Prepare for your CBSE Class 10 English exam with this free online descriptive quiz on “The Thief’s Story” by Ruskin Bond, from the Footprints Without Feet supplementary reader. This engaging and thought-provoking story explores themes like trust, transformation, and human kindness through the journey of a young thief named Hari Singh and his unexpected relationship with Anil, a kind and trusting man.
The descriptive questions in this quiz are crafted to test your ability to reflect on character development, moral conflict, and thematic depth. You’ll be asked to explain key incidents, analyze the motivations of the characters, and articulate the underlying message of the story. Each question follows the NCERT Class 10 English syllabus and supports skill development in structured long-answer writing, which is essential for scoring well in board exams.
This practice test helps students strengthen their descriptive writing, use evidence from the text effectively, and build confidence in expressing critical insights in clear and exam-ready language. Whether you’re revising for a school assessment or preparing for the board exam, these questions are ideal for improving your comprehension and writing accuracy.
Start practicing now to master the descriptive section of The Thief’s Story and gain a deeper appreciation for one of Ruskin Bond’s most memorable works.
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Question 1: Who does "I" refer to in this story?
Marks: 1Words: 0 / 30
Show Model Answer
The "I" in this story refers to Hari Singh, the young thief and narrator who recounts his experiences in the story.
{"eq_id":2541,"eq_text":"Who does \"I\" refer to in this story?","eq_marks":"1","eq_context":"The Thief's Story by Ruskin Bond, NCERT-X Textbook","eq_ans_length":30,"eq_exam":"NCERT-X","eq_subject":"English","eq_topic":"The Thief's Story","ans_text":"The \"I\" in this story refers to Hari Singh, the young thief and narrator who recounts his experiences in the story."}
Question 2: What is he "a fairly successful hand" at?
Marks: 2Words: 0 / 60
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He is a fairly successful hand at thieving, particularly stealing from unsuspecting people. He prides himself on being skillful at his craft.
{"eq_id":2542,"eq_text":"What is he \"a fairly successful hand\" at?","eq_marks":"2","eq_context":"The Thief's Story by Ruskin Bond, NCERT-X Textbook","eq_ans_length":60,"eq_exam":"NCERT-X","eq_subject":"English","eq_topic":"The Thief's Story","ans_text":"He is a fairly successful hand at thieving, particularly stealing from unsuspecting people. He prides himself on being skillful at his craft."}
Question 3: What does he get from Anil in return for his work?
Marks: 2Words: 0 / 60
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In return for his work, Anil gives Hari Singh food, shelter, and an opportunity to work, which represents a form of payment and trust.
{"eq_id":2543,"eq_text":"What does he get from Anil in return for his work?","eq_marks":"2","eq_context":"The Thief's Story by Ruskin Bond, NCERT-X Textbook","eq_ans_length":60,"eq_exam":"NCERT-X","eq_subject":"English","eq_topic":"The Thief's Story","ans_text":"In return for his work, Anil gives Hari Singh food, shelter, and an opportunity to work, which represents a form of payment and trust."}
Question 4: How does the thief think Anil will react to the theft?
Marks: 2Words: 0 / 60
Show Model Answer
The thief thinks Anil will react with disappointment or anger, but he believes Anil will not report him to the police, given Anil’s trusting nature.
{"eq_id":2544,"eq_text":"How does the thief think Anil will react to the theft?","eq_marks":"2","eq_context":"The Thief's Story by Ruskin Bond, NCERT-X Textbook","eq_ans_length":60,"eq_exam":"NCERT-X","eq_subject":"English","eq_topic":"The Thief's Story","ans_text":"The thief thinks Anil will react with disappointment or anger, but he believes Anil will not report him to the police, given Anil\u2019s trusting nature."}
Question 5: What does he say about the different reactions of people when they are robbed?
Marks: 3Words: 0 / 90
Show Model Answer
The thief suggests that people react differently when robbed: some get angry, others feel helpless, while some might not even notice the theft.
{"eq_id":2545,"eq_text":"What does he say about the different reactions of people when they are robbed?","eq_marks":"3","eq_context":"The Thief's Story by Ruskin Bond, NCERT-X Textbook","eq_ans_length":90,"eq_exam":"NCERT-X","eq_subject":"English","eq_topic":"The Thief's Story","ans_text":"The thief suggests that people react differently when robbed: some get angry, others feel helpless, while some might not even notice the theft."}
Question 6: Does Anil realise that he has been robbed?
Marks: 2Words: 0 / 60
Show Model Answer
No, Anil does not realize he has been robbed. He trusts Hari Singh completely and is unaware of the theft until much later.
{"eq_id":2546,"eq_text":"Does Anil realise that he has been robbed?","eq_marks":"2","eq_context":"The Thief's Story by Ruskin Bond, NCERT-X Textbook","eq_ans_length":60,"eq_exam":"NCERT-X","eq_subject":"English","eq_topic":"The Thief's Story","ans_text":"No, Anil does not realize he has been robbed. He trusts Hari Singh completely and is unaware of the theft until much later."}
Question 7: What are Hari Singh’s reactions to the prospect of receiving an education? Do they change over time? What makes him return to Anil?
Marks: 4Words: 0 / 120
Show Model Answer
Hari Singh initially shows indifference towards education but later becomes eager to learn, especially after experiencing Anil’s kindness. His decision to return to Anil is motivated by gratitude and a desire to change.
{"eq_id":2547,"eq_text":"What are Hari Singh\u2019s reactions to the prospect of receiving an education? Do they change over time? What makes him return to Anil?","eq_marks":"4","eq_context":"The Thief's Story by Ruskin Bond, NCERT-X Textbook","eq_ans_length":120,"eq_exam":"NCERT-X","eq_subject":"English","eq_topic":"The Thief's Story","ans_text":"Hari Singh initially shows indifference towards education but later becomes eager to learn, especially after experiencing Anil\u2019s kindness. His decision to return to Anil is motivated by gratitude and a desire to change."}
Question 8: Why does not Anil hand the thief over to the police? Do you think most people would have done so? In what ways is Anil different from such employers?
Marks: 4Words: 0 / 120
Show Model Answer
Anil does not hand the thief over to the police because he believes in forgiveness and the potential for redemption. Anil is different from other employers in showing compassion and second chances.
{"eq_id":2548,"eq_text":"Why does not Anil hand the thief over to the police? Do you think most people would have done so? In what ways is Anil different from such employers?","eq_marks":"4","eq_context":"The Thief's Story by Ruskin Bond, NCERT-X Textbook","eq_ans_length":120,"eq_exam":"NCERT-X","eq_subject":"English","eq_topic":"The Thief's Story","ans_text":"Anil does not hand the thief over to the police because he believes in forgiveness and the potential for redemption. Anil is different from other employers in showing compassion and second chances."}
Question 9: Do you think people like Anil and Hari Singh are found only in fiction, or are there such people in real life?
Marks: 3Words: 0 / 90
Show Model Answer
People like Anil and Hari Singh are not found only in fiction. There are real-life individuals who show kindness, forgiveness, and a willingness to help others, even when they are wronged.
{"eq_id":2549,"eq_text":"Do you think people like Anil and Hari Singh are found only in fiction, or are there such people in real life?","eq_marks":"3","eq_context":"The Thief's Story by Ruskin Bond, NCERT-X Textbook","eq_ans_length":90,"eq_exam":"NCERT-X","eq_subject":"English","eq_topic":"The Thief's Story","ans_text":"People like Anil and Hari Singh are not found only in fiction. There are real-life individuals who show kindness, forgiveness, and a willingness to help others, even when they are wronged."}
Question 10: Do you think it a significant detail in the story that Anil is a struggling writer? Does this explain his behaviour in any way?
Marks: 3Words: 0 / 90
Show Model Answer
The detail of Anil being a struggling writer adds depth to his character. It explains his empathetic behavior and his ability to forgive, likely stemming from his own struggles and understanding of hardship.
{"eq_id":2550,"eq_text":"Do you think it a significant detail in the story that Anil is a struggling writer? Does this explain his behaviour in any way?","eq_marks":"3","eq_context":"The Thief's Story by Ruskin Bond, NCERT-X Textbook","eq_ans_length":90,"eq_exam":"NCERT-X","eq_subject":"English","eq_topic":"The Thief's Story","ans_text":"The detail of Anil being a struggling writer adds depth to his character. It explains his empathetic behavior and his ability to forgive, likely stemming from his own struggles and understanding of hardship."}
Question 11: Have you met anyone like Hari Singh? Can you think and imagine the circumstances that can turn a fifteen-year-old boy into a thief?
Marks: 4Words: 0 / 120
Show Model Answer
Many factors can turn a fifteen-year-old boy into a thief, such as poverty, lack of education, and poor role models. Hari Singh’s difficult life and desperation led him down this path.
{"eq_id":2551,"eq_text":"Have you met anyone like Hari Singh? Can you think and imagine the circumstances that can turn a fifteen-year-old boy into a thief?","eq_marks":"4","eq_context":"The Thief's Story by Ruskin Bond, NCERT-X Textbook","eq_ans_length":120,"eq_exam":"NCERT-X","eq_subject":"English","eq_topic":"The Thief's Story","ans_text":"Many factors can turn a fifteen-year-old boy into a thief, such as poverty, lack of education, and poor role models. Hari Singh\u2019s difficult life and desperation led him down this path."}
Question 12: Where is the story set? (You can get clues from the names of the persons and places mentioned in it.) Which language or languages are spoken in these places? Do you think the characters in the story spoke to each other in English?
Marks: 4Words: 0 / 120
Show Model Answer
The story is set in India, with clues from names like Anil and Hari Singh. The language spoken is likely Hindi or another regional language, though they communicate in English due to the context.
{"eq_id":2552,"eq_text":"Where is the story set? (You can get clues from the names of the persons and places mentioned in it.) Which language or languages are spoken in these places? Do you think the characters in the story spoke to each other in English?","eq_marks":"4","eq_context":"The Thief's Story by Ruskin Bond, NCERT-X Textbook","eq_ans_length":120,"eq_exam":"NCERT-X","eq_subject":"English","eq_topic":"The Thief's Story","ans_text":"The story is set in India, with clues from names like Anil and Hari Singh. The language spoken is likely Hindi or another regional language, though they communicate in English due to the context."}