Skip to content

'Now I am going to tell you… (Class 12 English 2026, Q9B)

questionbuddy.in/q/cbse-12-english-2026-301-1-1-q9b-now-going-tell-ironmaster-how

EnglishCBSE Class 12 · Board exam 2026, set 301/1/1 · 6 marks · Case-based

CBSE Class 12 English 2026: question 9(B)

Set in the CBSE Class 12 board exam of 2026, paper 301/1/1, section C, question 9(B), for 6 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q9(B) · 6 marks · Case-basedCompetency-basedThe Rattrap

'Now I am going to tell you, Mr. Ironmaster, how things are', he said. 'The whole world is nothing but a big rattrap. All the good things that are offered to you are nothing but cheese rinds and bits of pork, set out to drag a poor fellow into trouble. And if the sheriff comes now and locks me up for this, then you, Mr. Ironmaster, must remember that a day will come when you yourself may want to get a big piece of pork, and then you will get caught in the trap.
The ironmaster began to laugh.
'That was not so badly said, my good fellow. Perhaps we should let the sheriff alone on Christmas Eve.' (The Rattrap)

  1. (i)

    What does the speaker mean when he says 'The whole world is nothing but a big rattrap' ?

    1. (A)The world offers many chances for success and prosperity.
    2. (B)Temptations in life are traps that lead people into trouble.
    3. (C)Good deeds are always rewarded with cheese rinds.
    4. (D)Justice and fairness are not guaranteed for everyone.
    1 mark
  2. (ii)

    What does the following phrase from the extract showcase:
    'Cheese rinds'.

    1. (A)temptation
    2. (B)affirmation
    3. (C)gluttony
    4. (D)deprivation
    1 mark
  3. (iii)

    Select the correct option from those given in brackets to fill in the blank:
    By calling himself a 'poor fellow', the speaker emphasises his _________. (vulnerability/credibility)

    1 mark
  4. (iv)

    What does the speaker imply through his warning to the ironmaster ?

    1 mark
  5. (v)

    What does the following line from the extract showcase about the ironmaster's nature ?
    'Perhaps, we should let the sheriff alone on Christmas Eve.'

    1. (A)materialistic
    2. (B)understanding
    3. (C)conniving
    4. (D)enterprising
    1 mark
  6. (vi)

    Complete the following with a suitable reason:
    In the extract, it is implied that the speaker would be locked up because _____.

    1 mark

Source: official question paper from cbse.gov.in (PDF). See it in the full 2026 board paper, set 301/1/1.

Hints

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

Hint 1

Bait in a trap is meant to tempt.

Hint 2

The tramp is pleading for sympathy.

Hint 3

Recall what the tramp took from the crofter.

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.

Verified: two independent solves agreeChecked 2026-11-01

  1. (i) Option B: temptations in life are traps that lead people into trouble.

    1 mark

  2. (ii) Option A: temptation, since bait lures the victim.

    1 mark

  3. (iii) By calling himself a 'poor fellow' he emphasises his vulnerability.

    1 mark

  4. (iv) He implies that the ironmaster too may someday be tempted and trapped, so he should not be harsh towards others.

    1 mark

  5. (v) Option B: understanding.

    1 mark

  6. (vi) He would be locked up because he stole the thirty kronor from the crofter, or was a suspected thief.

    1 mark

Answer: (i) B; (ii) A; (iii) vulnerability; (iv) the ironmaster may also be trapped by temptation; (v) B; (vi) he is a thief who stole money

Where the marks are

  • (i) B (1 mark)
  • (ii) A (1 mark)
  • (iii) vulnerability (1 mark)
  • (iv) Warning that he may also be trapped (1 mark)
  • (v) B (1 mark)
  • (vi) Stole money (1 mark)

Revise the chapter

  • Chapter: The Rattrap (notes, formulas, where marks are lost and every past question)

Want more questions like this?

Practise CBSE Class 12 English questions free, marked against the answer key, with hints when you are stuck.

Practise freeSend this to a friendAsk my parent to unlock
Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from The Rattrap, one at a time, marked against the answer key and marking points.Back to the full paper2026 board paper, set 301/1/1: 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?Report it in one tapand a person will check it.