Prepare effectively for your CBSE Class 10 English exam with this free online descriptive quiz on “The Midnight Visitor” by Robert Arthur, a thrilling and witty story from the Footprints Without Feet supplementary reader. The story follows Ausable, an unexpectedly calm and clever secret agent, who outsmarts a rival spy using only his intelligence and presence of mind — without any physical confrontation.
This descriptive quiz includes a range of short and long answer questions, carefully designed to assess your understanding of the characters, plot twists, and underlying message of the story. It helps students develop their exam writing skills by practicing answers that require clarity, structure, and textual analysis, all based on the NCERT syllabus.
You’ll explore how Ausable’s unconventional methods create suspense and humor, and how the author uses irony and dialogue to build character depth. These NCERT-based practice questions are ideal for reinforcing your ability to write thoughtful, detailed responses in the descriptive section of school tests and board exams.
Whether you're preparing for a classroom test or revising for the CBSE board exam, this descriptive quiz will help you gain a stronger grasp of the story’s techniques, tone, and character dynamics. Start now to improve your writing and build confidence in answering literature-based descriptive questions.
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Question 1: How is Ausable different from other secret agents?
Marks: 2Words: 0 / 60
Show Model Answer
Ausable is different from other secret agents because he is not physically imposing or glamorous. He is rather ordinary in appearance and relies on his wits and intelligence to handle situations.
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Question 2: Who is Fowler and what is his first authentic thrill of the day?
Marks: 2Words: 0 / 60
Show Model Answer
Fowler is a young writer who is eager to experience adventure. His first authentic thrill of the day comes when he enters Ausable’s room and expects to witness an exciting secret agent encounter.
{"eq_id":2554,"eq_text":"Who is Fowler and what is his first authentic thrill of the day?","eq_marks":"2","eq_context":"The Midnight Visitor by Robert Arthur, NCERT-X Textbook","eq_ans_length":60,"eq_exam":"NCERT-X","eq_subject":"English","eq_topic":"The Midnight Visitor","ans_text":"Fowler is a young writer who is eager to experience adventure. His first authentic thrill of the day comes when he enters Ausable\u2019s room and expects to witness an exciting secret agent encounter."}
Question 3: How has Max got in?
Marks: 2Words: 0 / 60
Show Model Answer
Max got in by using a false pretense, claiming he was a secret agent. He knocked on the door and was let in by Ausable, who was expecting him due to a prearranged plan.
{"eq_id":2555,"eq_text":"How has Max got in?","eq_marks":"2","eq_context":"The Midnight Visitor by Robert Arthur, NCERT-X Textbook","eq_ans_length":60,"eq_exam":"NCERT-X","eq_subject":"English","eq_topic":"The Midnight Visitor","ans_text":"Max got in by using a false pretense, claiming he was a secret agent. He knocked on the door and was let in by Ausable, who was expecting him due to a prearranged plan."}
Question 4: How does Ausable say he got in?
Marks: 2Words: 0 / 60
Show Model Answer
Ausable says he got in by using a key that was handed to him by a former colleague. He downplays the situation, portraying the entry as unimportant.
{"eq_id":2556,"eq_text":"How does Ausable say he got in?","eq_marks":"2","eq_context":"The Midnight Visitor by Robert Arthur, NCERT-X Textbook","eq_ans_length":60,"eq_exam":"NCERT-X","eq_subject":"English","eq_topic":"The Midnight Visitor","ans_text":"Ausable says he got in by using a key that was handed to him by a former colleague. He downplays the situation, portraying the entry as unimportant."}
Question 5: “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?
Marks: 3Words: 0 / 90
Show Model Answer
In books and films, secret agents often have mysterious, sharp features, wear suits, and use advanced gadgets. They are typically tall, muscular, and act with an air of confidence. Ausable, in contrast, lacks these physical traits.
{"eq_id":2557,"eq_text":"\u201cAusable did not fit any description of a secret agent Fowler had ever read.\u201d What do secret agents in books and films look like, in your opinion?","eq_marks":"3","eq_context":"The Midnight Visitor by Robert Arthur, NCERT-X Textbook","eq_ans_length":90,"eq_exam":"NCERT-X","eq_subject":"English","eq_topic":"The Midnight Visitor","ans_text":"In books and films, secret agents often have mysterious, sharp features, wear suits, and use advanced gadgets. They are typically tall, muscular, and act with an air of confidence. Ausable, in contrast, lacks these physical traits."}
Question 6: How does Ausable manage to make Max believe that there is a balcony attached to his room? Look back at his detailed description of it. What makes it a convincing story?
Marks: 4Words: 0 / 120
Show Model Answer
Ausable convinces Max that there is a balcony by describing it in detail—he mentions the open window, the view, and how it connects to the outside. This makes it seem real to Max, even though it doesn’t exist.
{"eq_id":2558,"eq_text":"How does Ausable manage to make Max believe that there is a balcony attached to his room? Look back at his detailed description of it. What makes it a convincing story?","eq_marks":"4","eq_context":"The Midnight Visitor by Robert Arthur, NCERT-X Textbook","eq_ans_length":120,"eq_exam":"NCERT-X","eq_subject":"English","eq_topic":"The Midnight Visitor","ans_text":"Ausable convinces Max that there is a balcony by describing it in detail\u2014he mentions the open window, the view, and how it connects to the outside. This makes it seem real to Max, even though it doesn\u2019t exist."}
Question 7: Looking back at the story, when do you think Ausable thought up his plan for getting rid of Max? Do you think he had worked out his plan in detail right from the beginning? Or did he make up a plan taking advantage of events as they happened?
Marks: 4Words: 0 / 120
Show Model Answer
Ausable likely thought up his plan as events unfolded. Initially, he might not have had a clear plan but adapted his actions as Max’s behavior and situation unfolded, taking advantage of the moment.
{"eq_id":2559,"eq_text":"Looking back at the story, when do you think Ausable thought up his plan for getting rid of Max? Do you think he had worked out his plan in detail right from the beginning? Or did he make up a plan taking advantage of events as they happened?","eq_marks":"4","eq_context":"The Midnight Visitor by Robert Arthur, NCERT-X Textbook","eq_ans_length":120,"eq_exam":"NCERT-X","eq_subject":"English","eq_topic":"The Midnight Visitor","ans_text":"Ausable likely thought up his plan as events unfolded. Initially, he might not have had a clear plan but adapted his actions as Max\u2019s behavior and situation unfolded, taking advantage of the moment."}
Question 8: In this story, Ausable shows great ‘presence of mind,’ or the ability to think quickly, and act calmly and wisely, in a situation of danger and surprise. Give examples from your own experience, or narrate a story, which shows someone’s presence of mind.
Marks: 4Words: 0 / 120
Show Model Answer
Presence of mind involves thinking and acting quickly in critical situations. I recall an incident when I helped a friend who fainted in public by staying calm and calling for help promptly, which saved time and possibly prevented injury.
{"eq_id":2560,"eq_text":"In this story, Ausable shows great \u2018presence of mind,\u2019 or the ability to think quickly, and act calmly and wisely, in a situation of danger and surprise. Give examples from your own experience, or narrate a story, which shows someone\u2019s presence of mind.","eq_marks":"4","eq_context":"The Midnight Visitor by Robert Arthur, NCERT-X Textbook","eq_ans_length":120,"eq_exam":"NCERT-X","eq_subject":"English","eq_topic":"The Midnight Visitor","ans_text":"Presence of mind involves thinking and acting quickly in critical situations. I recall an incident when I helped a friend who fainted in public by staying calm and calling for help promptly, which saved time and possibly prevented injury."}
Question 9: Discuss what you would do in some difficult situations where quick actions and presence of mind are required to deal with the situation.
Marks: 4Words: 0 / 120
Show Model Answer
In difficult situations requiring quick actions, I would focus on staying calm and assessing the situation. For example, if someone were choking, I would immediately administer the Heimlich maneuver and call for medical help if needed.
{"eq_id":2561,"eq_text":"Discuss what you would do in some difficult situations where quick actions and presence of mind are required to deal with the situation.","eq_marks":"4","eq_context":"The Midnight Visitor by Robert Arthur, NCERT-X Textbook","eq_ans_length":120,"eq_exam":"NCERT-X","eq_subject":"English","eq_topic":"The Midnight Visitor","ans_text":"In difficult situations requiring quick actions, I would focus on staying calm and assessing the situation. For example, if someone were choking, I would immediately administer the Heimlich maneuver and call for medical help if needed."}