A Question of Trust MCQs Quiz | Class 10
This quiz on ‘A Question of Trust’ from Class X English Language and Literature (Code 184), Section C: Literature (Footprints Without Feet) focuses on key aspects including the story’s theme, character analysis, and inferential understanding. Test your knowledge by attempting all 10 multiple-choice questions, then submit to see your results and download a comprehensive answer PDF.
A Question of Trust: Deep Dive into the Narrative
This fascinating story by Victor Canning is a clever tale of deception and unexpected twists, challenging our perceptions of who is trustworthy and who is not. It revolves around Horace Danby, a seemingly respectable man with an unusual hobby, and a mysterious woman who proves to be more cunning than he.
Key Themes Explored:
- Trust and Deception: The central theme revolves around how easily trust can be manipulated. Horace trusts the elegant lady to be the mistress of the house, only to be deceived by her superior cunning. The story highlights that appearances can be misleading, and those who seem innocent might be the most deceptive.
- Appearance vs. Reality: The story masterfully plays with appearances. Horace appears to be a good, honest citizen, but he is a thief. The “owner’s wife” appears refined and authoritative, yet she is a more seasoned criminal. This contrast is crucial to the plot’s surprise ending.
- Crime Does Not Pay (Always, or Not in the Way Expected): While Horace is caught, it’s not by the house owners or the police in the traditional sense, but by a more professional criminal. The story suggests that engaging in illicit activities can lead to encounters with even more unscrupulous individuals.
Character Analysis:
The story presents two main characters, both with hidden facets:
| Character | Description and Role |
|---|---|
| Horace Danby | A fifty-year-old locksmith, seemingly respectable. He has an unusual hobby: stealing once a year to buy rare and expensive books. He is meticulous in planning but easily fooled by a cleverer mind. He suffers from hay fever, which plays a small role in the story. |
| The Young Lady (Fake Owner) | Appears elegant, charming, sophisticated, and authoritative. She projects an image of upper-class respectability. In reality, she is a professional and more cunning thief who exploits Horace’s vulnerabilities and outwits him. |
Inference and Critical Thinking:
The story requires readers to infer motivations and real identities based on actions and dialogue:
- Horace’s Motive: We infer Horace’s love for rare books is his primary driver for theft, not greed for wealth.
- The Lady’s Identity: We infer her true nature from her calm demeanor, her knowledge of the house and safe, and her ability to outwit Horace. Her demanding that Horace open the safe and her walking away with the jewels, leaving Horace to be caught, are strong indicators of her being a seasoned professional.
- The Twist: The biggest inference is the reveal of the lady’s true character, turning the tables on Horace and creating the story’s dramatic irony. We are led to believe she is the victim, but she is the perpetrator.
Quick Revision Points:
- Horace Danby: Locksmith, annual thief for rare books, allergic to hay fever.
- The House: Shotover Grange, valuable jewels in the safe.
- The Deception: Horace mistakes a younger, more cunning thief for the owner’s wife.
- The Climax: Horace opens the safe for her, believing he is helping the “owner.”
- The Consequence: Horace is arrested for the jewel theft, trapped by the lady’s cleverness.
- The Irony: A thief is outsmarted by another thief.
Extra Practice Questions:
- What was Horace Danby’s major weakness that eventually led to his downfall?
(A) His greed (B) His trusting nature towards an elegant lady (C) His allergy (D) His lack of planning
Answer: (B) His trusting nature towards an elegant lady - How did Horace prepare for his annual robbery?
(A) By studying blueprints of the house (B) By observing the house for two weeks (C) By talking to the servants (D) He didn’t prepare, he just acted spontaneously
Answer: (B) By observing the house for two weeks - What was the first thing the young lady asked Horace to do after he encountered her?
(A) To leave the house immediately (B) To open the safe for her (C) To get her some water (D) To call the police
Answer: (A) To leave the house immediately - Why did Horace not immediately suspect the young lady was a thief?
(A) She looked too innocent (B) She spoke confidently and had an air of authority (C) He was too focused on the safe (D) He recognized her from previous encounters
Answer: (B) She spoke confidently and had an air of authority - What was the ultimate outcome for Horace Danby at the end of the story?
(A) He successfully stole the jewels and bought more books. (B) He escaped and continued his life of crime. (C) He was arrested and served time as an assistant librarian in prison. (D) He joined forces with the young lady.
Answer: (C) He was arrested and served time as an assistant librarian in prison.
