CBSE Class 10 English (Footprints Without Feet) Important Questions Chapter 4 - A Question of Trust

1. Who is Horace Danby?
Ans: Horace Danby is a lock-maker and an otherwise respectable man who secretly robs safes to buy rare books.

2. What is Horace’s weakness?
Ans: Horace has a passion for rare, expensive books, which drives him to steal once a year.

3. Where does Horace plan his yearly robbery?
Ans: Horace plans his robbery at a house called Shotover Grange.

4. Why does Horace sneeze frequently?
Ans: Horace has hay fever, which causes him to sneeze around flowers and pollen.

5. How does the mysterious woman trick Horace?
Ans: The woman pretends to be the owner’s wife and convinces Horace to open the safe for her.

6. Describe the young woman Horace encounters at Shotover Grange.
Ans: The young woman appears confident, charming, and clever, dressed in red, with a calm but firm voice. She manages to convince Horace that she’s the owner’s wife, using her charm and presence to gain his trust and ultimately trick him into opening the safe.

7. Why does Horace agree to open the safe for the woman?
Ans: Horace believes the woman is the owner’s wife who has forgotten the safe’s combination and wants her jewels for a party. Since he wants to avoid trouble and sees an opportunity to gain her favour, he agrees to help her, not suspecting her deception.

8. How does Horace’s encounter with the woman affect his plan?
Ans: Instead of robbing the safe for himself, Horace opens it for the woman, unknowingly allowing her to take the jewels. This ultimately leads to his arrest, as his fingerprints are found all over the safe.

9. Why did Horace not wear gloves while opening the safe?
Ans: Horace removes his gloves to help the woman light her cigarette, leaving his fingerprints behind, which are later used as evidence against him.

10. How does Horace feel about the phrase ‘honour among thieves’ after being tricked?
Ans: Horace feels angry and betrayed, realising that the woman, a fellow thief, has deceived him. His experience shows that trust among criminals is often misplaced.

11. How does Horace’s love for books lead him into trouble?
Ans: Horace’s passion for rare books is so strong that he commits a robbery each year to fund his purchases. This habit of stealing, which he considers harmless, leads him to Shotover Grange, where he encounters a cunning woman who tricks him into opening the safe. His desire for books blinds him to the possibility of being deceived by someone like himself. This drive for rare books eventually lands him in prison, illustrating how his obsession with books ultimately brings his downfall.

12. Describe how the woman cleverly uses Horace’s skills to her advantage.
Ans: The woman identifies Horace’s weakness — his desire to stay out of trouble and avoid getting caught. She pretends to be the owner’s wife, playing on his instinct to be helpful and compliant. By acting friendly and helpless, she convinces Horace to open the safe, a task he completes with ease, not suspecting her intentions. Her manipulation of his kindness and skill showcases her cleverness and ability to take advantage of Horace’s trust.

13. Why does Horace feel so confident about his plan to rob Shotover Grange?
Ans: Horace is meticulous and confident in his planning, having successfully pulled off similar heists before. He studies the house layout, learns about the occupants’ schedules, and ensures that he will have enough time to open the safe undisturbed. His experience with locks and safes further boosts his confidence, as he believes he can easily open the safe and escape without being detected. This confidence, however, makes him vulnerable to the unexpected twist of meeting the mysterious woman.

14. How does Horace’s reaction to the young woman reflect his personality?
Ans: Horace’s polite, cooperative reaction to the woman reflects his belief in avoiding conflict and his desire to resolve the situation peacefully. He’s willing to help her with the safe, showing a softer, trusting side to his personality. This willingness to believe her story without much doubt reveals that, despite his unlawful activities, Horace has a somewhat naïve and trusting personality.

15. Explain the irony in Horace’s situation at the end of the story.
Ans: The irony lies in the fact that Horace, a professional thief, is himself deceived by another thief posing as the owner’s wife. Although he carefully planned his heist, he falls victim to someone who tricks him with ease, using his own skills for her gain. This ironic twist, where the ‘trusted’ thief gets outsmarted, highlights the unpredictability and risks inherent in a life of crime.

16. How does the story explore the theme of trust and betrayal?
Ans: The story shows that trust, especially among criminals, is fragile and can lead to betrayal. Horace’s misplaced trust in the woman, who he assumes to be honest, results in his downfall, as she uses him for her own gain and then vanishes. This theme suggests that trust can be exploited, especially when greed is involved.

17. Why do you think Horace continues his habit of stealing despite being wealthy?
Ans: Horace’s love for rare books drives him to steal, indicating that his actions stem not from need but from a personal passion. His annual theft is a way to indulge his love for books without financial limitations, showing how obsession can lead people to make risky decisions.

18. How does Horace’s character challenge the stereotype of a typical thief?
Ans: Horace is portrayed as polite, respectable, and even somewhat cultured, defying the common image of a hardened criminal. His thefts are carefully planned and limited to once a year, with a focus on a specific goal rather than reckless greed, showing a more refined side to his character.

19. What lesson does Horace learn by the end of the story?
Ans: Horace learns that crime, no matter how carefully planned, involves risks beyond his control. The woman’s betrayal teaches him that even fellow criminals cannot be trusted, highlighting the harsh reality of a dishonest lifestyle.

20. How does the author use irony to convey a message about honesty and trust?
Ans: The author uses irony by having Horace, a thief who prides himself on his intelligence, deceived by a more cunning thief. This reversal underscores the futility of dishonesty and hints at the idea that in a world of deceit, trust is often misplaced, leading to downfall.

21. Why does Horace rob only once a year?
Ans: Horace robs only once a year to gather enough money to buy rare books, which he considers a reward for his efforts.

22. How does the woman convince Horace to open the safe?
Ans: The woman pretends to be the owner’s wife who needs the jewels for a party, making Horace believe he is helping her.

23. Why does Horace remove his gloves while opening the safe?
Ans: Horace removes his gloves to give the woman a lighter for her cigarette, leaving his fingerprints on the safe.

24. How does Horace’s perception of ‘honour among thieves’ change?
Ans: After being tricked by the woman, Horace feels bitter, realising that even thieves can’t trust each other, and that betrayal is common in their world.

25. What was Horace’s main motivation for stealing?
Ans: Horace’s main motivation for stealing was to fund his passion for rare and expensive books.

Benefits of Important Questions for Class 10 English Chapter 4 - A Question of Trust

• The FREE PDF includes important questions about Horace Danby’s character, his motivations, and how trust plays a key role in his downfall, helping students understand the theme of betrayal.

• This PDF explains Horace’s unusual approach to theft and his passion for rare books, allowing students to connect with his character’s complexity.

• Students learn about the significance of planning and unexpected risks, as Horace’s confidence is shattered by the clever woman, showing how overconfidence can lead to mistakes.

• Prepared by Vedantu’s expert teachers, each question meets CBSE standards, focusing on details that support thorough exam preparation.

• The PDF’s accessible format provides flexibility, enabling students to study anywhere, ensuring effective and convenient exam preparation without any extra cost.

• Practising these questions regularly helps students become confident in structuring their answers for exams, particularly in handling questions on plot twists and character analysis.

Conclusion

The story 'A Question of Trust' reveals how even a skilled thief can be outsmarted by someone more cunning. Horace’s confidence in his own abilities leads to his downfall when he trusts the wrong person. This tale reminds readers that dishonesty can lead to unexpected consequences and that trust, when misplaced, can be dangerous. Vedantu’s FREE PDF of Important Questions for Class 10 English from this chapter span the entirety of the lesson and help students to familiarise themselves with the chapter. Download the FREE PDF today and access these questions and answers anywhere, anytime you wish.

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