Class 10 English Chapter 3 Previous Year Questions - The Midnight Visitor

Ans: In "The Midnight Visitor," Ausable demonstrates the saying "One should never judge a book by its cover." Despite appearing fat and unassuming, Ausable's quick thinking and clever deception outwit the cunning Max. By creating an illusion of a balcony and arranging a fake police visit, Ausable shows his true intellect, proving that appearances can be deceiving.

Ans: Henry was a server at the French hotel where Ausable had a room. He played a vital part in helping Ausable’s plan as it was Henry’s knock at the door which frightened Max as he mistook it to be a policeman at the door. This confusion forced Max to jump from the window assuming it to be a deck and hence helping Ausable’s plan to get relief from Max. 

Ans:  

Max was a secret agent and an enemy of Ausable. He was slim and slightly shorter than average. He looked cunning and had a face that resembled a fox. The only thing threatening about him was his gun.

Ans: The writer characterises Ausable as short and fat to create a striking contrast with Max. 
This contrast highlights several key points:

• Ausable's physical appearance differs from the typical image of a secret agent, which is often portrayed as athletic and fit.
• Despite his size, Ausable demonstrates exceptional intelligence and quick thinking.
• Max, who appears more physically capable, is ultimately outsmarted by Ausable's clever plan.
• Ausable's character shows that true strength lies in strategy and presence of mind, rather than physical attributes.

Ans: Ausable was different from other secret agents because he lived in a small room in the musty corridor of a gloomy French hotel which was on the sixth and top floor. There was nothing thrilling or adventurous about it. On the top of that, he was extremely fat. Though he had been living in Paris for more than twenty years. He spoke French and German only passably with an American accent.

Ans: (i)
Ausable is described as a secret agent dealing with espionage and danger.

Ans: (i)
Ausable is upset because someone has accessed his room through the balcony, compromising his safety.

Ans: Yes
Ausable mentions the balcony as the entry point, though it was part of his fabricated story.

Ans: trick
Ausable uses the story of the balcony to deceive his visitor, Max.

Ans: (i)
Max is a spy and Ausable’s adversary.

Ans: (ii)
Ausable tricked Max into believing the police were at the door.

Ans: waiter
It was the waiter knocking, not the police, as Ausable had implied.

Ans: nervously
"Nervously" is the antonym of "confidently."

Ans: (i)
"You" refers to Fowler, a writer who expected a more typical spy experience.

Ans: (iii)
Ausable was originally from Boston in the United States.

Ans: mysterious looking secret agent, a spy, dealing in espionage and danger.

Ans: American
Despite his fluency, Ausable retained his American accent.

Ans: (i)
The knocking was from a waiter, although Ausable suggested it might be the police.

Ans: (iii)
Ausable is a secret agent involved in intelligence work.

Ans: someone was knocking at the door

Ans: escape from the 'police' who were knocking at the door