Class 10 English Chapter 12 - A Question of Trust Question Bank | HSLC 2027

A Question of Trust – Class 10 English Chapter 12 Complete Question Answers and Solutions | ASSEB / SEBA

Class 10 English Chapter 12 – A Question of Trust Complete Question Answers and Exam Solutions (ASSEB / SEBA Assam)

The twelfth chapter of the Class 10 English syllabus (from the supplementary reader ‘Footprints Without Feet’), ‘A Question of Trust’ written by Victor Canning, is a highly important chapter. For the upcoming HSLC 2027 examination, the complete question answers for this story have been prepared based on the new ASSEB (Assam State School Education Board) syllabus and the latest National Education Policy (NEP) blueprint. This special collection includes Very Short Answers (VSA / MCQ), Short Questions, Long Answers, and vocabulary exercises, along with a detailed solution of Previous Years’ Board Exam Questions (PYQ). At Ospin Academy, these solutions are provided in a simple, accurate, and completely exam-oriented manner.

This thrilling story revolves around Horace Danby, a fifty-year-old unmarried man who is considered a good and respectable citizen but is not completely honest. He has a passion for rare and expensive books and commits one safe robbery a year to fund his hobby. However, during his robbery at Shotover Grange, he gets outsmarted by a young lady in red who pretends to be the owner’s wife. It is a brilliant story that questions the concept of ‘honour among thieves’. It is essential for HSLC candidates to understand the core theme, character traits, and significance of this lesson. Our Question Bank covers not only the textbook exercises but also includes extra probable board questions and answers to ensure 100% preparation for the students.

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What you will learn and get from this chapter:

Detailed analysis of Horace Danby’s character, his meticulous planning, and his fatal mistake.
Word meanings, perfect answers for 1-mark objective (VSA) and 2-3 marks short questions.
Easy and standard solutions for 4-5 marks long descriptive questions explaining how the lady in red tricked Horace.
Textual grammar, vocabulary exercises, and correct sentence structures.
Pattern analysis of frequently asked board questions and solutions to the latest MCQ models.

Special Features by Ospin Academy for HSLC 2027 Exam:

Complete Question Bank prepared based on the latest ASSEB blueprint for HSLC 2027.
Detailed solutions for the Previous 10 Years’ Questions (PYQ) and 27 Districts Pre-Board Exam Papers (2026).
100% accurate, high-quality notes written in simple English for easy memorization.
Specially designed PDF format for last-minute quick revision before the exams.
A curated list of 100% common board suggestions and expected questions from this chapter.

Ospin Academy offers this specialized course keeping in mind the academic growth of the students. Start your HSLC 2027 preparation now and step towards securing the highest marks in the English subject.

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Chapter 12A Question of Trust

Class 10th English

Lesson-2 Ospin Academy

A Question of Trust

HSLC Board Previous Year MCQs with Answers

1. “Statement-1: Horace was a lock maker, yet he had to steal every year. Statement-2: His business did not run successful to meet all his needs. {2026}

(A) Both the statements are false.

(B) Both the statements are true.

(D) Statement 1 is false but Statement 2 is true.”

Answer: C

2. “Where was the safe in shotover grange? {2026}

(A) bed room

(B) drawing room

(D) bathroom”

Answer: B

3. Horace Danby never got a chance to work on a new plan after the Shotover Grange episode Why? Because- {2025}

(A) He was put behind the bars.

(B) He was exhausted of all plans.

(D) He was upset with his accomplice.

Answer: A

4. The safe was not going to be hard to open. Horace Danby thought so because- {2025}

(A) He had lived with locks and safes all his life.

(B) Horace was familiar with the design of the safe.

(D) Horace would be assisted by the servants.

Answer: A

5. Horace gets angry when anyone discusses ‘honour among {2024}

(A) gentlemen

(B) thieves

(D) women

Answer: B

6. Fifteen years ago Horace Danby had been put to the prison because {2024}

(A) he murdered his landlady

(B) He tried to rob and old man

(D) he pushed a fellow traveler from the bus he was travelling in

Answer: C

7. Just leave it to me and you will have them within an hour” What is the context of this sentence quoted from A Question of Trust? {2025}

(A) It’s about books and Horace ‘s library col-lection.

(B) It’s about the kitchen and food

(D) It’s about the woman’s cosmetics box

Answer: C

8. Read the following statements with reference to ‘A Question of Trust’ and choose the correct option: {2024}

Statement 1: Horance Danby loved to read books.

Statement 2: Book lover can be cheated easily by beautiful women.

(A) Statement 1 is true and Statement is 2 false

(B) Statement 1 is false and Statement 2 is true

(D) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are false

Answer: A

Common Pre-Board MCQs (2025–26) with Answers

1. What is the most significant reason of Horace Danby’s arrest? {Bajali}
(A) His tools malfunctioned
(B) He was betrayed by an accomplice
(C) His fingerprints left willingly
(D) His trust in a stranger without verifying her identity
Answer: D

2. Horace had ____ hours before the servants returned. Fill in the blank with suitable option: {Bajali}
(A) Two
(B) Three
(C) Four
(D) Five
Answer: C

3. 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 the story, A Question of Trust illustrate? {Baksa}
(A) You must set a thief to catch a thief
(B) Honour among thieves
(C) Both (A) and (B)
(D) None of the above
Answer: A

4. Why do you think Horace had to serve his first prison sentence? {Baksa}
(A) He stole a rare and an expensive book.
(B) He stole a safe to buy books.
(C) He stole a painting.
(D) He was caught red handed while selling locks.
Answer: B

5. If Horace had suspected the young lady, what should he have done? {Barpeta}
(A) Escaped immediately.
(B) Locked her in a room.
(C) Called the police.
(D) Stolen jewels secretly.
Answer: A

6. In the story “A Question of Trust”, why did Horace Danby later regret trusting the woman so easily? {Bongaigaon}
(A) She tricked him into leaving evidence that connected him to the burglary
(B) She managed to escape with the jewels while he unknowingly took the blame
(C) She forced him to open the safe, which made him appear guilty of stealing
(D) She allowed him to break the lock, which helped police identify his method
Answer: A

7. “I’m not a man who threatens society. I steal only from those who have a lot of money”. Choose the opposite of the underlined words from the options: {Bongaigaon}
(A) Foolish, return
(B) Kill, take away
(C) Protected, give back
(D) Cheating, stolen
Answer: C

8. Choose the option that lists evidence that the police might have used against Horace to arrest him. {Bongaigaon}

(A) Option 3
(B) Option 2
(C) Option 1
(D) Option 4

Answer: D

9. “Thirty one minutes”, Ausable said moodily. “The appointment was for twelve thirty” When was the appointment fixed? {Cachar}
(A) Twelve hour and thirty minute
(B) Twelve hour and thirty one minute
(C) Thirty one minute.
(D) Twelve hour.
Answer: A

10. Read the following statements with reference to ‘A Question of Trust’ and choose the correct option. {Charaideo}
Statement 1 : Horace Danby was not a good , honest citizen
Statement 2 : There were about fifteen thousand pounds worth of jewels in the garage safe.
(A) Statement 1 is true but Statement 2 is false
(B) Statement 1 is false but Statement 2 is true
(C) Both statement 1 and statement 2 are true
(D) Both statement 1 and statement 2 are false
Answer: A

11. Horace was fond of – {Charaideo}
(A) Lock making
(B) Stealing
(C) Rare and expensive books
(D) Jewels
Answer: C

12. Horace gets angry when anyone discusses ‘honor among’ – {Charaideo}
(A) thieves
(B) gentlemen
(C) Shopkeeper
(D) women
Answer: A

13. What was the piece of evidence against Horace in the house at Shotover Grange. {Darrang}
(A) his lighter
(B) his gloves
(C) his bag of tools
(D) his fingerprints
Answer: D

14. Assertion: Horace Danby was sure that his robbery at Shotover Grange would be a successful one.
Reason : He had studied the house in details. {Darrang}
(A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(C) A is true but R is false
(D) A is false but R is true
Answer: A

15. Horace Danby took off his gloves while– {Dhubri}
(A) Arranging his tools to open the safe.
(B) Giving his lighter to the red dressed pretty lady.
(C) Cutting the wire of the burglar alarm.
(D) Touching Sherry to stop it barking.
Answer: B

16. What was the piece of evidence found against Horace Danby? {Golaghat}
(A) his lighter
(B) his gloves
(C) his finger-prints
(D) his tools and wires
Answer: C

17. Read the following statements with reference to “A Question of Trust” and choose the correct option. {Golaghat}
Statement 1: Horace Danby was cheated by a beautiful woman.
Statement 2: Horace Danby robbed for his survival.
(A) Statement 1 is true and Statement 2 is false.
(B) Statement 1 is false and Statement 2 is true.
(C) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are true,
(D) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are false.
Answer: A

18. How does Horace’s character contribute to his downfall? {Golaghat}
(A) his intelligence and cleverness.
(B) his arrogance and overconfidence.
(C) his lack of planning and preparation
(D) his fear and anxiety.
Answer: B

19. Suppose Horace Danby wanted to avoid getting caught while committing the theft at Shotover Grange. Which of the following actions, based on the lesson of the story, would have been most effective?{Hailakandi}
(A) Breaking into the house during the daytime
(B) Trusting anyone he meets inside the house without verification
(C) Checking the identity of the lady before handing over the jewels
(D) Leaving the house immediately after opening the safe
Answer: C

20. Fifteen years ago, Horace Danby had been put to the prison because – {Hojai}
(A) he murdered his landlady
(B) he tried to rob an old man
(C) he robbed a safe
(D) he pushed a fellow from the bus
Answer: C

21. Read the following statements and choose the correct option: {Jorhat}
Statement I: Horace Danby was cheated by a beautiful old lady.
Statement II: Horace Danby robbed for his survival.
(A) Statement I is true and Statement II is false.
(B) Statement I is false and Statement II is true.
(C) Both statements are false.
(D) Both statements are true.
Answer: C

22. “Look, I have no right to ask you for anything, but I’m desperate.” What is the context of this sentence quoted from “A Question of Trust”? {Jorhat}
(A) The speaker did not want to go to prison again.
(B) The speaker wanted to perform another robbery.
(C) The speaker wanted money very badly.
(D) The speaker had a severe attack of hay fever.
Answer: A

23. Which of the following in NOT true regarding the ending of the story? {Kamrup M}
(A) Horace was arrested by the police.
(B) The lady returned and saved Horace.
(C) Horace realized he had been tricked, but it was too late.
(D) Horace refused to admit the robbery during the investigation.
Answer: B

24. In “A Question of Trust”, Horace commits theft {Kamrup M}
(A) annually
(B) bienially
(C) triennially
(D) octennial
Answer: A

25. The lady encountered by Horace Danby at the Shotover Grange was- {Kokrajhar}
(A) The owner of the house
(B) Owner of the jewels
(C) A burglar
(D) A police officer
Answer: C

26. Read the following statements and choose the correct option—
Statement 1 : Horace Danby was about fifty years old and unmarried person.
Statement 2 : An unmarried person can easily be cheated by a beautiful woman. {Kokrajhar}
(A) Statement 1 is true statement 2 is false
(B) Statement 1 is false statement 2 is true
(C) Both statement 1 and statement 2 are true
(D) Both statement 1 and statement 2 are false
Answer: C

27. Horace Danby’s love for rare books in the story ‘A question of trust’ shows that: {Lakhimpur}
(A) He wasted all his money
(B) He valued knowledge more than honesty
(C) His crime was driven by passion, not greed
(D) He wanted to open a library
Answer: C

28. Horace Danby was a ________. {Udalguri}
(A) Scientist
(B) Teacher
(C) Thief
(D) Locksmith
Answer: D

29. What qualities did Horace possess? {Udalguri}
(A) He was an honest person
(B) He was a disloyal person
(C) He could harm anyone for his profit
(D) He carries harmful weapons
Answer: A

30. What was the actual reason why Horace Danby opened the safe for the lady? {Udalguri}
(A) Because the lady forgot the passkey
(B) Because Horace Danby wanted to steal all the jewels
(C) Because the safe was already broken
(D) Because Horace Danby was trying to impress the lady
Answer: A

31. What was piece of evidence against Horace Danby? {Tamulpur}
(A) his fingerprints
(B) his gloves
(C) his lighter
(D) his footprints.
Answer: A

32. Who is the author of “A question of Trust”? {SSM}
(A) Robert Arthur
(B) Victor Canning
(C) Sinclair Lewis
(D) H.G. wells.
Answer: B

33. Read the following statement with reference to “A question of Trust”, and choose the correct option- {SSM}
Statement 1:- Horace Danby was about fifty years (50 years) old and unmarried
Statement 2:- Horace lived with his wife and children.
(A) Statement 1 is true and Statement 2 is false.
(B) Statement 1 is false and Statement 2 is true.
(C) Both Statement 1 and 2 are true.
(D) Both Statement 1 and 2 are false.
Answer: A

34. Horace Danby was fond of ____ {Sribhumi}
(A) watching movies
(B) listening to music
(C) going to public parks
(D) reading rare and expensive books.
Answer: D

35. Horace was arrested on the basis of the ____ {Sribhumi}
(A) lady in red’s confession.
(B) fingerprints left on the safe.
(C) owner of the house complaint.
(D) All of the above.
Answer: B

36. Horace is ______ in the prison. {Sonitpur}
(A) labourer
(B) cook
(C) assitant librarian
(D) accountant
Answer: C

37. Horace Danby came to know about the safe kept behind a painting in the drawing room of Shotover Grange from- {Nalbari}
(A) the servants
(B) a magazine article
(C) his friends
(D) a house visit
Answer: B

38. Read the following statements based on ‘A Question of Trust’ and choose the correct option: {Nalbari}
Statement 1: Horace Danby was a professional thief.
Statement 2: Horace robbed houses to buy food and clothes.
(A) Both statement 1 and statement 2 are true.
(B) Statement 1 is fasle and statement 2 is true.
(C) Statement 1 is true and statement 2 is false.
(D) Both statement 1 and statement 2 are false.
Answer: C

39. Read the following statement with reference to ‘A Question of Trust’ and choose the correct option: {Nalbari}
Statement 1: The lady at the house was the real owner.
Statement 2: Horace Danby was caught because he left his fingerprints on the safe.
(A) Statement 1 is true and statement 2 is false.
(B) Statement 1 is false and statement 2 is true.
(C) Both the statements 1 and 2 are true.
(D) Both the statements 1 and 2 are false.
Answer: B

40. “For two weeks he had been studying the house at shotover Grange” to rob it. What characteristic of Horace Danby is highlighted through this? {Nalbari}
(A) He is impulsive and reckless.
(B) He is dishonest and untrustworthy.
(C) He is generous and intelligent.
(D) He is a meticulous and careful planner.
Answer: D

41. Horace Danby was about ____ years old. {Nalbari}
(A) 40
(B) 45
(C) 50
(D) 55
Answer: C

42. In the story ‘A Question of Trust’, how many new interesting books coming up for sale in the a that Horace Danby wanted to buy? {Nalbari}
(A) One
(B) Three
(C) Four
(D) Two
Answer: B

43. The woman’s calm behaviour primarily helps her to: {Nalbari}
(A) Gain Horace’s sympathy
(B) Confuse the police
(C) Appear trustwothy and authoritative
(D) Escape unnoticed
Answer: C

44. Read the following statement with reference to ‘A Question of Trust’ and choose the correct option : {Morigaon}
Statement 1: The lady at the house was the real owner.
Statement 2: Horace Danby was caught because he left his fingerprints on the safe.
(A) Statement 1 is true and statement 2 is false.
(B) Statement 1 is false and statement 2 is true.
(C) Both the statements 1 and 2 are true.
(D) Both the statements 1 and 2 are false.
Answer: B

45. “For two weeks he had been studying the house at shotover Grange” to rob it. What characteristic of Horace Danby is highlighted through this? {Morigaon}
(A) He is impulsive and reckless.
(B) He is dishonest and untrustworthy.
(C) He is generous and intelligent.
(D) He is a meticulous and careful planner.
Answer: D

46. Horace Danby was about ______ years old. {Morigaon}
(A) 40
(B) 45
(C) 50
(D) 55
Answer: C

47. In the story ‘A Question of Trust’, how many new interesting books coming up for sale in the a that Horace Danby wanted to buy? {Morigaon}
(A) One
(B) Three
(C) Four
(D) Two
Answer: B

48. “He had robbed every year just enough to last for twelve months.” (Hint: A Question of Trust). This refers to Horace’s – {Majuli}
(A) Careful planning and strict routine.
(B) Desire to become rich quickly.
(C) Habit of wasting money.
(D) Obsession with impressing others.
Answer: A

49. Horace believed the women was the owner of the house. Why? (Hint: A Question of Trust) {Majuli}
(A) She behaved confidently and knew details of the house.
(B) She showed him identification.
(C) She called the servants by name.
(D) The neighbours confirmed it.
Answer: A

50 Most Important Model MCQs for HSLC 2027

1. How did Horace Danby manage to secretly procure the rare and expensive books he loved?

(A) He stole them directly from public libraries.

(B) He bought them secretly through an agent.

(D) He borrowed them from his wealthy clients.

Answer: B

2. What was the name of the dog at Shotover Grange?

(A) Buster

(B) Max

(D) Bruno

Answer: C

3. According to Horace Danby, what is the right way to keep dogs quiet during a burglary?

(A) Throw them a piece of raw meat.

(B) Call them by their right names and show them love.

(D) Spray them with a sleeping gas.

Answer: B

4. Where had the two servants, who remained at Shotover Grange while the family was in London, gone that afternoon?

(A) To the market

(B) To visit their relatives

(D) To a local festival

Answer: C

5. How many helpers did Horace Danby have in his lock-making business?

(A) One

(B) Two

(D) None, he worked alone.

Answer: B

6. What did Horace use to safely cut the burglar alarm wire at Shotover Grange?

(A) A pair of scissors from the kitchen

(B) His specialized tools from his bag

(D) A laser cutter

Answer: B

7. Where exactly was the safe located in the drawing room?

(A) Behind a poor painting

(B) Inside a large wooden wardrobe

(D) Behind a large bookshelf

Answer: A

8. What specific object triggered Horace Danby’s hay fever in the drawing room?

(A) A dusty old carpet

(B) The smell of old books

(D) The lady’s strong perfume

Answer: C

9. When the young lady appeared, what was the colour of the dress she was wearing?

(A) Black

(B) White

(D) Emerald Green

Answer: C

10. What did the lady pretend to do when she first walked into the room?

(A) She pretended to be calling the police.

(B) She stood by the fireplace and straightened the ornaments there.

(D) She pretended to be a frightened maid.

Answer: B

11. “Yes, but only if you’ll do something for me”, the lady said to Horace Danby. Here what is ‘something’ refer to?

(A) to open the locked house

(B) to open the safe.

(D) to bring fresh flowers.

Answer: B

12. Why did Horace take-off his gloves?

(A) To break the safe

(B) To give the lighter

(D) To give the woman the jewels

Answer: D

13. Horace Dandy thought that he was opening the safe-

(A) as per the plan

(B) for his annual theft

(D) fer the lady of the house.

Answer: D

14. Horace Danby was a

(A) goldsmith

(B) blacksmith

(D) locksmith

Answer: D

15. How many hours did Horace Danby have in his hand before the servants returned?

(A) 24 Hours

(B) An Hours

(D) 3 Hours

Answer: C

16. The safe was in the _______, behind a poor painting.

(A) kitchen room

(B) library room

(D) store room

Answer: C

17. How long did it take the police to arrest Horace Danby after the incident?

(A) By noon the very next day

(B) By noon on the third day

(D) After a month

Answer: B

18. Who was the actual owner of the jewels (the real wife of the house owner)?

(A) A young, beautiful woman in a red dress.

(B) A gray-haired, sharp-tongued woman of sixty.

(D) A famous actress.

Answer: B

19. When the lady first caught Horace, what did he threaten to do if she didn’t let him go?

(A) He threatened to shoot her.

(B) He threatened to steal her car.

(D) He threatened to burn the house down.

Answer: C

20. What specific detail did the magazine article provide that made the robbery easier for anyone?

(A) The exact combination to the safe.

(B) A plan of all the rooms and the explicit mention that a painting hid a safe.

(D) The names of the house dogs.

Answer: B

21. Before breaking into Shotover Grange, for how long had Horace been studying the house?

(A) For three days

(B) For one week

(D) For a month

Answer: C

22. How did Horace ensure he wouldn’t leave footprints in the house?

(A) He wore special soft shoes.

(B) He walked only on the carpets.

(C) He put on a pair of gloves. (Note: He wore gloves for fingerprints, not footprints. The text doesn’t mention footprints, making this a trick question if not careful. Let’s ask about something explicit.)

Revised Q22: Where did Horace keep his specialized burglar tools?

(A) In a large metallic suitcase

(B) In a small pouch tied to his waist

(D) Hidden inside his coat pockets

Answer: C

23. “Society must be protected from men like you.” Who said this to Horace?

(A) The judge in court

(B) The gray-haired lady of sixty

(D) The police officer

Answer: C

24. Why did Horace feel completely confident about opening the safe without the combination?

(A) He had a master key.

(B) He planned to use dynamite.

(D) The safe was made of cheap plastic.

Answer: C

25. What did Horace usually do when he felt a tickle of hay fever in his nose?

(A) He drank a glass of water.

(B) He sneezed violently.

(D) He covered his face with a handkerchief.

Answer: B

26. How did Horace enter the house at Shotover Grange?

(A) He broke a window.

(B) He used a ladder to reach the first floor.

(D) He picked the lock of the front door.

Answer: C

27. What was the tone of the lady’s voice when she first spoke to Horace?

(A) Loud and angry

(B) Trembling and terrified

(D) Sarcastic and mocking

Answer: C

28. What did Horace jokingly think about the poor painting that hid the safe?

(A) He thought it was very beautiful.

(B) He thought he should collect pictures instead of books for a moment.

(D) He thought it was painted by a famous artist.

Answer: B

29. Why did Horace quickly abandon the idea of collecting pictures?

(A) They were too expensive.

(B) They were too heavy to carry.

(D) He didn’t understand art.

Answer: C

30. How did Horace react when the lady suggested he should see a doctor for his hay fever?

(A) He ignored her completely.

(B) He got very angry.

(D) He thanked her politely and walked away.

Answer: C

31. What did Horace promise the lady in exchange for his freedom?

(A) He promised to share half the jewels with her.

(B) He promised never to do this kind of thing (robbing) again.

(D) He promised to buy her a new safe.

Answer: B

32. How long did it take Horace to open the safe for the lady?

(A) Five minutes

(B) Half an hour

(D) Two hours

Answer: C

33. What did Horace do immediately after handing the jewels to the lady?

(A) He asked for his share.

(B) He went out happily.

(D) He called a taxi.

Answer: B

34. For how many days did Horace keep his promise to the young lady?

(A) For one week

(B) For a month

(D) He never kept it.

Answer: C

35. What is Horace Danby’s current job in the prison?

(A) The head cook

(B) The assistant librarian

(D) The groundskeeper

Answer: B

36. Assertion (A): Horace Danby was considered a completely honest man by everyone in society.

Reason (R): He ran a highly successful lock-making business and had two helpers.

(A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).