NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Footprints without Feet Chapter 4 A Question of Trust

Physics Wallah Academic Expert

November 16, 2024

A Question of Trust Class 10:- A Question of Trust" is an intriguing story that explores the unpredictability of life. It follows Horace Danby, a man who appears to be ordinary and respectable but harbours a secret—each year, he commits a single, well-planned burglary to fund his love for rare books. However, this time, his plan takes an unexpected turn when he encounters a sharp-witted woman who outsmarts him. Check out the A Question of Trust Question Answers below.

Buy PW CBSE Class 10th Books

A Question of Trust PDF

A Question of Trust" PDF is a valuable resource for students preparing for their Class 10 English exams. This PDF provides easy access to the story, helping students to thoroughly understand its themes and key points. The story itself, which revolves around the unexpected twists in the life of Horace Danby, offers important lessons on trust, deception, and the consequences of one's actions. Having this PDF on hand allows students to revisit the text whenever needed, ensuring they grasp the nuances of the story as they prepare for their board exams.

Download A Question of Trust PDF

A Question of Trust Question Answers

Go through the “a question of trust question answer” below:-

Question 1:What does Horace Danby like to collect?
Answer: Horace Danby had a deep passion for collecting rare and expensive books. His love for these books was so intense that it motivated much of his behaviour, influencing even the most questionable actions he took. The thought of owning these exclusive books drove him to plan and commit a robbery each year, showing just how important this collection was to him.

Question 2: Why does he steal every year?
Answer: Horace Danby indulged in theft once a year primarily to fund his passion for collecting rare and expensive books. Each year, he meticulously planned a robbery to secure enough money to last him for the next twelve months. He did not steal out of necessity or greed but purely to support his extravagant hobby. After successfully executing his plan, he would discreetly purchase the books he desired through an agent, thereby fulfilling his unique obsession.

Read and Find Out (Page 22)

Question 1: Who is speaking to Horace Danby?
Answer: The person speaking to Horace Danby was a young and attractive woman dressed in a red outfit, who appeared unexpectedly in the doorway. She approached him with a composed demeanour, moving towards the fireplace to adjust the ornaments as though she belonged in the house. She claimed to have arrived just in time to prevent Horace from stealing the jewels from the safe and proposed a deal—if he opened the safe for her, she would allow him to leave without notifying the police. Her confident behaviour and intimate knowledge of the house led Horace to believe she was a member of the family residing at Shotover Grange, though, in reality, she was merely pretending.

Question 2: Who is the real culprit in the story?
Answer: The real culprit in the story was the young woman who deceived Horace Danby by pretending to be a member of the family at Shotover Grange. She skillfully manipulated Horace into believing her and convinced him to open the safe for her, under the pretence that she would let him go without involving the authorities. Once Horace had opened the safe, she swiftly took all the jewels and vanished, leaving Horace to face the consequences of the theft, thereby revealing her as the true mastermind behind the crime.

Think about it (Page 25)

Question 1: Did you begin to suspect, before the end of the story, that the lady was not the person Horace Danby took her to be? If so, at what point did you realise this, and how?
Answer: Yes, suspicion about the lady’s true identity arose before the conclusion of the story. The first clue was her unnaturally calm reaction upon discovering Horace attempting to break into the safe. Instead of raising an alarm, which would be expected of a genuine family member, she calmly walked in and struck up a conversation with Horace. This behaviour was highly unusual and suggested that she had ulterior motives. Additionally, her familiarity with the house, combined with her request for Horace to open the safe for her while promising not to inform the police, raised further doubts. Her actions seemed too calculated and convenient, making it evident that she was not who she claimed to be. Thus, long before the story reached its climax, it became clear that she was deceiving Horace and was the actual culprit.

Question 2: What are the subtle ways in which the lady manages to deceive Horace Danby into thinking she is the lady of the house? Why doesn’t Horace suspect that something is wrong?
Answer: The lady employed several subtle tactics to deceive Horace Danby. Her confident demeanour, the casual way she touched up her makeup, and her familiarity with the household items, like knowing exactly where to find a cigarette, all contributed to the illusion that she was the lady of the house. Additionally, her ease with the dog, Sherry, further convinced Horace of her authenticity. Horace, already nervous and anxious about being caught, was too frightened to think critically. His fear clouded his judgment, and he was easily swayed by the woman’s confidence and apparent familiarity with the house. As a result, he failed to realize that she was actually tricking him into opening the safe for her.

Question 3: “Horace Danby was good and respectable — but not completely honest”. Why do you think this description is apt for Horace? Why can’t he be categorised as a typical thief?
Answer: This description fits Horace Danby perfectly because, despite his outwardly respectable life, he engaged in dishonest activities. Horace wasn’t a professional criminal; he was an otherwise decent man who had a peculiar habit of committing a robbery once a year to fund his expensive hobby of collecting rare books. Unlike typical thieves, who steal out of necessity or greed, Horace’s motive was purely driven by his love for books. He led a lawful life the rest of the year, running a successful business with two assistants. His methodical planning and careful execution of the annual robbery set him apart from common thieves. However, regardless of his motives or the rarity of his criminal activity, Horace still engaged in illegal acts, which makes the description of him as “not completely honest” quite accurate.

Question 4: Horace Danby was a meticulous planner but still he faltered. Where did he go wrong and why?
Answer: Horace Danby’s downfall was his lack of complete information about the house’s occupants. Despite his meticulous planning, which included knowledge of the house’s layout, electric wiring, and even the dog’s name, he overlooked the most crucial detail—the people living in the house. His well-prepared plan unraveled when he encountered the young woman, whom he mistakenly believed to be a family member. Overwhelmed by fear and caught off guard by her sudden appearance, Horace failed to recognize the trap she set for him. His anxiety led him to act rashly, opening the safe without wearing gloves, which ultimately left his fingerprints behind and resulted in his capture. His lapse in judgment at that critical moment led to his failure, despite his otherwise careful planning.

Check out: CBSE Class 10th Sample Papers

A Question of Trust Questions and Answers

Talk about it (Page 25)

Question 1:Do you think Horace Danby was unfairly punished, or that he deserved what he got?
Answer: Horace Danby’s punishment was justified. While his theft was driven by a passion for books rather than malice, theft is still a crime. His respectable life and good intentions do not excuse the illegal actions he took to satisfy his desires. Every act of theft undermines the social order and violates the rights of others. Horace’s actions, regardless of their motivation, had consequences, and he deserved to be held accountable for his crime. His punishment serves as a reminder that no matter how seemingly harmless or infrequent, criminal behaviour is never excusable.

Question 2: Do intentions justify actions? Would you, like Horace Danby, do something wrong if you thought your ends justified the means? Do you think that there are situations in which it is excusable to act less than honestly?
Answer: Intentions alone do not justify actions. The adage “the ends do not justify the means” reflects a fundamental moral principle that actions should be judged by their nature, not just by the outcomes they produce. While some people may rationalize dishonesty or wrongdoing if it serves a greater purpose or satisfies a personal desire, such behaviour ultimately undermines trust and ethical standards. Acting less than honest can have far-reaching negative consequences, both for the individual and society as a whole. Although there may be complex situations where the lines between right and wrong are blurred, maintaining integrity is essential. Compromising on honesty, even in challenging circumstances, often leads to more harm than good. Horace Danby’s case illustrates how even well-intentioned wrongdoing can lead to severe consequences, reinforcing the importance of ethical behaviour.

Check out: CBSE Class 10th Question Banks

A Question of Trust Class 10 Summary

A Question of Trust" is a captivating story from the Class 10 English curriculum that revolves around Horace Danby, a seemingly respectable man with a peculiar habit. Although he is a successful locksmith by trade, Horace harbors a secret passion for rare books, which he funds through an annual burglary. Each year, he meticulously plans and executes a theft, ensuring he steals just enough to buy the books he loves.

This particular year, Horace targets a wealthy home while its owners are away. Confident in his plan, he breaks into the house and begins his work on the safe. However, things take an unexpected turn when he encounters a young woman who claims to be the lady of the house. She catches him in the act but, instead of raising an alarm, she convinces Horace to open the safe for her, promising to let him go without informing the police.

Believing her story, Horace opens the safe, only to realize later that he has been tricked. The woman was not the lady of the house but an imposter who deceived him into doing the hard work for her. In the end, Horace is caught by the police, his fingerprints all over the safe, while the woman escapes with the jewels.

Check out: CBSE Class 10th Revision Books