CBSE Class 10 English Footprints without Feet NCERT Solutions Chapter 5

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 10 PDF

This chapter delves into the intriguing story of Griffin, a brilliant scientist who discovers the secret to invisibility. The NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English (Footprints without Feet) Chapter 5 provide detailed explanations and answers to the questions based on the text. Students will explore Griffin's journey from becoming invisible to his subsequent actions, including his eccentric behavior and encounters at the inn. The solutions clarify his motivations, the curious events that unfold, and his character as a scientist. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the nuances of the story, understand character analysis, and prepare effectively for their examinations by offering clear, step-by-step answers to all chapter-related queries.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 10
SubjectFootprints
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
Chapter5. Footprints without Feet

Chapter summary

Chapter 5, 'Footprints without Feet,' introduces Griffin, a scientist who achieves invisibility but uses his discovery irresponsibly. These NCERT Solutions cover the narrative, explaining how Griffin became visible, his reasons for wandering, and the eccentricities that led Mrs. Hall to label him as such. The solutions also detail the mysterious happenings at the inn, including the theft and the furniture's strange movements, and assess Griffin's character as both a brilliant and lawless scientist.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the narrative of Griffin's invisibility and its consequences.
  • Analyze Griffin's character as both a brilliant scientist and a lawless individual.
  • Explain the curious events that occur at the inn.
  • Identify the reasons behind Mrs. Hall's perception of the scientist as eccentric.
  • Recall the circumstances that led to Griffin becoming visible.
  • Evaluate the ethical implications of scientific discovery.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Griffin's invisibility
  • Becoming visible
  • Reasons for wandering
  • Eccentricity of the scientist
  • Mysterious events at the inn
  • Theft in the study
  • Furniture coming alive
  • Griffin's lawless nature
  • Assessment of Griffin as a scientist
  • Character analysis of Griffin

Important topics

  • Griffin's discovery of invisibility
  • The consequences of invisibility
  • Griffin's character assessment
  • The unexplained phenomena at the inn
  • The transition from invisible to visible

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Questions and Solutions

Read and Find Out - Question 1

How did the invisible man first become visible?
Solution: Griffin, the invisible scientist, initially became visible due to an accidental event. While he was invisible, he happened to step into some mud. This action left a trail of footprints on the ground, which were then noticed by two young boys. They followed these prints, inadvertently tracking Griffin's movements. Later, to escape the attention he was drawing, Griffin entered a large London store and dressed himself in warm clothes, including an overcoat and a hat. This act of clothing himself made him visible to the store workers when they arrived the following morning.

Read and Find Out - Question 2

Why was he wandering the streets?
Solution: Griffin was wandering the streets because he was a person who disregarded laws and social norms. His landlord had disliked him and attempted to evict him. In retaliation, Griffin set his house on fire. To escape without being apprehended or noticed, he had to remove all his clothes, rendering him invisible but also homeless and without any means of support. This led him to wander aimlessly, invisible and destitute.

Page No: 28 - Question 1

Why does Mrs Hall find the scientist eccentric?
Solution: Mrs. Hall, the innkeeper, found the scientist, Griffin, to be eccentric for several reasons. Firstly, his arrival at the inn during the winter season was unusual. Secondly, he had a peculiar appearance. Despite Mrs. Hall's friendly attempts to engage him in conversation, Griffin responded coldly and expressed no desire to talk, preferring to be left alone in solitude to focus on his work. His reclusive nature and curt responses made her perceive him as an odd and eccentric individual.

Page No: 28 - Question 2

What curious episode occurs in the study?
Solution: A curious episode occurred in the clergyman's study early one morning. The clergyman and his wife were awakened by strange noises. Upon investigating, they heard the distinct sound of money being taken from the desk. They searched the study thoroughly, looking under the desk, behind curtains, and even up the chimney, but found no one. Despite the absence of any visible person, the desk had been opened, and the housekeeping money was missing, creating a baffling mystery.

Page No: 28 - Question 3

What other extraordinary things happen at the Inn?
Solution: Several other extraordinary events took place at the inn. The landlord and his wife were surprised to find the scientist's room door ajar, as Griffin was usually very protective of his privacy and became furious if anyone entered. Seizing the opportunity, they peeked inside and, finding no one, decided to investigate. They noticed the bedclothes were cold, indicating Griffin had been up for some time. Suddenly, Mrs. Hall heard a sniff near her ear, and the hat on the bed inexplicably leaped up and struck her face. Moments later, a bedroom chair came alive, sprang into the air, and charged at her legs. In terror, the couple retreated, and the chair pushed them both out of the room before slamming and locking the door. Mrs. Hall, terrified and convinced the room was haunted, believed the stranger had caused these supernatural occurrences.

Page No: 31 - Question 1

"Griffin was rather a lawless person." Comment.
Solution: The statement that Griffin was a lawless person is well-supported by his actions throughout the story. A law-abiding citizen respects others' property and safety, but Griffin demonstrated a complete disregard for both. He committed arson by setting his landlord's house on fire. He engaged in theft by robbing a shopkeeper of all available money and later stealing the housekeeping money from the clergyman's desk. Furthermore, he exhibited violent behavior by attacking Mrs. Hall when she entered his room. These numerous illegal and unethical acts clearly establish Griffin as a lawless individual.

Page No: 31 - Question 2

How would you assess Griffin as a scientist?
Solution: As a scientist, Griffin can be assessed as brilliant but morally corrupt. He achieved a remarkable feat by discovering the scientific principles that allowed for human invisibility through repeated experimentation. This was a significant scientific breakthrough. However, he chose to misuse this extraordinary discovery for his own selfish gains and to inflict harm on others, rather than using it for the betterment of society or for noble purposes. Therefore, while his intellect and experimental skills were exceptional, his lack of ethical conduct and his misuse of science prevent him from being considered a noble or responsible scientist.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the reasons for Griffin's homelessness.
  • Misinterpreting the sequence of events at the inn.
  • Failing to connect Griffin's actions to his lawless nature.
  • Overlooking the details that make Mrs. Hall consider him eccentric.

Revision tips

  • Reread the chapter focusing on Griffin's actions and their immediate consequences.
  • List the 'extraordinary things' that happen at the inn and try to explain them from Griffin's perspective.
  • Compare and contrast Griffin's scientific brilliance with his moral character.
  • Pay attention to Mrs. Hall's observations and the specific details that lead to her assessment of Griffin.
  • Summarize the key events that mark Griffin's transition from invisible to visible.

Practice MCQs

Q1. How did Griffin's invisibility initially become apparent to others?

Q2. Why did Griffin set fire to his house?

Q3. What made Mrs. Hall consider the scientist eccentric?

Q4. What was stolen from the clergyman's study?

Q5. Which object in the room attacked Mrs. Hall?

Q6. How did Griffin misuse his scientific discovery?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of Chapter 5, 'Footprints without Feet'?

The main theme revolves around the brilliant scientist Griffin, who discovers invisibility but uses his power irresponsibly, leading to a series of mysterious and chaotic events.

How did Griffin become visible again?

Griffin first became visible when he stepped in mud, leaving footprints. Later, he put on clothes like an overcoat and a hat in a London store, making him visible to others the next day.

Why was Griffin considered a lawless person?

Griffin was considered lawless because he set fire to his landlord's house, robbed a shopkeeper, stole money from a clergyman's desk, and attacked Mrs. Hall.

What strange things happened at the inn involving furniture?

The bedclothes were disturbed, a hat flew off the bed and hit Mrs. Hall, and a bedroom chair sprang up and pushed the Halls out of the room, locking the door behind them.

How do these NCERT Solutions help Class 10 students?

These solutions provide clear, detailed answers to all chapter questions, helping students understand the plot, characters, and themes, which is crucial for exam preparation.

What is the significance of the title 'Footprints without Feet'?

The title refers to the initial clue of Griffin's presence – footprints without a visible person. It highlights the mystery and the unusual nature of his invisibility.

Important links

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