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

Ans: Ausable tricked Max by fabricating a story about a balcony under his window, accessible from another room, and a supposed police knock. Panicked, Max jumped onto the non-existent balcony, falling to his death, thus eliminating the threat.

Ans: The management was supposed to block off the balcony to prevent access from the empty room two doors down.
Ausable’s fabricated story claims that the balcony, originally part of a larger unit, is accessible from an empty room, posing a security risk. 

Ans: Ausable’s detailed explanation of the balcony’s history and accessibility creates suspense by suggesting a real security threat, making Max believe he’s vulnerable to discovery. This heightens tension, as Max’s fear of exposure drives him to panic and flee.

Ans: The reference to 'last month' and 'now' adds to a sense of mystery.
The terms “last month” and “now” in Ausable’s story suggest a recent, unresolved security breach, creating a mysterious and ominous atmosphere. This enhances the suspense by implying ongoing danger, which unsettles Max. “Reconciliation” is irrelevant, as the context involves deception, not resolution.

Ans: Ausable fabricated a story that the balcony under his window belonged to the next apartment, part of a former larger unit. He claimed it was accessible from an empty room two doors down, and the management failed to block it off after an intruder used it last month.

Ans: Fowler was disappointed because Ausable, a fat, unathletic man with an American accent, didn’t match his image of a glamorous spy. Expecting a dashing, mysterious figure, Fowler found Ausable’s ordinary appearance and mundane hotel room setting underwhelming.

Ans: To escalate Max’s panic, Ausable claims a knock at the door (actually a waiter) is the police arriving for a routine security check because of the sensitive document in his possession. This lie, combined with the balcony story, convinces Max he’s trapped. Desperate to escape, Max leaps through the window, believing the balcony exists, and falls to his death, demonstrating the effectiveness of Ausable’s quick thinking.

Ans: Despite his unassuming appearance, Ausable proves his prowess as a spy through mental agility. Facing Max’s gun, he remains calm and invents a convincing tale about a balcony accessible from another room, making Max believe it’s a viable escape route. When a waiter knocks, Ausable claims it’s the police, pushing Max into a panic. This dual deception leads Max to jump out the window, where no balcony exists, highlighting Ausable’s ability to use wit and improvisation to triumph without violence.

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