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A character arc is the… (English 2024 2/5/1 Q11b)

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EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Board exam 2024, set 2/5/1 · 6 marks · Long answer

CBSE Class 10 English 2024: question 11(b)

Set in the CBSE Class 10 board exam of 2024, paper 2/5/1, section C, question 11(b), for 6 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q11(b) · 6 marks · Long answerFootprints without Feet

A character arc is the transformation or development of a character throughout a story and refers to the changes a character undergoes as a result of his/her experiences, challenges and interactions with other characters.

In light of the above information, trace the character arc of Griffin in H.G. Wells' 'Footprints without Feet'.

Source: official question paper from cbse.gov.in (PDF). See it in the full 2024 board paper, set 2/5/1.

Hints

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

Hint 1

Think of Griffin's three stages: scientist, thief and criminal, fugitive.

Hint 2

Give one example of his lawlessness from the story, such as the burnt house.

Hint 3

Conclude with what the arc shows about science without ethics.

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. Beginning: Griffin is a brilliant, gifted scientist who devises an experiment to make himself invisible. His talent is real, but he is secretive and obsessive.

    1 mark

  2. Middle: He uses his discovery for selfish and sinister ends, such as burning down his landlord's house and stealing. He turns into a lawbreaker with no empathy or shame.

    2 marks

  3. Decline: He is harmful just for the sake of it, hurting innocent people. He becomes a fugitive and cannot find sympathy or friends because of his ruthless behaviour.

    2 marks

  4. Conclusion: His arc moves from a promising scientist to a dangerous criminal; discovery without conscience destroys him.

    1 mark

Answer: Griffin changes from a gifted scientist to a lawless, harmful man who is rejected by everyone.

Where the marks are

  • Content: gifted scientist and the invisibility experiment (1 mark)
  • Misuse of the invention and lawless acts (1 mark)
  • Lack of empathy, harm to innocents, no sympathy gained (1 mark)
  • Expression (2 marks) and accuracy (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 2/5/1: 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.