A Question of Trust Class 10 Worksheet English Chapter 5

Q.1. Horace Danby was ____ years old. 
(a) 50
(b) 40
(c) 60
(d) 45

Ans: (a)
Explanation: Horace Danby was fifty years old and unmarried. The narrative describes him as a solitary, middle-aged man who lived with a housekeeper; her constant concern for his health emphasises his age and the domestic arrangement he kept.

Q.2. The housekeeper hung the key of which door outside?
(a)  Front door
(b) Back door
(c) Kitchen door
(d) Bedroom window

Ans: (c)
Explanation: The housekeeper hung the key to the kitchen door on a hook outside. Horace noticed this habit, which allowed him easy and silent entry without breaking any lock.

Q.3. Whom did Horace Danby see in the kitchen? How did they greet each other? What tact did Horace apply there?

Ans: Horace Danby saw the family dog, Sherry, lying in the kitchen. The dog stirred, made friendly noises, and wagged its tail. Horace calmly called the dog by its name and spoke affectionately to it. This tact helped him keep the dog quiet and avoid attracting attention.

Q.4. Horace Danby was interested in the books, not in the painting. Why?

Ans: Horace loved collecting rare books and found them more practical and valuable for his small house. Though he noticed paintings, his true interest lay in books because they satisfied his passion and were easier for him to acquire and store.

Q.5. What was the passion of Horace Danby and how did he satisfy it?

Ans: Horace's passion was collecting rare and expensive books. To satisfy this passion he stole from a safe once a year, taking just enough to buy the books he desired, and then used an agent to purchase those books discreetly.

Q.6. Give the character sketch of Horace Danby.

Ans: Horace Danby was a fifty-year-old bachelor who outwardly appeared a respectable and cheerful citizen. He suffered from occasional hay fever in summer and worked as a successful lock maker with two assistants. Despite his respectable life, he was not honest: fifteen years earlier he had served a prison sentence during which he spent much time in the prison library and developed his love of rare books. His great passion for collecting expensive books led him to plan a careful robbery each year; he took only enough to fund twelve months of purchases and bought books through an agent. For the robbery at Shotover Grange he observed the house closely, but he was deceived by a clever young woman in red; he left fingerprints when he opened the safe and was arrested. He now serves as an assistant librarian in prison and often thinks about the clever young woman who outwitted him. He also resents talk of "honour among thieves" because of his experience.

Q.7. Why was Horace Danby arrested although he failed to profit from the robbery at Shotover Grange?

Ans: Horace was arrested because he left clear fingerprints at the scene. He had been tricked by the young woman in red, whom he believed to be the owner's wife and so opened the safe for her without wearing his gloves. Although he did not profit from the robbery, the fingerprints identified him and led to his arrest.

Q.8. Horace Danby was a meticulous planner but still, he faltered. Where did he go wrong and why?

Ans: Horace's mistake was to trust the young woman in red. Despite his careful planning and detailed knowledge of the house, he was deceived into removing his gloves and handling the safe in her presence. By leaving his fingerprints he provided the evidence that led to his capture. In short, his one moment of misplaced trust and distraction undid his careful preparations.

Q.9. Horace was a successful thief because he carefully planned his robberies. Should we call him a successful thief and still appreciate his work? Why or why not?

Ans: Although Horace was successful in planning and executing many robberies, we should not appreciate his work. His skill and care do not excuse the fact that he committed theft. We can recognise his cleverness, but we cannot condone or admire criminal actions that harm others and break the law.

Q.10. Horace was clever but the lady in red was cleverer. Do you agree with this statement? Justify your answer.

Ans: I agree. Horace was clever in his methods and planning, but the lady in red outwitted him. She posed as the mistress of the house, used his fear of being caught to manipulate him and distracted him so that he left fingerprints. By deliberately making him remove his gloves and then escaping with the jewels, she proved herself the more cunning of the two.