CBSE Class 10 English The Thiefs Story VBQs

Extract-Based Questions

Q. 1. Anil was watching a wrestling match when I approached him. He was about 25- a tall, lean fellow – and he looked easy-going, kind and simple enough for my purpose. I hadn’t had much luck of late and thought I might be able to get into the young man’s confidence. ‘You look a bit of a wrestler yourself,” I said. A little flattery helps in making friends.

Question. 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

Question. According to the extract, the young boy was watching the wrestling match because he
(a) had been invited there by the wrestlers.
(b) was supposed to meet someone there.
(c) was looking for simple people to dupe.
(d) loved wrestling and followed it very closely.
Answer : C

Question. ‘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

Question. ‘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

Question. 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

Q. 2. I think he knew I made a little money this way but he did not seem to mind. Anil made money by fits and starts. He would borrow one week, lend the next. He kept worrying about his next cheque, but as soon as it arrived, he would go out and celebrate. It seems he wrote for magazines—a queer way to make a living!

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

Question. 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

Question. 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 : C

Question. 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

Question. 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 is important as they could do with 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

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question. What was the thought behind using appealing smiles frequently on Anil?
Answer : Hari Singh’s ‘appealing smiles’ had been artificial. It was full of flattery. He did so when Anil was dissatisfied with the food that Hari had cooked for him and gave it to the dogs.

Question. The narrator followed Anil ‘casually’. Why?
Answer : Anil looked easy going, kind and simple enough for the purpose of a thief like the narrator. He followed Anil to gain his trust and to look for an opportunity that may help him give shape to his plans.

Question. How do you think the narrator made a profit of about a rupee a day?
Answer : Usually, Hari would make a profit of about a rupee a day, when he would take his time for the day’s supplies. Anil knew about it but kept quiet because he couldn’t afford to pay him regularly.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. Why do you think the narrator used to feel that ‘friends were more trouble than help’?
What could have led him to believe this?
Answer : Hari Singh was a robber. If he and his friend went to rob something lone and one of his friends would be caught then he could reveal their secrets in such case the whole gang would be handed over to police for robbery. Moreover he did not want anybody to know about his secrets and whereabouts. So he felt friends were more trouble than help.

Question. It’s not easy to be mean to people who are very nice to you. Do you think that the young thief had to work on giving himself valid reasons to be able to commit the theft?
Or did the thieving come as naturally to him this time, too? Write a brief analysis of his mood before the theft.
Answer : No doubt, Hari Singh was experienced and clever enough to justify his actions. He justified the robbing of careless and unsuspecting man like Anil. He told himself that he was out of practice. He must rob. If he didn’t take the money, Anil would waste it on his friends, Moreover Anil didn’t pay him.

Question. At the end of the story, we realise that Anil knew about the incident of the previous night, yet he chose to overlook such a breach of trust. Explain.
Answer : Anil was careless and unsuspecting but not a fool. He knew all about the theft of his six hundred rupees. He could have easily handed him over to police. However, he did not want to ruin Hari Singh’s life. He wants to educate the unfortunate boy. So, he gave a fifty rupee note and promised to pay him regularly. Also he chose to overlook such a breach of trust.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. Education means different things to different people. Evaluate how it impacted the young thief in the story.
Answer : Hari Singh, ultimately, realized the significance of education in life. He understood the robbing would only provide him money temporarily. Also there was the risk of being caught. Education provides one with respectability. Education can heal a wrongly talented soul. Educated people may see the difference between right and wrong and enables them to choose the right path. It leads them on the path of truth and rational thinking. Education could bring one respect and money. After robbing Anil, the boy thief realized the value of education that could give him respect and more money than he could get by stealing. He realized where he should go. Large hearted Anil not only forgave him but also gave him a fifty rupee note, and promised to pay him regularly. Thus, education is an essential aspect of any child’s life and can help enable an honourable way of living.

Question. Based on the given context, write a diary entry, as the narrator, on what you experienced and the possible reason for it.
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.
Answer : 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 perhaps god has some good plans for me this time. That’s why I can’t feel the pleasure of stealing six hundreds rupees. Instead, I’m feeling guilty of having violated the trust that Anil had reposted on me. That’s why I could not board the train.
Anil always treated me like his friend. I too, valued Anil’s friendship feelings for me. But after discovering the theft, I’m sure, Anil would not be sad for the loss of money, but for loss of trust. The only person I knew and who could help me was Anil whom I had robbed a few hours ago. I robbed that person who was so large-hearted and the one who wanted me to get educated so that I, too, could earn respect, name and money. Alas! God, forbid me and my sins.