The Hack Driver – Class 10 English Chapter 14 Complete Question Answers and Solutions | ASSEB / SEBA
Class 10 English Chapter 14 – The Hack Driver Complete Question Answers and Exam Solutions (ASSEB / SEBA Assam)
The fourteenth chapter of the Class 10 English syllabus (from the supplementary reader ‘Footprints Without Feet’), ‘The Hack Driver’ written by Sinclair Lewis, 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 amusing story is about an innocent and gullible young lawyer who is sent to a village named New Mullion to serve a summons to a man named Oliver Lutkins. Upon arriving, he is greeted by a friendly hack driver who calls himself Bill. Bill takes the lawyer all around the village in search of Lutkins, smoothly extracting money from him while doing so. In a hilarious twist, the lawyer later discovers that the helpful hack driver was Oliver Lutkins himself! It is essential for HSLC candidates to understand the core theme of gullibility, character traits, and the 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.
What you will learn and get from this chapter:
- Detailed analysis of the young lawyer’s gullibility and Oliver Lutkins’ cunning character.
- 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 Lutkins befooled the lawyer.
- 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.
Class 10 English Question Bank ASSEB HSLC 2027 | Complete Chapter-wise Solutions PDF
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Class 10th English
The Hack Driver
HSLC Board Previous Year MCQs with Answers
1. “Statement-1: Bill was actually Oliver Lutkins. {2026}
Statement-2: The young lawyer was sent to New Mullion to serve summon on Oliver Lutkins
(A) Statement 1 is true and Statement 2 is false.
(B) Both the statements are true.
(C) Both the statements are false.
(D) Statement 1 is false and Statement 2 is true.”
Answer: B
2. “Bills seemed to ___ Lutkin’s talent for dishonesty. {2026}
(A) dislike
(B) hate
(C) criticise
(D) admire”
Answer: D
3. “On his second visit to New Mullion, the lawyer was accompanied by a colleague who knew ___ {2026}
(A) Gustaff
(B) Lutkins
(C) Bill
(D) Magnuson”
Answer: B
4. When the young lawyer reached New Mullion his “eager expectations of a sweet and simple countryside was severely disappointed.”
[Hint: The Driver] {2025}
(A) The streets were muddy and houses looked dull.
(B) Small rivers were overflowed the streets and houses did not have good paint.
(C) The streets were dirty and the shops were painted brown or were bare of any paint.
(D) The shops were painted black and the streets were dirty.
Answer: C
5. But if I did not think much about Lutkins, the office did. I found them all upset. What made the office upset? [Hint: The Hack Driver] {2025}
(A) Because the speaker didn’t bother much about Lutkins although he was paid for it.
(B) Because the speaker left Lutkins behind and gave away important papers to him.
(C) Because Lutkins was still missing and sup-posed to be presented at the court the next day.
(D) Because Lutkins had made fun of the of-fice and wasted their time.
Answer: C
6. How did the junior assistant of the law firm feel when he was sent to serve summons. [Hint: The Hack Driver] {2025}
(A) He felt sad.
(B) He found the work unpleasant.
(C) He felt joyful.
(D) He used to be anxious.
Answer: B
7. Oliver Lutkins laughed at the young lawyer because {2024}
(A) Lutkins found the young lawyer funny.
(B) Lutkins understand that the young lawyer did not understand his trick.
(C) Lutkins was a humorous fellow.
(D) Lutkins found himself in a group of trick-sters who were sharing jokes.
Answer: B
8. “As we climbed back to the hack, Bill con-cluded that since Lutkins had exhausted his credit at Gustaffs……” {2024}
(Choose the opposite for the underlined word.)
(A) Kept unused
(B) Wasted
(C) Distributed
(D) Lost
Answer: A
9. The speaker in ‘The Hack Driver’ was sent to a town miles away in the country. {2023}
(A) twenty
(B) thirty
(C) forty
(D) fifty
Answer: C
10. Read the following statements with reference to ‘The Hack Driver’ and choose the correct op-tion: {2024}
Statement 1: Oliver Lutkins was wanted to serve as a witness.
Statement 2: He was an expert in givingwit-ness in law cases.
(A) Statement 1 is true and Statement is 2 false
(B) Statement I is false and Statement 2 is true
(C) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are true
(D) Both Statement I and Statement 2 are false
Answer: A
Common Pre-Board MCQs (2025–26) with Answers
1. How many dollars did the lawyer pay to the hack driver? {Bajali}
(A) 6 dollars
(B) 2 dollars
(C) 12 dollars
(D) 10 dollars
Answer: C
2. Read the following statements with reference to ‘The Hack Driver’ and choose the correct option: {Bajali}
Statement 1: The young lawyer was gullible.
Statement 2: The young lawyer worried much over his failure to find lutkins.
(A) Statement 1 is false and Statement 2 is true
(B) Statement 1 is true and Statement 2 is false
(C) Both the statements 1 and 2 are false
(D) Both the statements 1 and 2 are true
Answer: B
3. How many barbers shop is/are mentioned in the story? {Baksa}
(A) One
(B) Two
(C) Three
(D) Four
Answer: B
4. I was sent, not to prepare legal briefs, but to serve summons. What does the word summons mean? {Baksa}
(A) An order to appear in a court of law.
(B) To plead guilty in a court of law.
(C) To forbid one from all blames by the court.
(D) All of the above
Answer: A
5. How did Mr Jaffers feel when he saw Griffin for the first time? {Baksa}
(A) Happy
(B) Surprised
(C) Upset
(D) Shocked
Answer: B
6. Why did ‘Lutkins’ pretend himself to be ‘Bill’? {Baksa}
(A) He was a deceitful person
(B) He wanted to hide his identity
(C) He did not want to accept the summons and be a witness
(D) All of the above
Answer: C
7. Who was the Hack Driver actually? {Barpeta}
(A) Fritz
(B) Gustaff
(C) Oliver Lutkins
(D) Array
Answer: C
8. “I was sent, not to prepare legal briefs, but to serve summons, like a cheap private detective”. Which of the following options is closest to the meaning of the underlined part of the sentence quoted from “The Hack Driver”? {Bongaigaon}
(A) A written notice demanding payment of dues
(B) A formal directive requiring someone to appear before a court
(C) A personal letter expressing regret for past actions
(D) An official document prepared by police after an incident.
Answer: B
9. Based on the story “The Hack Driver”, select the place where the hack driver first took the young lawyer to – {Bongaigaon}
(A) Gray’s shop
(B) Fritz’s shop
(C) Gustaff’s shop
(D) Oliver’s mother’s farm house.
Answer: B
10. “With the hack driver’s knowing help, I was sure of getting my man. I took him into my confidence……….” The narrator trusted the hack driver primarily because of- {Bongaigaon}
(A) His calm and friendly nature made his offer sound completely genuine
(B) His claim of knowing Lutkins was backed by written evidence.
(C) His confident behaviour resembled that of an official guide.
(D) His lack of options forced him to accept the driver’s support
Answer: A
11. Lutkin’s mother treated the lawyer {Cachar}
(a) arrogantly (b) Violently (c) respectfully (d) generously.
Which of the two options does not go with the text, “The Hack Driver”?
(A) a, b
(B) b, c
(C) c, d
(D) a, d
Answer: C
12. Chronologically arrange the incidents from the story ‘The hack driver’ and choose the order of events from the options given. {Cachar}
(A) The Hack Driver took the lawyer to all those places where lutkins could be found.
(B) The Hack Driver introduced himself as Bill.
(C) The Hack Driver assured lawyer that they would together search Lutkins.
(D) The Hack Driver befoolded the lawyer.
13. Match column ‘A’ with column ‘B’ and choose the correct option. {Cachar}
Column ‘A’
Fowler
Horace Danby
Griffin
Oliver Lutkins
Column ‘B’
(i) Book lover
(ii) Scientist
(iii) Hack driver
(iv) Writer
(A) 1-iv, 2-i, 3-ii, 4-iii
(B) 1-i, 2-ii, 3-iii, 4-iv
(C) 1-iv, 2-iii, 3-i, 4-ii
(D) 1-ii, 2-iv, 3-i, 4-iii
Answer: A
14. The law firm that the narrator of the chapter ‘The Hack Driver’ joined was– {Charaideo}
(A) Splendid
(B) Philanthropic
(C) Reputable
(D) Contemporary
Answer: C
15. Who was playing the role of hack driver? {Charaideo}
(A) Gustaff
(B) Fritz
(C) Bill
(D) Oliver Lutkins
Answer: D
16. How much money did the Hack driver’s wife charge for providing lunch to the lawyer? {Charaideo}
(A) A dollar
(B) Half a dollar
(C) A pound
(D) Half a pound
Answer: B
17. After doing graduation with honours, what job did the narrator get? {Darrang}
(A) Hack driver at New Mullion
(B) lawyer at New Mullion
(C) Junior assistant clerk at a law firm
(D) Prepare legal briefs
Answer: C
18. “Bill seemed to _______ Lutkins’ talent for dishonesty” {Darrang}
(A) dislike
(B) admire
(C) criticise
(D) hate
Answer: B
19. The Hack driver–Bill took the young lawyer from one place to another in his hack ______ the correct chronological order of the places from beginning to end is {Dhubri}
(A) Gray’s shop, Fritz’s shop, Gustaff’s shop, poolroom, Wade’s hill
(B) Fritz’s shop, Gustaff’s shop, Gray’s shop, Wade’s hill, poolroom
(C) Fritz’s shop, Gustaff’s shop, Gray’s shop, poolroom, Wade’s hill
(D) Fritz’s shop, Gray’s shop, Gustaff’s shop, poolroom, Wade’s hills
Answer: C
20. Read the following statements with reference to “The Hack Driver” and choose the correct option. {Golaghat}
Statement 1: New Mullion was a beautiful town.
Statement 2: Oliver Lutkins was a con man.
(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 2are false.
Answer: B
21. Choose the correct option that represents the order in which the Hack Driver took the young lawyer apparently to find Lutkins at different places. {Golaghat}
(A) Gray, Fritz, Gustaff, Oliver’s Mother
(B) Gustaff, Gray, Fritz, Oliver’s Mother
(C) Fritz, Gray, Gustaff, Oliver’s Mother
(D) Fritz, Gustaff, Gray, Oliver’s Mother
Answer: D
22. Why do you think the young lawyer from the law firm rejoiced on receiving orders to go to New Mullion? {Golaghat}
(A) Because he was eager to meet Oliver.
(B) Because he hated the dark ways of the city.
(C) Because he loved visiting different places.
(D) Because he would be able to make some profit.
Answer: B
23. Read the following statements with reference to “The Hack Driver” and choose the correct option: {Hojai}
Statement-I: Oliver Lutkins was an expert in giving witness in law cases.
Statement-II: He was wanted to serve as a witness.
(A) Statement-I is true and Statement-II is false.
(B) Statement-I is false and Statement-II is true.
(C) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are true.
(D) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are false.
Answer: B
24. Oliver Lutkins laughed at the young lawyer because – {Hojai}
(A) Lutkins found the young lawyer funny.
(B) Lutkins understood that the young lawyer did not understand his trick.
(C) Lutkins was a humorous fellow.
(D) Lutkins found himself in a group of tricksters who were sharing jokes.
Answer: B
25. Arrange the following events from the story “The Hack Driver” by Sinclair Lewis in the correct sequence. {Jorhat}
i) The lawyer was sent to New Mullion to serve a summons on Oliver Lutkins
ii) The hack driver took the lawyer to Fritz’s Jorhatshop
iii) The hack driver took the lawyer to Oliver Lutkins’s mother
iv) The hack driver and the lawyer drove to Gustaff’s barber shop
(A) ii, iii, iv, i
(B) i, iii, ii, iv
(C) i, ii, iv, iii
(D) i, iv, ii, iii
Answer: C
26. “I had to go to dirty and shadowy corners of the city to seek out my victims. Some of the larger and more self-confident ones even beat me up.” What was the nature of the narrator’s job? {Jorhat}
(A) To prepare legal briefs.
(B) To meet new clients only.
(C) To serve summons on people.
(D) To take money from criminals
Answer: C
27. What did Oliver’s mother have in her hand while she ran after them? (The Hack Driver) {Kamrup M}
(A) an iron rod
(B) a knife
(C) a pistol
(D) all of the above.
Answer: A
28. How much money did the lawyer bargained an hour to the hack driver, in the story, “The Hack Driver”? {Kamrup M}
(A) 50 cents
(B) 2 dollars
(C) 5 dollars
(D) 6 dollars
Answer: B
29. Oliver Lutkins laughed at the young lawyer because— {Kokrajhar}
(A) Lutkins found the young lawyer funny
(B) Lutkins understood that the young lawyer did not understand his trick.
(C) Lutkins was a humourous fellow.
(D) Lutkins found himself in a group of tricksters who were sharing jokes.
Answer: B
30. Lutkins misled the narrator by taking him from place to place in ______ City (Hint: The hack driver) {Lakhimpur}
(A) New Mullion
(B) Moffatt’s Court
(C) Fort Smith
(D) Riverside
Answer: A
31. Bill seemed to ______ Lutkins’ talent for dishonesty. {Udalguri}
(A) dislike
(B) admire
(C) be afraid
(D) disapprove
Answer: B
32. The narrator was sent to New Mullion to serve as a summon on: {Udalguri}
(A) Fritz
(B) Gustaff
(C) Oliver Lutkins
(D) Oliver’s mother
Answer: C
33. Where did the lawyer and the hack driver first go in search of Lutkins. {Tamulpur}
(A) Gustaff’s barber shop
(B) Gray’s barber shop
(C) Fritz’s shop
(D) The poolroom.
Answer: C
34. Where did Bill take the young lawyer at the end of the day in search of Lutkins? {Tamulpur}
(A) To the Gustaff’s barber shop
(B) To Gray’s barber shop
(C) To Lutkins’ mother’s farm
(D) To the pool room
Answer: C
35. What did Oliver’s mother have in her hand which she ran after then. {Tamulpur}
(A) A krief
(B) An iron rod
(C) A pistol
(D) A branch of a tree
Answer: B
36. Who was Oliver Lutkins? {SSM}
(A) Fritz
(B) Gustaff
(C) Gray
(D) Bill.
Answer: D
37. The Hack driver called himself Bill because he wanted to ____ {Sribhumi}
(A) show honesty
(B) hide his real identity.
(C) introduce himself formally.
(D) get directions.
Answer: B
38. Repeated detours and enquiries by the Hack driver suggest he was ____. {Sribhumi}
(A) careless and forgetful.
(B) leading the lawyer away deliberately.
(C) looking for a lost item.
(D) trying to save time.
Answer: B
39. Read the following statement with reference to “Hack Driver” and choose the correct option. {Sribhumi}
Statement 1: The hack driver’s name was Bill.
Statement 2: The lawyer found Lutkins on the first day.
(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
40. Where did the Hack driver take the narratar first of all ? {Sonitpur}
(A) Gustaff’s shop
(B) Fritz’s shop
(C) Gray’s shop
(D) Oliver’s mother’s farm house
Answer: B
41. What does the narrator’s behaviour show about his nature? {Nalbari}
(A) He is clever and alert
(B) He is proud and rude
(C) He is innocent and trust people easily
(D) He is lazy and careless
Answer: C
42. The word “summons” in the lesson, ‘The Hack Driver’ means: {Nalbari}
(A) Invitation
(B) Order to appear before a court
(C) Request
(D) Suggestion
Answer: B
43. To whom did the young lawyer in the story ‘The Hack Driver’ ordered to serve a summons? {Nalbari}
(A) Fritz
(B) Oliver Lutkins
(C) Gustaff
(D) Gray
Answer: B
44. What did the hack driver (Bill) tell the narrator (the lawyer) about Lutkin’s mother? {Nalbari}
(A) She was a terror, nine feet tall and quick as a cat.
(B) She was a kind old lady.
(C) She never left her house.
(D) She was a law abiding woman.
Answer: A
45. What happens when the narrator revisits New Mullion? {Nalbari}
(A) The hack driver refuses to help
(B) Lutkins is absent again
(C) The narrator discovers that the hack driver is Lutkins himself
(D) The narrator arrests Lutkins
Answer: C
46. To whom did the young lawyer in the story ‘The Hack Driver’ ordered to serve a summons? {Morigaon}
(A) Fritz
(B) Oliver Lutkins
(C) Gustaff
(D) Gray
Answer: B
47. What did the hack driver (Bill) tell the narrator (the lawyer) about Lutkin’s mother? {Morigaon}
(A) She was a terror, nine feet tall and quick as a cat.
(B) She was a kind old lady.
(C) She never left her house.
(D) She was a law abiding woman.
Answer: A
48. “I know Oliver’s mother. She’s a terror.” Bill sighed. What does this explanation imply? ( Hint: The Hack Driver) {Majuli}
(A) Lutkins mother was dangerous and easily angered.
(B) She was refusing to let Lutkins inside.
(C) She needed help with household work.
(D) Bill was afraid she would recognise the narrator.
Answer: A
50 Most Important Model MCQs for HSLC 2027
1. After graduating with honours, what specific job did the narrator secure in the city?
(A) A senior lawyer
(B) A junior assistant clerk in a magnificent law firm
(C) A private detective
(D) A legal advisor to a bank
Answer: B
2. What did the narrator ideally want to do at the law firm instead of his actual assigned job?
(A) Interrogate criminals
(B) Prepare legal briefs
(C) Argue cases in the courtroom
(D) Collect debts from clients
Answer: B
3. How did the hack driver initially describe his own physical appearance and demeanor when the lawyer met him?
(A) Red-faced, cheerful, and thick about the middle
(B) Tall, slender, and highly professional
(C) Old, gray-haired, and grumpy
(D) Thin, pale, and constantly coughing
Answer: A
4. What was the hack driver wearing when the narrator first encountered him at the station?
(A) A neat, black tuxedo
(B) A police uniform
(C) Dirty and worn working clothes
(D) A long winter overcoat
Answer: C
5. What specific business name did the hack driver claim to own?
(A) Bill’s Country Cabs and Tours
(B) William Magnuson Fancy Carting and Hacking
(C) New Mullion Transport Services
(D) Oliver’s Carriage and Hack
Answer: B
6. Why did Bill suggest that he should be the one to go into Fritz’s shop first to ask about Lutkins?
(A) Because he knew the secret password to enter the shop.
(B) Because he claimed the narrator’s fancy clothes would make Lutkins suspicious and run away.
(C) Because Fritz owed Bill money.
(D) Because the narrator was too tired to walk.
Answer: B
7. According to Bill, what game was Oliver Lutkins allegedly very fond of playing?
(A) Chess
(B) Billiards
(C) Poker
(D) Blackjack
Answer: C
8. What reason did Gustaff the barber give for being angry when asked about Oliver Lutkins?
(A) Lutkins had stolen his scissors.
(B) Lutkins had insulted his shop.
(C) Lutkins owed him fifty cents and hadn’t paid him.
(D) Lutkins had broken his front window.
Answer: C
9. When they reached Gray’s barber shop, how closely did they miss Lutkins according to the information given?
(A) By only five minutes
(B) By an hour
(C) By half a day
(D) He had never been there
Answer: A
10. What did the narrator and Bill find out when they visited the poolroom?
(A) Lutkins was hiding in the back room.
(B) Lutkins had just bought a pack of cigarettes and gone out.
(C) Lutkins was playing a high-stakes game of pool.
(D) The poolroom was closed for the day.
Answer: B
11. Why did Bill advise the narrator against eating lunch at one of the village restaurants?
(A) They were closed for a local holiday.
(B) He said there were only four of them and they were all bad.
(C) They did not serve vegetarian food.
(D) The restaurant owners hated people from the city.
Answer: B
12. Who prepared the lunch that the narrator and Bill ate on Wade’s Hill?
(A) The local baker
(B) Bill’s wife
(C) Lutkins’ mother
(D) Fritz
Answer: B
13. In what kind of packaging was the lunch brought to Wade’s Hill?
(A) A neat wooden basket
(B) A shiny metal lunchbox
(C) A greasy paper
(D) A plastic container
Answer: C
14. While gossiping on the hill, who did Bill mention as the person who sang the loudest in church when she was most in debt?
(A) The mayor’s daughter
(B) The minister’s wife
(C) Lutkins’ mother
(D) The school teacher
Answer: B
15. Bill commented on a local lawyer whose wife could never succeed in making him do what?
(A) Stop playing poker
(B) Wear both a collar and a tie on the same day
(C) Earn enough money to feed his family
(D) Buy a new hack carriage
Answer: B
16. How did the narrator feel about Bill’s extensive gossip regarding the townspeople?
(A) He found it extremely boring and asked him to stop.
(B) He felt he knew New Mullion better than he knew the city and loved it.
(C) He realized Bill was lying about everything.
(D) He felt disgusted by the town’s lack of privacy.
Answer: B
17. What did the narrator consider doing after experiencing the peacefulness of New Mullion?
(A) Retiring and buying a farm
(B) Settling down there to practice law instead of returning to the city
(C) Arresting all the corrupt townspeople
(D) Writing a book about Bill
Answer: B
18. According to Bill, how tall was Oliver Lutkins’ mother?
(A) Five feet
(B) Seven feet
(C) Nine feet
(D) Ten feet
Answer: C
19. What physical attribute did Bill use to describe how fast Lutkins’ mother was?
(A) Quick as a fox
(B) Quick as a cat
(C) Fast as lightning
(D) Fast as a horse
Answer: B
20. What weapon did Lutkins’ mother grab to threaten the narrator and Bill?
(A) A heavy wooden stick
(B) A loaded shotgun
(C) An iron from the old-fashioned stove
(D) A sharp kitchen knife
Answer:
21. What did Lutkins’ mother threaten to do to them if they searched her house?
(A) Call the village police
(B) Burn them
(C) Feed them to the dogs
(D) Lock them in the barn
Answer: B
22. Despite retreating from the angry mother, where did the narrator and Bill manage to peer into during their search?
(A) The basement
(B) The windows of the house, the barn, and the stable
(C) The attic
(D) The underground cellar
Answer: B
23. How did the narrator justify paying Bill for six hours of his time, including the lunch hour?
(A) He was incredibly rich and didn’t care about money.
(B) He billed all the expenses to his law firm.
(C) He lost a bet to Bill.
(D) Bill forced him to pay at gunpoint.
Answer: B
24. When the narrator returned to the city without serving the summons, what was his Chief’s reaction?
(A) He laughed it off as a simple mistake.
(B) He praised the narrator for trying his best.
(C) He was furious and hinted that the narrator might do well at digging ditches.
(D) He immediately fired the narrator without pay.
Answer: C
25. Who was sent with the narrator on his second trip to New Mullion?
(A) A police officer
(B) The Chief of the law firm
(C) A man who had worked with Lutkins previously
(D) Another junior assistant clerk
Answer: C
26. When the narrator arrived at the station on the second day, what was “Bill” doing?
(A) He was hiding behind the carriage.
(B) He was arguing with Gustaff the barber.
(C) He was talking and laughing fiercely with Lutkins’ mother.
(D) He was waiting for new passengers.
Answer: C
27. What did the narrator proudly tell his companion when he pointed at Bill?
(A) “That man owes me money.”
(B) “There’s a fine fellow, a real man; I spent the day with him.”
(C) “That is the worst driver in New Mullion.”
(D) “That man helped me arrest a criminal yesterday.”
Answer: B
28. Where did the lawyer go after lunch?
(A) Gray’s barber shop
(B) Gustaff’s barber shop
(C) Poolroom
(D) Oliver ‘s mother ‘s farm
Answer: D
29. Who accompanied the lawyer in his second trip to New Mullions?
(A) His boss
(B) a man who knew Lutkins
(C) his friend
(D) Bill Magnuson
Answer: B
30. It is a card game in which bluff is used as players bet on the value of their cards.
(Hint: The Hack Driver)
(A) Rummy
(B) Poker
(C) Bridge
!D) Solitaire
Answer: B
31. Why was the narrator ordered back to New Mullion once again?
(A) to arrest Lutkins
(B) to served the summons
(C) to live permanently
(D) to meet Gustafa
Answer: B
32. Who accompanied the lawyer on his second trip to New Müllion?
(A) his boss
(B) a man who knew Lutkins
(C) his friend
(D) Bilt Magnuson
Answer: B
33. Statement 1: The hack driver was Oliver Lutkins in disguise.
Statement 2: The young lawyer was deceided by a person named Bill.
(A) Statement I is true but statement 2 is false.
(B) Statement 1 is false but statement 2 is true.
(C) Both Statement 1 and 2 are false.
(D) Both Statement 1 and 2 are true.
Answer: D
34. (Hint: The Hack Driver)
Statement 1: The Hack Driver was called Bill or Magnuson.
Statement 2: Bill and Oliver Lutkins were the same person.
(A) Statement 1 is true and statement 2 is false
(B) Statement 1 is false and statement 2 is true
(C) Statement 1 and statement 2 are true
(D) Both Statement 1 and statement 2 are false
Answer: B
35. What is the supreme irony of the narrator paying Bill for his hacking services?
(A) The narrator paid with fake currency.
(B) Bill refused to take the money.
(C) The narrator unknowingly paid the exact man he was hunting to help him not find himself.
(D) The narrator accidentally paid him double.
Answer: C
36. Assertion (A): The narrator readily agreed to let Bill go into the shops first to ask about Lutkins.
Reason (R): Bill convinced the narrator that his fancy city clothes would make Lutkins suspicious and cause him to run away.
(A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(B) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(C) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(D) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
Answer: A
37. Assertion (A): The young lawyer hated his initial job at the law firm in the city.
Reason (R): He was assigned to prepare complex legal briefs inside a small, dark office instead of doing active fieldwork.
(A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(B) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(C) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(D) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
Answer: C
38. Assertion (A): The narrator did not mind paying the hack driver for his time, even during their lunch break.
Reason (R): The narrator planned to quietly charge all the expenses back to his law firm anyway.
(A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(B) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(C) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(D) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
Answer: A
39. Assertion (A): Oliver Lutkins’ mother chased the lawyer and the hack driver out of the farmhouse with a loaded shotgun.
Reason (R): She was extremely protective of her son and wanted to scare away the legal authorities.
(A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(B) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(C) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(D) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
Answer: D
40. Assertion (A): The narrator seriously considered leaving his job in the city to settle down and practice law in New Mullion.
Reason (R): He was deeply charmed by Bill’s stories and the apparent simplicity, warmth, and friendly philosophy of the village people.
(A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(B) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(C) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(D) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
Answer: A
41. Assertion (A): Gustaff the barber was furious and uncooperative when asked about Oliver Lutkins.
Reason (R): Lutkins owed Gustaff fifty cents for a haircut and had failed to pay his debt.
(A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(B) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(C) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(D) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
Answer: A
42. Assertion (A): The Chief of the law firm praised the young lawyer for trying his best to find Lutkins in New Mullion.
Reason (R): The summons was successfully served on the very first day.
(A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(B) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(C) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(D) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are false.
Answer: D
43. Assertion (A): The companion sent with the lawyer on the second trip immediately recognized the hack driver as Oliver Lutkins.
Reason (R): The companion had worked with Lutkins previously and knew exactly what his face looked like.
(A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(B) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(C) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(D) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
Answer: A
44. Assertion (A): The narrator was heartbroken and felt deeply betrayed when he discovered the truth about the hack driver.
Reason (R): He had formed a genuine, warm affection for Bill and trusted his rustic wisdom completely.
(A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(B) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(C) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(D) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
Answer: A
45. Assertion (A): Lutkins and his mother angrily attacked the narrator when he finally served the summons at the train station.
Reason (R): They were terrified of the legal consequences and didn’t want to go to court.
(A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(B) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(C) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(D) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are false.
Answer: D
46. How does Sinclair Lewis use the character of Bill to brilliantly subvert the “simple country folk” literary stereotype?
(A) By making Bill completely uneducated and unable to speak properly.
(B) By showing that Bill’s apparent “rustic simplicity” is actually a highly sophisticated, improvisational mask used to effortlessly outsmart an educated city lawyer.
(C) By making Bill the wealthiest man in the village.
(D) By proving that country people are inherently violent.
Answer: B
47. What psychological function does the Wade’s Hill lunch scene primarily serve in Lutkins’ grand deception?
(A) It proves to the narrator that village food is better than city food.
(B) It solidifies the narrator’s emotional trust by creating a false sense of intimacy, shared philosophy, and isolation from the “dirty city.”
(C) It allows Lutkins to steal the narrator’s wallet.
(D) It gives Lutkins a chance to run away down the hill.
Answer: B
48. What is the thematic significance of the narrator’s formal education (graduating with honours) being heavily emphasized at the beginning of the story?
(A) It proves that only educated people can become lawyers.
(B) It serves to establish a sharp, ironic contrast, demonstrating that academic intelligence does not equate to street smarts, common sense, or practical wisdom.
(C) It explains why the narrator was so good at finding clues.
(D) It shows that the law firm only hired the best detectives.
Answer: B
49. How does Lutkins’ brilliant use of the “chase” narrative directly benefit him logistically throughout the day?
(A) It forces the narrator to do all the physical running.
(B) By physically leading the pursuit, Lutkins dictates the pace, warns the townspeople in advance, prevents the narrator from asking questions independently, and earns an hourly wage while doing it.
(C) It allows Lutkins to hide in his own house the entire day.
(D) It helps Lutkins lose weight.
Answer: B
50. The final invitation to the neighbor’s house for coffee at the end of the story acts as what specific literary device?
(A) A tragic flaw
(B) Foreshadowing of a sequel
(C) The ultimate comedic degradation, reducing the formal legal authority figure into nothing more than an amusing local tourist attraction and village joke.
(D) A metaphor for the legal system.
Answer: C
SEBA HSLC Previous Year Questions (4 Marks)
1. “How did the hack driver sketch the character of Lutkins?” {2026}
2. They are about the only folks in the town that missed seeing you yesterday.” Who is the speaker? Who is “you” in the given sentence? What impression do you have about the speaker from the incidents that involved the person mentioned as ‘you’? {2025}
3. Narrate the young lawyer’s experience at Lutkin’s mother’s farm. {2024}
4. Describe, after the narrator in ‘The hack Driver’, the character of Bill.{2023}
5. Who is Bill? How did he befool the young lawyer? {2020}
6. Describe the first meeting between Bill and the young lawyer. {2019}
Common Pre-Board 3/4 Mark Questions (2025–26)
1. How did Lutkins play the trick on the lawyer? {Bajali}
2. Why was the young lawyer sent to New Mullion? What does his first think about the place? {Baksa}
3. How does the hack driver mislead the lawyer? What does this reveal about his character? {Barpeta} (2+2=4)
4. Why was the young lawyer sent to New Mullion? What did he first think about the place? Why was he sent back to New Mullion again? {Bongaigaon} (1+1+2=4)
5. The lawyer was befooled by the hackdriver. How? {Cachar}
6. In life, People who easily trust others are sometimes made to look foolish. One should not be too trusting. Describe how Oliver Lutkins made a fool of the young lawyer. {Charaideo}
7. Describe how the hack driver befooled the young lawyer. {Darrang}
8. While Bill and the young lawyer were sitting on the hilltop of Wade’s hill, the former described the latter a few things about New Million. Write in your own language what he described about New Mullion? {Dhubri}
9. Analyze the character of Bill, with reference to the story “The Hack Driver” {Golaghat}
10. Describe how the hack driver fooled the narrator throughout in the story “The Hack Driver” by Sinclair Lewis. {Hailakandi}
11. Narrate the young lawyer’s experience at Lutkins mother’s farm. {Hojai}
12. Why was the young lawyer sent to New Mullion? What did he experience at the end of the story The Hack Driver? {Jorhat}
13. Give a brief character sketch of Oliver Lutkins. (from the chapter “The Hack Driver”.) {Kamrup M}
14. Who was Bill? How did he befool the lawyer? How could he have avoided being befooled? {Kokrajhar}
15. Why did the narrator fail to recognise Lutkins when he met him in New Mullion despite spending a whole day with him earlier? {Lakhimpur}
16. Describe the character of Bill from the Hack Driver. {Udalguri}
17. Which were the places the narrator and the Hack driver visited to search for Lutkins {Tamulpur}
18. Intelligence or cleverness cannot be identified only on the basis of our work or profession but it comes from our inside_Explain it with reference to the chapter, “The Hack Driver”. {SSM}
19. Who is Bill? How did he befooled the lawyer? (Hint: The Hack Driver). {Sribhumi}
20. How did the hack driver befool the narrator. {Sonitpur}
21. Sketch the character of the hack driver. {Sibsagar}
22. Give a brief decription of the first meeting between the lawyer and Bill. {Nalbari}
23. Explain how did Bill help the young lawyer to find Lutkins. {Morigaon}
24. Describe how Bill and the narrator searched for Oliver Lutkins in different parts of the village. {Majuli}
