author presents Ausable as an unexpected spy who lacks the conventional spy qualities but possesses a sharp mind. This challenges the stereotypical image of a spy, showing that cleverness and adaptability are the true qualities needed in high-stakes situations.

21. Why does Fowler feel disappointed when he first meets Ausable?
Ans: Fowler is disappointed because Ausable doesn’t look or act like the spies he’s read about; instead, he seems ordinary and unromantic.

22. How does Ausable describe the “balcony” to Max?
Ans: Ausable explains that the balcony belongs to the adjacent room and can be accessed from a nearby empty apartment, convincing Max that it’s an easy escape route.

23. Why does Max feel the need to escape when he hears the knocking?
Ans: Max believes the knocking signals the arrival of the police, prompting him to find an immediate escape to avoid being caught.

24. How does Fowler’s view of spies change after his encounter with Ausable?
Ans: Fowler realises that real-life spies like Ausable rely more on intelligence than on glamour or physical skills, reshaping his understanding of espionage.

25. Why does Max scream as he tries to escape?
Ans: Max screams because he realises there’s no balcony outside the window, leading to his unexpected fall.

Benefits of Important Questions for Class 10 English Chapter 3 - The Midnight Visitor

• The FREE PDF includes important questions about Ausable’s quick thinking and problem-solving skills, helping students understand the story’s lesson on the power of intelligence.

• This PDF explains how Ausable’s wit outsmarts the dangerous spy Max, making it clear how being clever can solve problems.

• Students gain insights into how appearances can be misleading, as Ausable doesn’t look like a typical spy but uses his mind to win.

• Created by Vedantu’s experts, all questions are based on the CBSE syllabus, ensuring that students prepare with relevant material.

• The PDF’s format makes it easy for students to study anytime, offering a convenient and flexible way to prepare without extra costs.

Conclusion:

The story 'The Midnight Visitor' shows that clever thinking can be more powerful than strength in tricky situations. Ausable, despite not fitting the image of a typical spy, manages to outsmart Max, showing how intelligence can turn the tables in one’s favour. This story leaves readers with the message that wit and presence of mind can help solve even the toughest challenges. Vedantu’s FREE PDF of Important Questions for this chapter span the entirety of the lesson and cover everything you need to know about the chapter. Download the FREE PDF of Important Questions for The Midnight Visitor and study anywhere, anytime you wish!

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