Past board exam questions
CBSE 2026 board paper · 3 marks
Describe the extraordinary behaviour of the furniture when the Halls entered the stranger’s room. (Footprints Without Feet)
(Answer in about 40-50 words.)
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(Content 2 – any two points with textual evidence; Expression 1)
When Mr and Mrs Hall entered the stranger’s empty room, the furniture seemed to behave as if possessed by spirits. The bedclothes and the stranger’s hat leapt about, and then the bedroom chair rose into the air and charged at them, legs foremost, pushing them out of the room. The door then slammed shut behind them.
CBSE 2026 board paper · 6 marks
In the story “Footprints Without Feet”, the invisibility of the scientist reflects both the power he gains and the loneliness he suffers. Explain how this dual effect of invisibility shapes his actions and overall character in the story.
(Answer in about 100-120 words.)
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(Content 3 – at least three value points; Expression 2; Accuracy 1)
Griffin’s invisibility gave him great power but also cut him off from human society. Using it, he stole, escaped and intimidated others: he took revenge on his landlord by setting fire to the house, robbed a London store, stole money from the clergyman’s house, and attacked the people of Iping when they tried to catch him. Thus his actions shifted from scientific pursuit to unlawful and destructive acts. At the same time, invisibility deepened his loneliness. He had to hide behind bandages and dark glasses, lived in secrecy and deception, and avoided people, becoming suspicious, eccentric and ill-tempered. His frustration …
CBSE 2026 board paper · 3 marks
How do Griffin’s attributes as a great scientist fade before his darker traits ?
(Foot prints without Feet)
(Answer in about 40-50 words.)
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(Content 2 – any two points; Expression 1)
Griffin was a brilliant scientist who discovered how to make himself invisible, but he misused this discovery for selfish and criminal purposes, revealing his moral downfall. He set fire to his landlord’s house, robbed a clergyman, stole clothes from a theatrical company and harmed Mr and Mrs Hall. His intelligence was overshadowed by his greed, anger and lack of ethics.
CBSE 2026 board paper · 3 marks
Why does Griffin, despite his scientific genius, end up leading a destructive life ?
(Footprints Without Feet)
(Answer in about 40-50 words.)
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(Content 2 – any two points; Expression 1)
Griffin was a brilliant scientist who discovered how to make himself invisible, but he lacked ethics and empathy. He set fire to his landlord’s house, robbed a London store, stole money from the clergyman and attacked people in Iping. His pride made him arrogant and lawless; genius without responsibility turned destructive and made him a fugitive.
CBSE 2025 compartment paper · 3 marks
Describe Griffin’s experience in the shop of a theatrical company. (Footprints without Feet)
(Answer in about 40 – 50 words.)
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(Content 2 – at least two value points; Expression 1)
After fleeing the big London store, invisible and cold, Griffin went to a theatrical company’s shop in Drury Lane to find clothes and a disguise. He took bandages to cover his invisible face, dark glasses, a false nose, big bushy side-whiskers and a large hat. To escape from the shop unseen, he attacked the shopkeeper from behind and robbed him of all the money he could find.
CBSE 2025 compartment paper · 3 marks
Describe Griffin’s room as seen by the Hall couple. (Footprints without Feet)
(Answer in about 40 – 50 words.)
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(Content 2 – at least two value points; Expression 1)
Early one morning the Halls found the door of Griffin’s room open and the room empty. The bedclothes were cold, showing that the scientist had been up for some time, and his clothes and bandages were lying about the room. The room was messy, and then strange things happened – the hat leapt off the bed, the bedroom chair flew at them and pushed them out of the room.
CBSE 2025 compartment paper · 3 marks
Why does Griffin in “Footprints without Feet” flee from the store in London ?
(Answer in about 40 – 50 words.)
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(Content 2 – at least two value points; Expression 1)
Griffin had entered a big London store illegally to escape the cold and spent the night there, stealing warm clothes and food. He fell asleep there and in the morning was spotted by the shop assistants. Chased by the employees, he had to throw off his new clothes and flee, invisible again, to avoid getting caught.
CBSE 2024 board paper · 6 marks
Answer any one of the following two questions, in 100-120 words :
Imagine that Griffin’s conscience pricks him and he decides to write a diary entry, about misusing science and endangering society, in the context of his own experience.
Write this diary entry, as Griffin, in about 120 words.
(Reference – Footprints without Feet by H.G. Wells)
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(Content 3; Expression 2; Accuracy 1)
Value points: misused his power – endangered others’ lives, illegal acts (examples from the text); realisation – takes responsibility; feels guilt and remorse; wants to use this knowledge for the betterment of mankind.
Model answer:
Iping, Saturday, 10 p.m.
Dear Diary
Tonight my conscience will not let me rest. I discovered how to make the human body invisible – a triumph of science – yet I have used it only for wrong. I set fire to my landlord’s house in London, robbed a store, stole clothes, and later robbed the clergyman’s house at Iping. When Mrs. Hall and the villagers questioned me, I attacked them and injured the constable, Jaffers. I …
