The Rattrap Question Answers (Important)| Class 12 English Flamingo Book

Flamingo Book Chap 4 - The Rattrap Important Question Answers

CBSE Class 12 English Lesson 4 The Rattrap Question Answers (Important) from Flamingo Book

Class 12 English The Rattrap Question Answers – Looking for The Rattrap question answers (NCERT solutions) for CBSE Class 12 English Flamingo Book Chapter 4? Look no further! Our comprehensive compilation of important questions will help you brush up on your subject knowledge. Practising Class 12 English question answers can significantly improve your performance in the board exam. Our solutions provide a clear idea of how to write the answers effectively. Improve your chances of scoring high marks by exploring Chapter 4: The Rattrap question answers now. The questions listed below are based on the latest CBSE exam pattern, wherein we have given NCERT solutions to the chapter’s extract based questions, short answer questions, and long answer questions. 

 Also, practising with different kinds of questions can help students learn new ways to solve problems that they may not have seen before. This can ultimately lead to a deeper understanding of the subject matter and better performance on exams.

The Rattrap Important Question Answers

Related:

The Rattrap NCERT Solution

 

Q1- How does the peddler interpret the acts of kindness and hospitality shown by the crofter, the ironmaster and his daughter?

Ans- The peddler was a rattrap seller. He was leading a life of misery. He was homeless. Moreover, he didn’t have enough money to survive. So, he had to depend upon begging and thievery. He was once offered shelter by an old crofter. He wanted company and showed kindness towards the peddler by sharing his porridge and tobacco. In return, the peddler betrayed him and stole his money.

The ironmaster mistook him as his old companion Captain Von Stahle; he showed his kindness to him and invited him to his house for Christmas Eve. The peddler knew that the ironmaster was making a mistake by thinking him to be his old friend but here also he did not clear the air and simply accepted the invitation. He did this so that the ironmaster may give him some money out of pity.

Elda Williamson who was the iron master’s daughter invited him to their house in a very friendly way. Also, she insisted her father to let him stay for Christmas Eve even after it was revealed that he was not Captain Von Stahle. The kind nature of Elda changed the peddler and he not only thanked her by gifting a rattrap for being so kind and caring but also requested her to return the stolen money to the old crofter.

 

Q2- What are the instances in the story that show that the character of the ironmaster is different from that of his daughter in many ways?

Ans. The character of both ironmaster and his daughter were totally different from each other.
The iron master was a proud man. When he saw the peddler, he mistook him as an old regimental comrade and tried to help him out of his sense of pride. When he realized that he had been mistaken, he called the peddler to be dishonest and also warned him of calling the sheriff. Not only this, he worried about his silver spoons when he comes to know that peddler was a thief. On the other hand, the ironmaster’s daughter was a kind lady, who really wanted to help the peddler. She treated him with respect and it was her kind nature that changed the peddler and made him a good person.

 

Q3- The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to others’ behaviour. Pick out instances of these surprises?

Ans. The story has many instances of unexpected reactions from the characters to others’ behavior. For example:
One evening when the peddler knocked at the door of a little hut, he was not disappointed by the owner rather he welcomed him and tried to be a good host to him by offering him food and playing cards with him. In another instance when the peddler went inside a forge to seek shelter, there he was invited by the ironmaster to his house as he mistook him as one of his old regimental comrade. But when the ironmaster realized that he had invited some unknown person to his house, he asked him to leave. At his time, he was allowed to stay by his daughter Elda out of kindness.

 

Q4- What made the peddler finally change his ways?

Ans. Edla Willimansson’s kindness reformed the peddler. Her kindness, compassion, and generosity killed the thief in him. He gifted her a rattrap. Also, he returned the three ten kronor notes that he had stolen from the crofter’s house. He requested her to return the money to the old crofter. He wrote a letter to her, thanking her for treating him well just like she would have treated a real captain.

 

Q5- How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament?

Ans. The world tempts human beings with various good things such as luxuries and joys, food and shelter, clothing and warmth, etc. They are just like the bait which is planted to trap someone in the rattrap of the world. In the story, the peddler was attracted to the three ten kronors of the crofter, which he stole from him. Later on, he found himself trapped in the forest as he planned to hide by walking through the woods. When he got trapped, he thought that this was a punishment for his sin of getting lured by the money.

 

Q6- The peddler comes out as a person with a subtle sense of humour. How does this serve in lightening the seriousness of the theme of the story and also endear him to us?

Ans. We can see the peddler’s sense of humour when he compares the world with a rattrap. Whenever he gets caught due to his own knitted stories, he tries to prove his innocence by believing that he has fallen into the trap of this world which actually is like a rattrap. This lightens the seriousness of the story and makes the reader sympathize with him.

Class 12 English The Rattrap Question Answers Lesson 4 – Extract Based Questions

Extract-based questions are of the multiple-choice variety, and students must select the correct option for each question by carefully reading the passage

A. Since you have been so nice to me all day long, as if I was a captain, I want to be nice to you, in return, as if I was a real captain — for I do not want you to be embarrassed at this Christmas season by a thief; but you can give back the money to the old man on the roadside, who has the money pouch hanging on the window frame as a bait for poor wanderers.
The rattrap is a Christmas present from a rat who would have been caught in this world’s rattrap if he had not been raised to captain, because in that way he got power to clear himself. “Written with friendship and high regard, Captain von Stahle.” (CBSE QB, 2021)

 

1. Which of the following CANNOT be attributed to the peddler, according to the above extract?
A) indebtedness
B) reform
C) self-pity
D) self-awareness
Ans. C) self-pity

2 Why did the peddler gift a rattrap as a Christmas present?
A) It was all the peddler had that he could give away, and represented his turn to honesty.
B) It symbolized his successful escape from entrapment as he returned the stolen money.
C) It served as a reminder for Edla to be wary of the dangerous temptations of the world.
D) It was a practical and convenient present that the lady of the house could effectively use.
Ans. A) It was all the peddler had that he could give away, and represented his turn to honesty.

3 The word ‘frame’ has been used to indicate a rigid structure that surrounds something such as a picture, door, or windowpane. There are other meanings of ‘frame’ too.
Choose the option that DOES NOT list the meaning of ‘frame’

frame

A) Option (1)
B) Option (2)
C) Option (3)
D) Option (4)
Ans. D) Option (4)

4 This communication includes
1) a promise
2) regret
3) an apology
4) shame

A) only 4
B) only 1
C) 1 & 3
D) 2 & 4
Ans. C) 1 & 3

Class 12 The Rattrap Important Question Answers Video

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B. …it was a big and confusing forest which he had gotten into. He tried, to be sure, to walk in a definite direction, but the paths twisted back and forth so strangely! He walked and walked without coming to the end of the wood, and finally he realized that he had only been walking around in the same part of the forest. All at once he recalled his thoughts about the world and the rattrap. Now his own turn had come. He had let himself be fooled by a bait and had been caught. The whole forest, with its trunks and branches, its thickets and fallen logs, closed in upon him like an impenetrable prison from which he could never escape. (CBSE QB,2021)

1 How would you characterize the mood of the above extract?
A) mysterious, restful
B) ominous, despairing
C) thoughtful, whimsical
D) philosophical, anguished
Ans. B) ominous, despairing

2 By what bait had the peddler been fooled?
A) He had chosen to take the ‘safe’ forest route.
B) He had decided to avoid the public highway.
C) He had stolen money from the trusting crofter.
D) He didn’t realize the power of his rattrap analogy.
Ans. C) He had stolen money from the trusting crofter.

3 The consequence of ‘his own turn’ having come was that the peddler had ___________
A) got irreversibly lost in the thick, warped forest.
B) been fooled and imprisoned in a hopeless prison.
C) been walking around the same part of the forest.
D) walked the whole forest without finding the end.
Ans. A) got irreversibly lost in the thick, warped forest.

4 The above extract richly employs literary devices. Look at the table below. Choose the option that correctly matches the instances/ examples in Column A with the literary devices in Column B:

richly employs literary devices

A) 1 – (i) ; 2 – (ii) ; 3 – (iii) ; 4 – (iv)
B) 1 – (iv) ; 2 – (i) ; 3 – (ii) ; 4 – (iii)
C) 1 – (iii) ; 2 – (iv) ; 3 – (i) ; 4 – (ii)
D) 1 – (ii) ; 2 – (iii) ; 3 – (iv) ; 4 – (i)
Ans. B) 1 – (iv) ; 2 – (i) ; 3 – (ii) ; 4 – (iii)

C. Now that he was no longer able to do day labor, it was his cow which supported him. Yes, that boss was extraordinary. She could give milk for the creamery every day, and last month he had received all of thirty kronor in payment. The stranger must have seemed incredulous, for the old man got up and went to the window, took down a leather pouch which hung on a nail in the very window frame, and picked out three wrinkled ten-kronor bills. These he held up before the eyes of his guest, nodding knowingly, and then stuffed them back into the pouch.

1 Who is ‘He’ in the first line?
A Peddler
B Ironmaster
C Crofter
D Blacksmith
Ans. C Crofter

2 What does the crofter do with the milk?
A Consumed himself
B Supplied to dairy
C Sold it to the people nearby
D Stored it for cheese
Ans. B Supplied to dairy

3 Kronor is a currency of……..
A Venice
B Sweden
C Australia
D Zimbabwe
Ans. B Sweden

4 What is the antonym of the word ‘Incredulous’?
A Unbelievable
B Believable
C Ridiculous
D Ravishing
Ans. A Unbelievable

D. He realized, of course, that at first he dared not continue on the public highway, but must turn off the road, into the woods. During the first hours this caused him no difficulty. Later in the day it became worse, for it was a big and confusing forest which he had gotten into. He tried, to be sure, to walk in a definite direction, but the paths twisted back and forth so strangely! He walked and walked without coming to the end of the wood, and finally he realized that he had only been walking around in the same part of the forest.

1 Why did the peddler choose woods instead of public highways?
A. For he was afraid of police
B.  For he was afraid of being caught by sheriffs
C.  For he was scared of being arrested
D.  All of these
Ans. D All of these

2 What did he realize after walking for so long?
A. That he was smart
B. That he was ensnared
C. That he would go through the forest after sometime
D. All of these
Ans. B That he was ensnared

3 What kind of forest was that?
A. Perplexing
B. Orienting
C. Straight-forward
D. None of these
Ans. D None of these

4 How many kroners had he stolen from the crofter’s home?
A. 30
B. 40
C. 50
D. 35
Ans. A 30

E. “Those are the hammer strokes from an iron mill”, he thought. “There must be people nearby”. He summoned all his strength, got up, and staggered in the direction of the sound. The Ramsjo Ironworks, which are now closed down, were, not so long ago, a large plant, with smelter, rolling mill, and forge. In the summertime long lines of heavily loaded barges and scows slid down the canal, which led to a large inland lake, and in the wintertime the roads near the mill were black from all the coal dust which sifted down from the big charcoal crates.

1 Which of the following is incorrect?
A. Peddler was dead tired
B. Peddler was looking for a shelter
C. Peddler was ensnared
D. Peddle was rejoicing there
Ans. A Peddler was dead tired

2 What does ‘Barges and scows’ mean?
A. Types of vehicles
B. Types of boats
C. Types of ships
D. Types of cars
Ans. B Types of boats

3 The phrasal verb ‘Sifted down’ means….
A. Moved down
B. Raised up
C. Called forth
D. None of these
Ans. A Moved down

4 Smelter is used to……
A. Extract metals by heating
B. Harden metals by cooling
C. Both i and ii
D. Neither i and ii
Ans. A Extract metals by heating

F. No one can imagine how sad and monotonous life can appear to such a vagabond, who plods along the road, left to his own meditations. But one day this man had fallen into a line of thought, which really seemed to him entertaining. He had naturally been thinking of his rattraps when suddenly he was struck by the idea that the whole world about him — the whole world with its lands and seas, its cities and villages — was nothing but a big rattrap. It had never existed for any other purpose than to set baits for people.

1. According to the extract, which of these words best describes the man?
A. reflective
B. impulsive
C. indifferent
D. simpleminded
Ans. A. reflective

2. Rewrite the given sentence after replacing the underlined phrase with its synonym.
It had never existed for any other purpose than to set baits for people.
Ans. It had never existed for any other purpose than to trap people.

3. On the basis of the extract, choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.
(1) The world offers living beings a life full of pleasure.
(2) However, only compassionate people can enjoy those pleasures.
A. (2) has been caused by (1)
B. (2) is a hypothesis based on (1)
C. (1) cannot be inferred from the extract but (2) can be
D. (1) can be inferred from the extract but (2) cannot be
Ans D. (1) can be inferred from the extract but (2) cannot be

4 In one sentence, rationalise the given statement.
It is challenging for others to be able to understand the despair of a vagabond’s life.
Ans. No one can imagine how sad and monotonous life can be for a homeless person

5 Replace the underlined word with its antonym from the extract.
The man who thought that the world was a rattrap lived a life that was interesting.
Ans. sad

6 The mood of the extract can be best described as __________.
A. cautious
B. malicious
C. melancholic
D. apprehensive
Ans C melancholic

Class 12 English The Rattrap Question Answers (including questions from Previous Years Question Papers)

In this post we are also providing important short answer questions from the Chapter The Rattrap for CBSE Class 12 Boards in the coming session. These questions have been taken from previous years class 12 Board exams and the year is mentioned in the bracket along with the question.

Q1. Why did the peddler think that the world was a rattrap? (All India 2009)
Ans. The peddler was a very poor man who made his living by selling rat traps he fashioned out of materials he obtained by begging. As a result, his thoughts were constantly preoccupied with rat traps. One day, he had the sudden realization that the entire world was a giant rattrap. He believed that the world’s shelter, food, clothing, riches, and joys were all traps set to entrap man, just as a rattrap offered cheese or meat to entrap rats. Everything came to an end as soon as one was trapped.

Q2.Why did the peddler knock on the cottage by the roadside? How was he treated by the owner of the cottage? (Compartment 2014)
Ans. The peddler knocked on the roadside cottage for shelter for the night. The cottage’s owner was a crofter who lived alone in it. He considered the peddler to be welcome company and treated him warmly. He not only gave him a place to stay for the night, but also fed him and played cards with him.

Q3. Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him?
Answer. Edla had always assumed that the peddler was a poor, homeless tramp. As a result, when his true identity was revealed, she did not feel cheated. Instead, she felt terrible for him and his plight, and she pleaded on his behalf. She and her father had promised him Christmas cheer, and it seemed wrong to send him away.

Q4. What was the content of the letter written by the peddler to Edla? (Foreign 2014, CBSE Sample Paper 2019)
Ans. The peddler had written that he wanted to be nice to Edla because she had treated him like a captain. He didn’t want a thief to embarrass her at Christmas. He had asked for the return of the crofter’s money, which he had stolen. He went on to say that the rattrap was a Christmas present from a rat who would have been caught in the world’s rattrap if he hadn’t been promoted to captain, which motivated him to change his ways.

Q5. Why did the peddler decline the invitation of the ironmaster? (Delhi 2012)
Ans. The ironmaster mistook the peddler for an old regimental comrade and invited him to his home. Because he was carrying the money he had stolen from the crofter, the peddler declined the invitation. He was well aware that if the ironmaster learned of his identity, he would turn him over to the police. As a result, going to the manor house was like walking into a lion’s den for him.

Q6. Who was the owner of Ramsjo iron mills? Why did he visit the mills at night?
(All India 2012)
Ans. The Ramsjo iron mills were owned by an ex-army man who was an ambitious and well-known ironmaster. He was very concerned about the quality of his products and would visit the mills even at night to ensure that good iron was shipped out of his mills.

Q7. How did the ironmaster react on seeing the stranger lying close to the furnace?(All India 2012)
Ans. When the ironmaster noticed a stranger in rags lying near the furnace, he approached him and removed his slouch hat to get a better look at his face. He mistook the peddler for Nils Olof, an old acquaintance of his regiment, due to the dim light in the forge and the peddler’s filthy appearance. He was overjoyed to see him and invited him to spend Christmas with him.

Q8. Why was the crofter so talkative and friendly with the peddler? (Delhi 2011)
Ans.The crofter was depressed. He lived in his cottage alone, without a wife, child, or other companion. He was overjoyed to have the peddler’s company because he suffered from severe loneliness. That explains his chattiness and friendliness with the peddler.

Q9. Did the stranger agree to go to the ironmaster’s house? Why or why not? (Comptt. Delhi 2011)
Ans. The stranger initially declined the ironmaster’s invitation. He had the stolen thirty kronors on him and imagined himself in the lion’s den. But he accepted the ironmaster’s invitation because Edla’s sympathy and compassion calmed his fears and her friendly demeanor made him trust her.

Q10. What brought about a change in the life of the peddler? (Comptt. All India 2015)
Ans. The peddler’s life was changed by Edla’s warmth, sympathy, and compassion. Despite being aware of his true identity, he is moved by Edla’s kindness. His heart’s latent goodness is awakened, and he behaves like a true Captain.

Q11. If the Christmas spirit is about selflessness, forgiveness and becoming ‘better’ versions of ourselves amongst other things, Edla Willmansson is the epitome of this spirit. Justify with two points of evidence from The Rattrap.(CBSE Sample Paper 2022)
Ans. Edla demonstrates great selflessness by inviting the rattrap seller into her home and caring for him while he is there. Despite his initial suspicious behaviour, she shows kindness and generosity to a stranger, even giving him money to start a new life. This selfless act is in keeping with the Christmas spirit, which encourages people to be kind and compassionate to others.

Q12. A mistaken identity led to a discovery of a new one for the rattrap peddler. How did this impact him? (CBSE Sample Paper 2020)
Ans. The rattrap peddler suffered greatly as a result of the mistaken identity. The iron master misidentifies him as an old comrade. Even after discovering he was a fraud, the ironmaster’s daughter, Edla WIllmansson, showed him that love and compassion have the power to change the world.

Q13. Explain the metaphor of the rattrap in context of the story by Selma Lagerlöf. (CBSE Sample Paper 2020)
Ans. According to the rattrap metaphor, the universe exists solely to entice people into it by baiting them. When a person is drawn to the finer things in life, he falls into a terrible trap.
As a result, the author passes harsh judgement on those who seek worldly pleasures.
The story emphasises the importance of kindness and goodness in general.
Only when the peddler recognises Edla’s goodwill will he be able to escape the vast rattrap known as the world. As a result, the metaphor states that the world is a rattrap that traps people with worldly pleasures.

Q14.Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler?(CBSE Sample Paper 2018)
Ans. Edla demonstrated great faith in him by allowing him to stay at their manor on Christmas Eve. But the news of the robbery had depressed her. So she was overjoyed to find the package and letter left by the peddler when she arrived home. The peddler’s expression of gratitude made her happy.

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Class 12 The Rattrap Long Answer Questions Chapter 4

Q1. Describe how the story, ‘The Rattrap’ shows that basic human goodness can be brought out by understanding and love. (Delhi 2006)
Ans. The theme of ‘The Rattrap’ is that most people are prone to falling into the trap of material gain. However, love and understanding have the power to transform a person and bring out his or her inherent human goodness. The world had been very cruel to the peddler. So, despite the old crofter’s kindness and hospitality, he betrayed his trust and stole thirty kronors from him. The ironmaster’s invitation did not impress him either. However, Edla Willmansson’s compassion and understanding caused him to change. Her human qualities aided in his development as a gentleman. He was easily able to resist minor temptations.
The peddler, who had always considered the entire world to be a rattrap, was finally freed from it thanks to Edla Willmansson’s sympathetic, kind, loving, and generous treatment, which was able to bring out his basic human goodness.

Q2. Give examples from the story, “The Rattrap” to show how the iron master is different from his daughter. (Delhi 2006)
Ans. The characters of Edla Willmansson and the iron master are diametrically opposed. Despite her youth, the daughter demonstrates greater maturity than her father, who acts impulsively and casually. He makes snap judgements without thinking. First, he misidentifies the peddler as an old regimental comrade and invites him to the manor house without first confirming his identity. When he realizes his error, he casually refers the matter to the sheriff. Edla, on the other hand, exhibits an acute sense of observation. She correctly determines that her visitor is a tramp and has a sympathetic attitude towards him.
She convinces her father to let the visitor stay, leads him politely to the dining table, and forces him to eat despite her father’s protests. Because of her compassion and generosity, the peddler has a change of heart and repents of his dishonesty. He leaves thirty kronors for the old crofter, as well as a Christmas present for Edla.

Q3. The story ‘The Rattrap’ focuses on human loneliness and the need to bond with others. Explain. (Delhi 2010) OR
How does the story, ‘Rattrap’ highlight the importance of community over isolation? Support your rationale with textual evidence.(CBSE Sample Paper 2020)
Ans. The story ‘The Rattrap’ is primarily concerned with human loneliness. All of the characters, whether they are the peddler, the crofter, the ironmaster, or his daughter, are lonely. The peddler is a lonely man who has been shunned by society’s cold and unkind words his entire life. He does not expect hospitality when he knocks on the door of the old crofter’s cottage, but the crofter welcomes him because he is overjoyed to have someone to talk to after being alone for so long. The crofter serves himself by serving the peddler. He feeds the peddler, gives him tobacco, and plays’mjolis’ with him. He’s an excellent host. The ironmaster and his daughter, too, are lonely, which makes the holiday season even more difficult. So, mistaking the peddler for an old regimental comrade, the ironmaster invites him to his manor house for Christmas. Edla, the ironmaster’s daughter, extends the invitation once more, telling the peddler he can leave whenever he wants after Christmas. As a result, the story ‘The Rattrap’ is centered on the need to bond.

Q4. Describe the peddler’s interaction with the ironmaster’s daughter. To what extent was he influenced by her? (Comptt. Delhi 2011)
Ans. The peddler first meets Edla Wilmansson, the ironmaster’s daughter, when she comes to invite him to their manor house for Christmas at her father’s request. He couldn’t refuse her invitation because the sincerity in her voice moved him. Later, she discovers the peddler’s true identity, but this does not alter her warmth, friendliness, or hospitality towards him. She continues to treat him like a Captain, and the peddler, quite unexpectedly, begins to act like a real Captain. He leaves a rattrap for Edla as a Christmas gift, along with a letter of thanks and a note of confession.
He leaves a rattrap for Edla as a Christmas gift, along with a letter of thanks and a note of confession. He leaves the stolen money behind to be returned to its rightful owner, the crofter, thus atoning for his dishonesty. Edla Wilmansson’s sympathy, compassion, and understanding provide an opportunity for the peddler to redeem and reform himself.

Q5. Describe the crofter’s interaction with the peddler. How did the latter get tempted? (Comptt. Delhi 2011)
Ans. When the peddler knocked on the crofter’s door, he was greeted by a lonely old man who was overjoyed to have someone to talk to. He was extremely gracious to the peddler and even played cards with him. He also told the peddler that he had been a crofter at Ramsjo Ironworks during his prosperous days and that his cow now supported him. He received thirty kroners in payment for the cow milk he sold last month. He even showed the peddler the leather pouch on the window where he had kept the thirty kronors, enticing him. The next day, after leaving the crofter’s cottage, the peddler returned, smashed the window pane, stuck it in his hand, and took hold of the pouch containing the thirty kronors. He then carefully hung the leather pouch back up and left.

Q6. The story, ‘The Rattrap’ is both entertaining and philosophical. Do you agree with this statement? Why/Why not? (Foreign 2011)
Answer. ‘The Rattrap,’ the story, is both entertaining and philosophical. The fast-paced narrative in the third person, the author’s generous use of dialogue, and the various characters from various mindsets and locales make the story interesting and entertaining. Furthermore, the author has managed to keep the reader guessing until the very end.
The events in the forge, particularly the arrival of the ironmaster at midnight, keep our attention. The peddler’s repeated refusals to accompany him, but his acceptance of Edla’s invitation in one go, the ironmaster’s realization of his error, and Edla’s sympathy and generosity all contribute to the story’s suspense. While the events described above make the story interesting, there is also an element of philosophy in it.
The peddler’s theory of the world being a rattrap is correct somewhere. One feels trapped in the trappings of the world, like a rat. Some people fall into this trap and never get out. The story teaches us that as humans, we are not immune to temptation.

Q7. The Rattrap is a story where a good deed or an act of kindness changes a person’s view of the world. Discuss with reference to the theme.
Ans. ‘The Rattrap’ is an entertaining and philosophical story that explores the human proclivity to redeem oneself from dishonesty. The tramp demonstrates that understanding and love can awaken human beings’ inherent goodness. Circumstances had forced the peddler to commit minor offenses. Despite the fact that he used to sell scrap metal rat traps, his poverty had brought out the worst in him, turning him bitter and killing his conscience.
The tramp’s worldview was cynical: he envied those who had it better than him. He saw the world as a rat trap that offered temptations like shelter and food to entrap victims. Even though he appreciated the crofter’s hospitality and warm welcome, the peddler did not hesitate to steal money from him. When he got lost in the forest, he was plagued by feelings of guilt. When he met the ironmaster and his daughter, his bitter and hardened temperament was given a chance to repent.
The author uses an effective twist in the story to demonstrate that all humans have inherent goodness. It takes a little love, understanding, and a friendly act to bring it to the forefront. The iron master’s daughter showed him sympathy, honor, and respect, as well as dignity. This struck a chord in the peddler’s heart, and he realized that he was no longer the nameless tramp he had been his entire life, but rather someone with an identity. He atoned for his actions by returning the stolen money, motivated by Edla’s kindness.

Q8. The peddler believed that the whole world is a rat trap. How did he himself get caught in the same? Answer in about 120-150 words.
Ans. The peddler’s sad and poor life makes him bitter. One day, while thinking about his rat traps, he had the epiphany that the entire world is nothing more than a giant rat trap. It only serves as a lure for people. The world provides wealth, joy, shelter, food, and clothing. They are merely lures. The rattrap closes in on anyone who touches the bait. Everything then comes to an end. The peddler, ironically, becomes the rat. The peddler can’t resist the temptation of stealing the hospitable crofter’s bait of 30 kronor. When the ironmaster invites him to his manor house, the metaphor of the rattrap returns to him.
The peddler is unwilling to go there. It entails willingly throwing himself into the lion’s den. When Miss Willmansson persuades him to go there, he surrenders.
Finally, the peddler is free of the rat trap. It is because of Miss Willmansson’s deep sympathy, kindness, love, and understanding for him. He rises above trivial temptations. If he hadn’t been promoted to captain, he would have been trapped in the world’s rattrap. That gave him the courage to break free from the trap.

Q9.The story ‘The Rattrap’ exemplifies the notion that the emotional needs of human beings have a direct bearing on their behavior. Elucidate.
Ans. Without a doubt, human beings’ emotional needs have a direct impact on their behavior. Indeed, our emotions drive our actions and behaviors. All of the characters in the story portray the same thing. The peddler’s actions are all the result of the atrocities he has witnessed in his life. He is mistreated. Being hungry and cold, with no food or shelter, has left him emotionally weak and negative. As a result, when the tramp saw the crofter’s money, he stole it. Similarly, the crofter, who was lonely because he had no wife or children, welcomed the peddler and became overly friendly with him, and as a result, he was duped. Even the ironmaster had a lonely existence.
His wife is no longer alive, and his sons are away. He has no family other than his daughter and a few friends. As a result, he invited the peddler to his home, mistaking hull for an old friend. Finally, Edla’s emotional need to serve and make someone happy on Christmas comes into play. Her empathy and kindness caused her to treat the tramp with respect and kindness, bringing out the goodness in the peddler.

Q10. The people we meet in life leave an impression on us. How is the rattrap peddler affected by meeting the crofter and Edla? (Comptt. All India 2017)
Ans. Sometimes the good people we meet leave an impression on us. Compassion and understanding have the power to transform a person and bring out his or her inherent human goodness. As is the case with the rattrap peddler, whose meeting with the crofter and Edla results in a positive change in his character. The peddler was treated extremely well by the lonely old crofter. Despite his hospitality, the peddler stole his money and violated his trust. Edla, too, treated him well, even after she discovered his true identity. Because of the crofter’s and Edla’s kind, generous, and sympathetic treatment, the peddler, who had always considered the world to be a rattrap that enclosed people, finally felt released from this rattrap.
He leaves Edla a letter of thanks, a Christmas gift, and the money he stole from the crofter, which will be returned to its rightful owner.

Q11.Franz from The Last Lesson and the peddler from The Rattrap demonstrate the importance of learning from our mistakes to evolve into better people. Imagine that Shubhangi, your friend, feels as if she has made a mistake by not taking her academics seriously.
Write an essay to Shubhangi in 120–150 words discussing instances from the two texts to give her an insight into the human tendency to make mistakes and learn from them. You may begin like this: Shubhangi, all of us have made mistakes at one point or another in our lives. After all, to err is human……….. (CBSE Sample Paper 2022)
Ans. “Failure is a necessary step towards success.”
Everyone makes mistakes. We are human, and we are prone to making mistakes. Mistakes teach us what we did wrong and how we can improve as a result of them. We saw in Alphonse Daudet’s Chapter The Last Lesson how Franz, who hated school, M hamel, and his studies, was suddenly able to learn and understand everything M hamel taught on the day of the last lesson. He preferred to run in the open fields rather than study. When M hamel told the students that it was their last lesson, it hit Franz like a thunderclap. He couldn’t believe what he had just heard. He felt bad every time he didn’t study.
Books that were once a source of irritation for him became old friends. He felt sorry for M Hamel, whom he used to dislike. On the day of the last lesson, he felt inspired and understood everything. Selma Lagerlof’s chapter The Rattrap demonstrates how people can learn and grow from their mistakes. After stealing thirty kronors, the peddler became trapped in the rat trap. Elma’s kindness and good nature made him realise his error. Even though she knew the peddler had stolen something or escaped from prison, she invited him to his house and treated him like the Captain.
Thus, it is acceptable to make mistakes as long as we are willing to work and change to become a better version of ourselves.

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