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Q1. Why were the two boys surprised at the beginning of the story?
Answer: A — The boys followed muddy footprints that appeared from nowhere, indicating an invisible barefooted person walking on the steps.
Q2. What is the 'simple explanation' for the mystery of the footprints?
Answer: B — Griffin, a scientist, had conducted experiments to make the human body transparent and invisible by swallowing rare drugs.
Q3. Why did Griffin set fire to his landlord's house?
Answer: C — The text states that Griffin's landlord disliked him and tried to eject him, so Griffin set fire to the house as revenge.
Q4. What forced Griffin to remove his clothes in London?
Answer: B — To get away from the boys without being detected, Griffin had to remove his clothes because his invisible body could be seen when clothed.
Q5. Why did Griffin choose to enter a London store at closing time?
Answer: B — Being invisible, naked, and cold in mid-winter, Griffin decided to slip into a store for warmth and stole clothes and food without paying.
Q6. What mistake did Griffin make at the London store?
Answer: B — The text states that Griffin did not wake up until assistants were arriving, forcing him to panic and escape by removing his newly-found clothes.
Q7. Why did Griffin visit Drury Lane, the theatre centre?
Answer: B — Griffin hoped theatrical shops would provide not only clothes but also items like bandages, glasses, and false features to hide his invisible, headless form.
Q8. What reason did Griffin give Mrs Hall for his strange appearance and behaviour?
Answer: C — Griffin told Mrs Hall that an accident had affected his face and he desired solitude for his work to avoid suspicion about his true nature.
Q9. Which of the following best explains why Mrs Hall's furniture appeared to attack her?
Answer: C — Although Mrs Hall feared witchcraft and haunting, the furniture actually moved because the invisible Griffin manipulated it to drive her out of his room.
Q10. What did Griffin do to finally reveal his invisibility to the people at the inn?
Answer: B — In a moment of rage at Mrs Hall's questioning, Griffin threw off all his disguise items in one minute, shocking everyone with his headless form.
How did Griffin become invisible?
He swallowed certain rare drugs that made his human body transparent as glass while remaining solid.
Why did the boys see footprints on London steps?
Griffin stepped in mud while invisible, leaving muddy footprints that revealed his invisible presence.
Why did Griffin burn his landlord's house?
His landlord tried to eject him, so Griffin set fire to the house in revenge.
What problem did Griffin face in mid-winter London?
He was invisible and naked in freezing air, so he needed clothes urgently to survive.
How did Griffin make himself visible in the London store?
He dressed himself with warm clothes, shoes, overcoat, and a wide-brimmed hat from the store.
Why did Griffin go to Drury Lane?
He hoped to find theatrical costumes that would hide the empty space above his shoulders and keep him warm.
What did Griffin tell Mrs Hall about his appearance?
He claimed an accident had affected his face and he needed solitude for his work.
What curious incident happened at the clergyman's house?
Money was stolen from the clergyman's desk by an invisible person, but no one was seen in the room.
What happened when Mrs Hall entered Griffin's room?
His hat flew at her face and the chair attacked her and her husband, pushing them out of the room.
How did Griffin reveal his invisibility to the people at the inn?
He removed his bandages, spectacles, false nose, and whiskers to reveal his headless appearance to everyone.
Based on the extract, how did Griffin's invisibility first become visible? Explain the chain of events that led to his discovery. [2 marks]
Trace the sequence: invisibility creation (rare drugs) → escape from landlord (fire and removing clothes) → footprints in mud (discovery by boys). Keep answer to two causes and their effects.
Why do you think Griffin's brilliant scientific mind did not prevent him from committing crimes like theft and violence? Explain with evidence from the text. [3 marks]
Note his 'lawless person' nature, desperation for clothes/money in winter, and lack of moral responsibility. Explain how invisibility removed social accountability and enabled criminal behavior despite his intelligence.
Describe the incident at the inn that most effectively revealed Griffin's true nature to the villagers. What does this incident suggest about the dangers of unchecked power and invisibility? [5 marks]
Discuss the furniture attack (hat, chair), theft from clergyman's desk, and final revelation scene. Analyze how invisibility freed him from social consequences, how desperation turned him criminal, and how even brilliant minds can misuse power without moral restraint or social accountability. Connect to the broader theme of science used harmfully.
Q1. Assertion (A):
Griffin discovered how to make the human body transparent through scientific experimentation with rare drugs.
Reason (R):
The transparency of the human body is a common occurrence in nature and can be easily achieved through simple chemical processes.
Answer: C — A is true but R is false — The assertion is true—the passage confirms Griffin 'swallowed certain rare drugs and his body became as transparent as a sheet of glass.' However, the reason is false. The passage indicates this was a difficult scientific achievement through 'experiment after experiment,' not a simple or common occurrence. The reason contradicts the extraordinary nature of Griffin's discovery.
Q2. Assertion (A):
Griffin became a homeless wanderer because his landlord tried to eject him from his residence.
Reason (R):
In revenge for his eviction, Griffin set fire to the house and had to remove his clothes to escape invisibly, making him homeless and unclothed.
Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why Griffin became homeless. The passage states: 'His landlord disliked him and tried to eject him. In revenge Griffin set fire to the house. To get away without being seen he had to remove his clothes.' The cause-and-effect chain is clearly established, with the reason providing the exact explanation for the assertion.
Q3. Assertion (A):
Griffin's choice of mid-winter to wander London invisibly without clothes proved to be a serious mistake.
Reason (R):
The mid-winter weather in London is warm and pleasant, making it ideal for travel without clothing.
Answer: C — A is true but R is false — The assertion is true—the passage states 'He had chosen a bad time of the year to wander about London without clothes. It was mid-winter. The air was bitterly cold and he could not do without clothes.' However, the reason is completely false. The reason claims winter is warm and pleasant, which contradicts the passage's clear description of 'bitterly cold' conditions. Therefore, the assertion is correct but the reason is incorrect.
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Case Study:
A scientific research team at a prestigious university has discovered a chemical compound that can temporarily render organic matter transparent while maintaining its solid structure. The lead researcher, Dr. Sharma, successfully tested the compound on laboratory samples and is now considering human trials. However, the university ethics committee has raised concerns about potential misuse of such technology. They worry that if the technique were perfected, individuals with ill intentions could use invisibility for criminal activities such as theft, burglary, and assault. The committee must balance scientific progress with public safety and ethical responsibility.
Q1. Based on Griffin's behavior in the passage 'Footprints without Feet,' what ethical concern would the university committee most likely have about Dr. Sharma's discovery?
Answer: B
Q2. How does Griffin's situation after becoming invisible mirror the potential risks identified by the university ethics committee?
Answer: C
Q3. What safeguard might the university committee implement based on Griffin's lawless actions, to prevent misuse of the invisibility technology?
Answer: C
Q4. Which aspect of Griffin's character from the passage best illustrates why Dr. Sharma's research poses a genuine danger to society?
Answer: B
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Real CBSE board exam questions from past papers — free to attempt.
CBSE 2026 · Set 31/2/1 · 3 marks
How do Griffin's attributes as a great scientist fade before his darker traits?
CBSE 2026 · Set 31/1/1 · 3 marks
Why does Griffin, despite his scientific genius, end up leading a destructive life?
CBSE 2026 · Set 31/2/1 · 6 marks
The Martians, despite their advanced technology, are outsmarted by their own ignorance and an old book of rhymes. Comment with reference to 'The Book that Saved the Earth'.
CBSE 2025 · Set 31/1/1 · 3 marks
Discuss the character development of Griffin, as he grapples with the repercussions of his actions and attempts to navigate a world, where his once extraordinary abilities have become a burden.
CBSE 2025 · Set 31/1/3 · 3 marks
Today reading books is on the decline because of the prevalence of electronic media. Contrarily, earth is saved by a 'Book' in the chapter 'The Book That Saved the Earth'. Elaborate.
CBSE 2025 · Set 31/2/2 · 6 marks
"Brilliant scientist though he was, Griffin was rather a lawless person." Elaborate.
CBSE 2024 · Set 31/4/1 · 1 mark
State any one inference about Griffin from the given context: 'My reason for coming to Iping is a desire for solitude. I do not wish to be disturbed in my work. Besides, an accident has affected my face.'
CBSE 2024 · Set 31/4/1 · 1 mark
State True or False: Even though Mrs. Hall was satisfied with Griffin, she was skeptical to excuse his strange habits and irritable temper.
CBSE 2024 · Set 31/4/1 · 2 marks
It was not difficult for Griffin to convince the landlord and his wife about his strange appearance and eccentric behaviour. Elaborate in about 40 words with reference to the context.
CBSE 2024 · Set 31/4/1 · 1 mark
Which phrase would correctly substitute in the given sentence from the extract? 'A stranger of such uncommon appearance ______________.'
CBSE 2024 · Set 31/4/2 · 1 mark
The arrival of a stranger at an inn in winter was in any case an unusual event. A stranger of such uncommon appearance set all tongues wagging. Mrs. Hall, the landlord's wife, made every effort to be friendly. But Griffin had no desire to talk, and told her, 'My reason for coming to Iping is a desire for solitude. I do not wish to be disturbed in my work. Besides, an accident has affected my face.' Satisfied that her guest was an eccentric scientist, and in view of the fact that he had paid her in advance, Mrs. Hall was prepared to excuse his strange habits and irritable temper.
State any one inference about Griffin from the given context: My reason for coming to Iping is a desire for solitude. I do not wish to be disturbed in my work. Besides, an accident has affected my face
CBSE 2024 · Set 31/4/2 · 1 mark
The arrival of a stranger at an inn in winter was in any case an unusual event. A stranger of such uncommon appearance set all tongues wagging. Mrs. Hall, the landlord's wife, made every effort to be friendly. But Griffin had no desire to talk, and told her, 'My reason for coming to Iping is a desire for solitude. I do not wish to be disturbed in my work. Besides, an accident has affected my face.' Satisfied that her guest was an eccentric scientist, and in view of the fact that he had paid her in advance, Mrs. Hall was prepared to excuse his strange habits and irritable temper.
Which phrase would correctly substitute 'tongues' in the given sentence from the extract? A stranger of such uncommon appearance ____________.
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