Stories based on crime and deception often reveal deeper truths about human nature.
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 4, A Question of Trust, written by Victor Canning, presents an engaging tale of wit, irony, and misplaced trust. The story revolves around Horace Danby, a seemingly respectable man who steals once a year to fulfil his passion for rare books, and a clever woman who deceives him at his own game.
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 4 – A Question of Trust
Q.
READ AND FIND OUT – 1
What does Horace Danby like to collect?
Q.
READ AND FIND OUT – 1
Why does he steal every year?
Q.
READ AND FIND OUT – 2
Who is speaking to Horace Danby?
Q.
READ AND FIND OUT – 2
Who is the real culprit in the story?
Q.
Think about it
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 realize this, and how?
Q.
Think about it
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?
Q.
Think about it“
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?
Q.
Think about it
Horace Danby was a meticulous planner but still he faltered. Where did he go wrong and why?
Q.
Talk about it
Do you think Horace Danby was unfairly punished, or that he deserved what he got?
Q.
Think about it
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?
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 4 – A Question of Trust
The chapter explores important themes such as honesty, deception, crime, morality, and trust. It shows how appearances can be misleading and how intelligence without alertness can lead to downfall. This chapter is part of the Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet textbook.
The NCERT Solutions for Chapter 4 – A Question of Trust given below are written in a simple, exam-oriented manner to help students understand the story clearly, analyse characters effectively, and prepare well for school tests and board examinations.
Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet
Chapter 4 Questions & Answers – A Question of Trust
Q1. What does Horace Danby like to collect?
Solution: Horace Danby likes to collect rare and expensive books. His love for books is the main reason behind his unusual habit of stealing.
Q2. Why does he steal every year?
Solution: He steals once every year to get enough money to buy the rare books he loves through an agent. He plans his theft carefully so that the money lasts him for twelve months.
Q3. Who is speaking to Horace Danby?
Solution: A young woman standing in the doorway is speaking to Horace Danby. She is calm, confident, well-dressed, and accompanied by a dog named Sherry.
Q4. Who is the real culprit in the story?
Solution: The woman who speaks to Horace Danby is the real culprit. She pretends to be the owner of the house and tricks Horace into breaking open the safe and handing over the jewels.
Q5. Did you suspect that the lady was not who Horace thought her to be? If yes, how?
Solution: Yes, her behaviour was suspicious. She was unusually calm on seeing a thief, did not call the police, claimed to have forgotten the safe’s combination, and asked Horace to break it open. These actions clearly showed she was not the real owner.
Q6. How does the lady manage to deceive Horace Danby? Why doesn’t he suspect anything?
Solution: The lady deceives Horace by acting confident and authoritative. Her appearance, calm behaviour, and clever talk convince Horace that she is the lady of the house. Horace is too frightened of being caught to think logically.
Q7. “Horace Danby was good and respectable — but not completely honest.” Why is this description apt?
Solution: Horace is respectable because he lives a quiet life and loves books. However, he is dishonest because he steals every year. He cannot be called a typical thief as he steals only what he needs and plans carefully.
Q8. Horace Danby was a meticulous planner but still faltered. Where did he go wrong?
Solution: Horace failed to consider that someone else could be in the house. He panicked on seeing the woman and trusted her blindly. He also removed his gloves, leaving fingerprints behind, which led to his arrest.
Q9. Do you think Horace Danby was unfairly punished?
Solution: No, Horace Danby was not punished unfairly. Stealing is a crime, and he committed it repeatedly. Therefore, he deserved the punishment he received.
Q10. Do intentions justify actions? Would you act like Horace Danby?
Solution: No, intentions do not justify actions. A wrong act cannot be excused by a good intention. Honesty is essential, and acting dishonestly can never be justified.
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 4 – FAQs
Q1. What is the central theme of “A Question of Trust”?
Answer: The story highlights that crime cannot be justified by good intentions and that blind trust can lead to deception.
Q2. Why is the story ironic?
Answer: The irony lies in the fact that Horace, a thief himself, is deceived and robbed by a smarter criminal.
Q3. How does this chapter help students prepare for board exams?
Answer: This chapter helps students practise character analysis, irony, moral values, and theme-based questions that frequently appear in board examinations.