a question of trust essay type questions

A Question of Trust Extra Questions and Answers Class 10 English

A Question of Trust Class 10 Extra Questions & Answers are available here. Class 10 English A Question of Trust extra questions and answers are prepared by our expert teachers. All these questions are divided into two or three sections. They are short type questions answers, long type question answers and extract based questions. Learning these questions will help you to score excellent marks in the board exams.

A Question of Trust Extra Questions and Answers

Short answer type questions.

1. How did Horace know all the details of the house?

Answer:   Horace had been studying the house for the past two weeks. Moreover, a magazine article had described this house, giving a plan of all the rooms and a picture of the room. There were also the details of the safe hidden behind the safe.

2. How did Horace fulfill his desire of reading books after he was arrested?

Answer:   After Horace was arrested, he became the assistant librarian in the prison and fulfilled his desire for reading books.

3. Though Horace planned everything meticulously, why did he fail ?

Answer:  Though Horace planned everything meticulously; he failed led because of the smart lady. She posed herself to be the owner of the house and convinced him to open the shelf as she had “not the password of the shelf. Horace got trapped in her plot.

4. How did the flowers cause him trouble?

Answer:   Horace Danby had an allergy for flowers, especially during the pollen season. Who flowers are nearby, he got sneezing. The only cure for it was to stay away from those path flowers.

5. What was Horace Danby’s hobby? How did he manage to fulfill his hobby?

Answer:   Horace’s only hobby was to read expensive and rare books. He used to rob a safe every year in order to arrange money for his hobby. He used to get those books from an agent.

6. How did the lady spoil his plan?

Answer:  The lady posed as the owner of the house in front of Horace. Horace got scared and believed her. She ask him to open the safe as she had forgotten the password. Horace opened the safe and handed over the jewels to her. Hence, Horace’s plan of robbing the safe was spoiled.

7. Why did the lady report to the police though she promised that she would not report to the police? Or How did the lady deceive Horace?

Answer:  The lady was very clever and shrewd. She promised Horace that she would not report to the police if he would help her in getting the jewels from the safe. Horace broke the safe and helped her. But she didn’t keep her promise as she was also a thief and did not want to get into trouble.

8. How did Horace enter Shot over Grange?

Answer:  Horace had seen the housekeeper hang the key in the hook outside the kitchen door. He came out from behind the garden wall. He put on his gloves, took the key and opened the door of the kitchen and entered Shot over Grange.

9. Who is the real culprit in this story, the lady or Horace? How did he/she manage to rob the safe without leaving a single fingerprint?

Answer:   In this story, the real culprit is the young lady. She managed to trick Horace for breaking the safe for her. She did not even touch the safe herself. She managed to get all the jewels. She had to do no physical exercise for this. In this way, she managed to rob the safe without leaving a single fingerprint.

10. What do you think is the meaning of the phrase ‘honor among thieves’?

Answer:  The phrase ‘honor among thieves’ means that thieves have their code of conduct. One thief is honest to the other thief. They never betray one another.

11. Which of the two lacked honor?

Answer:  Among the two the young lady lacked honor. She came face to face with a thief, still, she tricked ‘him. But Horace did not know that she was a thief. She got all the jewels. She went free but poor Horace was arrested. It was against the profession of thieves.

12. Describe Horace Danby.

Answer:  Horace Danby was a good and respectable citizen. He was about fifty years old, but he was unmarried. He was a locksmith. He was very successful in his business. He was usually very well and healthy except for attacks of hay fever. But he was not completely honest.

13. How did Horace Danby manage to get rare and expensive books?

Answer:   Horace Danby loved rare and expensive books. He bought them secretly through an agent. But for this, he had to rob a safe every year because he did not have enough money to buy these books. In this way, he managed to get these rare and expensive books.

14. What did the young lady asked Horace to do for her?

Answer:   The young lady told Horace that she had come there to take the jewel from the safe. She said that she had to wear them that night at a party. She made an excuse of forgetting the number to open the safe. So she compelled Horace to break open the safe for her if not she would tell the police everything about him.

15. What story did Horace tell the police when he was arrested?

Answer:   He told the police that he had not stolen any jewels. He said that he broke open the safe for the young wife of the owner of the house. But the wife was herself an old lady of about sixty with grey-hair. So, none believed his story.

16. Why is Horace Danby described as good and respectable but not completely honest?

Answer:   Horace Danby was a good person. He made locks. He was very successful in his business. He had engaged two helpers in his business. But he was not completely honest because he robbed a safe every year.

17. Why did he rob every year? Was he a typical thief? If so, why?

Answer:   Horace loved reading rare and expensive books. So he robbed a safe every year to buy these books. He was a typical thief because he robbed only one safe every year.

18. Describe how Horace Danby planned his work?

Answer:   Horace Danby studied the house ai Shotover Grange for two weeks. He studied its rooms, its electric wiring, its paths and its garden. He was sure that the family was in London. The two servants had gone to the movies and they would not come back before four hours. He came out from behind the garden wall and entered the house.

19. He was a very successful thief. What went wrong when he attempted to rob Shotover Grange

Answer:   Danby was a very successful thief. He always used gloves while breaking a safe. He never left any fingerprints behind. This time when he started his work, he felt a little tickle in his nose. It was because of a big flower pot lying on the table. He was repeatedly sneezing. This happened wrong with him.

20. What advice did the lady give Horace regarding his hay fever? Was she really interested in his health?

Answer:  The lady told Horace that he could get rid of the disease if he found out which plant had given him the disease. She advised him that he should see a doctor. Actually, she was not interested in his health. She was just trying to be friendly and sympathetic.

21. Did the young lady expect Horace to be caught after the theft?

Answer:   Yes, the young lady expected Horace to be caught after the theft. She thought that it would be very easy to detect Horace with the help of fingerprints.

22. In what way could his arrest have helped her?

Answer:   If Horace Danby was arrested for the jewels robbery at Shotover Grange then she could be safe. She got the jewels but Horace broke the safe for her. Thus, his arrest could have helped her by making her tension free.

23. Did Horace get the jewels from the Grange safe? If not, why did the police arrest him?

Answer:  No, Horace did not get the jewels from the Grange safe. But he broke open the safe for the wife of the owner of the house without gloves. But in reality, that lady was a burglar. Thus, there were Horace’s fingerprints all over the room. So, the police arrested him for stealing the jewels from the Grange safe.

24. Who was Horace Danby?

Answer:  Horace Danby was about fifty years old and unmarried. Everyone thought that he was a good and honest citizen. He lived with a housekeeper who worried about his health. He suffered from the attacks of hay fever in summer. He made locks and was successful at his business. But he was not completely honest. He robbed a safe once a year to buy rare and costly books.

25. Why was Horace Dan by not completely honest?

Answer:  Generally, people thought that Horace Danby was a good, honest and respectable citizen. However, he was not completely honest. He robbed a safe every year. This was done to get the necessary money for the purchase of ‘rare and expensive’ books. The money he stole was enough to last a year. He secretly bought the books he loved through an agent.

26. What preparations did Horace make for ‘this year’s robbery’ at Shotover Grange?

Answer:  All the previous yearly robberies of Horace Danby were successful. He felt sure that this year’s robbery at Shot over Grange would also be successful. He had been studying the location of the house for two weeks. He studied its rooms, electric wiring, paths and garden. He found out that the two servants had gone to the movies. He had seen the housekeeper hang the key to the kitchen door on a hook outside.

27. How did Horace Danby enter the house?

Answer:  Horace Danby had been preparing for the theft. He studied the house carefully for two weeks before committing the theft in the house at Shotover Grange. He studied its rooms, electric wiring, paths and its garden. He had seen the housekeeper hang the key to the kitchen door on a hook outside. He put on a pair of gloves, took the key and opened the door. Thus, he entered the house at Shotover Grange.

28. What precautions did Horace make before reaching the safe? Name three of them.

Answer:   Horace Danby took the following precautions before committing the theft: (i)He put on a pair of gloves as he was always careful not to leave any fingerprints. (ii) To tackle the house-dog, Sherry, he kept him quiet and friendly by calling him by his right name. (iii) He cut the wire of the burglar bell.

29. Why was it not hard to open the safe for Horace Danby?

Answer:  It was not going to be hard to open the safe for Horace Danby. After all, he had `lived with locks and safes all his life’. He made locks himself with two helpers. The burglar alarm was poorly built and he cut the wires of the burglar alarm. He knew about the safe and the key, and it was not a difficult job for him to open it when no one was present in the house.

30. Whose voice was it that advised Horace about the special treatment of his hay fever?

Answer:   When Horace was about to open the safe, he heard a female voice. She asked if he suffered from a cold or hay fever. He was sneezing again and again. She told that he could cure the hay fever with special treatment. He must find out what plant gave him that disease. She also advised Horace to see a doctor.

31.   Describe the unexpected meeting of the young lady in red and Horace.

Answer:  When a voice advised Horace to find a suitable treatment of his hay fever, he was surprised. It was a quiet, kindly voice but one with firmness in it. A young woman, quite pretty and dressed in red was standing there. She walked to the fireplace and straightened the ornaments. She said that she “didn’t expect to meet a burglar”.

32. Why did the woman in red threaten to call the police?

Answer:  Horace was caught red-handed. The woman in red said that she didn’t expect to meet a burglar there. She added that she knew that it had been a great inconvenience for him to meet her. She also asked what he was going to do. Horace replied that he was thinking of running away. The lady threatened that if he did so, she would call the police and tell them all about him. They would get him at once.

33. When and why did the woman in red say, “Society must be protected from men like you”? Doesn’t it sound ironical?

Answer:  Horace assured the woman in red that he would not hurt her. She must forget she ever met him. It made her angry. She couldn’t let him go, otherwise, he would rob someone else. Society must be protected from people like him. It sounds ironic because she herself was a thief and had come for the same purpose for which Horace was there in the house.

34. “I have always liked the wrong kind of people,” said the woman in red. Comment.

Answer:  It was ironic that the woman who was being considered as the lady of the house and talking big things was herself a thief. Horace requested her to let him go. He was desperate and afraid of going to prison. He promised never to do such a thing again. The lady pretended to be generous and stated that she “always liked the wrong kind of people”.

35. Why did Horace mistake the young lady in red as the lady of the house?

Answer:  The young woman in red was even smarter than Horace Danby. She was a thief and came with the same purpose as Horace to that house. However, she encountered Horace with an air of confidence and authority. She didn’t allow him to doubt or think about her. She showed that the dog, Sherry, belonged to her. He told him that she returned ‘home’ just in time. Her manner of speaking, gestures and confidence made Horace mistake her to be the lady of the house.

36. Do you think that the young woman in red proved far smarter than Horace Danby? Give reasons.

Answer:  Definitely, the young woman in red proved far smarter than Horace Danby. She played her part of being the lady of the house with complete perfection. She was an example of self-confidence. She didn’t show any hesitation. She spoke and acted with an air of complete confidence and authority. Poor Horace became a puppet who couldn’t take himself out of her spell. She threatened to call the police and made him open the safe, while Horace was later caught and arrested. She decamped with the jewels.

37. Who is the real culprit in the story, the young lady in red or Horace Danby? Comment.

Answer:  Law of any land works on evidence. Horace Danby opened the safe without wearing his gloves. He didn’t think it necessary to wear them as he thought he was working for ‘the lady of the house’. So the police matched his fingerprints and he was arrested. The lady in the red was actually the real culprit. She made Horace open the safe for her. She was also a thief and decamped with the jewels. But in the eyes of the law, Horace was the real culprit because the evidence was against him.

38 .  Why didn’t the dog bark when Horace Danby and the young lady in red entered to commit theft in the house?

Answer:  Both, Horace Danby and the young lady in red knew all the tricks of their trade. They knew the real nature of dogs and how to be friendly with them. A small dog when made a noise, Horace called out “All right, Sherry,” as he passed. Perhaps, the lady in red also knew like Horace that to keep dogs quiet, one must call them by their right names. Their trick worked and Sherry remained quiet.

39. Why did Horace Danby prefer books to collect paintings?

Answer:  Horace Danby had a passion for books. Collecting and buying rare and expensive books was his passionate hobby. He resorted to robbing a safe every year to buy them. When the preference between collecting books and paintings came, he chose the former. Paintings took up too much space. In a small house like his, books were a better choice.

40. Why didn’t Horace Danby never get any chance to look for another safe?

Answer:  Horace got nothing from the house at Shotover Grange. The lady in red decamped with the jewels. For two days, he kept his promise given to the kind, young lady in red. On the third day, he realised that he would have to look for another safe to buy books. But he never got that chance because the police arrested him for the jewel robbery at Shotover Grange.

Long Answer Type Questions

1. Horace Danby represents such people who adopt the wrong ways to fulfill their wishes. What values would you like such people to imbibe to reform themselves? Write in about 100-120 words.

Answer:   Horace Danby was a successful businessman. He was about fifty years respectable citizen but had a habit that led him to do robberies. Danby loved rare, expensive books and to get them he used to rob a safe every year. Every year he planned carefully just to get what he wanted. Danby adopted wrong ways to fulfill his wishes and hence, later got trapped in a plot by a thief like him. People should imbibe good values. They should learn that hard work is the only key to success One should work hard to fulfill his desires. I think such people should imbibe the values of honesty, responsibility, hard work, dedication, self-confidence in order to reform themselves.

2. Horace Danby was a respectable man but he could not be called loyal. What do you think could be the reasons for leading a respectable man like him on the path of thievery? Did he feel a lack of sense of freedom? Was it not in his nature to accept the differences among people regarding their social status? Discuss the values he should have possessed in 100-120 words.

Answer:   Horace Danby’s habits were not typical of a thief. He was fond of books was a respectable man but his passion for books led him to thievery. He used to steal only once. In a year, he was never stealing more than his needs. He stole only to buy rare books; he loved rare and expensive books. Moreover, Danby used to rob only rich people. It was his nature. To accept the differences among people regarding their social status. He was aware that people with high socio-background can help him to fulfill his desire. He found such people easy to rob.

3. Horace promised the young lady that he would follow the path of honesty if sills would not hand him over to the police but he could not keep his promise for more than days. Did he lack reconciliation? Was it not in his nature to keep his promise? Did he lack the courage to fulfill his needs through an honest living? Discuss the values he needed to imbibe in 100-120 words.

Answer:  The lady manipulated the whole situation as well as Horace and very skillfully got the jewels without even touching anything. She talked about high things like protecting the society from culprits like Horace. Horace promised her that he would follow the path of honesty. He helped her in getting the jewels by breaking the safe without wearing gloves. But after two days, police caught him for stealing the jewels. He could not convince them that he had not taken the jewels and had helped the owner’s wife. The condition provoked him to break his promise. Although he honestly felt that he would not rob any more he could not do so as he had no other choice left.

4. Horace stated that he robbed only those who had a lot of money. Was he really a threat to society? Did he lack the qualities of a good citizen? Discuss the values he needs to imbibe to lead a path of righteousness in 100-120 words.

Answer:   I don’t think Horace was a threat to society. He never threatened anyone and rather stole for a very good reason. He used to rob a safe every year to pursue his hobby of getting rare and expensive books to read. He was not a professional thief. Moreover, he never harmed anyone. He was considered a good and honest citizen by everyone. He was about fifty years old and unmarried. He had all the qualities of a good citizen. He was not a criminal or a typical thief. He did so only to fulfill his need. He was an honest and good man. He believed in the lady’s story and gave away all the jewels to her. If he had been a criminal, he would have killed the lady or would have never handed the jewels to her.

5. Horace Danby requested the lady to forget what she saw. Was Horace afraid of being caught? Did he lack the courage to accept his crime publicly? Explain the values one must imbibe to accept one’s mistake in 100-120 words.

Answer:   Yes, Horace Danby was afraid of being caught. He lacked the courage to accept his crime publicly. He was not a professional criminal or a thief. He was considered a good and honest man by everyone. He was about fifty years old and unmarried. His house was looked after by a housekeeper. He used to rob only one safe every year to pursue his habit of getting rare and expensive books to read. He used to rob only those who were rich. He had a good reputation in the society and hence did not want anyone to know about his crimes. Although he helped the lady but was caught by the police for a crime he did not commit. He learned from his mistake.

6. “Horace had some hope because she seemed to be amused at meeting him.” Why did Horace feel so? Did he consider the young lady compassionate towards him? Did he find her free from bias? Discuss the values Horace should have imbibe understanding of the person in 100-120 words.

Answer:   Horace was a fifty-year-old man who used to rob only to buy rare and expensive. This time he decided to rob Shot over Grange. But as soon as they entered the room, a Young lady appeared. She posed to be the lady of the ruse. She was very confident in her Mat, inner of talking. She talked about high ideals like pro-acting. The society from robbers like conium racked. Then she tried to be polite and nice to him. On hearing her, Horace felt that he had a hope of escaping. He found her a bit compassionate towards him. He was amused at Horace.  She acted in quite a subtle manner and showed her sympathy and admiration towards a simple and honest man. He could not judge her ace. She made Horace promise that he would never commit the crime again. Horace was cleverness and shrewdness and hence later got arrested for stealing the jewels which he did not steal.

7. Write a character-sketch of Horace Danby.

Answer:  Horace Danby was a good and respectable citizen. He was about fifty years old but he was unmarried. He was a locksmith. He was very successful in his business. Despite all these qualities, he was not completely honest. He had been to jail once. So he hated the thought of jail.

He loved rare and expensive books. He broke a safe every year to have enough money to buy books. He was a careful burglar. He planned his work well. He was very careful while robbing a safe. He wore gloves and never left fingerprints on the scene of the crime. Since he was a locksmith so it was very easy for him to break any safe. Once he was duped by a young lady. That young lady, who pretended to be the owner’s wife, was also a thief. He gave all the jewels to the young lady and left his fingerprints all over the room. Thus, he was arrested and sent to prison. Now he did not like the thought of ‘honor among thieves’ anymore. 

8. Describe Horace Danby’s encounter with the young lady. Or ‘The lady in the red was a more professional thief than Horace Danby’. Give a reasoned answer.

Answer:  Horace Danby was going to rob the safe at Shotover Grange. He had cut the wires of the burglar alarm. But the flowers on the table made a tickle in his nose and he was sneezing repeatedly. Just then a young lady dressed in red came in. She spoke friendly to Danby but her sound was firm.

She said that she was the owner’s wife. She told him that she had come there to take the jewels from the safe. She had to wear them that night at a party. She made an excuse that she had forgotten the number to open the safe. She told the thief that she would let him go if he opened the safe for her. Danby was taken in. He opened the safe without gloves. He gave all the jewels to the young lady. She went away safely with the jewels but Danby was arrested for the jewels robbery and sent to prison.

9. What were Horace Danby’s plans for his latest robbery? 

Answer:   Horace was sure that the robbery he was planning for that year was going to be as successful as all the others so far. He had been observing and studying the house at Shotover Grange for two weeks. He had observed everything minutely. That afternoon, when he planned to rob the house, he had seen the two servants, who remained in the Grange, going to the movies. He came out from behind the garden wall. He had packed his tools carefully in a bag on his back. Horace knew that there were about fifteen thousand pounds worth of jewels in the Grange safe and if he sold them one by one, he was sure to get enough money to last him for another year.

10. How did the lady in red turn out to be much smarter and cleverer than Horace Danby? How did one thief outwit and out maneuver the other? Or How did the lady in red manage to outsmart and out maneuver the other thief, Horace Danby, by robbing the safe without leaving a single fingerprint?

Answer:  The lady in red was also a thief. So was Horace Danby. But it was the lady in the red who out maneuvered and outwitted Horace. No doubt, Horace did his job quite professionally. He worked hard to find out the necessary details about the location of the house and the position of the key and the safe. But, Horace proved to be a novice in judging the young lady in red. The young lady acted with so much confidence and in such a convincing manner that she could easily pass off as the lady of the house.

Horace Danby became a mere puppet who danced to the tune of the lady. When caught red-handed, he pleaded her to let him go. The young lady exploited his confusion and fear of going to prison fully. She made Horace open the safe. The unsuspecting Horace was made to believe that he was working for the lady of the house. So he opened the safe without putting on his gloves. He gave the jewels to the lady leaving his fingerprints on the safe. So he was found out and arrested. Naturally, the young lady in red proved far smarter and out maneuvered Horace Danby.

11. Give a character-sketch of Horace Danby in your own words. How was he outmanoeuvred by the lady in red?

Answer:  Horace Danby was about fifty years old and unmarried. Everyone thought him a good and honest citizen. He was otherwise very well and happy except for attacks of hay fever in summer. He made locks and was fairly successful at his business. Horace Danby was good and respectable — but not completely honest. He used to rob a safe every year. He did so because he needed money to buy books. Horace had a passion for buying rare and costly books. With that money, he secretly bought the books he loved through an agent.

Like a professional thief, he made a lot of preparations. He made it sure that every year’s robbery was going to be as successful as all the others. He studied the location of the house at Shotover Grange—its rooms, its electric wiring, its paths and its gardens in details. He also came to know that the two servants of the house were out to the movies. He also knew where was safe and it’s key. He befriended the little dog by calling his right name.

In spite of all his professionalism, Horace Danby proved a novice in judging the lady in red. The lady in red behaved with so much confidence and authority that Horace became totally a puppet in her hands. Easily passing off as the lady of the house, she made Horace open the safe without wearing his gloves. While the lady in red decamped with the jewels, Horace was sent to prison.

12. Give a character-sketch of the lady in red highlighting how she outwitted Horace Danby.

Answer:  We don’t get any information regarding the past history of the lady in red as we know about Horace’s past. Her whole personality remains wrapped in mystery until the end. Only when the identity of the real lady of the house is unfolded, we come to know that she is a thief. She is the real culprit. The lady in red comes there with the only purpose of committing a theft in the house like Horace. She cleverly decamps with the jewels while Horace is sent to prison.

The lady in red is gifted with a rare personality. She is full of confidence. She acts like a perfect actress presenting herself as the lady of the house. Her gestures, confidence and convincing power are enough to convince Horace. He turns out quite a novice in understanding and judging the lady in red and her motive. She dominates the proceeding. Horace only proves a puppet in her hands. She exploits his fear of going to prison. She makes him open the safe without his gloves. She convinced him that she needs those jewels to wear them to a party that night. Horace willingly hands over the jewels and she decamps with them. Only when the grey-haired, sharp-tongued woman appears as the real lady of the house, we come to know that the lady in red was a professional and crafty thief much smarter than Horace.

13 .  How had Horace planned to loot the house at Shotover Grange?

Answer:  Horace Danby never committed theft in a hurry. All his previous operations were completely successful. He robbed a safe every year. This money was enough to last for a year. Like all his previous robberies, he also planned his latest robbery in a house at Shotover Grange in all details. For two weeks, he had been studying the house, its rooms, electric wiring, paths and its garden.

He also had definite information that two servants working there had gone to movies. He saw them go. He came out from behind the garden wall. He had packed his tools carefully in a bag on his back. He had seen the housekeeper hang the key to the kitchen door on a hook outside. He put on a pair of gloves, took the key and opened the house. He always put on a pair of gloves before committing a theft. A magazine article had described the house with all the rooms. It also mentioned that a painting hid a safe. He collected all these details and made all preparations to make his latest theft a complete success like the others.

14. How was Horace Danby arrested for the robbery of the jewels in a house at Shotover Grange? Do you think his own foolishness was responsible for his arrest? Give a reasoned answer.

Answer:  Horace Danby never acted recklessly in a hurry while committing a theft. He robbed a safe every year. All his previous thefts had been completely successful. Even to commit a theft in a house at Shotover Grange, he made detailed and fool-proof preparations. However, he proved a novice in comparison to the young lady in red. She, in a very confident and convincing way, made him believe that she was the lady of the house. She made him open the safe without the gloves and handover all the jewels to her. She decamped with the jewels and Horace was arrested.

By noon, a policeman arrested Horace for the jewel robbery at Shotover Grange. He had opened the safe without wearing his gloves. He did believe that he was opening the safe for the lady of the house. He pleaded that the wife of the owner of the house had asked him to open the safe for her. The real lady of the house appeared on the scene. She was not the young lady in red but a grey-haired woman of sixty. She said that Horace’s story was nonsense. Only then, Horace came to know that he was outwitted by the lady in red who was also a thief like him.

Self-Assessment Test

Short Answer Questions

1. Do you think Horace Danby was unfairly punished? 2. How did the lady deceive Horace? 3. What did Horace Danby study about the Shotover Grange house? 4. Why was it very easy for Horace to open the safe? 5. What story did the lady tell Horace to get the jewels?

Long Answer Questions

1. The lady in the red was a more professional thief than Horace Danby. Give a reasoned answer. 2. Describe the scene of theft at Shotover Grange committed by Horace Danby. 3. Why did Horace Danby get angry when anyone talked about ‘honour among thieves

A Question of Trust: Class 10 Important Q&A

Welcome, Class 10 English CBSE students, to an in-depth exploration of Chapter 4 from your ' Footprints without Feet ' book – ' A Question of Trust .' In this blog post, we'll delve into the important questions and answers that will not only help you ace your exams but also gain a deeper understanding of this intriguing chapter. So, let's unravel the mysteries of trust and deception together!

"Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle." - Christian D. Larson

A Question of Trust Class 10 Important (Extra) Questions Answers

Q. No. 1) Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract:

How foolish people are when they own valuable things, Horace thought. A magazine article had described this house, giving a plan of all the rooms and a picture of this room. The writer had even mentioned that the painting hid a safe! But Horace found that the flowers were hindering him in his work. He buried his face in his handkerchief. Then he heard a voice say from the doorway, “What is it? A cold or hay fever?” Before he could think, Horace said, “Hay fever,” and found himself sneezing again. The voice went on, “You can cure it with a special treatment, you know if you find out just what plant gives you the disease. I think you’d better see a doctor if you’re serious about your work. I heard you from the top of the house just now.”

i. According to the extract, Horace was sneezing due to a

a. sudden allergy

b. prior infection

c. long-standing disease

d. nasal pain

Ans. Option (a)

ii. Which magazine could have published the article mentioned in the given extract?

a. Paws & Claws

b. Outdoors & Landscaping

c. Interiors

d. The Investor

Ans. Option (c)

iii. Choose the image that correctly describes the location of the safe, based on the given extract.

a. Option (1)

b. Option (2)

c. Option (3)

d. Option (4)

iv. In the line – Before he could think, Horace said, “Hay fever,” –the response was

a. rehearsed.

b. spontaneous and natural.

c. hesitant.

d. rapid and hostile.

Ans. Option (b)

v. The line from the extract that can be considered an example of sarcasm is

a. How foolish people are when they own valuable things.

b. Horace found that the flowers were hindering him in his work.

c. You can cure it with a special treatment.

d. I think you’d better see a doctor if you’re serious about your work.

Q. No. 2) Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract:

But he never got the chance to begin his plan. By noon a policeman had arrested him for the jewel robbery at Shotover Grange. His fingerprints, for he had opened the safe without gloves, were all over the room, and no one believed him when he said that the wife of the owner of the house had asked him to open the safe for her. The wife herself, a gray-haired, sharp-tongued woman of sixty, said that the story was nonsense. Horace is now the assistant librarian in the prison. He often thinks of the charming, clever young lady who was in the same profession as he was, and who tricked him. He gets very angry when anyone talks about ‘honor among thieves’.

i. The plan devised by Horace was to

a. tell about the safe to the owner of the house.

b. blackmail the wife of the owner later.

c. look for another safe for stealing books.

d. tell police the truth before the lady could deceive him.

ii. Based on the extract, choose what you think are the main feelings Horace probably has, for the young lady who tricked him, when he thinks about her.

a. anger and blame

b. admiration and respect

c. respect and gratitude

d. anger and vengeance

iii. Choose the option that lists evidence that the police might have used against Horace, to arrest him.

a. Option 1

b. Option 2

c. Option 3

d. Option 4

Ans. Option (d)

iv. Given below are four situations in Mr. Verma’s house. Choose the situation that depicts Mr. Verma being sharp-tongued with his family members.

a. Mr. Verma’s wife shares a life problem with him and he advices her honestly.

b. Mr. Verma’s daughter scores poor marks in his exams and Mr. Verma remains silent.

c. Mr. Verma’s son cooks food for the first time and he is criticized by his father immediately.

d. Mr. Verma’s sister buys a new car to surprise him and he is overjoyed with the news.

v. Honour among thieves is an example of a/an

Q. No. 3) The woman posing as the house owner’s wife had laid out a careful plan to dupe Horace Danby. Cite any two instances from the text that suggest the same.

Ans. Two instances that suggest the woman had a carefully planned deception:

• She knew the layout of the house, including the location of the safe hidden behind a painting.
• She pretended to sympathize with Horace's hay fever and engaged him in conversation to gain his trust before revealing her true intentions.

Q. No. 4) What are the subtle ways in which the lady manages to deceive Horace Danby into thinking she is the lady of the house? Why doesn’t Horace suspect that something is wrong?

Ans. The lady in "A Question of Trust" manages to deceive Horace Danby by:

• Dressing in a way that suggests she is the lady of the house.
• Using her knowledge of the house's layout and the safe's location.
• Acting confidently and sympathetically toward Horace's hay fever.

Horace doesn't suspect anything is wrong initially because she appears to be the homeowner, and her demeanor puts him at ease. Her knowledge and convincing act make it seem plausible that she's the legitimate owner.

Q. No. 5) “How foolish people are when they own valuable things” Does this statement hold true for Horace Danby himself?

Support your answer with instances from “A Question of Trust”.

Ans. Yes, the statement, "How foolish people are when they own valuable things," holds true for Horace Danby himself. He fails to recognize the value of leaving no fingerprints and gets caught due to this oversight. His obsession with rare books leads him to take unnecessary risks and eventually face the consequences of his actions.

Q. No. 6) “Horace Danby was good and respectable — but not completely honest”. Why do you think this description is apt for Horace? Why can’t he be categorized as a typical thief?

Ans. The description of Horace Danby as "good and respectable — but not completely honest" is apt because it highlights his dual nature. While he engages in criminal activities by robbing safes, he doesn't fit the typical image of a thief. He is meticulous, has a genuine love for rare books, and doesn't harm individuals. This complexity makes him distinct from a stereotypical criminal.

Q. No. 7) “Society must be protected from men like you.” Comment on the irony of the given quote.

Ans. The irony in the quote, "Society must be protected from men like you," lies in the fact that the woman who says it is herself engaging in deceptive and morally questionable behavior by manipulating Horace Danby for her own benefit.

Q. No. 8) “A Question of Trust” is a story about the robbery of the robber. Expound.

Ans. "A Question of Trust" indeed revolves around the robbery of the robber, Horace Danby. He is a professional thief who robs safes to support his book collection. However, he is deceived and robbed of his freedom by the young lady of Shotover Grange, who initially appears to be a victim but turns out to be a clever manipulator.

Q. No. 9) In the chapter “A Question of Trust”, Horace Danby’s final arrest was a blessing in disguise. Comment briefly.

Ans. Horace Danby's final arrest in "A Question of Trust" was a blessing in disguise because it put an end to his criminal activities and allowed him to reflect on his actions while working as a prison librarian.

Q. No. 10) “The most successful people work smart, not hard” Justify the quote with reference to “A Question of Trust”.

Ans. In "A Question of Trust," Horace Danby is portrayed as a skilled locksmith and burglar. However, his criminal endeavors ultimately fail due to his lack of foresight and careful planning. The woman who deceives him demonstrates a higher level of intelligence and strategic thinking, outsmarting Horace. This highlights that success often depends on working smart, not just relying on one's skills or hard work.

Q. No. 11) Based on the story, would it be fair to say that deception is a crucial aspect of robbery? Do you agree? Why/why not?

Ans. Yes, it would be fair to say that deception is a crucial aspect of robbery, as seen in "A Question of Trust." Deception is used not only by the thief, Horace Danby, but also by the woman who tricks him. Deceptive tactics are essential for both planning and executing successful robberies.

Q. No. 12) Horace Danby was a meticulous planner but still he faltered. Where did he go wrong and why?

Ans. Horace Danby's meticulous planning faltered in "A Question of Trust" when he underestimated the potential for deception. He failed to anticipate the role of the Lady in Red, who was as cunning and deceptive as he was. This oversight led to his downfall, as he didn't consider the possibility of being outsmarted by someone within his own criminal world.

Q. No. 13) Thieves and swindlers have no sense of moral righteousness. Comment with references to instances from “A Question of Trust”.

Ans. In "A Question of Trust," both the thief, Horace Danby, and the woman who deceives him exhibit a lack of moral righteousness. Horace steals to finance his book collection, while the woman manipulates and deceives him for personal gain. Their actions reflect a disregard for ethical principles in pursuit of their own interests.

Q. No. 14) Imagine that the young lady thief writes a letter to Horace Danby while he is in prison. Write the letter imagining yourself to be that young lady with respect to the story.

My Dearest Horace,

I hope this letter finds you in good health, considering the circumstances. I wanted to reach out to you as I've been reflecting on the events that transpired at Shotover Grange.

Firstly, I want to express my admiration for your locksmith skills and your passion for rare books. It was a pleasure to meet someone with such unique talents.

However, I must admit that our encounter was not what it seemed. I deceived you, and for that, I am deeply sorry. My own motives for retrieving the jewels were not entirely noble, and I used your desperation to my advantage.

Prison must be a harsh experience, and I hope you find some solace in your work as an assistant librarian. Please know that I regret my actions, and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.

Yours sincerely, [Young Lady's Name]

Q. No. 15) As the woman who dupes Danby, pen a diary entry for the night before the robbery.

Pen down your thoughts, fears, and hopes from the robbery based on the events of the story "The Question of Trust".

Wednesday, 12 July '78 9 PM

Its D-day, finally! Today, I know how it feels to be nervous and excited at the same time……. (continue)……….

Ans. Wednesday, 12 July '78, 9 PM

It's D-day, finally! Today, I know how it feels to be nervous and excited at the same time. I've spent the last two weeks carefully observing every detail of Shotover Grange, memorizing the layout, the paths, and the security measures. Horace Danby, the locksmith, will be my unsuspecting accomplice tonight. He's been studying the house as well, but little does he know that I have something entirely different in mind.

I can't help but feel a strange mix of guilt and determination. I'm about to manipulate a man who, for all his faults, is just trying to support his passion for books. But my own motives aren't entirely pure either. I need those jewels for my own reasons, reasons I can't reveal to anyone, especially not my husband.

As I prepare for tonight, I can't shake the fear of something going wrong. What if Horace doesn't fall for my act? What if he decides to run or resist? The consequences could be dire.

Yet, there's a glimmer of hope that this risky plan will work. Horace is desperate, and I'll use that desperation to my advantage. If all goes well, I'll have the jewels within an hour, and Horace will be none the wiser. But if it fails, I'll be the one facing the consequences.

Tonight, I'll find out if my acting skills and clever manipulation are enough to outwit a skilled locksmith turned burglar.

Q. No. 16) ‘Honor among thieves’ is considered a popular code. Examine A Question of Trust as a story woven around this code.

Ans. "A Question of Trust" explores the concept of "honor among thieves" and ultimately challenges it. According to this popular code, thieves are expected to have a certain level of trust and cooperation among themselves, avoiding double-crossing and betraying each other.

Horace Danby, the story's protagonist, is meticulous in his criminal activities, stealing once a year to fund his passion for rare books. He embodies the traditional thief who is careful and methodical, adhering to the code of honor among criminals.

However, the Lady in Red, who appears to be in a similar line of work, cunningly manipulates and deceives Horace. She does not follow the established code of honor, resulting in Horace Danby's arrest and imprisonment. This betrayal by someone within his own world of criminality is a stark reminder that not everyone in the criminal underworld adheres to the code of honor, leading to his downfall.

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A Question of Trust Important Questions for Class 10 Footprints without Feet

Extra questions and answers for a question of trust class 10 english footprints without feet.

Important questions for Chapter 4 A Question of Trust  has been prepared by our expert teachers. Students can read and learn from these questions and these are very important in their examination. Class 10 English Footprints without Feet A Question of Trust extra questions are very helpful in understanding the chapter. It also help in the revision of the chapter. Students can rely on these important questions and answers taken from the chapter A Question of Trust to get good marks in their English Paper. By understanding these questions, students will be have better knowledge of the story.

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NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 4: A Question of Trust (Footprints Without Feet)

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• Chapter 4 A Question Of Trust

Class 10 English Chapter 4 A Question of Trust Question Answers - PDF FREE Download

"A Question of Trust" by Victor Canning is an intriguing story about Horace Danby, a respectable locksmith with a secret life as a thief. Obsessed with rare books, he robs safes once a year to fund his hobby. During a meticulously planned burglary at Shotover Grange, he encounters a cunning young woman who deceives him, leading to his arrest. The story explores themes of trust and deception among thieves.

Vedantu offers A Question of Trust NCERT Solutions updated for the latest CBSE Class 10 English syllabus along with supporting study materials for NCERT English Class 10 . These solutions are created by top professionals and master teachers at Vedantu who strive to constantly bring you the best and most accurate answers to textbook questions. 

Glance on Class 10 - A Question of Trust

A respectable locksmith and businessman who secretly indulges in theft once a year to buy rare books.

He targets a house at Shotover Grange, studying its layout for two weeks before the burglary.

Danby breaks into the house, disables the alarm, and is interrupted by a young lady pretending to be the owner’s wife.

The lady convinces Danby to open the safe for her, claiming she needs her jewels for a party, and he complies without wearing gloves.

Danby is arrested after his fingerprints are found, and he realizes the lady was a thief who tricked him.

In prison, Danby becomes an assistant librarian and reflects bitterly on the betrayal by the cunning young lady.

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Access NCERT Solutions For Class 10 English Chapter 4 - A Question of Trust

Read And Find Out

1. What Does Horace Danby Like To Collect?

Ans: Horace Danby was a fifty years old honest man. Since he was unmarried, he lived with a housekeeper and liked to collect expensive and rare books.

2. Why Does He Steal Every Year?

Ans: Horace Danby was fond of collecting expensive and rare books, but he was not rich enough to fund his wish. So instead of working hard or saving money, he would rob a safe every year.

3. Who is Speaking to Horace Danby?

Ans: A woman, who pretended to be one of the members of the family living at Shotover Grange. She was pretty and dressed in red. She acted that she came back just in time or else Horace would have robbed her family.

4. Who is the Real Culprit in the Story?

Ans: The woman in the red dress was the real culprit. She acted to be a part of the family when Horace entered to rob the house. Horace got tricked by her and she took away everything in the safe. She escaped safely while Horace was accused of the crime.

Think About It

1. Did You Begin To Suspect, Before the End of the Story, That the Lady Was Not the Person Horace Danby Took Her To Be? If So, at What Point Did You Realize This, and How?

Ans: The lady had an unusually calm appearance for a person who just encountered a thief at her home. I suspected her even before Horace Danby got an idea about who she was. She acted that she had forgotten the numbers to open the safe and encouraged him to break open the safe and take out the jewels instead of calling the police, an action that is not usually done when faced with such a situation. These actions made it very obvious, from the beginning that she was not someone she was pretending to be.

2. What are the Subtle Ways in Which the Lady Manages To Deceive Horace Danby Into Thinking She is the Lady of the House? Why Doesn’t Horace Suspect That Something is Wrong?

Ans: Horace entered the home and was trying to break open the safe, a young lady with a kind voice entered the room. She introduced herself as the lady of the house and the confidence and ease with which she was doing mundane acts, like picking up the cigarette, made it very evident that she was the one. Horace was frightened when he encountered her. He thought he might avoid serious trouble if he treated her the right way.

3. “Horace Danby Was Good and Respectable − but Not Completely Honest”. Why Do You Think This Description is Apt for Horace? Why Can’t He Be Categorized as a Typical Thief?

Ans: Horace Danby was a fifty years old man, who robbed the rich to satisfy his wish of buying expensive and rare books. He made locks and was successful at his business but his habit of stealing to fulfil his luxuries was not good. He cannot be categorised as a typical thief because he did not steal frequently and for his survival. He just robbed to buy expensive stuff and had a business, along with two people to help him. He was good because he even kept his promise to the lady by not planning any robbery further.

4. Horace Danby Was a Meticulous Planner but Still, He Faltered. Where Did He Go Wrong and Why?

Ans: Horace had never failed in a robbery before but this time he did not research well enough the information about the real occupants of the home. Meeting the lady in the home was sudden and to avoid any form of trouble he figured out that it would be best to treat her the right way. This caused him not to think rationally and he followed the instructions laid by her and got trapped in her plan. He was so anxious that he even opened the safe without wearing gloves which left fingerprints on the safe and he got caught.

Talk About It

1. Do You Think Horace Danby Was Unfairly Punished, or That He Deserved What He Got?

Ans: Horace was not unfairly punished. He was never caught in his previous attempts, and this time he got caught without actually stealing something. It was almost like a consequence of his previous deeds that he got caught this time, tricked by another thief.

2. Do Intentions Justify Actions? Would You, Like Horace Danby, Do Something Wrong if You Thought Your Ends Justified the Means? Do You Think That There Are Situations in Which It is Excusable To Act Less Than Honestly?

Ans: No intentions do not justify your actions because if your actions would cause harm to someone, they cannot be justified. We should not harm someone or cause harm to someone just for our profit. No, I do not think I would do something wrong like Horace. Under conditions where someone is not being harmed, acting less than honestly is excusable.

Benefits of NCERT Class 10 A Question of Trust Question Answers

The NCERT Solutions for A Question of Trust provide comprehensive explanations that help students grasp the story's intricate themes and character motivations.

These solutions offer precise and well-structured answers to ensure students can confidently tackle their exams.

A Question of Trust NCERT solutions are easily accessible, allowing students to study and revise anytime, which enhances their preparation.

The solutions clarify complex aspects of the story, making it easier for students to understand and analyze, especially in the "A Question of Trust Question Answers" section. 

Designed to meet the Class 10 English Supplementary Chapter 4 Question Answers requirements, these solutions ensure students are well-prepared and aligned with their syllabus.

Practicing these solutions helps students improve their analytical skills, boosting their performance in exams.  

In conclusion, "A Question of Trust" by Victor Canning highlights the themes of trust and deception through the story of Horace Danby, a seemingly respectable locksmith with a secret life as a thief. His encounter with a cunning young woman leads to his downfall, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of trust and the consequences of misplaced faith.

Vedantu offers comprehensive NCERT Class 10 A Question of Trust Question Answers. These solutions are the stepping stone that brings you one step closer to confidently cracking your exams.  

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After you have familiarised yourself with the NCERT Class 10 English Supplementary Chapter 4 Question Answers, Students can proceed to access NCERT Solutions from all other chapters of the textbook. 

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FAQs on NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Chapter 4: A Question of Trust (Footprints Without Feet)

1. Where can I find Class 10 English Chapter 4 A Question of Trust Question Answers?

You can access Class 10 English Chapter 4 A Question of Trust Question Answers on the Vedantu website and download them for FREE in PDF format.

2. What are some values highlighted in the chapter, A Question of Trust?

The  Class 10 English Chapter 4 A Question of Trust Question Answer, highlights several important values such as trust, betrayal, confidentiality, ethics, justice, and manipulation. The most important value portrayed, however, is the concept of honor among thieves.

3. What exactly is the concept of honor among thieves according to the chapter?

The concept of "honor among thieves" refers to an unwritten code of conduct that exists among criminals, suggesting that even those who engage in illegal activities adhere to certain ethical principles within their group. This code implies a sense of loyalty and trustworthiness towards one another, despite their overall dishonesty and criminal behavior. This inculcates behavior such as Loyalty, Mutual Respect, and Non Betrayal.

4. Who is the main character in the story?

The main character is Horace Danby, a fifty-year-old locksmith and businessman who secretly commits thefts to buy expensive books.

5. Why does Horace Danby commit theft?

Horace Danby commits thefts once a year to fund his expensive hobby of collecting rare and fancy books. This is one of his favourite things to do and despite being an overall respectable person, he has his own vices.

6. What happens to Horace Danby after the burglary?

Horace Danby is arrested after his fingerprints are found at the crime scene. He confesses to opening the safe for the young woman, but no one believes his story since the real owner’s wife is much older.

7. What is the significance of the title "A Question of Trust"?

The title reflects the central theme of the story, which revolves around trust and deception. It highlights how trust is manipulated and the consequences of misplaced trust among thieves.

8. What lesson can be learned from "A Question of Trust"?

The story teaches that trust can be easily betrayed, especially among those who engage in dishonest activities. It also underscores the inevitability of justice and the importance of being accountable for one’s actions.

9. How does the concept of "honor among thieves" play a role in the story?

The story questions the validity of "honor among thieves" by showing how Horace Danby is deceived by a fellow thief, revealing the irony and fragility of such a code among criminals.

10. How does the young woman deceive Horace Danby?

The young woman pretends to be the owner’s wife and convinces Horace to open the safe for her, claiming she needs her jewels for a party. After he opens the safe, she takes the jewels and leaves him to face the consequences.

A Question of Trust Summary Class 10 Explanation, Difficult words| CBSE NCERT English Footprints without Feet Book Lesson 4

A question of trust class 10 summary, explanation, difficult words| cbse ncert.

A Question of Trust Class 10 summary, explanation from English Footprints without Feet Book Lesson 4 Detailed explanation of the lesson along with meanings of difficult words. Also, the explanation is followed by a Summary of the lesson. All the exercises and Question Answers  from A Question of Trust given at the back of the lesson have been covered.

• A Question of Trust Introduction
• A Question of Trust Theme of the Lesson
• A Question of Trust Video Explanation

A Question of Trust Summary

A question of trust summary in hindi.

• A Question of Trust Explanation
• Class 10 A Question of Trust Important Question Answers 

Class 10 English (Footprints without Feet) Chapter 4 A Question of Trust

By Victor Canning

A Question of Trust Introduction 

It is said that you must set a thief to catch a thief. But it is also said that there is honour among thieves. Which saying does this story illustrate?

The story is about a man named Horace Danby who is 50 years old and everyone around him thinks he is a good and an honest man. He used to build locks and used to earn enough profit so that he could hire two servants to help him. He was sent to jail once about 15 years ago because he used to commit robberies every year. This year, when he goes to a house for robbery, he meets a woman who pretends to be the owner of the house. Later when he leaves from there and is arrested after 2-3 days, he comes to know the truth of that lady.

A Question of Trust Theme

The central idea is that cheats also expect honesty in their profession. On the same mission to rob a home safe, two experienced thieves and burglars come face to face. They both went to great lengths to ensure that the theft would go off without a hitch.

See Video for Explanation and Summary of the Lesson

Top A Question of Trust MCQ Questions

The story is about a 50 year old man who makes locks and lives with his housekeeper. He is a good citizen but not an honest one as he commits a robbery every year. He plans his robberies in such a way that the money he gets from there lasts him for at least an year and he is able to buy rare and expensive books with it. He buys these books because he is really fond of collecting rare and expensive books. He plans to commit a robbery at a grange named Shotover Grange. He takes all the information about the house like where the family had gone, how many servants were there in the house, what was the name of the dog, the wiring in the house, the safe in the house and even information like how much worth of jewels were there in the safe. The real twist in the story comes when he reaches the grange to commit a robbery and a woman claiming to be the owner’s wife enters. She gives him an option that she will forget that she had seen him if he opens the safe for her as she has forgotten the code of the safe and has to go to a party. He does not realize that he is opening the safe for another thief and that she is not the actual owner of the house. He leaves happily thinking that he is safe but doesn’t realize the fact that he had opened the safe for someone else that too without wearing his gloves. 3 days later a police officer comes and arrests him saying that his fingerprints had been found at the shotover grange. He then realizes that he had been fooled by a lady who was herself a thief and from the same background as his. He is sent to the jail and becomes an assistant librarian. He feels angry whenever someone talks about honour among thieves as he had been cheated by one from his own community.

कहानी एक 50 वर्षीय व्यक्ति की है जो ताले बनाता है और अपने घर के नौकर के साथ रहता है। वह एक अच्छा नागरिक है लेकिन ईमानदार नहीं है क्योंकि वह हर साल डकैती करता है। वह अपनी डकैतियों की योजना इस तरह बनाता था कि डकैती से जो पैसे मिले वह कम से कम एक साल तक चले और वह उससे रेयर और महंगी किताबें खरीद पाए । वह इन किताबों को इसलिए खरीदता है क्योंकि उसे वाकई रेयर और महंगी किताबें इकट्ठा करने का शौक है। वह शॉटोवर ग्रेंज नामक एक ग्रोन में डकैती करने की योजना बना रहा है। वह घर के बारे में सारी जानकारी लेता है जैसे कि परिवार कहाँ गया है , घर में कितने नौकर है, कुत्ते का नाम क्या है, घर की वायरिंग, घर में तिजोरी कहाँ है और यहां तक ​​कि तिजोरी में कितनी कीमत की ज्वेलरी है। कहानी में असली ट्विस्ट तब आता है, जब वह डकैती करने के लिए ग्रेंज पर पहुंचता है और मालिक की पत्नी होने का दावा करने वाली एक महिला प्रवेश करती है। वह उसे एक विकल्प देती है कि वह भूल जाएगी कि उसने उसे देखा था यदि वह उसके लिए तिजोरी खोलता है क्योंकि वह तिजोरी का कोड भूल गई है और उसे एक पार्टी में जाना है। उसे इस बात का अहसास नहीं है कि वह दूसरे चोर के लिए तिजोरी खोल रहा है और वह घर की असली मालिक नहीं है। वह यह सोचकर खुशी से चला जाता है कि वह सुरक्षित है लेकिन उसे इस बात का एहसास नहीं है कि उसने किसी और के लिए तिजोरी खोली थी और वह भी बिना दस्ताने पहने। 3 दिन बाद एक पुलिस अधिकारी आता है और उसे यह कहते हुए गिरफ्तार कर लेता है कि शॉटओवर ग्रेंज में उसकी उंगलियों के निशान पाए गए थे। तब उसे पता चलता है कि उसे एक ऐसी महिला ने मूर्ख बनाया है जो खुद एक चोर थी और उसकी पृष्ठभूमि से आई थी। उसे जेल भेज दिया जाता है और वह सहायक लाइब्रेरियन बन जाता है। जब भी कोई चोरों के बीच सम्मान की बात करता है तो उसे गुस्सा आता है क्योंकि उसे अपने ही समुदाय के एक व्यक्ति ने धोखा दिया था।

A Question of Trust explanation

Passage: EVERYONE thought that Horace Danby was a good, honest citizen. He was about fifty years old and unmarried, and he lived with a housekeeper who worried over his health. In fact, he was usually very well and happy except for attacks of hay fever in summer. He made locks and was successful enough at his business to have two helpers. Yes, Horace Danby was good and respectable — but not completely honest. Fifteen years ago, Horace had served his first and only sentence in a prison

library. He loved rare, expensive books. So he robbed a safe every year. Each year he planned carefully just what he would do, stole enough to last for twelve months, and secretly bought the books he loved through an agent. Now, walking in the bright July sunshine, he felt sure that this year’s robbery was going to be as successful as all the others. For two weeks he had been studying the house at Shotover Grange, looking at its rooms, its electric wiring, its paths and its garden. This afternoon the two servants, who remained in the Grange while the family was in London, had gone to the movies. Horace saw them go, and he felt happy in spite of a little tickle of hay fever in his nose. He came out from behind the garden wall, his tools carefully packed in a bag on his back.

Word meaning : Citizen-   a legally recognized subject or national of a state or commonwealth, either native or naturalized. Housekeeper- a person employed to manage a household. Hay fever- an allergy caused by pollen or dust in which the mucous membranes of the eyes and nose are inflamed, causing running of the nose and watery eyes. Sentence- the punishment assigned to a defendant found guilty by a court, or fixed by law for a particular offence. Safe- a strong fireproof cabinet with a complex lock, used for the storage of valuables. Grange- a country house with farm buildings attached.

Explanation of the above passage : Horace Danby was a 50 years old man, was unmarried and lived with his housekeeper. The housekeeper used to worry about his health. Although he was fit and fine but used to have hay fever attacks in summer. He used to make locks and used to earn a profit that was enough for him to hire two helpers for his work. Everybody used to think that he was a good and

honest citizen but nobody knew that he had gone to jail about 15 years ago and served a sentence in the prison library. He got his love for rare and expensive books from there. Every year he used to steal money that would last him for a year and with the rest of the money, he used to buy books through a secret agent. This year, during the summers of July, he was sure that he would steal as easily without getting caught as he used to do every other summer. He studied the house for over two weeks, studying the smallest details such as electric wiring, paths and garden area. That specific day the servants who were supposed to stay back on the days when the family went to London, went out for a movie. Horace saw them leaving and was happy instead of being worried about the tickle in his nose due to hay fever. He then left with a bag that had his tools.

Passage: There were about fifteen thousand pounds’ worth of jewels in the Grange safe. If he sold them one by one, he expected to get at least five thousand, enough to make him happy for another year. There were three very interesting books coming up for sale in the autumn. Now he would get the money he wanted to buy them. He had seen the housekeeper hang the key to the kitchen door on a hook outside. He put on a pair of gloves, took the key, and opened the door. He was always careful not to leave any fingerprints. A small dog was lying in the kitchen. It stirred, made a noise, and moved its tail in a friendly way. “All right, Sherry,” Horace said as he passed. All you had to do to keep dogs quiet was to call them by their right names, and show them love. The safe was in the drawing room, behind a rather poor painting. Horace wondered for a moment whether he should collect pictures instead of books. But they took up too much room. In a small house, books were better. There was a great bowl of flowers on the table, and Horace felt his nose tickle. He gave a little sneeze and then put down his bag. He carefully arranged his tools. He had four hours before the servants returned. The safe was not going to be hard to open. After all, he had lived with locks and safes all his life. The burglar alarm was poorly built. He went into the hall to cut its wire. He came back and sneezed loudly as the smell of the flowers came to him again. How foolish people are when they own valuable things, Horace thought. A magazine article had described this house, giving a plan of all the rooms and a picture of this room. The writer had even mentioned that the painting hid a safe! But Horace found that the flowers were hindering him in his work. He buried his face in his handkerchief.

Word meaning : Pounds- basic monetary unit of the UK, equal to 100 pence. Autumn- the season after summer and before winter, in the northern hemisphere from September to November and in the southern hemisphere from March to May. Stirred- move or cause to move slightly. Tickle-  in a way that causes mild discomfort or itching and often laughter. Sneeze- make a sudden involuntary expulsion of air from the nose and mouth due to irritation of one’s nostrils. Burglar- a person who commits theft. Hindering- make it difficult for (someone) to do something or for (something) to happen.

Explanation of the above passage : According to Horace there were about 15 thousand pound worth of jewels in the grange’s safe. He thought that even if he sold them one by one, he would get at least 5000 pounds that would keep him happy and content for one year. He also thought about the three books that were coming up in the autumn and thought that now he would have the money needed to buy those books. He saw the housekeeper of the grange hang the keys on the hook outside the kitchen door. He took the key with a glove on his hands so as not to leave any fingerprints. He opened the door of the grange and used to be very careful about the fingerprints. He then saw a small dog sleeping in the kitchen. The dog moved a bit, made a noise and then moved his tail in a friendly way. Horace then said “alright Sherry” which was the name of the dog. He knew that the trick to keep dogs quiet was to call them by their names and show them a bit of love. The safe of the grange was in the drawing room, hidden behind a painting. Looking at the painting, he thought that he should collect paintings rather than books but then thought that it would be better to collect books in a small house because pictures required larger spaces. Then, as he moved forward, he saw a bowl of  flowers on the table. His nose was tickling due to the hay fever and the smell of the flowers. He arranged his tools and saw that he had about 4 hours until the housekeepers returned. The safe would not have been difficult to open as he had lived with safes and locks all his life and the burglar system of the house was not a good one. He went into the hall to cut the wires of the burglar system. He again sneezed loudly as the smell of the flowers came to him again. He was thinking to himself that how foolish rich people were when they had valuable things as he recalled that the whole plan of the house including the information about the safe was given in a magazine. He saw that the smell of the flowers was constantly making him sneeze loudly, so. he put a handkerchief on his face and continued his work.

Passage: Then he heard a voice say from the doorway, ‘What is it? A cold or hay fever?’.Before he could think, Horace said, ‘Hay fever,’ and found himself sneezing again. The voice went on, ‘You can cure it with a special treatment, you know, if you find out just what plant gives you the disease. I think you’d better see a doctor, if you’re serious about your work. I heard you from the top

of the house just now. It was a quiet, kindly voice, but one with firmness in it. A woman was standing in the doorway, and Sherry was rubbing against her. She was young, quite pretty, and was dressed in red. She walked to the fireplace and straightened the ornaments there. Down, Sherry, she said. Anyone would think I’d been away for a month! She smiled at Horace, and went on, However, I came back just in time, though I didn’t expect to meet a burglar. Horace had some hope because she seemed to be amused at meeting him. He might avoid trouble if he treated her the right way. He replied, “I didn’t expect to meet one of the family. She nodded.I see what an inconvenience it is for you to meet me. What are you going to do? Horace said, My first thought was to run. Of course, you could do that. But I would telephone the police and tell them all about you. They’d get you at once. Horace said, I would, of course, cut the telephone wires first and then…,he hesitated, a smile on his face, I would make sure that you could do nothing for some time. A few hours would be enough. She looked at him seriously. “You’d hurt me? Horace paused, and then said, I think I was trying to frighten you when I said that.” “You didn’t frighten me. Horace suggested, It would be nice if you would forget you ever saw me. Let me go. The voice was suddenly sharp. Why should I? You were going to rob me. If I let you go, you’ll only rob someone else. Society must be protected from men like you. Horace smiled. I’m not a man who threatens society. I steal only from those who have a lot of money. I steal for a very good reason. And I hate the thought of prison. She laughed, and he begged, thinking that he had persuaded her, Look, I have no right to ask you for anything, but I’m desperate. Let me go and I promise never to do this kind of thing again. I really mean it. She was silent, watching him closely. Then she said, You are really afraid of going to prison, aren’t you? She came over to him shaking her head. “I have always liked the wrong kind of people

Word meaning : Doorway- an entrance to a room or building through a door. Ornaments- a thing used or serving to make something look more attractive but usually having no practical purpose, especially a small object such as a figurine. Amused- finding something funny or entertaining. Hesitated- pause in indecision before saying or doing something Frighten- make (someone) afraid or anxious Persuaded- induce (someone) to do something through reasoning or argument.

Explanation of the above passage : Then somebody from the doorway asked him that was it a cold or was it hay fever. Horace quickly replied ‘hay fever’ and sneezed again. The other person then continued and told him that he could cure it provided he knew which flower caused the allergy and that he should see a doctor if he wanted to be a good thief. Then the other person said that his sneezing could be heard from the top floor of the house. The voice was calm and firm. Then he got a bit nervous as he saw a woman standing in the doorway. The woman was young, pretty and dressed in red colour. She walked towards him and arranged the decorations kept on the fireplace. Then she ordered the dog to stay away and said that people might be thinking that she was away for a month but she was back in time and didn’t expect a burglar to welcome her back at her house. Horace was a bit hopeful as he saw that the woman was amused rather than being panicked on seeing a burglar. He thought that if he treated her well and didn’t do anything wrong then she might let him go. He also told her amusingly that he also didn’t expect to meet a family member either as he had thought that there was no one at home. Then she said that she realized what an inconvenience she was to him and asked him that what would he do now. He replied that at first, he wanted to run away. The woman replied that he could do so but she would call the police and let them know that he was robbing her house and they would catch him. Horace replied that he would obviously cut the telephone wires first and then he would do something to her so that she was not able to do anything for a few hours. She looked at him seriously and asked him that would he hurt her. Horace replied that he was just saying that to frighten her. She was not frightened by what he said and Horace then told her that it would be better that she forgot that she ever saw him and let him go. Suddenly she spoke in a sharp and loud voice that why should she let him go.  He was there to rob her and if she spared him, he would go and rob someone else. She said that the society needed to be protected from people like him. He smiled and said that he was not a threat to the society as he stole only from those people who had a lot of money. Also, he stole for a good reason and he hated even the thought of going to a prison. She laughed at his reply and he was begging her not to call the police. Horace was begging only because he thought that he had convinced her to let him go. He was desperately asking the woman not to go to the police and that he would surely stop robbing people. He promised her and told her that he meant what he said. She then looked closely towards him and asked him that was he really afraid of going to the prison? She shook her head and said that she always liked the wrong kind of people. (This was an indication for Horace that she was also a thief but he did not pick the clue).

Passage: She picked up a silver box from the table and took a cigarette from it. Horace, eager to please her and seeing that she might help him, took off his gloves and gave her his cigarette lighter. You’ll let me go? He held the lighter towards her. Yes, but only if you’ll do something for me.Anything you say. Before we left for London, I promised my husband to take my jewels to our bank; but I left them here in the safe. I want to wear them to a party tonight, so I came down to get them, but Horace smiled. “You’ve forgotten the numbers to open the safe, haven’t you . Yes, replied the young lady. Just leave it to me and you’ll have them within an hour. But I’ll have to break your safe.Don’t worry about that. My husband won’t be here for a month, and I’ll have the safe mended by that time.  And within an hour Horace had opened the safe, given her the jewels, and gone happily away. For two days he kept his promise to the kind young lady. On the morning of the third day, however, he thought of the books he wanted and he knew he would have to look for another safe. But he never got the chance to begin his plan. By noon a policeman had arrested him for the jewel robbery at Shotover Grange. His fingerprints, for he had opened the safe without gloves, were all over the room, and no one believed him when he said that the wife of the owner of the house had asked him to open the safe for her. The wife herself, a gray-haired, sharp-tongued woman of sixty, said that the story was nonsense. Horace is now the assistant librarian in the prison. He often thinks of the charming, clever young lady who was in the same profession as he was, and who tricked him. He gets very angry when anyone talks about “honour among thieves”.

Word meaning : Jewels- a precious stone. Mended- repair (something that is broken or damaged). Charming- very pleasant or attractive. Profession- a paid occupation, especially one that involves prolonged training and a formal qualification. Sharp – tongued – (of a person) given to using cutting, harsh, or critical language. Honour- high respect; great esteem.

Explanation of the above passage : The woman picked up a cigarette box made of silver and took out a cigarette. Horace thought that if he pleased her, then she might help him. So, he quickly removed his gloves and gave her his cigarette lighter. Then he asked her that would she let him go and pointed the lighter towards her cigarette. She replied that yes, she would let him go but only if he would do something that she wanted. Horace quickly replied that he would do anything for her. The lady said that before going to London she had promised her husband that she would put all the jewellery in the bank but left it in the safe at the grange. She had to go to a party now but had forgotten the code of the locker. Horace said that he would do it but he would have to break the locker to which she replied that he need not worry about that as her husband won’t return in a month’s time and that she would get it repaired by then. Horace broke open the safe within an hour, gave her the jewels and left happily thinking that he was safe now. For two days he kept his promise to the lady that he won’t steal but on the third day he thought about the books that he wanted to buy and started thinking that he would have to look for another locker to steal from. He couldn’t even get the time to plan the next robbery as he was arrested. A police officer came to his house and arrested him as his fingerprints were all over the Shotover grange. No one believed him when he said that the owner’s wife had asked him to open the safe. The actual wife of the owner was an old woman who was sixty years old and was a sharp tongued woman. She said that the story was nonsense because she had never met Horace, not to think of asking him to break open the safe. This means that the young woman who had asked Horace to open the safe had pretended to be the owner’s wife and was a thief. Then Horace became the assistant librarian at the jail and thought about the woman who being from the same profession tricked him and got him caught. He felt really angry when someone talked about honour among thieves

A Question of Trust Class 10 Question and Answers

Q1) What does Horace Danby like to collect?

Ans)  Horace Danby likes to collect old, expensive and rare books.

Q2)  Why does he steal every year?

Ans)  He used to steal every year in a very systematic and planned manner. He used to steal enough to last him for 12 months and so that he could buy the rare and expensive books that he used to like through a secret agent.

Q3) Who is speaking to Horace Danby?

Ans)  There was a woman standing in the doorway who was speaking to Horace Danby. She was a young, beautiful lady and was dressed in red colour. She was pretending to be one of the family members.

Q4)Who is the real culprit in the story?

Ans)  The real culprit in the story is the woman who pretended to be a family member of the family living at the grange. She cleverly acted as a family member and made Horace believe that she wanted him to open the safe just because she had forgotten the passcode. Horace believed her and opened the safe and gave her all the jewels that were inside the safe and later, she took away all the jewels.

Q5)  Did you begin to suspect, before the end of the story, that the lady was not the person Horace Danby took her to be? If so, at what point did you realise this, and how?

Ans) Yes, one does begin to suspect that the woman is not who she claims to be. She was unusually calm on seeing Horace near the locker. Then she doesn’t even call the police and also asks him to open the locker for her even if it means breaking it open as she had forgotten the code of the safe. It is very unusual that someone forgets the passcode to their own locker.

Q6) What are the subtle ways in which the lady manages to deceive Horace Danby into thinking she is the lady of the house? Why doesn’t Horace suspect that something is wrong?

Ans)  The way she walks up to the doorway, starts talking to him, arranges the ornaments in their right place and picks up the silver cigarette box with so much confidence can make anyone believe that she is the lady of the house. Apart from that, Horace had become nervous and frightened when he saw the woman in the doorway and due to that he could not think properly.

Q7)  Horace Danby was a meticulous planner but still he faltered. Where did he go wrong and why?

Ans) The place where he went wrong was that he did not gather enough information about the real occupants of the house. He gathered all the information about the tracks, wirings, gardens, servants and even the dog’s name but he still forgot to overlook the identities of the house owners. He even took out the information of the valuables inside the safe. Once he got into a problem, he could not even think properly and carelessly opened the safe and touched many things in the room without wearing his gloves.

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• CBSE Notes For Class 10
• CBSE Class 10 English Notes
• Chapter 4 A Question of Trust

CBSE Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet - A Question of Trust Summary & Notes

Summary of a question of trust.

Chapter 4 of the Class 10 English Supplementary Reader ‘Footprints Without Feet’ consists of a prose lesson titled A Question of Trust. This is about a thief, Horace Danby, who got a taste of his own medicine. He used to steal occasionally. During one of his burglary attempts at a big mansion, he met a lady who cheated him, and he ended up behind bars for blindly believing her. Here, we present you a summary of the prose in the form of CBSE English Notes Class 10 . CBSE 10th standard students can check the prose summary of A Question of Trust as given below.

Students can also practice  CBSE Essays  on various topics to improve their writing section for the English exam.

CBSE Class 10 English A Question of Trust Summary

A Question of Trust is written by Victor Canning. This story is about a thief, Horace Danby, who was a good citizen. He was an unmarried fifty-year-old man who used to work as a locksmith. He was a successful businessman too, and had two helpers to assist him. Although he was a respectable man, he was not completely honest. He had a liking for rare and fancy books and would purchase them by any means. To pursue his expensive hobby, he would rob a safe once every year and purchase the expensive books covertly through an agent. He would chalk out a well-devised plan before making any burglary attempt. This time he had his eyes on a house at Shotover Grange, and he carefully studied its rooms, electric wiring, its paths and garden for two weeks.

The family in that house was in London. One fine afternoon, the two caretakers of the house had gone to watch a movie. Horace realised this was the best time to execute his act. He came out from behind a wall of the garden and entered the house with all his tools packed in his bag. He had picked a key from the hook on the kitchen door. He quickly wore his gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints behind. He took the key from the hook and opened the door. He saw the dog, Sherry, that wagged its tail when it saw Horace.

Danby knew the safe was hidden behind a poor painting in the drawing room. There was a beautiful vase full of flowers kept on the table. He was allergic to the fragrance of flowers. He tickled his nose and kept sneezing repeatedly. He took out his tools and cut the burglar alarm. As he sneezed again loudly due to the fragrance of the flowers, he heard the voice of a young lady standing in the doorway behind him. The lady was dressed in red and pretended to be the house owner’s wife, and she managed to convince Horace to believe her. She said that she had come there without notice to collect her jewels as she wanted to wear those at a party that night.

Danby was frightened that the lady might hand him over to the police, so he requested her to let him go. She told him that she would allow him to leave only if he opened the safe for her as she left all the jewels in it. She mentioned that she had forgotten the safe’s number combination and didn’t know how to unlock it. Danby offered to help her and opened the safe without his gloves on. The young lady immediately took out all the jewels. Horace Danby left the house and went home happily, assuming that he had escaped imprisonment. For the first two days, he kept his promise to the young lady. However, a policeman arrested him on the third day for the burglary of jewels at Shotover Grange.

Horace Danby’s fingerprints were found all over the robbed place. Later, he confessed to committing the crime and that he had opened the safe for the young lady in the house but didn’t steal the jewels inside. In reality, it so happened that the lady was also a thief, and she convinced Horace to break open the safe for her. When he told this story to the police, no one believed him since the owner’s wife was a sixty-year-old woman, not the one Danby mentioned in his statement. In no time, the police arrested him, and he was put behind bars for the robbery case. He became the assistant librarian in the prison. He often thought of the charming, cunning young lady who was also a thief like him and tricked him into believing her. Henceforth, whenever anyone mentioned ‘honour among thieves’, he would get very angry and upset.

Conclusion of A Question of Trust

A Question of Trust focuses on the message for students that we should not trust anyone blindly without finding out the truth about that person. We hope this CBSE Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet Prose Summary of A Question of Trust has helped students to grasp a thorough knowledge of the chapter. For more such amazing resources on CBSE Notes and CBSE study material , you can visit BYJU’S to access sample papers and question papers of different years. You can also download BYJU’S: The Learning App for interactive educational content.

Frequently Asked Questions on CBSE Class 10 English A Question of Trust

Who is the author of ‘a question of trust’.

The author of ‘A Question of Trust’ is Victor Canning.

Why are fingerprints used for recognising criminals?

Fingerprints are of a universal nature which means all individuals carry this medium of identification. It is unique for each individual; no two individuals have the same fingerprint.

What is the importance of trust?

1. Cements relationships and brings people closer 2. Provides a sense of safety 3. Strengthens belief system

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• A Question of Trust Summary Class 10 English

Summary of A Question of Trust

This article is about A Question of Trust Summary from Class 10 English. The author of this short story is Horace Danby. This story is about a thief who gets a taste of his own deeds. Horace Danby is a thief completely. He steals only once in a year. He is fond of books and spends most of his money on buying books. Also, he plans accurately before attempting any burglary. During his burglary attempt at a big house, he studied well before entering the house for stealing from the safe. A lady thief cheated on him who claims herself to be the owner of the house. Finally, Horace ends up in prison only to regret the way that a man should not trust anyone, particularly from his own profession.

A Question of Trust Summary in English

Horace Danby was a good person. He was fifty years old but still unmarried. Horace Danby was a locksmith. He was a very successful businessman. He had two assistants to help him. Being good and respectable, but he was not totally honest. He was fond of rare and expensive books. He purchased them at any cost. For this, he robbed safe only once in a year. He purchased these books secretly through an agent. Before making a theft, he chalked out plan well. This time he had observed the house at Shotover Grange for two weeks. He studied even the minute things about that house.

Read more English Chapter Summaries here

The family was now in London. The two caretaker servants of the house had gone to the movies. He jumped out from behind the garden wall and came inside the house. He had taken a key from the kitchen door hook. Then, he wore gloves. He opened the door. He was very careful enough to leave any fingerprints. There was a vase of flowers on the table. The fragrance of flowers tickled his nose. He sneezed out repeatedly then, he heard the voice of a young lady. She pretends to be the wife of the owner of that house. She told him that she had come there suddenly because she wanted her jewels to wear them at the party in the night.

Danby requested the lady to let him go home. She asked him to open the safe as she needed the jewels but she had forgotten the number. Danby willingly opened the safe without gloves. The young lady got the jewels. Horace Danby went away happily because he had escaped from being imprisoned. On the third day, a policeman had arrested him for the jewel robbery at Shotover Grange.

His fingerprints were found at the robbed place. He confessed that he had opened the safe for the young wife of the owner of the house. But in reality, the owner’s wife was about sixty years old. She said that the story was not true. No one believed Danby. Now, the police arrested him. He was the assistant librarian in the prison. He always thought of the charming, young lady who was in the same profession as he was. Now he didn’t believe in the thought of ‘honour among thieves.’

Conclusion of A Question of trust

The message of this story is that we should not trust anyone without discovering out about that person.

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Good. The summary of the story is good…. Big roung of aplouds to your whole team in your success run….

Summery was not full informative. Their is no information about his mother role in his life and not about his teacher. Please give those information also

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A Question of Trust Summary by Victor Canning

Table of Contents

A Clever Thief

The story is about Horace Danby who is a man with a unique perspective and skill set. Socially, he has a reputation of a good and honest man. He is a locksmith and excels at his job.

His Next Adventure

His next adventure is a house of some rich family and he makes all his preparations attentively. On the day of the theft, he enters the house without a glitch but is startled by some noise.

However, she needs some favour and asks for a bargain. In return for her silence, he has to break into a vault and take something out. It was jewellery that her husband has kept for her but she has forgotten the code that opened the vault.

Danby is out of options and obliged. He even forgets to put on his gloves, which is unlike his usual calm self. Once the crime is done, he quietly disappears from the house.

Danby is Arrested

Unfortunately, a couple of days later he is apprehended by the law officers on a charge of robbery. Danby tries to put in a case of innocence but he has left his fingerprints on the scene of the robbery.

Then he argues that he had no choice as the lady of the house forced his hand. But soon he sees the real owner of the house, who was a different woman, a lot older and feeble. Devastated and confused, Danby is put in jail.

But it was not the punishment that hurt him the most. He is embarrassed how another thief, a girl at that could dupe him so easily. He laments the fact that there is no respect even within the community of criminals!

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A Question of Trust Summary Analysis and Explanation

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A Question of Trust Summary Analysis and Explanation By Victor Canning

About the Author Victor Canning (16 June 1911 – 21 February 1986) was a prolific British writer of novels and thrillers who flourished in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. He was personally reticent, writing no memoirs and giving relatively few newspaper interviews.

A Question of Trust Summary of the Lesson

‘A Question of Trust’ is a very thrilling and interesting story written by the author Victor Canning. The story is full of paradoxes. Horace Danby had a good reputation in the society. He was about fifty and unmarried.

He made locks and had two helpers. He loved rare and expensive books. Horace robbed a safe every year. He was now out on committing a robbery.

For two weeks Horace had studied the house of Shotover Grange. He had to burgle this house. Horace Danby entered the house. Horace had allergy from flower; he started sneezing. Then he heard a voice. The voice told him that he could cure the sneeze. It was the voice of a woman.

She stood in the doorway. She was young and pretty. His first thought was to run. The lady told him that she would telephone the police. She would tell them about him. Horace Danby told her to let him go and forget she ever saw him. The lady put one condition for letting Horace go.

She told him that she promised her husband to take her jewel to the bank. She had, however, left jewels in the safe. She told him that she wanted to wear the jewels in a party that night. She came down to get them. But she had forgotten the numbers to open the safe.

So she needed his help and Horace opened the safe for her. After two days a policeman has arrested him for the jewel robbery at Shotover Grange. Danby’s fingerprint were found all over the room. He had opened the safe without gloves.

He said to the police that the landlady of the house asked him to open the safe. But the lady was 60 years old woman. She said Danby’s story was a nonsense.

Horace is now in prison. He often thinks of the charming and clever young lady. She was in the same profession. She had simply tricked him. Danby gets angry when anyone talks about “honour among thieves”.

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6th -  9th  , descriptive writing, personification, aunt jennifer's tigers, reading comprehension, the tale of custard the dragon, fire and ice, figurative language.

A Question of Trust

12 questions

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The author of the lesson 'A Question of Trust' is

Robert Arthur

Victor Canning

James Herriot

Horace Danby was trying to open the safe because

he wanted to deposit money from the safe in the bank

he wanted to keep his collection of books inside

he wanted money to buy and collect paintings

he was stealing jewels

The safe was behind

the doorway

a basket of flowers

Horace was sneezing because he had

yellow fever

Synonym of 'hinder'

Horace collected

He found that the flowers were hindering him in his work. Identify the literary device used.

Onomatopoeia

The safe was in the drawing room, behind a rather poor painting . Identify the literary device used.

Colloquialism

Alliteration

There was a great bowl of flowers on the table. Choose the literary device used.

He came back and sneezed loudly as the smell of flowers came to him again. Identify the literary device used.

Sensory Imagery

What was the name of the dog?

Which proverb delineates the theme of the story?

A bird in hand is better than two in a bush.

Don't count your chickens before they are hatched.

The ends do not justify the means.

A stitch in time saves nine.

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NCERT Solutions for Class 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Footprints Without Feet Chapter 4 A Question of Trust

October 1, 2019 by Bhagya

Read and Find Out (Page 20)

Question 1. What does Horace Danby like to collect? Answer: Horace Danby likes to collect rare and expensive books.

Question 2. Why does he steal every year? Answer: He stole every year so that he could buy the rare and expensive books that he loved to collect. Each year he planned carefully so as to steal enough to last twelve months.

More Resources for CBSE Class 10

NCERT Solutions

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Page 22 Question 3. Who is speaking to Horace Danby? Answer: A lady standing in the doorway is speaking to Horace Danby. She was young and pretty and was dressed in red. She said she had come just in time, or else her family would have been robbed by Horace. Thus she pretended to be one of the members of the family living at Shotover Grange.

Question 4. Who is the real culprit in the story? Answer: The real culprit in the story is the woman who pretended to be a member of the family living at Shotover Grange. She tricked Horace Danby into believing her, and cleverly took away all the jewels that were kept in the safe.

Think About It (Page 25)

Question 1. Did you begin to suspect, before the end of the story, that the lady was not the person Horace Danby took her to be? If so, at what point did you realise this, and how? Answer: Yes, we begin to suspect before the end of the story that the lady was not the person Horace Danby took her to be. She was unusually calm on seeing Horace. This seemed strange. When she did not call the police, and instead asked Horace to take out all the jewels from the safe, even if it meant breaking it open, it seems suspicious. Moreover, it seemed highly unlikely that she would forget the number combination to open the safe. Therefore it was evident, before the story ended, that the lady was not the person Horace had taken her to be.

Question 2. What are the subtle ways in which the lady manages to deceive Horace Danby into thinking she is the lady of the house? Why doesn’t Horace suspect that something is wrong? Answer: Her confident walk, her familiarity with the dog Sherry, her act of touching up her make-up and the ease with which she picks a cigarette from the right place are enough to deceive anybody. Horace was too frightened to think properly, so he didn’t suspect anything.

Question 3. “Horace Danby was good and respectable – but not completely honest”. Why do you think this description is apt for Horace? Why can’t he be categorised as a typical thief? Answer: Horace’s habits were not typical of a thief. He was fond of books. He used to steal only once in a year so he was never stealing more than his needs. However, an act of theft is still a crime, no matter how well a thief behaves, so this description is apt for Horace. He can’t be categorised as a typical thief because he is not a regular offender like other thieves.

Question 4. Horace Danby was a meticulous planner but still he faltered. Where did he go wrong and why? Answer: Horace Danby failed to get enough information about the real occupants of the house. He seems to be too occupied with collecting information about the house map, wiring and location of valuable items. Although he was smart enough to know the dog’s actual name, he overlooked getting information about the occupants of the house. When he landed in trouble with the appearance of the young lady, his clever mind gave way to carelessness, leading him to open the safe without wearing gloves.

Talk About It (Page 25)

Question 1. Do you think Horace Danby was unfairly punished, or that he deserved what he got? (or) Do you think Horace Danby was unfairly punished? (CBSE 2013) Answer: Horace Danby deserved what he got. A crime is a crime, no matter if it is committed for your own benefit or for somebody else’s benefit.

Question 2. Do intentions justify actions? Would you, like Horace Danby, do something wrong if you thought your ends justified the means? Do you think that there are situations in which it is excusable to act less than honestly? Answer: “Ends do not justify means”, is a very old and time-tested saying. For their own benefit nobody should harm others. But this world doesn’t function on idealism. There are many examples of people tricking people for quick gains. These acts should be deplored and dealt with severely.

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A Question of Trust Extract Based MCQ questions | Subjective | Objective| True / False  Class 10 Footprints Without Feet

This page offers Extract Based Questions from the Chapter A Question of Trust for Class 10 from the book Footprints Without Feet.   We’ve put together a bunch extracts which ask assumption based, creativity based and critical thinking-based questions. These types of questions are introduced after 2024 in CBSE Board . The types of questions are quick MCQs, true/false and Subjective questions. So, practice to understand A Question of Trust Extracts to score great. 

Table of Contents

A question of trust extract based mcq questions – 1.

EVERYONE thought that Horace Danby was a good, honest citizen. He was about fifty years old and unmarried, and he lived with a housekeeper who worried over his health. In fact, he was usually very well and happy except for attacks of hay fever in summer. He made locks and was successful enough at his business to have two helpers. 

Question: 1 Horace Danby was usually happy, even though he stole books. What does this say about how he thought about his actions?

Answer: Horace Danby must be telling himself that stealing was okay because he needed the books for his collection. He thought it was alright because he only stole from rich people and believed he wasn’t really harming anyone.

Question:2 State True or False. 

None of the terms (a)-(d) can be applied to Horace Danby’s lifestyle as described in the extract:

(a) Irony – Saying the opposite of what you mean.

(b) Dichotomy – A clear split between two very different things.

(c) Anecdote – A short, funny or interesting story about a real event or person.

(d) Metaphor – A way of describing something by saying it is something else.

Answer: True.

Reason: The extract just gives facts about Horace Danby’s life. It does not use irony, dichotomy, anecdotes, or metaphors. Pay attention to “ described in the extract ” in the question

Question: 3. Based on the extract, Horace Danby’s public image is a _______.

Answer: act/ show/ fake/ lie/ trick/ bluff

Question: 4  Why might Horace feel happy despite his criminal lifestyle?

Answer: He justifies thefts as harmless due to his victims’ wealth.

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• A Question of Trust Short Question Answer

Extract from A Question of Trust- 2

Fifteen years ago, Horace had served his first and only sentence in a prison library. He loved rare, expensive books. So he robbed a safe every year. Each year he planned carefully just what he would do, stole enough to last for twelve months, and secretly bought the books he loved through an agent.

Question: 1. Horace steals once a year carefully. What does this tell us about how he thinks about risk and safety in his crimes?

Answer: Horace sees his yearly thefts as a careful risk. He steals just enough to meet his needs and tries not to get caught. This shows he thinks about keeping safe while doing something wrong.

Question: 2 State True or False.  

None of the following terms describe Horac Danby’s yearly thefts for buying books:  

(a) A compulsion – a need to do something that you cannot stop.  

(b) A necessity – something you must have.  

(c) A strategy – a plan to reach a goal.  

(d) An obsession – a thought that always stays in your mind.  

Answer: False.  

Reason: Horace’s thefts are a strategy. He plans them to fund his book collection. They are not compulsions or obsessions, and they are not necessities.

Question 3: Horace’s regular thefts show he is a  good_______.

Answer: planner/ schemer/ tactician / organiser / thinker/ plotter/ strategist or any other similar response. 

Question: 4 What does Horace’s careful planning tell us about his view on right and wrong?

Answer: It shows he thinks stealing is okay if planned well.

Class 10 A Question of Trust Extract Based Questions- 3

Now, walking in the bright July sunshine, he felt sure that this year’s robbery was going to be as successful as all the others. For two weeks he had been studying the house at Shotover Grange, looking at its rooms, its electric wiring, its paths and its garden. This afternoon the two servants, who remained in the Grange while the family was in London, had gone to the movies.

Question: Why did Horace feel confident about this year’s robbery at Shotover Grange? Answer in about 40 words.

Answer:  Horace felt confident because he had spent two weeks studying the house, its rooms, electric wiring, paths, and garden. He also knew the two servants were away at the movies, giving him the perfect opportunity.

Question: 2 State True or False.

None of the terms (a)-(d) can be applied to the statement — He felt sure that this year’s robbery was going to be as successful.

(a) A prediction – saying what might happen in the future

(b) A fact – something known to be true

(c) A guess – a thought without enough information

(d) A reflection – deep thinking

Answer:  False.

Reason: The statement is a prediction, not a fact, guess, or reflection.

Question: 3 Horace felt sure that this year’s robbery was going to be as successful as all the others. This statement is best described as a _______.

Answer: prediction/ forecast/ projection/ expectation or any similar response

Question:  4 Why did Horace choose this afternoon for the robbery?

Answer:  The servants were away for the movies.

A Question of Trust Extract Based MCQ Questions- 4

The safe was in the drawing room, behind a rather poor painting. Horace wondered for a moment whether he should collect pictures instead of books. But they took up too much room. In a small house, books were better.

Question: 1  Why did Horace think collecting books was better than collecting pictures?

Answer: Horace thought collecting books was better because they needed less space. His house was small, so pictures, which needed more room, were not a good choice for him.

None of the terms (a)-(d) can be applied to the statement — Horace wondered for a moment whether he should collect pictures instead of books.

(a) A decision – a choice made after thinking

(b) A doubt – feeling unsure

(c) A consideration – thinking carefully about something

(d) A realisation – understanding something clearly

Answer: False.

Reason: The statement is a consideration. Horace is thinking about whether to collect pictures or books, so it’s not a decision, doubt, or realisation.

Question: 3 The extract shows that Horace thought pictures needed too much _______.

Answer: space/ area/ room/ volume

Question:  4 Why did Horace prefer books over pictures?

Answer:  Books took up less room than pictures.

A Question of Trust Extract Based Questions MCQ with Answers- 5

The safe was not going to be hard to open. After all, he had lived with locks and safes all his life. The burglar alarm was poorly built. He went into the hall to cut its wire. He came back and sneezed loudly as the smell of the flowers came to him again.

Question: 1 Why was Horace confident about opening the safe at Shotover Grange? Answer in about 40 words.

Answer: Horace was confident about opening the safe because he had extensive experience with locks and safes throughout his life. Additionally, the burglar alarm was poorly built, making his task even easier.

Question:  1 State True or False.  

None of the terms (a)-(d) can be applied to the statement — He came back and sneezed loudly as the smell of the flowers came to him again.

(a) An observation – noticing something

(b) An opinion – a belief or feeling about something

(c) A fact – something that is true

(d) A prediction – a guess about what will happen in the future

Reason: The statement is a fact. It describes something that actually happened—Horace sneezing because of the smell of flowers.

Question: 3 The extract shows that Horace thought the burglar alarm was _____ built.

Answer:  poorly/ badly/ shoddily/ weakly

Question: How did Horace manage to approach the safe without alerting anyone?

Answer: Horace cut the alarm wire, ensuring a silent approach to the safe.

A Question of Trust Extracts- 6

How foolish people are when they own valuable things, Horace thought. A magazine article had described this house, giving a plan of all the rooms and a picture of this room. The writer had even mentioned that the painting hid a safe!

Question: 1  Why did Horace think people were foolish for owning valuable things? Answer in about 40 words.

Answer:  Horace thought people were foolish for owning valuable things because they often did not protect them well. In this case, a magazine article had even revealed details about the house, including the location of the safe hidden behind a painting.

None of the terms (a)-(d) can be applied to the statement — A magazine article had described this house, giving a plan of all the rooms and a picture of this room.

(a) A fact – something that is true  

(b) An opinion – a belief or feeling about something  

(c) A warning – a notice about a possible problem  

(d) A suggestion – an idea offered for consideration  

Reason: The statement is a fact, not an opinion, warning, or suggestion, but at least one is applicable. 

Question: 3 The information in the extract suggests that the magazine article revealed the _____ of the house.

Answer: plan/ layout/ blueprint/ design/ structure or any other similar response. 

Question:  What did the magazine article mention about the painting?

Answer:  It mentioned the painting hid a safe.

A Question of Trust Extract- 7

The voice went on, “You can cure it with a special treatment, you know, if you find out just what plant gives you the disease. I think you’d better see a doctor, if you’re serious about your work. I heard you from the top of the house just now.”

Question:1  Why did the voice suggest that Horace should see a doctor? Answer in about 40 words.

Answer: The voice suggested that Horace see a doctor because he was sneezing due to hay fever. The main reason was that the speaker wanted to show some dearness and care for him to win his confidence..

Can any of the terms (a)-(d) describe the statement — “You can cure it with a special treatment, you know, if you find out just what plant gives you the disease.”?  

(a) A suggestion – an idea or plan suggested  

(b) A command – a direct order  

(c) An observation – a remark about something noticed  

(d) A hypothesis – a proposed idea needing investigation  

Reason:  The statement is a suggestion, not a command, observation, or hypothesis.

Question: 3 The extract shows Horace’s sneezing was heard from the _____ of the house.

Answer:  top / upper place / roof/ attic/ or any similar response

Question: 4 Why did the lady mention hearing Horace from upstairs?

Answer:  To show she knew where he was, adding pressure.

Extract from A Question of Trust- 8

It was a quiet, kindly voice, but one with firmness in it. A woman was standing in the doorway, and Sherry was rubbing against her. She was young, quite pretty, and was dressed in red. She walked to the fireplace and straightened the ornaments there.

Question: 1 Describe the woman who spoke to Horace. Answer in about 40 words.

Answer:  The woman who spoke to Horace had a quiet but firm voice. She was young, quite pretty, and dressed in red. She stood in the doorway, with the dog Sherry rubbing against her. 

Question: 2   State True or False.  

None of the terms (a)-(d) can be applied to the statement — “A woman was standing in the doorway, and Sherry was rubbing against her.”  

(a) A description – a detailed account of a person, object, or event  

(b) A command – an authoritative order  

(c) A hypothesis – a proposed explanation for a phenomenon  

(d) A suggestion – an idea or plan put forward for consideration  

Answer:  False

Reason: The statement is a description, not a command, hypothesis, or suggestion.

Question:  3 Based on Sherry’s behaviour, the woman likely seemed _____ to the dog.

Answer: familiar/ friendly/ known/ trusted or any other similar response. 

Question:  What was the woman doing at the fireplace?

Answer:  She was straightening the ornaments.

Class 10 A Question of Trust Extract Based Questions- 9

She laughed, and he begged, thinking that he had persuaded her, “Look, I have no right to ask you for anything, but I’m desperate. Let me go and I promise never to do this kind of thing again. I really mean it.”

Question:  1 Why did Horace beg the woman to let him go? Answer in about 40 words.

Answer:  Horace begged the woman to let him go because he was afraid of going to prison. He promised her that he would never commit such a crime again, hoping to persuade her to have mercy on him.

None of the terms (a)-(d) can be applied to the statement — “I have no right to ask you for anything, but I’m desperate.”  

(a) An apology – a regretful acknowledgment of an offence or failure  

(b) A justification – a reason or explanation for an action  

(c) A plea – an urgent request for help or mercy  

(d) A promise – a declaration or assurance that one will do something  

Reason:  The statement is a plea, not an apology, justification, or promise.

Question: 3  The information in the extract suggests that Horace was feeling _____.

Answer:  desperate/ anxious/ worried/ frantic/ stressed

Question: 4 What assurance did Horace give to the woman during their conversation?

Answer: He assured her he would never commit theft again.

A Question of Trust Extract Based MCQ Questions- 10

For two days he kept his promise to the kind young lady. On the morning of the third day, however, he thought of the books he wanted and he knew he would have to look for another safe. But he never got the chance to begin his plan. By noon a policeman had arrested him for the jewel robbery at Shotover Grange.

Question: 1 Why did Horace get arrested despite keeping his promise to the young lady for two days? Answer in about 40 words.

Answer:  Horace got arrested because his fingerprints were found at the scene of the jewel robbery at Shotover Grange. Despite keeping his promise for two days, the evidence against him was too strong.

Question:2  State True or False.  

None of the terms (a)-(d) can be applied to the statement — “By noon a policeman had arrested him for the jewel robbery at Shotover Grange.”

(a) An accusation – claiming someone did something wrong  

(b) A confession – admitting a fault  

(c) A report – a detailed event description  

(d) An observation – noting what one has seen  

Reason: The statement is a report, as it details the event of the arrest, not an accusation, confession, or observation.

Question: The extract shows Horace wanted to find another _____.

Answer:  safe/  vault/ target/ lockbox

Question:  Why was Horace unable to begin his new plan? Answer:  He was arrested by noon.

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Last Will and Testament Guide for 2024

Key takeaways.

• A last will and testament is a legal document that states how a person wishes to distribute their assets upon their death.
• Although requirements vary by state, usually your will needs to be in writing, signed by the testator, and witnessed by at least two other people.
• If you die without a will, your state’s laws will dictate how to distribute your assets, and your estate may have to pay a death tax.
• Using an attorney to draft your will can end up costing more than $1,000. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, will creation services are available online. Trust & Will starts at $199.

One of the most important estate planning tools is a last will and testament, often referred to as a “will.” In a will, you state where your assets should go when you die and, sometimes more importantly, where they shouldn’t go. Whether you choose to leave your assets to your loved ones or support your favorite cause, you should have a will.

In this article, we’ll explain what a last will and testament is, the benefits of having one, the different types of wills you can create, and how to create one. We’ll also give you a list of helpful estate planning terms and address frequently asked questions about beginning the estate planning process.

Why you can trust us

Our Reviews Team consists of trained lawyers who have spent hundreds of hours researching estate planning and using the services we recommend. We only recommend services we find to be helpful and accurate. To develop our reviews and guidance, we:

• Spent 300 hours researching and using online estate planning services
• Consulted with legal experts, probate attorneys, and financial planners to learn the best practices in estate planning
• Went behind the paywall to gain firsthand experience with five of the top online will creation services to review and compare them with each other
• Read hundreds of customer reviews on trusted third-party websites, such as Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot

What is a last will and testament?

A last will and testament is a legal document that allows a person to plan how to distribute their assets after they die.

When someone dies, their assets usually go toward funeral expenses and probate court fees. Then, if the person has any outstanding debts, the executor uses assets from the estate to settle them.

What happens to the rest of someone’s property after that? This is where a last will and testament can be helpful. It will give your loved ones guidance on what to do with your remaining assets.

Benefits of creating a last will and testament

April M. Townsend , Esq., is an estate planning attorney based in Pennsylvania with more than 12 years of experience. Townsend said that, “creating an estate plan, including a will, offers significant advantages and peace of mind. By taking these steps, you gain control over how your property is divided after [you die], ensuring your wishes are followed.”

Having a last will and testament in place for when the time comes makes this process easier and less expensive. Your will tells the court exactly what to do with your belongings, so there’s less for the court to sort through. Less work for the court means your assets will be distributed quicker, and you’ll pay less in administrative and probate costs.

Without a will, all your belongings would be distributed according to your state’s “intestacy” laws. Intestacy refers to dying intestate, or without a will. The biggest problem with intestacy is that state laws won’t take into account your preferences on how you want your assets distributed. Close family members and estranged family members can potentially have access to the same amount of your estate.

For example, in New Jersey, if you die without a will, your spouse is entitled to your entire estate —even if you were separated but not yet divorced. [1] Mercer County. Administration of Estate (No Will). Found on the internet at https://www.mercercounty.org/government/county-surrogate/administration-of-estate-no-will. That means if you want to leave something behind for your children, siblings, or parents, they won’t get anything unless you have a will that provides for them.

Helpful hint: Intestacy laws don’t provide a means for you to appoint a legal guardian for dependents. If you’re a caregiver for any minor children or pets, you’ll need a will to arrange their support. Otherwise, the court will appoint a guardian for those who need one, without considering your preferences.

Types of wills

You can choose from five main types of wills when creating your own:

• Simple will: A straightforward will lists your assets and beneficiaries. You can easily create your own simple will online.
• Living will : This is different from a simple will in that it doesn’t deal with your assets or how the court will distribute them upon your death. Instead, a living will gives instructions for your medical care and other end-of-life decisions, such as whether you want medical staff to use life-extending measures.
• Joint will: This is a will that used to be common among spouses where both parties agree to grant all their assets to the surviving spouse. With a joint will, once one spouse dies, the surviving spouse can’t change the terms of their will. This restriction makes joint wills less popular—there are other options that provide more freedom for the surviving spouse.
• Testamentary trust: This is a will that creates a trust that won’t take effect until after your death. A testamentary trust is commonly used to provide support for minor children over a long period of time.
• Holographic will: This type of will is only recognized in 28 states . [2] Trust & Will. What is a Holographic Will (& Why It’s Not the Best Choice). Found on the internet at https://trustandwill.com/learn/holographic-will It must be handwritten and signed by the testator —it can’t be typed or written by someone else. [3] Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute. Holographic will. Found on the internet at https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/Holographic_will Since the handwriting in the will matches the handwriting in the signature, most states that recognize these types of wills don’t require additional signatures from witnesses. This raises a potential for mistake or fraud, so they’re commonly contested in probate court.

How to create a last will and testament in six steps

With all the free resources available online, most people won’t need estate planning attorneys to craft a will for them. Creating your own will is a relatively straightforward process that can save you time and money.

Since state law governs wills, each state has its own requirements to create a will. Still, most of these state requirements boil down to three conditions: Your will must be in writing, signed by the testator, and witnessed by at least two people. We’ll explain how to satisfy these minimum requirements and create the best will for your estate planning needs.

Step 1: Make detailed property records

Since your will contains a plan for how you want to distribute your assets, you’ll need to make a list of all the property you own. When compiling these property records, consider the following:

• Land or real estate
• Business stocks or bonds
• Cash in bank accounts
• Valuable personal property, like jewelry, vehicles, or art

If you’re worried about forgetting to list some of your assets, you can include a residuary clause ⓘ A residuary clause identifies a person or institution that receives any assets that aren’t accounted for in your will. This is important to have if you don’t want state law to distribute any remaining assets. in your will. A residuary clause works as a catchall for the rest of your property, so the executor ⓘ An executor, also known as a personal representative, is the individual responsible for carrying out the instructions left in someone’s will. knows what to do with any belongings you didn’t specifically name in your will.

Another thing to keep in mind is some assets may already have designated beneficiaries, like life insurance policies or qualified retirement plans.

Helpful hint: When listing all your assets, don’t forget to include any debts you might have (for example, unpaid taxes, credit cards, student loans, or mortgages). Usually, if a debt is unpaid at death, the estate is responsible for paying it. This will give you a better idea of how much of your estate you’re leaving for your beneficiaries.

Step 2: Name an executor

An executor, or personal representative, is someone legally obligated to administer a person’s estate. In other words, an executor is the person responsible for following the instructions you left in your will.

To be an executor, you have to be at least 18 years old and of sound mind . You may need to have additional qualifications depending on your state’s rules. [4] Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute. Holographic will. Found on the internet at https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/Holographic_will

When naming your executor, try to choose someone you’re close with, so they truly understand your intentions during the probate process. You should also consider naming someone healthy who will likely live long enough to take on this role. It’s a good idea to name a “successor executor,” or a backup executor, in case your first choice is unavailable. Being an executor is a lot of responsibility, so make sure you choose someone who is able to address estate matters quickly and efficiently.

Step 3: Add beneficiaries and designate property

A beneficiary is a person designated to receive something from an estate or trust. Simply put, a beneficiary is any person you’re leaving property to in your will. You can name any person or institution (such as a charity) to be a beneficiary in your will. Once you’ve named your beneficiaries, you’ll have to decide what property they should receive.

A general bequest is when you want to leave behind some money from your estate to a beneficiary. For example, if you want to make sure your child is well-supported after you’re gone, you can make a general bequest that designates a certain amount of money from your estate to go directly to that child.

A specific bequest is when you want to leave behind a particular piece of your property to a beneficiary. For example, if you want to leave your stamp collection to your nephew who collects stamps, you can make a specific bequest.

Another useful type of bequest is called a contingent bequest. This allows you to put conditions on whether a beneficiary receives property from your will. For example, if you want to encourage your grandchild to go to college, you can make a bequest to your grandchild on the condition they go to college. If your grandchild doesn’t attend college, they won’t receive that bequest, and it will return to your estate.

Step 4: Formalize your will on paper

All states require you to put your will on paper. This memorializes your intentions, so your executor can refer back to it during the probate process.

Online templates can help you format the document correctly, or you can use an online will maker service that will generate the correct document for you.

Helpful hint: Some people like to include letters for their loved ones with their will. The executor will deliver these letters of love and support upon your death. It’s a thoughtful way to say your final goodbyes and give your loved ones closure.

Step 5: Sign the document

Once you’re happy with your will, you have to sign the document to make it official.

At least two people must witness you sign the document. After they see you sign your will, they’ll have to place their signatures on the will to prove its authenticity. Only two states slightly modify this requirement:

• Louisiana requires a notary to sign your will in addition to the two witnesses.
• Colorado allows you to have your will witnessed by only one person if the person is a notary.

Helpful hint: Regardless of requirements, getting your will notarized helps to ensure your will holds up in court. You can find a notary at your bank or some FedEx or UPS locations, or you can hire a mobile notary to come to you.

Step 6: Maintain and update the document as needed

While you can keep your last will and testament in a safe place at home, you need to make sure these estate planning documents outlast you. We recommend taking extra precautions, such as using a fireproof lockbox (like this one for $30) or a safe deposit box at the bank.

Some states allow you to file your will with the probate court to ensure the document is safe and available when needed. If you do this, only you, your attorney, and your executor will be able to access the will during your lifetime. But once you die and your case goes through probate, your will becomes publicly available information. If this raises privacy concerns for you, keep in mind that all probate court matters become public record once they’re closed—even if you don’t have a will.

You don’t need to wait for an important life event to create or update a will. Townsend advised that you should “think of your estate plan as a living document. Give it a regular check-up every three to five years, or whenever life’s chapters change.” She added that some examples of changes are:

• Marriage or divorce
• The birth of a child or grandchild
• Financial changes
• Evolving legal requirements in your state

You can use something called a codicil ⓘ A codicil is an amendment to a will. It allows you to add, subtract, or modify something in your will, without having to create a brand new one. to make changes to your will down the line if you ever need to. A codicil can be used to supplement, modify, or even revoke a will.

All you need to do is write down what you want to change about your will, sign it, have at least two witnesses sign it, and keep it with your original will. After your death, the executor will read and interpret both documents together.

Estate planning terms to know

As you learn about what a last will and testament is, it may be helpful to know what certain legal terms mean.

• The testator is the person who created the will.
• Beneficiaries are individuals or institutions that receive something from the execution of a will. In other words, beneficiaries stand to benefit from the will.
• Adding a codicil to a will updates the will by adding a document at the end rather than rewriting a portion of the will. A codicil can explain, modify, or revoke part of a will.
• A decedent is the term used in estate planning for a person who has died.
• An executor, or personal representative, is the individual responsible for “executing the will,” or facilitating the probate process.
• An estate is anything a person owns at the time of their death. This can include real estate and personal property, like jewelry, vehicles, and other items of value.
• Power of attorney means you’ve given authority to another person to make legal and financial decisions for you if you’re unable to do so.
• A residuary clause identifies a person or institution that receives any assets not accounted for in your will. This is important to have if you don’t want state law to distribute any remaining assets.
• Attach a self-proving affidavit to a will to “prove” to the court the will is valid. Executors must sometimes go through a hearing—potentially requiring witnesses—to prove to the court the will belongs to the testator and is valid. A self-proving affidavit does this automatically, but it’s not an option in every state. Some states consider a valid will to be self-proving, so an additional affidavit isn’t necessary.

Bottom line

For many people, the most important document in their estate plan is their last will and testament. This document will give you a say in how an executor should handle your assets upon your death. Without a will, your estate will be subject to state-created intestacy laws, which don’t take into account your preferences. You also won’t be able to make specific arrangements for your spouse, children, pets, or anyone else you care for without a will.

To create a valid will, you’ll have to memorialize your final wishes by putting it on paper. You can do this by using an attorney, an online will creation service, or following templates you find online. An attorney is the most thorough option, but it’s also the most expensive. Following templates online is usually free, but there’s the risk of filling out the templates incorrectly. An online will maker service is a middle-ground that will result in a legally binding document at a lower cost than hiring an attorney. Read our guide to learn how to make a will without a lawyer .

You and at least two other people must sign it to make it a valid will. Your signature will show you intend this document to be your last will and testament. The two other people must sign the document as witnesses to authenticate your signature. Keep your will in a safe place, so your executor can find it when they need to start distributing your assets. You should also make copies of the document and give them to your executor and anyone else you think should have one.

Additional estate planning resources

Learning about estate planning tools, like the power of attorney, can be intimidating, but it’s an important part of safeguarding your affairs. For more resources on how to begin preparing for your future, check out NCOA’s AgeWell Planner . If you’re taking care of a loved one, read our advice about managing someone else’s legal, financial, and medical decisions. And be aware of estate recovery , how it works, and how it can affect you or a loved one.

Plenty of resources offer affordable legal aid . Also, nonprofit organizations, such as the Veterans Legal Institute , will provide pro bono legal assistance to current and former service members.

Frequently asked questions

In general, a legal will is written, signed, and witnessed, though each state can have its own specific requirements.

“In writing” means the will isn’t verbal. The paper makes it formal. The testator, or person making the will, must also sign the will. This shows approval of the asset distribution plan and certifies this is the last will and testament. Finally, you must have at least two witnesses when you sign the will. These witnesses attest, or confirm, the testator was of sound mind when they were creating their will and the testator’s signature is their own. The witnesses must then sign the will to make it valid. Witnesses can’t be beneficiaries.

The most simple definition of a last will and testament is a legal document that records how a person wants to distribute their assets upon their death.

In estate planning and probate law, the ultimate goal is to mirror the testator’s intentions and dispose of their assets in the manner they desire. Your last will and testament formalizes these intentions on paper, so the executor can follow them as closely as possible when the time comes.

If you’re drafting your will on your own, you can create one for free or use an online will making service, which usually costs around $40–$300.

If you’re hiring a lawyer to draft your will, you can expect to pay, on average, anywhere from $300–$1,000. This cost depends on the complexity of your estate.

No, you don’t need an attorney to create a last will and testament. You can create your last will and testament by using online resources.

You can distribute your assets through many different ways while minimizing your risk and tax liability. If you have a complex estate plan, a lot of valuable assets, or just want to ensure your will is completely correct, you can hire an estate planning attorney.

Yes, you can create your last will and testament online.

You can either find will templates online and create one yourself, or you can have an online service make your will for you. Some services will even connect you with an estate planning attorney and offer continued support in case you need to update your will down the line. We have tested and reviewed these online will creation services, so you can choose the best one for your needs

Your last will is a way for you to decide what happens to your assets after you die. A living will, also known as a health care directive, is a statement of your wishes regarding medical treatment in circumstances where you’re no longer able to make decisions or communicate effectively. A living trust holds your assets until a predetermined time and provides instructions for management and distribution.

Unlike a living will, your last will doesn’t express what medical treatment you want to pursue if you’re ever incapacitated—unless you included a medical power of attorney in your will. It’s also unable to hold assets for you, unlike a living trust.

Typically, you should avoid including property that you’ve already assigned to someone, like:

• Life insurance or annuity proceeds
• Retirement plan proceeds
• Transfer-on-death property
• Property held in living trust
• Property held with a right of survivorship

The most common example is life insurance proceeds. When you get a life insurance policy, you have to designate a beneficiary to receive the policy payout. By including the proceeds in your will, you can create a situation where you’ve designated two different people to receive the same property. This usually leads to the two beneficiaries going to probate court. Even if you name the same beneficiary in both documents, you’ll have to make sure both documents match if you ever want to make any changes in the future.

Have questions about this review? Email us at [email protected] .

• Mercer County. Administration of Estate (No Will). Found on the internet at https://www.mercercounty.org/government/county-surrogate/administration-of-estate-no-will .
• Trust & Will. What is a Holographic Will (& Why It’s Not the Best Choice). Found on the internet at https://trustandwill.com/learn/holographic-will
• Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute. Holographic will. Found on the internet at https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/Holographic_will
• North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts. Estate Procedures for Executors, Administrators,Collectors By Affidavit, and Summary Administration. Found on the internet at https://www.nccourts.gov/assets/documents/forms/e850-en.pdf?VersionId=wAfy5o3sqw7oCN0qFSPp5N1aWnKA7nNK