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English Language & Literature — CBSE Class 10 board question

Q1. [3]
Why was Fowler interested in meeting Ausable ? (The Midnight Visitor)
Previously asked in CBSE board exam
2026 2/4/1 Q9 (i)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:17 · grounding rag
Model Answer

Fowler was a young, romantic writer who was deeply fascinated by the world of espionage and secret agents. He had read thrilling stories of spies and imagined them as mysterious, daring figures involved in danger and adventure. He wanted to meet Ausable to witness the exciting, dramatic life of a real secret agent — mysterious figures, pistol shots, and dark-eyed beauties passing secret messages. He hoped that meeting Ausable would give him material and firsthand experience of the spy world for his writing.

Source: The Midnight Visitor, Opening section

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Explanation

The question asks why Fowler wanted to meet Ausable — focus on his identity (a writer), his romantic/imaginative nature, and his expectations. Ausable himself explains this directly in the passage: "You were told that I was a secret agent… You wished to meet me because you are a writer, young and romantic." Examiners expect you to mention all three key points: Fowler is a writer, he is young and romantic, and he expected the glamorous spy-world. Avoid just saying "he was curious" — be specific.

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Previous-year CBSE Grade 10 board exam questions, organised by subject and chapter, each with a model answer — free to read and print.