Question Bank: An Angel in Disguise
Author: T. S. Arthur
I. Extract-Based Questions – 4 Scores Each
🔵 1.
“Intemperance, vice and intemperance had done their miserable work and the dead mother lay cold and still amid her wretched children.”
“Intemperance, vice and intemperance had done their miserable work and the dead mother lay cold and still amid her wretched children.”
(a) Where did the woman die? (1)
(b) How many children did she have? (1)
(c) What circumstances led to her death? (2)
🟣 2.
“This woman had been despised, scoffed at, and angrily denounced by nearly every man, woman, and child in the village.”
“This woman had been despised, scoffed at, and angrily denounced by nearly every man, woman, and child in the village.”
(a) Why had the villagers despised the woman? (1)
(b) What feeling replaced their anger after her death? (1)
(c) What does the change in their attitude reveal about human nature? (2)
🟢 3.
“But the children must not be left to starve.”
“But the children must not be left to starve.”
(a) Name the three children. (1)
(b) Who was the youngest among them? (1)
(c) What arrangements did the villagers make for the children? (2)
🟠 4.
“Two years ago, a fall from a window had injured her spine and she had not been able to leave her bed since.”
“Two years ago, a fall from a window had injured her spine and she had not been able to leave her bed since.”
(a) Who is referred to as “her”? (1)
(b) What happened to her two years earlier? (1)
(c) How had the accident affected her life? (2)
🔴 5.
“I could do much better, I know, but as no one seems inclined to take her, I must act from a sense of duty.”
“I could do much better, I know, but as no one seems inclined to take her, I must act from a sense of duty.”
(a) Who says these words? (1)
(b) Whom does the speaker agree to take? (1)
(c) What do these words reveal about the speaker’s motive? (2)
🟡 6.
“The sad eyes and patient face of the little one touched many hearts, but none wanted a bedridden child.”
“The sad eyes and patient face of the little one touched many hearts, but none wanted a bedridden child.”
(a) Who is the “little one”? (1)
(b) Why was she bedridden? (1)
(c) What contradiction in the villagers’ attitude is revealed here? (2)
🔵 7.
“Take her to the poorhouse. Nobody’s going to be bothered with her.”
“Take her to the poorhouse. Nobody’s going to be bothered with her.”
(a) Who is referred to as “her”? (1)
(b) Why did the villagers suggest sending her to the poorhouse? (1)
(c) What does this suggestion reveal about their attitude towards helpless people? (2)
🟣 8.
“Bid your sister goodbye,” and drew the tearful children apart even before their lips had touched in a sobbing farewell.
“Bid your sister goodbye,” and drew the tearful children apart even before their lips had touched in a sobbing farewell.
(a) Who says, “Bid your sister goodbye”? (1)
(b) Which two sisters are referred to? (1)
(c) Why were the children separated? (2)
🟢 9.
“O, Mr Thompson! Don’t leave me here all alone!”
“O, Mr Thompson! Don’t leave me here all alone!”
(a) Who makes this appeal? (1)
(b) Where had she been left alone? (1)
(c) What made her appeal deeply moving? (2)
🟠 10.
“Though rough in exterior, Joe Thompson, the wheelwright, had a heart, and it was very tender in some places.”
“Though rough in exterior, Joe Thompson, the wheelwright, had a heart, and it was very tender in some places.”
(a) What was Joe Thompson’s occupation? (1)
(b) What did he often do for the village children? (1)
(c) How did he prove that he possessed a tender heart? (2)
🔴 11.
“No, dear, you shan’t be left here alone.”
“No, dear, you shan’t be left here alone.”
(a) Who speaks these words? (1)
(b) To whom are they spoken? (1)
(c) What did the speaker do immediately afterwards? (2)
🟡 12.
“He bore a precious burden, and he felt it to be so.”
“He bore a precious burden, and he felt it to be so.”
(a) Who is “he”? (1)
(b) What was the “precious burden”? (1)
(c) Why did the burden become precious to him? (2)
🔵 13.
“What have you there?” questioned Mrs Thompson sharply.
“What have you there?” questioned Mrs Thompson sharply.
(a) What had Joe brought home? (1)
(b) How did Maggie react to the sharp voice? (1)
(c) Why did Joe respond only with a pleading and cautionary look? (2)
🟣 14.
“You haven’t brought home that sick brat!”
“You haven’t brought home that sick brat!”
(a) Who says these words? (1)
(b) What feelings are reflected in her voice? (1)
(c) Why did she strongly object to the child’s presence? (2)
🟢 15.
“I think women’s hearts are sometimes very hard.”
“I think women’s hearts are sometimes very hard.”
(a) Who makes this statement? (1)
(b) To whom is it addressed? (1)
(c) What prompted the speaker to make this observation? (2)
🟠 16.
“She can’t walk to the poorhouse. Somebody’s arms must carry her, and mine are strong enough for that task.”
“She can’t walk to the poorhouse. Somebody’s arms must carry her, and mine are strong enough for that task.”
(a) Who is “she”? (1)
(b) Why could she not walk? (1)
(c) What qualities of the speaker are revealed here? (2)
🔴 17.
“Now, it is a small thing for us to keep this poor motherless little one for a single night.”
“Now, it is a small thing for us to keep this poor motherless little one for a single night.”
(a) Who makes this request? (1)
(b) To whom is it addressed? (1)
(c) How does the speaker try to persuade the listener? (2)
🟡 18.
“Look at her kindly, Jane; speak to her kindly.”
“Look at her kindly, Jane; speak to her kindly.”
(a) Who is Jane? (1)
(b) Who is referred to as “her”? (1)
(c) Why does Joe ask Jane to treat the child kindly? (2)
🔵 19.
“A light shining through the little chamber windows was the first object that attracted Joe’s attention.”
“A light shining through the little chamber windows was the first object that attracted Joe’s attention.”
(a) From where was Joe returning? (1)
(b) Why did he consider the light a good omen? (1)
(c) What did he observe through the window? (2)
🟣 20.
“A deep-drawn breath was followed by one of relief, as a weight lifted itself from his heart.”
“A deep-drawn breath was followed by one of relief, as a weight lifted itself from his heart.”
(a) Who felt relieved? (1)
(b) What had made him anxious? (1)
(c) What relieved his anxiety? (2)
🟢 21.
“A pair of large bright eyes looked up at him from the snowy bed; looked at him tenderly, gratefully, pleadingly.”
“A pair of large bright eyes looked up at him from the snowy bed; looked at him tenderly, gratefully, pleadingly.”
(a) Whose eyes are described here? (1)
(b) Who is being looked at? (1)
(c) What do the three adverbs reveal about the child’s feelings? (2)
🟠 22.
“The soft bed feels good?”
“O, yes, sir—so good!”
“The soft bed feels good?”
“O, yes, sir—so good!”
(a) Who asks the first question? (1)
(b) Why was the soft bed especially comforting to Maggie? (1)
(c) What does her response reveal about her earlier life? (2)
🔴 23.
“What are you going to do with that child?”
“What are you going to do with that child?”
(a) Who asks the question? (1)
(b) Which child is referred to? (1)
(c) What change in the speaker’s attitude is suggested by this question? (2)
🟡 24.
“We’ll keep her a day or two longer; she is so weak and helpless.”
“We’ll keep her a day or two longer; she is so weak and helpless.”
(a) Who makes this decision? (1)
(b) Whom had Joe proposed to meet? (1)
(c) How does this decision mark a change in the speaker? (2)
🔵 25.
“An angel had come into his house, disguised as a sick, helpless, and miserable child.”
“An angel had come into his house, disguised as a sick, helpless, and miserable child.”
(a) Who is the “angel”? (1)
(b) Whose house did she enter? (1)
(c) Why is she described as an angel in disguise? (2)
II. Prepositions – 1 Score Each
Choose the correct preposition from the brackets.
🔵 1. The woman fell ______ the threshold of her house.
(upon / between / across)
🟣 2. The children were left ______ their dead mother.
(with / above / through)
🟢 3. The neighbours went hastily ______ the old hut.
(to / between / over)
🟠 4. Maggie had fallen ______ a window two years earlier.
(from / into / beside)
🔴 5. No one wanted to take responsibility ______ Maggie.
(for / at / over)
🟡 6. Farmer Jones placed John ______ his wagon.
(in / on / between)
🔵 7. Kate went home ______ Mrs Ellis.
(with / across / below)
🟣 8. Maggie fixed her eyes ______ the door.
(upon / through / under)
🟢 9. Joe carried Maggie ______ his strong arms.
(in / at / over)
🟠 10. Joe carried her ______ the field to his home.
(across / beneath / into)
🔴 11. Mrs Thompson met Joe a few paces ______ the door.
(from / among / through)
🟡 12. Joe laid Maggie ______ a bed.
(on / across / between)
🔵 13. Mrs Thompson stood face to face ______ her husband.
(with / along / under)
🟣 14. Joe spoke ______ the little children mentioned in the Bible.
(about / beneath / across)
🟢 15. A soft feeling crept ______ Mrs Thompson’s heart.
(into / above / along)
🟠 16. Mrs Thompson sat ______ Maggie’s bed.
(by / across / through)
🔴 17. Maggie’s eyes were fixed ______ Mrs Thompson.
(upon / below / among)
🟡 18. Joe looked ______ the chamber window.
(through / between / under)
🔵 19. Mrs Thompson brought food ______ Maggie.
(to / across / over)
🟣 20. Maggie filled the house ______ the sunshine of love.
(with / beside / upon)
III. Questions Carrying 6 Scores
Diary Entries
🔵 1. Maggie is left alone in the hut after her mother’s funeral. Prepare her likely diary entry.
🟣 2. Joe Thompson returns home after carrying Maggie to his house. Prepare his diary entry expressing his fears, hopes and feelings.
🟢 3. Mrs Thompson spends her first evening with Maggie. Prepare her diary entry describing the change occurring in her heart.
🟠 4. Prepare Mrs Thompson’s diary entry after she decides that Maggie will not be sent to the poorhouse.
Character and Theme Questions
🔴 5. Joe Thompson takes Maggie home despite expecting opposition from his wife. What qualities of Joe are revealed through his decision?
🟡 6. Trace the transformation of Mrs Thompson from an ill-tempered woman into a loving mother figure.
🔵 7. What does the villagers’ treatment of Maggie reveal about society’s attitude towards helpless and differently abled people?
🟣 8. Compare the villagers’ expressions of pity with Joe Thompson’s active compassion.
🟢 9. How did Maggie’s love, patience and gratitude influence Mrs Thompson?
🟠 10. Examine the role of kindness in transforming the Thompson household.
🔴 11. “Human needs go far beyond food, shelter and medical care.” Discuss with reference to Maggie.
🟡 12. Why did Joe avoid directly asking his wife to adopt Maggie?
🔵 13. How does the story expose the difference between charity motivated by usefulness and genuine compassion?
🟣 14. Describe the circumstances that led to the separation of John, Kate and Maggie.
🟢 15. How does Maggie become a source of “light and blessing” in the Thompson household?
Speech and Debate
🟠 16. Prepare the concluding part of a debate on the motion:
“Compassion is more valuable than wealth.”
🔴 17. Prepare the concluding part of a debate on the motion:
“Society fails people with disabilities by treating them as burdens.”
🟡 18. Prepare a speech on:
“Small acts of kindness can transform lives.”
🔵 19. Prepare a speech for your school assembly on:
“The need to include and support differently abled people.”
Poster
🟣 20. Prepare a poster for an awareness campaign promoting the care and inclusion of differently abled children.
🟢 21. Prepare a poster for a charity programme organised to support orphaned and helpless children.
🟠 22. Prepare a poster on the message:
“Don’t Just Feel Pity—Take Action.”
Conversation
🔴 23. Prepare the conversation between Maggie and Joe when he returns to the deserted hut.
🟡 24. Prepare the likely conversation between Joe and Mrs Thompson when he brings Maggie home.
🔵 25. Prepare a conversation between Mrs Thompson and Maggie during their first evening together.
🟣 26. Imagine that a neighbour visits the Thompsons a week later. Prepare the conversation between the neighbour and Mrs Thompson about Maggie.
Letter and Email
🟢 27. Imagine that Joe writes a letter to a friend describing how Maggie transformed his home. Prepare the letter.
🟠 28. Prepare an email to a charitable organisation requesting support for orphaned and differently abled children.
Paragraph and Flash Fiction
🔴 29. Prepare a paragraph on “The Power of Timely Kindness” with reference to Joe’s decision.
🟡 30. Rewrite the moment when Maggie realises that everyone has left her as flash fiction in about 80–100 words.
🔵 31. Rewrite Joe’s return to the deserted hut as flash fiction in about 80–100 words.
Profile
🟣 32. Prepare a profile of T. S. Arthur using the details provided in the lesson.
IV. Questions Carrying 8 Scores
🔵 1.
Explain how Maggie changed the lives of Joe Thompson and Mrs Thompson.
Hints: Joe’s compassion – Mrs Thompson’s initial hostility – Maggie’s helpless condition – her patience and gratitude – awakening of maternal affection – transformation of the home – significance of the title
🟣 2.
Narrate the circumstances that brought Maggie into the Thompson household.
Hints: mother’s death – condition of the three children – John and Kate taken away – Maggie rejected – deserted hut – appeal to Joe – Joe’s tender heart – carrying Maggie home
🟢 3.
Discuss Joe Thompson as a representative of active and selfless compassion.
Hints: rough exterior – affection for children – return to the hut – response to Maggie’s plea – opposition from wife – persuasive words – patience and wisdom – permanent acceptance of Maggie
🟠 4.
Trace the gradual transformation of Mrs Thompson.
Hints: childless and ill-tempered – sharp reception – objection to Maggie – Joe’s appeal – entering the chamber – conversation with Maggie – food and care – decision to keep her – maternal love
🔴 5.
The villagers felt pity for Maggie, but Joe Thompson alone acted to save her. What does this reveal about true compassion?
Hints: villagers’ sympathy – unwillingness to accept responsibility – poorhouse suggestion – avoidance of Maggie – Joe’s hesitation – decisive action – practical kindness – moral message
🟡 6.
Justify the title An Angel in Disguise.
Hints: Maggie’s helpless appearance – rejection by villagers – arrival in a miserable household – love, patience and gratitude – transformation of Mrs Thompson – happiness in the home – Maggie as an angel
🔵 7.
How does the story present the social treatment of poverty, disability and helplessness?
Hints: neglected mother – starving children – usefulness of John and Kate – rejection of bedridden Maggie – poorhouse – superficial charity – Joe’s inclusive compassion – social responsibility
🟣 8.
Compare Joe Thompson and Mrs Thompson as they appear at the beginning and end of the story.
Hints: Joe’s rough exterior and tender heart – love for children – Mrs Thompson’s irritability – Joe’s moral courage – awakening of her affection – shared happiness – transformed family
🟢 9.
“Love and care benefit the giver as much as the receiver.” Explain with reference to the story.
Hints: Maggie receives shelter and affection – Mrs Thompson gains someone to love – dormant feelings awakened – Joe gains happiness – cold home becomes warm – mutual healing
🟠 10.
Describe Maggie’s character and explain how her silent qualities influence those around her.
Hints: physically weak – frightened and lonely – patient – grateful – sweet-natured – loving gaze – trust – influence on Mrs Thompson – emotional strength
🔴 11.
How does the author use contrast to communicate the central message of the story?
Hints: villagers’ pity and Joe’s action – Maggie’s weak body and powerful influence – Joe’s rough appearance and tender heart – Mrs Thompson’s hardness and later affection – dark home and sunshine of love
🟡 12.
Joe’s decision to return to the hut becomes a turning point in several lives. Discuss.
Hints: moment of hesitation – Maggie’s fear – promise not to abandon her – rescue from poorhouse – challenge to Mrs Thompson – awakening of love – creation of a family – lasting happiness
🔵 13.
Describe the emotional and physical suffering experienced by Maggie and explain how the Thompsons respond to it.
Hints: mother’s death – separation from siblings – spinal injury – pain and immobility – abandonment – soft bed and food – Joe’s protection – Mrs Thompson’s care – emotional security
🟣 14.
“Kindness shown at the right moment can change the direction of a person’s life.” Discuss with reference to An Angel in Disguise.
Hints: Maggie left alone – danger of poorhouse – Joe’s timely return – immediate rescue – Mrs Thompson’s gradual change – Maggie’s new family – transformation of the household
🟢 15.
The story presents the creation of a family through compassion rather than blood relationship. Examine.
Hints: childless couple – orphaned Maggie – initial resistance – emotional bond – care and gratitude – maternal transformation – Joe’s affection – permanent acceptance – loving home.
Fufi So Much Happiness An Angel in Disguise Draught of Kindness Ozymandias]
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