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प्रश्न
The unexpected presence of a criminal wielding a gun triggers different reactions in the two men who entered the room. In this light, discuss the appropriacy of the title.
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उत्तर
A visitor usually comes during the wakeful hours. Nocturnal visitors are usually thieves. They don’t inform one in advance because the purpose of their visit is never noble enough to inform in advance. People involved in shady businesses only choose midnight to break into someone’s house. In this story, a spy is after an important report about missiles, a secretly guarded report, which is expected to be delivered to the private detective Ausable at 12.30 am. The spy gets the secret information from his trusted connections. So, he arrives earlier than Ausable and sneaks into his room using a passkey. The spy is brandishing his pistol to coerce the private detective to pass on the report as and when it arrives. Ausable outsmarts him by cooking up a story about a non-existent balcony beneath his window which extends from the neighboring apartment. He connects brilliantly the knock of Henry the waiter to that of police who might fire at Max as he is armed. So, the title of the story, “The Midnight Visitor” is very pertinent.
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संबंधित प्रश्न
What is the importance of Aksionov’s wife’s dream?
What was Aksionov’s realization by the end of the story?
Using the mind map given below, write a brief summary of the story in your own words.

What was Pi's reaction when he discovered drinking water?
How did Pi reunite with this family?
Did Pi want Richard Parker to die? Answer, giving reasons.
We judge people around us, based on their qualities and actions. We brand some people as good and some bad. What qualities, do you think, characterise a gentleman? Some of them may be merely external and some others internal

How is Martha’s strong conviction in Baldwin’s integrity revealed?
John feels Gresham deserves punishment. Why?
What was Baldwin’s advice to Gresham?
What was Mr. Marshall’s offer to Baldwin?
Trace the bond of friendship between Baldwin and Gresham. Explain why Baldwin wished to attribute some credit to his friend.
Now match the idioms under column A with their meanings in column B:
| A. IDIOMS | B. MEANINGS |
| save one’s skin | a sudden unexpected event or news |
| make both ends meet | to be the most powerful |
| a bolt out of a clear sky | viewed with suspicion and distrust |
| go to grave | to protect oneself from difficulty |
| have the whip hand | manage one’s expenses within one’s income |
| under a cloud | to exit the world |
Let us try to picturise people in a few interesting professions (based on common perception there can be exceptions).
How had Max actually entered the room?
Why was Fowler initially disillusioned with Ausable?
How, according to Ausable, had Max entered the room?
Was Ausable really waiting for the police? Give reasons.
Describe the significance of the balcony.
What makes the earth the one and only living planet?
Name a few things that make the earth a unique planet.

Who is Margot? How is she different from the rest of the children?
Find out and encircle the following words in the word grid. (The words have been placed horizontally, vertically, diagonally and even back to front)
| fades | predict | discriminate | locks | reminded |
| experience | anticipated | unlock | recalls |

Now read the sentence below. Complete them appropriately with the word you identified from the grid.
The scientists______ that the Sun would come out on Venus that day after seven years.
Now read the sentence below. Complete them appropriately with the word you identified from the grid.
William and other children have bullied her and ______her in a closet.
How did Roger react to Lord Weston’s advice?
Why was the speaker keen to know what day it was?
What was the truth about the crumpled piece of paper?
