Class 10 The Midnight Visitor by Robert Arthur
Short Questions
Q. How is Ausable different from other secret agents?
Ans. Ausable is very different from the secret agents in books and films. He is fat, short, and speaks with a German accent. He does not look handsome, smart, or adventurous like a typical spy. However, he is intelligent and quick-witted, which makes him successful.
Q. Who is Fowler and what is his first authentic thrill of the day?
Ans. Fowler is a young writer who wants to write about secret agents. His first authentic thrill of the day comes when he sees a man with a pistol (Max) in Ausable’s hotel room.
Q. How has Max got in?
Ans. Max entered the room using a passkey, a duplicate key to the door.
Q. How does Ausable say he got in?
Ans. Ausable cleverly says that Max entered the room through the balcony, even though no such balcony existed.
Long Questions
Q.1. “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? Compare them with Ausable.
Ans. In books and films, secret agents are usually shown as tall, handsome, strong, and stylish men who use guns, fast cars, and clever gadgets. For example, James Bond in movies, or Sherlock Holmes in fiction.
Ausable, however, is the opposite. He is fat, short, and speaks with an accent. He does not chase criminals physically, but he defeats them with his brain and presence of mind.
Q.2. How does Ausable manage to make Max believe that there is a balcony attached to his room?
Ans. Ausable gives a detailed and convincing description of the balcony. He says the balcony extends under the window of his room and is connected with neighbouring rooms, so anyone could enter from there. His calm and confident manner makes the story believable.
Q.3. Looking back at the story, when do you think Ausable thought up his plan for getting rid of Max? Did he work it out in detail or take advantage of events?
Ans. Ausable thought of the plan on the spot when he saw Max with a pistol. He did not have a detailed plan ready, but he took advantage of the situation. He created the false story of the balcony and later used the knock at the door to make Max panic. His quick thinking saved the situation.
Value-Based Questions
Q.1. In this story, Ausable shows great ‘presence of mind.’ Give an example from your own life or narrate a story of presence of mind.
Ans. (Model Answer) Once there was a small fire in my kitchen because of cooking oil. Instead of panicking, my mother quickly covered the pan with a lid and switched off the gas. This stopped the fire. Her presence of mind saved us from a big accident.
Q.2. What would you do in the situations below?
- A small fire starts in your kitchen.
👉 Switch off the gas/electricity, cover the fire with a lid or blanket, and call for help if needed. - A child starts to choke on food.
👉 Perform the Heimlich manoeuvre or pat the child’s back gently to remove the food. - An electrical appliance starts to hiss and give out sparks.
👉 Switch it off immediately, unplug it, and move away from water. - A bicycle knocks down a pedestrian.
👉 Help the injured person, give first aid, and if serious, call a doctor or ambulance. - It rains continuously for more than 24 hours.
👉 Stay indoors, avoid water-logged areas, and store drinking water and essentials. - A family member does not return at the usual time.
👉 Call them on the phone, check with friends or neighbours, and if delayed for long, inform the police.