Skip to content

Read the following extract… (Class 10 English 2024, Q6b)

questionbuddy.in/q/cbse-10-english-2024-2-4-1-q6b-arrival-stranger-inn-winter-unusual

EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Board exam 2024, set 2/4/1 · 5 marks · Reading comprehension

CBSE Class 10 English 2024: question 6(b)

Set in the CBSE Class 10 board exam of 2024, paper 2/4/1, section C, question 6(b), for 5 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q6(b) · 5 marks · Reading comprehensionCompetency-basedFootprints without Feet

Read the following extract and answer the questions.

The arrival of a stranger at an inn in winter was in any case an unusual event. A stranger of such uncommon appearance set all tongues wagging. Mrs. Hall, the landlord's wife, made every effort to be friendly. But Griffin had no desire to talk, and told her, "My reason for coming to Iping is a desire for solitude. I do not wish to be disturbed in my work. Besides, an accident has affected my face." Satisfied that her guest was an eccentric scientist, and in view of the fact that he had paid her in advance, Mrs. Hall was prepared to excuse his strange habits and irritable temper.

(Footprints Without Feet)

  1. (i)

    State any one inference about Griffin from the given context: "My reason for coming to Iping is a desire for solitude. I do not wish to be disturbed in my work. Besides, an accident has affected my face."

    1 mark
  2. (ii)

    State True or False: Even though Mrs. Hall was satisfied with Griffin, she was skeptical to excuse his strange habits and irritable temper.

    1 mark
  3. (iii)

    It was not difficult for Griffin to convince the landlord and his wife about his strange appearance and eccentric behaviour. Elaborate in about 40 words with reference to the context.

    2 marks
  4. (iv)

    Which phrase would correctly substitute 'set all tongues wagging' in the given sentence from the extract? A stranger of such uncommon appearance ____________.

    1 mark

Source: official question paper from cbse.gov.in (PDF). See it in the full 2024 board paper, set 2/4/1.

Hints

Open one hint at a time and try again before the next.

Hint 1

For (i), think about why someone would say he wants solitude.

Hint 2

For (ii), check what Mrs. Hall was prepared to do.

Hint 3

For (iii), mention the advance payment and his explanation of the accident.

Step-by-step solution

Each step shows the marks it earns, as an examiner would award them. Checked by an independent re-solve from the question paper.

  1. (i) Any one inference: Griffin was secretive, unfriendly and a loner who wished to avoid people and hide his identity.

    1 mark

  2. (ii) False. Mrs. Hall was ready to excuse his strange habits and temper.

    1 mark

  3. (iii) Griffin said he wanted solitude for his work and that an accident had affected his face, which explained his appearance. He also paid rent in advance, so Mrs. Hall took him for an eccentric scientist and excused his behaviour.

    2 marks

  4. (iv) ...became a source of gossip/rumour/idle speculation among people.

    1 mark

Answer: (i) Griffin was secretive and wanted to avoid people; (ii) False; (iii) accident story, wish for solitude and advance payment convinced them; (iv) became a source of gossip

Where the marks are

  • (i) Valid inference (1 mark)
  • (ii) False (1 mark)
  • (iii) Any two points with reference to context (2 marks)
  • (iv) Gossip/rumour phrase (1 mark)

Revise the chapter

Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from Footprints without Feet, one at a time, marked against the answer key and marking points.Back to the full paper2024 board paper, set 2/4/1: every question, by section.

The question is transcribed from the official paper; figures are described in words. The solution, hints and chapter tag are ours. Spotted an error? Write tosupport@questionbuddy.in.