CBSE Class 10 Footprints Without Feet Chapter 3: The Midnight Visitor NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 10 PDF

This chapter, 'The Midnight Visitor', from CBSE Class 10 Footprints Without Feet, delves into the intriguing world of secret agents. The NCERT Solutions provided here focus on analyzing the characters of Ausable and Fowler, exploring the contrast between the fictional portrayal of secret agents and the reality presented through Ausable's character. The solutions cover key plot points, including how Max infiltrates Ausable's room and Ausable's clever strategy to outwit him. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the nuances of the story, understand character motivations, and prepare effectively for their exams by clarifying the narrative and its underlying themes.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 10
SubjectFootprints Without Feet
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 3

Chapter summary

Chapter 3, 'The Midnight Visitor', of the Footprints Without Feet textbook for Class 10, presents a story about a secret agent named Ausable. The NCERT Solutions for this chapter focus on understanding the character of Ausable, who defies the typical image of a secret agent, and his encounter with a writer named Fowler and an intruder named Max. The solutions explain the plot, including Ausable's quick thinking to overcome a dangerous situation, and analyze the contrast between fictional spies and real-life agents.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the characteristics of Ausable as a secret agent.
  • Analyze the contrast between fictional secret agents and Ausable.
  • Explain Fowler's role and his initial impressions of Ausable.
  • Describe the events leading to Max's intrusion and Ausable's response.
  • Identify Ausable's cleverness in handling the situation with Max.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Character analysis of Ausable
  • Character analysis of Fowler
  • The concept of secret agents
  • Contrast between fictional and real spies
  • Plot summary of 'The Midnight Visitor'
  • Max's intrusion and Ausable's response
  • Ausable's cleverness and quick thinking
  • Deception and strategy in espionage

Important topics

  • Ausable's unconventional portrayal as a secret agent
  • The use of intelligence and wit over physical prowess
  • Ausable's strategy to outsmart Max
  • Fowler's perspective and disillusionment

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Questions and Solutions

Read and Find Out Pg-14, Q.1

How is Ausable different from other secret agents?
Solution: Ausable stands apart from the conventional image of a secret agent in several ways. Unlike the typically depicted spies who are often portrayed as sharp, agile, and mysterious, Ausable is described as being very fat and appearing quite ordinary. He lives in a small room on the top floor of a building, and his general demeanor does not immediately suggest a life of espionage or danger. The author, Fowler, initially finds Ausable's appearance and surroundings unremarkable, lacking the expected aura of a secret agent.

Read and Find Out Pg-14, Q.2

Who is Fowler and what is his first authentic thrill of the day?
Solution: Fowler is a young and aspiring writer who has come to meet Ausable, a secret agent he has heard about. Fowler's intention is to gather firsthand experiences and insights into the life of a spy for his book. He is initially disappointed by Ausable's unimpressive appearance and mundane surroundings. Fowler's first genuine moment of excitement, or 'authentic thrill', occurs when he enters Ausable's room and is startled to see a man standing there, holding a small automatic pistol, pointing it at them.

Read and Find Out Pg-15, Q.1

How has Max got in?
Solution: Max managed to enter Ausable's apartment using a passkey. He gained access to the room in Ausable's absence, indicating a level of planning and knowledge of the building's security or Ausable's habits.

Read and Find Out Pg-15, Q.2

How does Ausable say he got in?
Solution: Ausable, realizing Max had entered his room, concocted a story to mislead and confuse him. He claimed that Max had entered through a balcony that was accessible from the window. Ausable mentioned it was the second time in a month that someone had used this balcony to get into his room. This was a deliberate fabrication designed to make Max believe there was a plausible, albeit risky, entry and exit point, which Ausable later exploits.

Think About it, Q.1

"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? Discuss in groups or in class some stories or movies featuring spies, detectives and secret agents, and compare their appearance with that of Ausable in this story. (You may mention characters from fiction in languages other than English. In English fiction you may have come across Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, or Miss Marple. Have you watched any movies featuring James Bond?)
Solution: In popular fiction, books, and films, secret agents are typically portrayed as individuals who are physically fit, agile, and possess a certain charisma. They often wear stylish clothing, such as tailored suits or trench coats, and may be depicted with accessories like sunglasses or gadgets. Characters like James Bond are known for their suave demeanor, combat skills, and ability to handle dangerous situations with flair. Similarly, detectives like Sherlock Holmes are often shown as sharp, observant, and intellectually superior, with a keen eye for detail. In contrast, Ausable in 'The Midnight Visitor' is described as a fat, rather ordinary-looking man who lives in a small, top-floor apartment. His appearance and living situation do not align with the glamorous or highly skilled image of spies commonly found in fiction. This contrast highlights the story's theme that effectiveness in espionage relies more on intelligence and quick thinking than on a stereotypical appearance or physical prowess.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing Ausable's fictional portrayal with typical secret agent stereotypes.
  • Underestimating Ausable's intelligence due to his appearance.
  • Misinterpreting Ausable's initial statements about the balcony.

Revision tips

  • Focus on Ausable's unique characteristics that differentiate him from typical secret agents.
  • Analyze Ausable's dialogue and actions to understand his intelligence and presence of mind.
  • Compare and contrast Ausable with fictional spies like James Bond or Sherlock Holmes.
  • Understand the plot twists, especially how Ausable deals with Max's threat.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What is Ausable's profession?

Q2. Who is Fowler?

Q3. How does Ausable differ from the typical secret agent?

Q4. What is the first 'authentic thrill' Fowler experiences?

Q5. How did Max claim to have entered Ausable's room?

Q6. What is the significance of Ausable's 'balcony' story?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of 'The Midnight Visitor'?

The main theme is that appearances can be deceiving, and intelligence and quick thinking are often more effective tools for a secret agent than brute force or a stereotypical image.

How does Ausable prove to be an effective secret agent despite his appearance?

Ausable uses his sharp intellect and presence of mind to deceive the intruder, Max, into believing there's a police raid, leading Max to his downfall. This shows his effectiveness lies in strategy, not looks.

Why was Fowler disappointed with Ausable initially?

Fowler was disappointed because Ausable did not match the thrilling, mysterious image of a secret agent he had read about in books. Ausable was fat and seemed ordinary, living in a small room.

What is the role of Max in the story?

Max is the antagonist, an intruder who enters Ausable's room to retrieve a crucial secret report. He represents the physical threat that Ausable must overcome using his wits.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to all questions, helping students understand the plot, character motivations, and the underlying message of the story, aiding in exam preparation.

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