The Thief's Story

Easy (15)

1. What was Hari Singh's age when he met Anil?
   • Ten
   • Fifteen (correct)
   • Twenty
   • Twenty-five

   Why: Hari Singh was 15 years old when he first met Anil.

2. What was Anil doing when Hari Singh first approached him?
   • Reading a book
   • Watching a wrestling match (correct)
   • Cooking dinner
   • Writing for a magazine

   Why: Anil was watching a wrestling match when Hari Singh met him.

3. What lie did Hari Singh tell Anil about his name?
   • He said his name was Prem
   • He said his name was Hari Singh (correct)
   • He said his name was Ram Lal
   • He refused to tell his name

   Why: Hari Singh lied and told Anil his name was Hari Singh.

4. What was Hari Singh's initial impression of Anil?
   • He seemed aggressive and shrewd
   • He looked easy-going, kind and simple enough for his purpose (correct)
   • He appeared wealthy and boastful
   • He seemed too busy to talk

   Why: Hari Singh saw Anil as easy-going, kind, and simple, suitable for his thieving plans.

5. Where did Anil take Hari Singh to live?
   • To his own house
   • To a room over the Jumna Sweet Shop (correct)
   • To a small hotel near the station
   • To a friend's apartment

   Why: Anil took Hari Singh to his room above the Jumna Sweet Shop.

6. What did Anil do with the terrible meal Hari Singh cooked on the first night?
   • He ate it politely
   • He threw it away in the bin
   • He gave it to a stray dog (correct)
   • He asked Hari Singh to cook again

   Why: Anil gave the poorly cooked meal to a stray dog.

7. What did Anil promise to teach Hari Singh?
   • How to wrestle
   • How to steal effectively
   • How to cook, write his name, and add numbers (correct)
   • How to manage money

   Why: Anil taught Hari Singh to cook, write his name, and add numbers.

8. How did Hari Singh usually make a profit of about a rupee a day?
   • By selling old books
   • By cheating on the day's supplies (correct)
   • By winning bets
   • By begging from strangers

   Why: Hari Singh made a rupee a day by taking it from the money for daily supplies.

9. True or False: Anil was a wealthy man who paid Hari Singh regularly.

   Why: False, Anil made money by fits and starts and didn't pay Hari regularly.

10. True or False: Hari Singh found it easy to rob Anil because Anil was a greedy man.

    Why: False, Hari Singh found it difficult to rob Anil because he was trusting and careless.

11. True or False: Hari Singh decided to steal Anil's money to catch a train to Delhi.

    Why: False, he planned to catch the Lucknow Express.

12. Hari Singh took a new name every month to stay ahead of the police and his former _________.

    Why: He changed names to evade police and former employers.

13. Anil made money by fits and starts, often writing for _________.

    Why: Anil earned money by writing for magazines.

14. Identify the character who is described as 'tall, lean fellow' in the story.
    • Hari Singh
    • The wrestling champion
    • Anil (correct)
    • The sweet shop owner

    Why: Anil is described as a 'tall, lean fellow' in the story.

15. Which object did Anil use to hide his money under?
    • A pillow
    • A cupboard
    • The mattress (correct)
    • A drawer

    Why: Anil tucked the money under the mattress.

Medium (15)

1. What was Hari Singh's motivation for approaching Anil?
   • He genuinely wanted to learn to cook
   • He saw Anil as an easy target for theft (correct)
   • He was looking for a permanent job
   • He wanted to make friends with a writer

   Why: Hari Singh saw Anil as a simple, easy-going person he could exploit.

2. Why did Hari Singh hesitate to jump onto the Lucknow Express after stealing the money?
   • He was afraid of getting caught by the police
   • He suddenly felt a pang of guilt and loyalty towards Anil (correct)
   • The train was moving too fast for him to jump
   • He realized he had forgotten something important

   Why: His hesitation stemmed from an inexplicable feeling, likely guilt or a change of heart, towards Anil.

3. What did Hari Singh realize about the value of education while sitting in the rain?
   • That it would help him steal more efficiently
   • That it could bring him more than a few hundred rupees in the long run (correct)
   • That it was useless for a thief like him
   • That Anil was wasting his time teaching him

   Why: He understood that education could lead to a more respectable and prosperous life than stealing.

4. What kind of reaction did Hari Singh expect from Anil after the theft, based on his study of men's faces?
   • Fear, like a greedy man
   • Anger, like a rich man
   • Sadness, not for the money, but for the loss of trust (correct)
   • Acceptance, like a poor man

   Why: He anticipated sadness from Anil, specifically for the broken trust, not the money.

5. Match the character trait with the character.

   Why: Hari Singh is the thief, Anil is the trusting writer, and the other options describe reactions to theft.

6. Match the action with the character.

   Why: Anil taught and gave food to the dog, while Hari Singh stole and profited from shopping.

7. Match the location with the event.

   Why: These pairs correctly link locations to significant events in the story.

8. Match the description with the character's state.

   Why: These pairs correctly describe the characters' states and thoughts as presented in the story.

9. What was the amount of money Hari Singh stole from Anil?

   Why: Hari Singh stole 600 rupees in fifty-rupee notes.

10. What was the name of the express train Hari Singh planned to take?

    Why: He intended to board the Lucknow Express.

11. What was the weather like when Hari Singh was sitting on the maidan after the theft?

    Why: It was chilly and raining, making him uncomfortable.

12. Arrange the events in the correct sequence.

    Why: This sequence follows the chronological order of events in the story.

13. Sequence the stages of Hari Singh's journey after stealing the money.

    Why: This sequence outlines Hari Singh's movements and thoughts immediately after the theft.

14. Which part of Anil's face is described as 'clear and unlined' when Hari Singh was about to steal?
    • His eyes
    • His forehead
    • His face (correct)
    • His lips

    Why: Anil's 'face' was described as clear and unlined, indicating peace.

15. Identify the object Hari Singh used to secure the stolen notes while running.
    • His belt
    • A handkerchief
    • The string of his pyjamas (correct)
    • His shirt pocket

    Why: He held the notes at his waist using the string of his pyjamas.

Hard (10)

1. Assertion (A): Hari Singh found it difficult to rob Anil despite having many opportunities. Reason (R): Anil was a careless man who often didn't notice when he was robbed, which took away the 'pleasure' for Hari Singh.

   Why: Both statements are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion.

2. Assertion (A): Hari Singh returned to Anil's room after stealing the money. Reason (R): He realized that an education from Anil would bring him more respect and success than a life of thievery.

   Why: Both statements are true, and the reason directly explains Hari Singh's return.

3. Assertion (A): Anil did not hand Hari Singh over to the police even after knowing about the theft. Reason (R): Anil was a kind and trusting person who believed in giving Hari Singh a chance to reform.

   Why: Both statements are true, and Anil's character explains his actions.

4. Hari Singh, a young thief, reflects on his life and choices after stealing money from Anil. He considers the implications of his actions and the path he wants to take. Which of the following statements best describes Hari Singh's internal conflict and eventual decision?
   • He prioritizes immediate financial gain over long-term personal growth and decides to flee with the money.
   • He struggles between the thrill of thievery and the potential for a respectable life through education, ultimately choosing the latter. (correct)
   • He feels no remorse for his actions and only returns because he fears being caught by the police.
   • He decides to return the money only to gain Anil's trust further and plan a bigger theft later.

   Why: Hari Singh's internal struggle leads him to value education and respect over a life of crime.

5. Anil's character is portrayed as unusually trusting and kind. Consider a scenario where Anil confronts Hari Singh directly about the theft. Based on Anil's established character, which of the following is the MOST likely outcome?
   • Anil would immediately call the police and press charges against Hari Singh.
   • Anil would scold Hari Singh severely and then dismiss him without any further help.
   • Anil would express his disappointment but offer Hari Singh another chance, possibly reinforcing the value of honesty and education. (correct)
   • Anil would simply ignore the theft, pretending it never happened, to avoid confrontation.

   Why: Anil's compassionate nature suggests he would offer another chance, focusing on reform.

6. Hari Singh's internal monologue reveals a shift in his perception of life. Initially, he values the immediate gratification of stealing. Later, he considers the long-term benefits of education. This change is pivotal. Which of the following best describes the catalyst for this transformation?
   • The fear of being caught by the police after missing the train.
   • The discomfort of the cold, rainy night on the streets.
   • Anil's consistent trust and kindness, coupled with the realization of education's potential for a 'big man's' life. (correct)
   • The large sum of money he stole, which made him realize the risks involved.

   Why: Anil's trust and the prospect of a better life through education are the main drivers of Hari Singh's change.

7. Identify the emotion depicted by Hari Singh's facial expression when he gives his 'most appealing smile' to Anil.
   • Genuine happiness and friendship
   • A manipulative facade to gain trust (correct)
   • Sadness and regret
   • Surprise and confusion

   Why: His 'appealing smile' was a calculated move to manipulate Anil.

8. Which of the following elements are crucial to Hari Singh's decision to return to Anil and place the money back?
   • The realization that education offered a path to a 'big man's' life. (correct)
   • The fear of being caught by the police if he stayed at the station.
   • Anil's unwavering trust and the thought of the sadness he would cause. (correct)
   • The discomfort of the cold, rainy night on the streets.

   Why: Hari Singh was influenced by the potential of education and Anil's trust.

9. Which two of the following statements accurately describe Anil's character, as perceived by Hari Singh?
   • He was a shrewd businessman who always kept a close eye on his money.
   • He was a trusting and easy-going individual, often careless with his finances. (correct)
   • He was a kind and patient mentor, willing to teach Hari Singh despite his flaws. (correct)
   • He was a strict employer who demanded perfection in work.

   Why: Anil was trusting, careless, kind, and patient, as shown by his actions.

10. Which two of the following describe Hari Singh's feelings and thoughts immediately after stealing the money and reaching the railway station?
    • A strong sense of triumph and satisfaction at his successful theft.
    • Excitement about the money, imagining a luxurious life for a week or two. (correct)
    • An inexplicable hesitation to board the train, leading to a missed opportunity. (correct)
    • Immediate regret and a strong desire to return the money.

    Why: Hari felt excitement about the money and an unexplained hesitation at the station.