NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Footprints without Feet
Chapter 5 Footprints without Feet
Updated For 2024-2025
Exams
READ AND FIND OUT
Q1. How did the
invisible man first become visible?
Answer:
The invisible man, Griffin, first became visible when he stepped in mud,
leaving fresh muddy footprints behind him. This caught the attention of two
boys in London, who followed the footprints until they gradually disappeared.
Q2. Why was he
wandering the streets?
Answer:
Griffin was wandering the streets because he had become invisible after an
experiment and had to remove his clothes to remain unseen. After setting fire
to his landlord’s house in revenge, he became a homeless wanderer, without
clothes or money, and was trying to escape unnoticed.
READ AND FIND OUT
Q3. Why does
Mrs Hall find the scientist eccentric?
Answer:
Mrs. Hall finds the scientist, Griffin, eccentric because of his strange
behavior. He preferred to stay alone, avoided talking to people, and did not
want to be disturbed. He also kept his face covered with bandages and refused
to interact socially, leading her to believe he was a peculiar man.
Q4. What
curious episode occurs in the study?
Answer:
A curious episode occurs when a clergyman and his wife hear noises in their
study early in the morning. When they check, they find that their desk has been
opened and money has been stolen, but the room is completely empty. There is no
sign of anyone being present, which leaves them baffled.
Q5. What other
extraordinary things happen at the inn?
Answer:
At the inn, Mrs. Hall and her husband are shocked when they witness the
furniture in the scientist’s room come to life. A hat flies off a bedpost and a
chair seems to push them out of the room by itself. They are terrified by these
supernatural occurrences and believe that the room is haunted.
THINK ABOUT IT
Q1. “Griffin
was rather a lawless person.” Comment.
Answer:
Griffin can be described as a lawless person because he uses his scientific
discovery for selfish and illegal purposes. He sets fire to his landlord’s
house, steals money and clothes, and assaults people to escape without being
caught. Instead of using his scientific invention for the betterment of
society, he misuses it for personal gain, demonstrating his lack of respect for
the law.
Q2. How would
you assess Griffin as a scientist?
Answer:
Griffin was a brilliant scientist, as he successfully discovered a way to make
himself invisible. However, his lack of ethics and moral responsibility
overshadowed his scientific achievements. Instead of using his discovery for
good, he became a criminal, using his invisibility to commit theft and
violence. Therefore, while his scientific abilities were impressive, his
actions reflect poor judgment and a disregard for the well-being of others.
THINK ABOUT IT
Q1. Would you
like to become invisible? What advantages and disadvantages do you foresee if
you did?
Answer:
Becoming invisible might seem exciting because it could offer certain
advantages, like moving around unnoticed, avoiding dangerous situations, or
gathering information secretly. However, the disadvantages would outweigh the
benefits. Being invisible could lead to isolation and loneliness, as people
wouldn’t see or interact with you. It might also be difficult to lead a normal
life, as you couldn’t be seen in social settings, and it could create ethical
dilemmas about using invisibility for personal gain, similar to Griffin’s
misuse of the power.
Q2. Are there
forces around us that are invisible, for example, magnetism? Are there aspects
of matter that are ‘invisible’ or not visible to the naked eye? What would the
world be like if you could see such forces or aspects of matter?
Answer:
Yes, there are invisible forces around us, such as magnetism, gravity, and air.
There are also aspects of matter that are invisible to the naked eye, such as
atoms, microorganisms, and ultraviolet light. If we could see these forces or
invisible aspects of matter, the world would look very different. For instance,
we might see the constant pull of gravity or the interactions between magnetic
fields, and the microscopic organisms around us would be visible. While it
could offer new perspectives, it might also be overwhelming to constantly
perceive these forces.
Q3. What makes
glass or water transparent (what is the scientific explanation for this)? Do
you think it would be scientifically possible for a man to become invisible, or
transparent?
Answer:
Glass and water are transparent because their molecules do not absorb or
scatter visible light, allowing light to pass through them without being
significantly obstructed. The transparency of these materials depends on the
arrangement of their molecules and the wavelength of light. As for a person
becoming invisible, it is scientifically unlikely. A human body is made up of
complex tissues, which absorb and scatter light. For someone to become
invisible like Griffin, the entire body would need to become transparent, which
would require altering the fundamental properties of the tissues—something that
is beyond current scientific capabilities. While science fiction explores such
ideas, it remains a distant possibility in real life.