English Language & Literature — CBSE Class 10 board question

Ausable used his presence of mind and quick thinking to get rid of Max. When Max held them at gunpoint, Ausable cleverly invented a story about a balcony outside his window. When a knock came at the door, Ausable told Max it was the police. Afraid of being caught, Max stepped out of the window onto the supposed balcony — but there was no balcony. He fell from the sixth floor. The knock was actually Henry, a waiter, delivering drinks Ausable had ordered earlier.

Source: The Midnight Visitor, Chapter 3

---

• The answer must cover three key steps: (1) the fake balcony story, (2) the fake police knock, and (3) Max jumping to his death — each earns roughly 1 mark.
• Do not say Ausable "killed" Max directly; say Max fell because there was no balcony — this is accurate to the text.
• Mentioning Fowler or Henry briefly shows full reading comprehension but keep it tight.