CBSE Class 12 English Flamingo The Rattrap Selma Lagerlof Assignment

Characters: 1. A tramp with rattraps, 2. A crofter, 3. Master Smith in the Ramsjo Iron Mill in Sweden, 4. Helpers in the Mill – blacksmiths, 5. Iron mill owner, 6. Edla Willmansson – daughter of the Iron Mill owner.

The Title: “The Rattrap” is an appropriate title as it is the story of a rattrap peddler. The author has used the metaphor of a Rattrap to highlight the human predicament. Just as a rat is fooled by bait and gets trapped, most human beings also fall into the trap of material benefits. The story revolves around the incident of a man getting trapped due to his greed. Hence, the title is an apt one.

Theme: The human beings are prone to fall into the trap of material benefits. It is the human tendency to redeem oneself from dishonest ways. Hence, the whole world is called a big rattrap which tempts the people towards its materialistic benefits, and brings about their doom and never ending predicament. It also highlights the themes like human loneliness, status and treatment meted out to have-nots and callous attitude of society and government towards such people. One of the themes is that man is inherently good by nature. The society and environment make them bad. Human goodness and kindness can bring about the change in their attitude.

Understanding the Lesson: The Rat Trap” written by Selma Lagerlof is a short story about an old disheartened beggar and thief who is taken in and shown generosity by a young woman, her kindness changes his bitter attitude about life. The peddler is a man who has fallen upon misfortune and now resorts to selling rattraps, begging, and thievery. He is very pessimistic about the world around him and sees the world as merely a “rat trap”.

He believes that society tempts us with riches and fine things, and when we accept, we are caught in the trap and are left with nothing. The warmth of compassion extends its rays around the world, engraving mankind with its characteristic. Selma Legerlof supports the theory of compassion in her modern day short story “The Rat Trap” which depicts the powerful and positive impacts of such care.

In the story, cynicism grips the protagonist rat trap peddler until the old man and the blacksmith’s daughter infect the protagonist with their altruism. Thus, the peddler’s inner soul experiences a rapid transformation form an ugly duckling to a dazzling swan. Legerlof’s first scene of compassion is from the old man’s hospitality. Despite the fact that he did not know the peddler, the old man still opened his arms and acted charitable by providing food and shelter.

This action is not typical in the today’s world; a majority of us would turn a blind eye. However, although the old man showed a sign of compassion, it was not appreciated—the protagonist stole from the old man. As the peddler ponders on the road of guilt, he soon receives a second action of care from a little girl. Compassion is illustrated when the blacksmith’s daughter takes pity on the protagonist.

Although she knew the fact that he was not Captain von Stahle, whom he claimed to be, the girl said,” I think he ought to stay with us today. I don’t want him to go.” The girl’s compassionate words cracked the foundation of the protagonist’s cynical world. Throughout the story, the protagonist only believed in the dismal side of human nature, survival of the fittest, and viewed the world as a battlefield.

His whole belief system was shattered when he received the girl’s pity and an opportunity to enjoy his first “true” Christmas. Lagerlof’s “The Rat Trap” strongly validates the concept that compassion revolves around humankind. She provides evidence when the old man and the blacksmith’s daughter show compassion towards the protagonist.As a result, the girl acted as the North Star, guiding the protagonist out of the trap of cynicism.

Another lesson the mendicant learns throughout the course of the story is to be considerate of others. At the end of the novel, he makes amends with the old man by returning his money and writing Edla a thank you note. He understands what he did to the man was wrong and that was not returning the kindness and trust given to him. He apologized for lying to the girl and her father and leaves her a present, a rat trap and the stolen money (thirty croner bills) of the old man to be returned.

Main Points: 1) ‘The Rattrap’ is a story that underlines the belief that essential goodness in human beings can be aroused through sympathy, understanding and love. 2) Once a man went around selling small rattraps but he took to begging and thievery to keep his body and soul together. 3) One day he was struck with the idea – the whole world is a big rattrap and it offers riches as bait. 4) People let themselves be tempted to touch the bait then it closes in on them bringing an end to everything. 5) One dark evening the rattrap
peddler sought shelter in an old crofter’s roadside cottage. 6) The old man gave him food, tobacco they enjoyed the card game too. 7) Next morning the peddler stole away his thirty kroners. 8) The rattrap peddler escaped into a big confusing forest and got lost. 9) While resting on the ground he recollected his idea that the world is a rattrap and thought his end was near. 10) Hearing a thumping sound he reached Ramsjo ironworks for a night shelter. 11) The owner came on his nightly rounds and noticed the ragged wretch near the furnace. 13) He took him as an old acquaintance ‘Nils Olof.’ 14) He invited him to stay with their friends for Christmas but the stranger declined the offer. 15) His daughter Edla Willmansson persuaded to go home with him. 16) She requested him to stay for Christmas Eve only. 17) On his way to the Manor House the peddler thought that he had thrown himself into the lion’s den. 18) The next day in broad day light the iron master realized the stranger was not captain and threatened to call the sheriff. 19) Edla pleaded for him and asked him to stay back. 20) Christmas Eve at Ramsjo was as usual and the stranger slept and slept. 21) She made him understand that if he wanted rest and peace he would be welcome next Christmas also. This had a miraculous effect on him. 22) Next morning they went for early church service leaving behind the guest who was asleep. 23) They learnt at church that a rattrap peddler had robbed an old crofter. 24) Edla becomes very upset. 25) They reach home immediately and learn that the peddler had already left but had not taken anything at all with him. Instead, he had left a small packet for the young girl as a Christmas present. 26) She opens the packet and finds a rattrap, three wrinkled ten-Krona notes and also a letter with a request to return the Kroners to the crofter.

GIST OF THE LESSON

• The peddler was a vagabond who sold rattraps with a little thievery on the side to make bothends meet. Had no worldly possession to call his own, not even a name.
• It amused him to think of the world as a rattrap and all the material possessions as bait as the world, he felt was never kind to him. Moreover, he prided himself in the fact that he was out of it.
• Takes shelter at a crofter's cottage. The crofter welcomed him, gave him diner, shared his pipe, played mjolis with him also confided in him about his income and showed him where he put it.
• Next morning, the Peddler steals the money and takes the back roads to keep away from people and gets lost in the jungle at night. While he wanders in the forest he realizes that he has also got caught in the rattrap and that the money was the bait.
• Finally reaches Ramsjo ironworks, where he takes shelter for the night. The blacksmith and his assistant ignore him but the master mistakes him to be an old acquaintance and invites him home. Though the Peddler does not correct the ironmaster, hoping to get some money out of him, he declines his invitation.
• The ironmaster then sends his daughter who persuades him to go home with her. She notices his uncouth appearance and thinks that either he has stolen something or he has escaped from jail.
• The Peddler is scrubbed, bathed, given a haircut, a shave and a suit of old clothes of the ironmaster. In the morning light, the iron master realizes he is mistaken and that he is not the Captain. He wants to call the Sheriff. The peddler is agitated and breaks out that the world is rattrap and he too is sure to be caught in it. The ironmaster is amused but orders him out. The compassionate Edla convinces her father that he should spend the Christmas day with him.
• The Peddler spends the whole of Christmas Eve eating and sleeping. The next day at church, Edla and her father come to know that the Peddler is a thief who stole thirty kroners from the poor crofter.
• Back home, they found a letter addressed to Edla, signed as Captain Von Stahl and a rattrap as a gift from the crofter. In the rattrap were the three ten kroner notes of the crofter.

Summary The Rat Trap Class 12 English

The story is based on the universal theme that the essential goodness in man can be awakened through understanding and love.
The story revolves around the belief that the whole world is nothing but a big rattrap with all its temptations used as baits.

The author uses the rattrap as a metaphor to justify the theme and basic idea that the world offers riches and joys as baits to trap man. The peddler in the story is taken in by the multiple baits offered to him in the form of a cottage on the roadside, the crofter's hospitality and his confidences. Most of all, it was the money shown by the crofter that brought him back into the trap. He came back to steal the 30 kronors shown by his host. In his attempt to save himself from the clutches of law he got all the more entangled into the trap. He became a victim ofhis own philosophy of life.

The world, like bait, kept enticing him further in the form of the iron master and his daughter with all their hospitalities that they offered. The kind treatment meted out to him by Miss. EdlaWillmansson left a deep impression on him. It awakened the hidden goodness in him on seeing that she had gone out ofher way to make him comfortable and had also opposed her father who wanted to turn him away on realising that he was not the man, his old army comrade that he had taken him for.

It was Edla's attitude that helped the peddler get released from the trap. He surrendered the stolen money and also thanked her for bringing about the much desired change in him. His basic goodness came to the fore because of her products.
• Was an army officer earlier
•  Dedicated businessman
•  Hasty and haughty in temperament.
•  Not a good judge of characters

Summary in detail

A rattrap peddler went around selling small rattraps. His clothes were in rags. His cheeks were hollow. He had the look of a starved man. He made wire traps. He begged the material from stores and big farms. Sometimes he resorted to begging and a little stealing to survive. The world had never been kind to him. He had no home, no shelter.

The peddler led a lonely life. One day while he was thinking about his rattraps, an idea struck him. He thought that the world itself was a rattrap. As soon as anybody touched it, the trap closed on them. He was amused to think of some people who were already trapped, and some others who were trying to reach the bait in the trap. It was a cold evening in December. He reached a cottage on the roadside. He knocked at the door and asked for a night’s shelter. The owner of the cottage was a lonely old crofter. He wanted someone to talk to. He welcomed the peddler. He gave the peddler hot porridge to eat, and tobacco to smoke. Then they played cards. The crofter was generous as well as trustful. He told the peddler that he had a cow and sold her milk to a creamery. He also told him that he received thirty kronors as payment the previous month. Then he took down a pouch and showed him the money. Then he put the money back in the pouch and hung it on a nail in the window frame.

Next morning the peddler left. The crofter locked caught in the trap. The ironmaster told him to leave at once. Edla did not like her father’s asking the poor peddler to leave. She thought it was unfair to turn away the man whom they had invited. She wanted to have the joy of entertaining a homeless wanderer on Christmas Eve. She stopped the peddler and her father agreed to it.

Edla served food to the peddler. He was given Christmas presents which he thankfully received. Edla told him that her father’s suit that the peddler was wearing was also a Christmas present. She assured him that he would be welcomed again if he liked to spend the next Christmas Eve with them. Next morning the ironmaster and his daughter went to church. There they learned that the peddler was a thief. He had robbed the crofter. The ironmaster was sure that the peddler must have made away with their silver. Edla was dejected. But when they reached home they learned that the peddler had left. But he had taken away nothing. On the other hand he had left a Christmas present for Edla. Edla opened the present. It was a tiny rattrap. Edla was happy to see that the peddler had left the crofter’s money behind. There was a letter also. It was addressed to Edla. He thanked her for her kindness. He wanted to repay her kindness. So he had left the crofter’s money and had requested her to return it to the crofter. He said he had been raised to captain. That was why he could come out of the rattrap in which he had been caught. He signed the letter Captain von Stable

THEME: The essential goodness of human beings can be awakened through understanding and love.

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER:

1. The story - set- in the mines of Sweden-rich in iron ore.
2. Tramp- physical appearance: had sunken cheeks; eyes gleamed with hunger
-led a sad &dull life
-lived in rags.
-earned his living by selling rattraps-business not profitable.
-resorted to-begging & thievery.
-Philosophical thought- whole world a big rattrap-attracts people with riches, joy shelter, food, clothing just as cheese &pork attract a rat.

3. Peddler's meeting the Crofter :

One day-dark evening-saw little gray cottage &asked for shelter Owner old man-alone-needed company- welcomed the peddler.
Old man-Crofter at Ramsjo ironworks earlier, now-had a cow-by selling milk had earned about 30 kronor-money hung in leather bag near window frame.
crofter-hospitable- offered porridge to eat, tobacco, played cards'
next morning the tramp left - returned half an hour later-stole the money.
Walked on public highway -went to the forest- lost his way-realised caught in trap.

4. Peddler's meeting the owner of the Iron mill:
Owner of the mill-rich; on night inspection-saw peddler-mistook for Nils Olof(Captain von Stahle)-invited him to the Manor house-peddler refused the invitation.

5. Owner sent his daughter Edla Willmansson:
Edla not pretty, modest, shy, compassionate.
She sensed that either the peddler has escaped from jail or stolen something.
The peddler accepted the invitation on Edla's assurance that he could go back as freely as he would come.

6. Christmas Eve:
Peddler-bathed, shaven, wore clean new clothes-owner realized his mistake.
Peddler confessed not being acquaintance; said he had been forced to come to the house;
reacted angrily to threat of calling the police by the iron master.
Edla requested her father to allow the peddler to stay for Christmas Eve.
Peddler was gifted a suit; treated with warmth, 

7. Christmas Morning:
Edla &her father went to church-heard about the theft at crofter's house by a peddler-worriedreturn home-peddler had left a package for Edla.
Package contained-small rattrap, three wrinkled ten kronor notes &a letter for Edla -expressing thanks for raising him to the level of Captain from an ordinary peddler&asking her to return the money to the old man.

CHARACTERS:

1 Peddler: dishonest, thief, deceives people, ungrateful-later Edla's kindness &love changes him to an honest, grateful person.
2. Edla: not pretty but kind, shy, modest.
3. Iron Master: helpful, kind , loses patience quickly, loving father.
4. Crofter: friendly, loved the company of people, talkative ,hospitable, easily trusts others.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Question. Why did the Peddler choose to go through the forest?
Answer: After stealing the thirty kroners from the crofter, the Peddler knew that he would be caught and put in prison if he continued to walk by the man road. So he chose the back roads that went through the forest.

Question. Why did not the Peddler reveal his true identity when the ironmaster mistakes him to be the Captain?
Answer: The Peddler thought that the ironmaster might take pity on him give him some money if he thought he was an old acquaintance. So he keeps quiet and allows the iron master to presume he was the captain.

Question. Why did it please the tramp to compare the world to a rattrap?
Answer: The world was not very kind to the tramp and so it gave him great pleasure to think of it as a rattrap.

Question. Why did the tramp sign the letter as Captain Von Stahle?
Answer: The tramp, though illiterate and a thief, found himself raised to a captain through Edla's kindness and compassion. He got a chance to redeem himself and hence he signs the letter as Captain Von Stahle.

Long Answer Questions:

Question. Both the Crofter and Edla Willmanson were kind and hospitable to the Tramp. But he repays crofters kindness by stealing his money while Edla is able to transform him to a better human being. Why?
Answer: 
Crofter very hospitable. Welcomes him with a smile - gives him supper and shares his tobacco.
Tells him about income-shows him the money - very trusting and friendly.
Stealing a way of life for the tramp-no twinge of conscience while stealing-But later he realizes that he who prided himself in not being caught in the rattrap was caught in it by stealing - feels depressed.
Edla's kindness and hospitality awakens his conscience-Realises that there is a way out of the trap- Returns the money through Edla- His redemption -gift to Edla.

Question. How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the ironmaster and his daughter?
Answer: The peddler initially – no principles in life – driven by want, hunger and starvation – stoops to begging and stealing - well-received by the crofter- received hospitality and company- but betrayed the crofter’ s confidence vested in him- stole the thirty kronors- when he loses his way in the forest- realizes that he is trapped- ironmaster’s kindness- baits to draw him further into the trap- but Edla’s warmth and hospitality – raises him and stirs the latent goodness in him- leaves a letter with the stolen money and a rattrap as a gifther warmth redeems him from his dishonesty and makes him turn over a new leaf.

Question. What are the instances in the story that show that the character of the ironmaster is different from that of his daughter?
Answer: The father and daughter- stand in contrast- father lacks maturity and acts impulsively- jumps to conclusion without much thought- mistakes the peddler for an old regimental comrade without much thought- again on realising his mistake- wishes to defer the matter to the sheriff- Edla on the other hand- keen sense of observation- identifies him to be a tramp at first sight- has a cool and sympathetic attitude- persuades her father to let the peddler stay on for Christmas- welcomes him the next year too.

Question. The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to others’ behaviour. Pick out instances of these surprises.
Answer: Old crofter’s reaction to the tramp’s request to stay with him- unexpected-hospitality which hit him by surprise- peddler’ act of stealing- breach of trust- ironmaster’s sudden invitation to the tramp- peddler’s refusal to go with him- later on accepting Edla’s request- unexpected- ironmaster’s reaction on knowing his identity- unexpected- Edla’s intercession and the peddler’s gift to her at the end – full of unexpected reactions.

Question. What made the peddler finally change his ways?
Answer: The peddler had been living a despicable life of poverty- no one to bestow love and kindness upon him- Edla instrumental in changing him-her treatment of him as a captain- helps redeem him from dishonestyfinally is a changed man- leaves the thirty kronors and the rattrap as a gift to Edla- a present from a rat who had been caught in this worldly rattrap – transformed because of his innate goodness being kindled.

Question. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight human predicament?
Answer: Metaphor of a rattrap reveals man’s helplessness, restlessness and powerlessness in the face of difficult situations that pursuit of joys and luxuries land him in –bait – yields to the temptations -The peddler thinks of the world to be a rattrap-setting baits for people- when he stole the crofter’s money- loses his way in the forest- world as a rattrap had trapped him in- when ironmaster realizes his mistaken identity- the peddler tells him that the world is a rattrap- one day he would also be caught in it- none escapes- one person falls onto it one day the other another day- finally leaves a rattrap as a present- metaphor highlights the theory of crime and punishment- theft is compared to enticement by a bait- and subsequent imprisonment comparable to guilt and atonement.

Question. The peddler comes out with a subtle sense of humour. How does this serve in lightening the seriousness of the theme of the story and also endears him to us?
Answer: The peddler has a subtle sense of humour- although a vagabond, without any idea about his next mealthinks of the world to be rattrap- when he loses his way in the forest thinks of the rattrap again and realises that he had been trapped- his acknowledgement that he had been enticed reduces the gravity of his crimewhen invited to the ironmaster’s house felt he was voluntarily throwing himself into the lion’s den-reminds the ironmaster of the worldly rattrap- what endears him to the readers is his transformation and his signature as Captain Von Stahle.

VALUE BASED QUESTIONS

Question. The peddler in ‘The Rattrap’ is a thief, dishonest, but there was something gnawing his conscience. He always resented taking to evil ways, felt guilty of stealing and blamed and cursed himself. He could reform because he had the desire. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Keeping this in mind, write an article in 100 words on this topic.
Answer: Everyone wishes to be successful in life- but in the path that leads to success one should not forget the battle - When we feel the dire need of something, we make all efforts to achieve it - Dr Kiran Bedi in her book, “I Dare’ says, ‘If you want to achieve something, you must struggle. Throw yourself in the valley of your aim’ - If one has strong willpower, no obstacles, no opposition can shake it - Will power coupled with optimism is like a river that can flow on and on unhindered - For success one has to continuously struggle and not give up.

Question. Edla Wilmanson, in ‘The Rattrap’ had immense faith in the goodness of man and believed that each one has a core of humanity that can be awakened. Her faith proved true and the peddler showed an inclination to reform. It was her faith that transformed the peddler. Keeping this in mind, write an article of about 100 words on ‘The Virtue of Faith’.
Answer: Faith is the sum and substance of life - It is the driving force which leads to the fulfilment of each human endeavour - it is the only power that inspires a human being in despair - But if a person loses faith during the period of struggle, he succumbs to unfavourable situations - Mother Teresa, Baba Amtewere inspired by faith in God to help the underprivileged - A man having faith in God has faith in himself-it is truly said “If you think you’ll lose you’ve lost - For out in the world we find success begins with a person’s faith.”

Question. Greed is the greatest evil force that has tempted man into doing a lot of misdeeds. It is greed that has led to so much corruption, violence and mayhem in the world. Whether it is greed of money or power, it is a great corrupting force that makes a man go to any extreme. The peddler in ‘The Rattrap’ is not conscientious nor does he think twice before robbing a crofter. Bearing these thoughts in mind, write an article discussing the qualities that are required for overcoming the Evil of Greed in 100 words.
Answer: Greed is the greatest evil that paralyses the goodness of man and spreads like cancer - It spreads like wildfire and makes a man immune to goodness and kindness - Money, fame, power and property acquired by unfair means is like a vicious cycle- never lets anyone rest in peace - The consequences of greed are deep and never-ending - Meditation, consultations, keeping the company of good and honest people can keep the bridle on such men - But the desire to overcome greed should come from within.

Question. In spite of utmost generosity and kindness shown by the Crofter, no change was seen in the peddler. His money was stolen by the peddler. But Edla was able to transform him. What according to you, was missing in his behaviour although he appeared to be compassionate?
Answer: Crofter –first person to extend his hospitality to the peddler-no rudeness or coarse behaviour - But he was a fool to show his money to the peddler and offer him temptation - Moreover the crofter’s kindness was borne out of his dire need for company and lack of a family- no genuine concern in the peddler’s transformation - In the case of Edla, she showed total trust and gave him a chance to reformunconditional kindness and concern - She even extends an invitation to the peddler for the next Christmas
and aroused in him to live up to the status she created for him.

Question. The peddler’s instance speaks on a general level to the entire society, urging for a different outlook towards those maligned individuals who can be redeemed by compassion and understanding. The rehabilitation programmes at the prisons follow the same value. In the light of the instance mentioned above, how do you think society can help juvenile delinquents from falling prey to petty crimes or bad ways?
Answer: Social reforms and reforming criminals –dealt with in different ways - They should be treated as normal people - It is exemplary that Dr Kiran Bedi ushered in so many reforms in Tihar jail and for the first time made the criminals capable of leading a life of dignity - She introduced Yoga classes and got them trained in bakery, pottery, textile-weaving and handicrafts - Our behaviour and approach has to transcend the pretentious barriers of charity and aim at real transformation - The society has to adopt an understanding and genuine love and concern can go a long way in changing them.

Video Summary (In Hindi)

More Important Questions For CBSE Class 12 English Flamingo The Rattrap Selma Lagerlof Assignment........ 

Passages for Comprehension

Passage 1
Once upon a time there was a man who went around selling small rattraps of wire. He made them himself at odd moments, from the material he got by begging in the stores or at the big farms. But even so, the business was not especially profitable, so he had to resort to both begging and petty thievery to keep body and soul together. Even
so, his clothes were in rags, his cheeks were sunken, and hunger gleamed in his eyes.

Question. Name the writer of the passage.
(a) Selma Lagerlof
(b) William Douglas
(c) Anees Jung
(d) Christopher Silvester
Answer. A

Question. Name the chapter.
(a) Deep Water
(b) The Rattrap
(c) The Last Lesson
(d) Lost Spring
Answer. B

Question. How did the man make rattraps?
(a) from the material he got by begging
(b) from the material he bought
(c) from the material he earned
(d) from the material he stole
Answer. A

Question. What were the rattraps made of?
(a) silver
(b) gold
(c) wire
(d) plastic
Answer. C

Question. What could be seen from the man's eyes?
(a) rummy
(b) cheat
(c) sleep
(d) hunger
Answer. D

Question. Find the word that means the same as ‘small’ in the given passage
Answer. petty

Passage 2
No one can imagine how sad and monotonous life can appear to such a vagabond, who plods along the road, left to his own meditations. But one day this man had fallen in to a line of thought, which really seemed to him entertaining. He had naturally been thinking of his rattraps when suddenly he was struck by the idea that the whole world about him — the whole world with its lands and seas, its cities and villages — was nothing but a big rattrap. It had never existed for any other purpose than to set baits for people. It offered riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing, exactly as the rattrap offered cheese and pork, and as soon as anyone let himself be tempted to touch the bait, it closed in on him, and then everything came to an end.

Question. How does life appear to a vagabond?
(a) monotonous
(b) sad
(c) both a & b
(d) happy
Answer. C

Question. What is the routine of a vagabond?
(a) exercise
(b) running
(c) plods along the road
(d) playing
Answer. C

Question. What did the vagabond sell?
(a) milk
(b) rattraps
(c) cow
(d) nothing
Answer. B

Question. What is the idea that struck him one day?
(a) the whole world is a big rattrap
(b) the whole world is a big circus
(c) the whole world is a big well
(d) the whole world is a big stage
Answer. A

Question. Find from the passage word which mean the same as: ‘Wanderer’
(a) police
(b) runner
(c) vagabond
(d) poor
Answer. C

Passage 3
‘‘Please don’t think that I have such a fine home that you cannot show yourself there’’, He said... ‘‘Elizabeth is dead, as you may already have heard. My boys are abroad, and there is no one at home except my oldest daughter and myself. We were just saying that it was too bad we didn’t have any company for Christmas. Now come along with me and help us make the Christmas food disappear a little faster.” But the stranger said no, and no, and again no, and the ironmaster saw that he must give in.

Question. What did the ironmaster say about his wife?
(a) she was happy
(b) she was good
(c) she was ill
(d) she was dead
Answer. D

Question.Where were the iron master’s boys?
(a) in abroad
(b) in jail
(c) in hospital
(d) in school
Answer. A

Question. What invitation did the ironmaster give to the rattrap peddler?
(a) to stay in the forge
(b) to stay with the Blacksmith
(c) to stay with crofter
(d) to stay with him over the Christmas Eve
Answer. D

Question. “Please don’t think that I have such a fine home”. Who is the speaker?
(a) the crofter
(b) Edla
(c) the Blacksmith
(d) the ironmaster
Answer. D

Question. Who was staying with the ironmaster in his house?
(a) his brother
(b) his wife
(c) his mother
(d) his daughter
Answer. D

Question. Find the word that means the opposite as ‘appear’ in the given passage
Answer. disappear

QUESTIONS:

Question. What do we learn about the crofter's nature from the story, "The Rattrap"?
Answer: generous, loved company, loved to talk, hardworking, trusting, gullible, compassionate, lonely (any two).
(ii) How did the peddler get trapped?
(iii)Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain von Stahle?
(iv) How did the peddler prove to be an ungrateful guest?
(v)What brought a change in the peddler'?

Question. Mention in detail Edla's contribution in awakening the essential goodness in the peddler.
Answer:
Edla-a modest, kind &considerate girl.
-has more persuasive power than her father.
-her friendly nature& compassion-creates confidence in the peddler.
-has better insight of human understanding.
-requests father to allow him to stay for Christmas.
-her kindness, love, sympathy have magical effect-act as trap-to awaken the essential goodness in the peddler.
-peddler rises above the evils of greed& cheating because of Edla.