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(B) "He was silent… (Class 10 English 2025, Q6B)

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EnglishCBSE Class 10 · Board exam 2025, set 2/4/1 · 5 marks · Reading comprehension

CBSE Class 10 English 2025: question 6(B)

Set in the CBSE Class 10 board exam of 2025, 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-basedThe Necklace

(B) "He was silent, stupefied, in dismay, at the sight of his wife weeping. He stammered, 'What is the matter? What is the matter?' By a violent effort, she had controlled her vexation and responded in a calm voice, wiping her moist cheeks, 'Nothing. Only I have no dress and consequently I cannot go to this affair. Give your card to some colleague whose wife is better fitted out than I.' He was grieved, but answered, 'Let us see, Matilda. How much would a suitable costume cost, something that would serve for their occasions, something very simple?' She reflected for some seconds thinking of a sum that could ask for without bringing with it an immediate refusal and a frightened exclamation from the economical clerk."

(The Necklace)

  1. I

    What can we infer about Matilda's emotions and financial situation based on her husband's reaction and her response to not having a dress for the affair?

    2 marks
  2. II

    Which of the following is NOT a reason for Matilda's distress in the extract?

    1. (A)She has no suitable dress for the affair.
    2. (B)She is upset about her husband's reaction.
    3. (C)She is worried about the cost of a suitable costume.
    4. (D)The card did not bear her name.
    1 mark
  3. III

    What did Matilda suggest that her husband do with the card?

    1 mark
  4. IV

    In the given extract what does the term 'economic clerk' imply?

    1 mark

Source: official question paper from cbse.gov.in (PDF). See it in the full 2025 board paper, set 2/4/1.

Hints

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

Hint 1

Notice why she hesitates to name a sum.

Hint 2

Choose the option not supported by the extract.

Hint 3

'Economical' means careful with money.

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) Matilda is upset, frustrated and anxious, shown by her weeping and forced calm. Her husband's grief and her fear of a frightened refusal show they are short of money and he is careful with spending.

    2 marks

  2. (II) Option (D): the card did not bear her name; this is not stated as a cause of her distress.

    1 mark

  3. (III) She told him to give the card to a colleague whose wife is better dressed.

    1 mark

  4. (IV) It means a clerk who is careful about spending, because of his limited income.

    1 mark

Answer: (I) Matilda is upset and anxious; they have limited means; (II) D; (III) give the card to a colleague whose wife is better dressed; (IV) a clerk careful in spending

Where the marks are

  • (I) Emotions and financial situation (1+1 marks)
  • (II) Option D (1 mark)
  • (III) Suggestion about the card (1 mark)
  • (IV) Meaning of 'economical' (1 mark)

Revise the chapter

  • Chapter: The Necklace (notes, formulas, where marks are lost and every past question)
Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from The Necklace, one at a time, marked against the answer key and marking points.Back to the full paper2025 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.