NCERT Class 10 English – Footprints Without Feet – Chapter 3: The Midnight Visitor
Exercise Questions: Short Answers & Simple Explanations
Q1. How is Ausable different from other secret agents?
Answer: Ausable is fat, slow-moving, and speaks calmly, unlike typical fit and stylish agents.
Explanation: Most agents are shown as strong and smartly dressed, but Ausable is ordinary in appearance and uses his mind more than physical action.
Q2. Who is Fowler and what is his first authentic thrill of the day?
Answer: Fowler is a young writer. His thrill comes when he sees a man with a pistol in Ausable’s room.
Explanation: Fowler expected excitement but got it unexpectedly when Max appeared with a gun.
Q3. How has Max got in?
Answer: Max says he entered through the balcony.
Explanation: He used the balcony outside Ausable’s room as his entry point.
Q4. How does Ausable say he got in?
Answer: Ausable also says Max entered through the balcony.
Explanation: He supports Max’s claim to make him believe in the balcony’s existence.
Q5. “Ausable did not fit any description of a secret agent Fowler had ever read.” What do secret agents in books and films look like, in your opinion?
Answer: They are usually tall, fit, well-dressed, and confident.
Explanation: In films and books, agents like James Bond or Sherlock Holmes are stylish and physically active, unlike Ausable.
Q6. How does Ausable manage to make Max believe that there is a balcony attached to his room?
Answer: He describes it in detail and says it is used for breaking in before.
Explanation: His calm tone and believable details convince Max that the balcony exists.
Q7. Looking back at the story, when do you think Ausable thought up his plan for getting rid of Max?
Answer: He planned it instantly after seeing Max.
Explanation: Ausable used quick thinking and took advantage of the situation as events happened.
Q8. In this story, Ausable shows great ‘presence of mind.’ Give examples from your own experience, or narrate a story, which shows someone’s presence of mind.
Answer: Once, I switched off the main power quickly when a fan started sparking.
Explanation: Acting calmly and fast prevented a possible fire.
Q9. Discuss what you would do in the situations described below.
Answer:
• Kitchen fire – Use a fire extinguisher or cover with a wet cloth.
• Child choking – Give back blows and call for help.
• Appliance sparking – Switch off main power immediately.
• Bicycle knocks pedestrian – Help the injured and call medical aid.
• Heavy rain – Stay indoors and avoid waterlogged areas.
• Family member late – Call them and inform authorities if needed.
Explanation: Being mentally prepared helps respond quickly and safely in emergencies.