Footprints Without Feet is Chapter 5 in your Class 10 English CBSE board exam. It is a challenging chapter, but with the right preparation, you can ace it!
This blog post will provide you with a comprehensive set of important questions and answers for the Footprints Without Feet chapter. These questions have been carefully curated to cover all the key concepts and topics from the chapter, and they are sure to help you prepare well for your exam.
In addition to the important questions, we have also included some extra questions that you may find useful. These questions are more challenging, but they will help you to deepen your understanding of the chapter and to prepare for any unexpected questions that may come up in your exam.
We hope that this blog post will be a valuable resource for you as you prepare for your Class 10 English CBSE board exam. Good luck!
| Subject | English Language & Literature |
| Class | 10 |
| Board | CBSE |
| Chapter Name | Footprints Without Feet |
| Writer | H. G. Wells |
| Type | Important Questions and Answers |
| Session | 2023-24 |
| Book Name | Footprints Without Feet Chapter 5 |
| Literature | Story |
"Do not be embarrassed by your failures, learn from them and start again."
Footprints Without Feet: Top Questions to Prepare
Q. No. 1. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
i. Select the option that completes the given sentence correctly.
The boys who followed Griffin in 'Footprints Without Feet' __________ and __________.
- had found Griffin's laboratory
- were curious about the footprints
- knew who the footprints belonged to
- had almost discovered Griffin's secret
- had been looking for Griffin for quite some time
a. (1) and (5)
b. (2) and (3)
c. (2) and (4)
d. (3) and (5)
Ans. Option (c)
ii. Identify the option that aptly describes Griffin.
a. greedy, yet kind
b. proud and honorable
c. considerate and selfless
d. brilliant, but lawless
Ans. Option (d)
iii. In the story 'Footprints Without Feet', Mrs. Hall agreed to provide accommodation to Griffin because he had __________.
a. expressed that her inn was perfect for his experiments
b. a bad temper and she was scared of him
c. agreed to not disturb her peace of mind
d. made some payment to her in advance
Ans. Option (d)
Q. No. 2) Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract.
The two boys started in surprise at the fresh muddy imprints of a pair of bare feet. What was a barefooted man doing on the steps of a house in the middle of London? And where was the man?
As they gazed, a remarkable sight met their eyes. A fresh footmark appeared from nowhere!
Further footprints followed one after another, descending the steps and progressing down the street. The boys followed, fascinated, until the muddy impressions became fainter and fainter, and at last disappeared altogether.
i. Why were the boys surprised to see a barefooted man in London?
The boys were surprised as
a. it was an unusual sight to see someone this way.
b. everybody in London moved around in shoes.
c. it was pretty cold to move around bare feet.
d. only a person who is homeless and wandering does so.
Ans. Option (c)
ii. Pick out the option that is NOT related to ‘started’ as used in the extract
a. option (i)
b. option (ii)
c. option (iii)
d. option (iv)
Ans. Option (d)
iii. Pick the option that best describes how the boys are feeling based on the extract.
a. enchanted, curious, puzzled
b. captivated, curious, puzzled
c. repulsed, curious, captivated
d. enchanted, repulsed, curious
Ans. Option (b)
iv. The boys felt that the footprints were
a. seen due to some magic trick.
b. a figment of imagination.
c. of a man who was invisible.
d. those of a mysterious man.
Ans. Option (d)
v. Pick the option that best matches synonyms of the word ‘gazed’.
a. i) gaped ii) gawked
b. i) admired ii) disbelieved
c. i) overlooked ii) stared
d. i) surveyed ii) overlooked
Ans. Option (a)
vi. Pick the option that lists the correct direction of the footprints on the stairs, as noticed by the boys.
a. option (i)
b. option (ii)
c. option (iii)
d. option (iv)
Ans. Option (b)
Q. No. 3) Attempt the extract given.
The arrival of a stranger at an inn in winter was in any case an unusual event. A stranger of such uncommon appearance set all tongues wagging. Mrs Hall, the landlord’s wife, made every effort to be friendly. But Griffin had no desire to talk, and told her, “My reason for coming to Iping is a desire for solitude. I do not wish to be disturbed in my work. Besides, an accident has affected my face.”
Satisfied that her guest was an eccentric scientist, and in view of the fact that he had paid her in advance, Mrs Hall was prepared to excuse his strange habits and irritable temper. But the stolen money did not last long, and presently Griffin had to admit that he had no more ready cash. He pretended, however, that he was expecting a cheque to arrive at any moment.
(Footprints without Feet)
i. In which of these does 'ready' have the same meaning as used in the extract?
a. Griffin didn't believe that he was ready to speak before the audience.
b. The landlord usually got the rooms ready before any guests arrived.
c. Mrs. Hall said there was a ready supply of food at the hotel.
d. The stranger was getting ready to take on new challenges.
Ans. Option (c)
ii. Complete the analogy by selecting a suitable word from the text.
arrival: exit:: ___________: company
Ans. solitude
iii. Which of these is true about the inn?
a. Its location was remote.
b. Its customers were mainly locals.
c. It was a popular tourist destination.
d. It required rent to be paid in advance.
Ans. Option (b)
iv. Why did the people start talking about the stranger's arrival?
- because he was mostly quiet
- because he was mean to people
- because he was enjoying the snow
- because he paid the inn charges in cash
- because he was dressed in a strange manner Select the correct option.
a. only 1 & 5
b. only 2 & 3
c. only 3, 4 and 5
d. only 4
Ans. Option (a)
v. Mrs. Hall was prepared to ignore Griffin's rudeness and weird behavior.
State two reasons why this was so.
(i)__________
(ii) __________
Ans. (i) because she felt Griffin was a peculiar scientist
(ii) because he paid advance rent.
Q. No. 4) Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract.
As she and her husband turned away in terror, the extraordinary chair pushed them both out of the room and then appeared to slam and lock the door after them.
Mrs Hall almost fell down the stairs in hysterics. She was convinced that the room was haunted by spirits and that the stranger had somehow caused these to enter into her furniture.
“My poor mother used to sit in that chair,” she moaned. To think it should rise up against me now!
The feeling among the neighbors was that the trouble was caused by witchcraft.”
i. Mrs. Hall felt that the room was haunted by spirits because
a. she could see evil spirits.
b. she heard a strange noise.
c. uncanny things happened there.
d. the door slammed shut.
Ans. Option (c)
ii. Pick the option that best describes how Mrs Hall must be feeling at the moment described in the extract.
a. stunned and furious
b. shocked and outraged
c. outraged and nervous
d. stunned and agitated
Ans. Option (d)
iii. Pick the sentence that brings out the meaning of ‘hysterics’ as used in the extract.
a. My friend and I were in splits when we saw the clown’s antics.
b. I don’t know why I suddenly felt worried about flying home.
c. The sight of blood put the old man in a frenzy.
d. The people who had witnessed the accident were spellbound.
Ans. Option (c)
iv. Pick the option that displays a cause -> effect relationship.
a. pushed and locked out -> hysterical
b. rising of the chair -> moaning
c. troubled neighbors -> witchcraft
d. stranger -> haunted spirits
Ans. Option (a)
v. The neighbors thought it was ‘witchcraft’. This tells us that neighbors were
a. suspicious.
b. superstitious.
c. nervous wrecks.
d. gossip-mongers.
Ans. Option (b)
vi. Pick the option that includes the correct matches of Column A with Column B.
| Column A | Column B |
| I. The stranger was | i) eccentric, lonely, and callous |
| II. He had escaped | ii) eccentric, callous, and short-tempered |
| III. He had an uncommon appearance | iii) from Iping to London |
| iv) as he wore bandages around his forehead |
a. I-ii; II-iv; III-iii
b. I-i; II-iii; III-iv
c. I-iii; II-ii; III-i
d. I-ii; II-iii; III-iv
Ans. Option (d)
vii. Look at the different meanings of ‘haunt’. Pick the option that DOES NOT correspond to its meaning
a. to be conscious of a strange phenomenon.
b. be persistently and disturbingly present in (the mind).
c. (of something unpleasant) continue to affect or cause problems for.
d. a place frequented by a specified person.
Ans. Option (a)
Q. No. 5) Why does the writer say that Griffin had chosen a bad time to be in London without clothes?
Ans. The writer says that Griffin had chosen a bad time to be in London without clothes because it was mid-winter, and the air was bitterly cold. Griffin could not do without clothes, especially in such harsh weather.
Q. No. 6) The neighbors suspected Griffin of burglary. State why this was OR was not justified.
Ans. The neighbors' suspicion of Griffin for burglary was not justified. There was no concrete evidence linking him to the crime, and his strange behavior and invisibility did not prove that he was guilty. The neighbors were simply prejudiced against Griffin because he was different from them.
Q. No. 7) Griffin’s brilliance as a man of science fades before his darker traits. Comment.
Ans. Griffin is a brilliant scientist because he is able to discover a drug that can make him invisible. This is a remarkable feat, and it demonstrates Griffin's deep understanding of chemistry and physics.
Examples of Griffin's darker traits:
- Griffin is a lawless person. He steals food and clothing, and he even burns down his landlord's house.
- Griffin is quick-tempered and violent. He attacks people who try to stop him, and he even kills a man.
- Griffin is paranoid and distrustful of others. He believes that everyone is out to get him, and he becomes increasingly isolated and withdrawn.
Griffin's brilliance is eclipsed by his darker traits because he uses his intelligence for evil purposes. He does not use his invisibility to help others or make the world a better place. Instead, he uses it to terrorize and control others.
Q. No. 8) What do you think would have happened if Griffin had been caught by Jaffers and the latter hadn’t become unconscious?
Ans. If Griffin had been caught by Jaffers and the latter hadn't become unconscious, Griffin's secret of invisibility would have been exposed to the world. Griffin would have been arrested, and he would have likely been subjected to scientific experiments to determine how he achieved invisibility. The discovery of Griffin's secret could have had a profound impact on society, and it could have led to the development of new technologies and weapons.
Q. No. 9) If you were a friend of Griffin, what suggestion would you have given to him about how he could use his talent and scientific acumen? Write one suggestion and the reason for giving it.
Ans. If I were a friend of Griffin, I would suggest that he use his talent and scientific acumen to help others. He could use his invisibility to investigate crimes, help people in need, or make scientific discoveries that could benefit the world.
Griffin is a brilliant scientist, and he has the potential to make a positive impact on the world. However, he is also arrogant and reckless. I hope that if I were his friend, I could help him to see the error of his ways and to use his talents for good.
Q. No. 10) Do you find the story based on being invisible a mere figment of one’s imagination or a phenomenon that is plausible? Elaborate with your opinion.
Ans. While there is no scientific evidence to support the existence of invisibility, I believe that it is a plausible phenomenon. With further technological development, it may be possible to create materials that can make objects invisible. However, I also believe that invisibility is a dangerous power, and it must be used wisely and ethically if it is ever achieved.
Q. No. 11) Scientists contribute to make the world a better place. Griffin is an antithesis to this statement. Justify.
Ans. Scientists contribute to make the world a better place by developing new technologies and discoveries that improve our lives. Griffin is an antithesis to this statement because he uses his scientific knowledge for evil purposes, such as terrorizing and controlling others. Griffin's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of power and the importance of using our talents for good.
Q. No. 12) Your teacher conducted a debate in class on the topic ‘Schools must develop scientific temperament in students’.
Write any two arguments that you used to supplement your stand, either as a proposition speaker or as an opposition one.
Ans. Arguments in favor of schools developing scientific temperament in students:
- Scientific temperament is essential for critical thinking and problem-solving. Students with a scientific temperament are better able to evaluate evidence, identify biases, and make informed decisions. These skills are essential for success in school, work, and life.
- Scientific temperament helps students to understand the world around them. In today's world, science and technology are increasingly important. Students with a scientific temperament are better able to understand and appreciate scientific advances, and to make informed choices about their lives in a rapidly changing world.
Q. No. 13) Readers believe that Griffin was a man without a conscience.
You have a class discussion on why our conscience plays a vital role in shaping our character.
Present a summary of your views on this.
Ans. Conscience is the inner voice that tells us right from wrong. It is a moral compass that guides us in our decisions and actions. A well-developed conscience is essential for shaping our character and making us good people.
Conscience plays a vital role in shaping our character because it helps us to:
- Develop moral values. Our conscience is shaped by our upbringing, education, and life experiences. It teaches us what is right and wrong, and it helps us to develop our own moral values.
- Make good decisions. When we are faced with a difficult decision, our conscience can help us to choose the right path. It can help us to resist temptation and to do what is right, even when it is difficult.
- Be accountable for our actions. Our conscience holds us accountable for our behavior. It makes us feel guilty when we do something wrong, and it motivates us to make amends.
When Griffin becomes invisible, he loses his conscience. He no longer feels guilty about his actions, and he begins to use his power for evil. This shows that conscience is essential for preventing us from becoming corrupt.
Q. No. 14) Griffin set the house on fire when he was thrown out. Anger and revenge are in no way a solution to any problem.
You are a columnist for a class X e-zine(magazine). Create a column on the importance of anger management for teens and its detrimental effects on health.
You may begin like this:
ANGER DOESN’T RESOLVE, IT DESTROYS
By …………, X-……..
Griffin, in Footprints Without Feet sets the house on fire ……… (continue)
Ans.
ANGER DOESN’T RESOLVE, IT DESTROYS
By ABC, X-10
Griffin, in Footprints Without Feet, sets the house on fire in a fit of anger. This is a tragic example of how anger can lead to destructive consequences.
Anger is a normal and healthy emotion. However, when anger is not managed effectively, it can have a negative impact on our relationships, our health, and our overall well-being.
Importance of anger management for teens:
Teenagers are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of anger. They are going through a time of physical, emotional, and social change, and they may be struggling to cope with new challenges. Additionally, teenagers' brains are still developing, and they may not yet have the skills to manage their anger effectively.
Anger management can help teenagers to:
- Identify their triggers and early warning signs of anger.
- Develop healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with anger.
- Communicate their feelings in a constructive way.
- Resolve conflict peacefully.
- Build stronger relationships with others.
Detrimental effects of anger on health:
Chronic anger can have a number of negative health consequences, including:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Digestive problems
- Depression
- Anxiety
Conclusion:
Anger management is an important skill for everyone, but it is especially important for teenagers. By learning to manage their anger effectively, teenagers can avoid the negative consequences of anger and live happier and healthier lives.
Q. No. 15) Did Griffin from Footprints without Feet follow the saying 'with great power comes great responsibility'? Justify your answer in 120 words.
Ans. No, Griffin did not follow the saying 'with great power comes great responsibility'. The saying means that if one has the ability to do something, one should make sure to do it for the good of others. Since Griffin did not think of anyone else except himself, this saying is not what he followed.
After he managed to make himself invisible, he did not use his powers of invisibility to do good. Instead, one of the first things he did was to set fire to his landlord's house in an act of revenge. He did not think of helping anyone with his newfound powers, instead, he harmed other people for his own gain.
He stole clothes and food for himself without feeling any remorse. He even attacked and robbed a shopkeeper. When his money ran low once more, he again resorted to stealing and robbed a clergyman. When Mrs Hall entered his room, he attacked her with her own chair. Finally, when the police were about to catch him, instead of going quietly and accepting his arrest, he fought back and escaped the police. At no time did Griffin take any responsibility for his actions.
Q. No. 16) Imagine that Griffin has been caught by the police and is produced in court. He needs to defend himself and prove that he is not guilty of the charges.
As Griffin prepare a statement that you would use in court to prove your innocence.
You may begin like this:
I plead not guilty.
I have been accused of …, however…
Ans. I plead not guilty to the charges against me. I have been accused of burglary, arson, and assault. However, I am innocent of all of these charges.
On the night of the alleged crimes, I was at home in my laboratory. I was working on a scientific experiment, and I did not leave my laboratory at all. I have witnesses who can attest to this.
I believe that I am being framed for these crimes. I have made enemies in the scientific community because of my work, and I believe that one of these enemies is trying to sabotage me.
I urge the court to consider the evidence carefully and to find me innocent of all charges.
(In addition to the above, Griffin could also provide the following evidence to support his innocence:
- Alibi witnesses: Griffin could present witnesses who can testify that he was at home in his laboratory on the night of the alleged crimes.
- Lack of motive: Griffin could argue that he had no motive to commit the crimes. He had a good job, a comfortable home, and a loving family.
- Lack of evidence: Griffin could point out that there is no physical evidence linking him to the crimes. His fingerprints were not found at the scene of the crime, and he was not seen fleeing the scene.
Griffin could also argue that he is not capable of committing the crimes. He is a brilliant scientist, but he is also physically weak and frail. It would be difficult for him to commit burglary, arson, and assault without being caught.
Ultimately, it is up to the jury to decide whether or not Griffin is innocent. However, by providing the evidence and arguments above, Griffin could increase his chances of being acquitted.)
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