Q1. [5]
The two boys started in surprise at the fresh muddy imprints of a pair of bare feet. What was a barefooted man doing on the steps of a house in the middle of London ? And where was the man ?
As they gazed, a remarkable sight met, their eyes. A fresh footmark appeared from nowhere !
Further footprints followed, one after another, descending the steps and progressing down the street. The boys followed, fascinated, until the muddy impressions became fainter and fainter and at last disappeared altogether.
Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow :
- (i) The boys were surprised to see a barefooted man in London because _____. [1]
- (a) everybody in London moved around in shoes.
- (b) it was very cold in London to move around barefoot.
- (c) the muddy footprints were fresh.
- (d) only a homeless person would walk barefoot.
- (ii) Select the option that correctly captures the usage of the word 'started' in the above extract. [1]
- (a) When I reached the theatre the movie had already started.
- (b) The fire started from the kitchen.
- (c) On hearing the bell ring, the sleeping Raman started and jumped out of bed.
- (d) Taking a deep breath, Ravi started down the stairs.
- (iii) The boys reaction can best be described as [1]
- (a) captivated, bored
- (b) repulsed, absorbed
- (c) curious, unhappy
- (d) captivated, interested
- (iv) Complete the analogy by selecting the suitable word from the text :
Disappeared : Vanished :: Extraordinary : _______ [1]
- (v) According to the extract the boys were _____ when they saw the footmark.
1. terrified
2. nervous
3. delighted
4. curious
5. puzzled
Select the correct option : [1]
- (a) 1, 2, 4
- (b) Only 1
- (c) 4 and 5
- (d) 2 and 3
Previously asked in CBSE board exam
2023 2/6/1 Q6(b)
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:18 · grounding stimulus+chapter
Model Answer
(i) (a) everybody in London moved around in shoes.
(ii) (c) On hearing the bell ring, the sleeping Raman started and jumped out of bed.
(Here 'started' means to move suddenly in surprise, which matches the extract's usage.)
(iii) (d) captivated, interested
(The boys followed the footprints "fascinated," showing they were captivated and interested throughout.)
(iv) Disappeared : Vanished :: Extraordinary : Remarkable
(The extract uses the word "remarkable" — "a remarkable sight met their eyes" — which is a synonym of 'extraordinary'.)
(v) (c) 4 and 5
(The boys were curious — they "followed, fascinated" — and puzzled — they wondered "What was a barefooted man doing…? And where was the man?" There is no evidence of terror or nervousness.)
Source: Footprints Without Feet, H.G. Wells — Introduction and Opening Incident
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Explanation
- (i) The surprise was triggered by seeing bare feet in London where shoes are the norm; the other options are not supported by the text.
- (ii) In the extract 'started' = a sudden involuntary movement of surprise/shock. Only option (c) uses it in the same sense.
- (iii) 'Fascinated' in the passage maps to 'captivated' and 'interested'; there is no boredom, repulsion, or unhappiness shown.
- (iv) Analogy questions ask for a word from the passage that means the same as 'extraordinary'. The word 'remarkable' appears directly in the extract.
- (v) 'Curious' and 'puzzled' are supported by the questioning tone and the boys following the footprints; 'terrified' and 'nervous' are not indicated.
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