I
Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow.
1.
Dev Datt: Ten days are but a short span in the grand scheme of things. We may still have many more roads to wander before we find employment befitting all four of us.

Ram Datt: If only we could secure an audience with the King of Ujjain. I am confident he would recognise our talents and appoint us to his service.

Shiv Datt: I share your belief.

Dev Datt: Indeed, we ought to be united in this hope. That is why we press on towards Ujjain.

Har Datt: (Pausing thoughtfully) Gaining an audience with the King is no simple task. We need to devise a strategy.
Question 6
(i) Identify the false statement from the two given below and rectify it.
A. Dev Datt believes that finding employment is an easy task.
B. Ram Datt is confident that the King would recognise their talents.
How to answer: Check both statements against Dev Datt’s and Ram Datt’s exact words.
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Answer: Statement A is false . Dev Datt does not believe that finding employment is easy. He says they may still have many more roads to travel before they find suitable work.

Statement B is true because Ram Datt is confident that the King will recognise their talents.

Question 7
(ii) What does Ram Datt’s confidence in gaining the King’s recognition tell us about him?
How to answer: Name the quality, then support it with his words.
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Answer: Ram Datt is self-confident and hopeful . He believes that their abilities are strong enough for the King to recognise and reward.

Question 8
(iii) In the line, “That is why we press on towards Ujjain”, the phrase “press on” refers to __________.
A. walking with heavy steps
B. moving forward with determination
C. slowing down frequently for rest
D. stopping briefly to save time
How to answer: Choose the meaning that shows determined movement forward.
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The phrase “press on” refers to moving forward with determination .

Therefore, the correct answer is B. moving forward with determination .

Reason: The friends continue their journey despite tiredness and uncertainty.

Question 9
(iv) Har Datt says, “We need to devise a strategy.” What can be inferred about Har Datt’s character?
A. He is doubtful of their abilities and wants to give up.
B. He is eager to rush into the palace without preparation.
C. He is cautious and thoughtful, preferring to plan ahead.
D. He relies on others to make decisions for the group.
How to answer: Choose the trait shown by planning before action.
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Har Datt is cautious and thoughtful, preferring to plan ahead .

Therefore, the correct answer is C. He is cautious and thoughtful, preferring to plan ahead .

Reason: He understands that meeting the King is difficult and should be approached with a plan.

2.
King: (To the four men) You have demonstrated remarkable intelligence and the ability to see beyond the obvious. Such minds are rare and highly valued in my court. I extend to you the honour of becoming my advisers. Your counsel shall guide my decisions, and your wisdom shall be a beacon for my kingdom. What do you say to my offer?

Ram Datt: (Stepping forward) Your Highness, it is an honour we had not dared to dream of.
Question 10
(i) Select the option that is true for both Assertion (A) and Reason (R).
Assertion: The Merchant left the court feeling humbled and ashamed.
Reason: The King commanded that the four wise men join his court.
A. Both are true, and R correctly explains A.
B. Both are true, but R does not correctly explain A.
C. A is true, but R is false.
D. A is false, but R is true.
How to answer: Decide whether both are true, then check whether the reason explains the Merchant’s shame.
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Both the Assertion and Reason are true, but the Reason does not explain the Assertion.

Therefore, the correct answer is B. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A) .

Reason: The Merchant is ashamed because his accusation was proved wrong, not because the men were appointed.

Question 11
(ii) The line “see beyond the obvious” means that the men had the ability to ______.
A. challenge common beliefs with reasoning
B. interpret information in traditional ways
C. notice details that others might overlook
D. predict what is going to happen in the future
How to answer: Choose the option that describes noticing hidden details.
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The men had the ability to notice details that others might overlook .

Therefore, the correct answer is C. notice details that others might overlook .

Reason: They found meaning in faint prints, untouched leaves and tiny blood drops.

Question 12
(iii) Complete the sentence with a suitable reason.
Ram Datt described the King’s offer as “an honour we had not dared to dream of” because __________.
How to answer: Connect the offer with their original, smaller hope of merely finding work.
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Answer: Ram Datt described it this way because they had only hoped to gain an audience and find work, but the King unexpectedly offered them the honourable position of royal advisers .

Question 13
(iv) How does the King’s offer to the four men reflect his values as a ruler?
How to answer: Use what he rewards and why he trusts them.
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Answer: The offer shows that the King values wisdom, intelligence, fairness and merit . He is willing to give important positions to capable men even though they arrived as unknown travellers.

II
Answer the following questions.
Question 14
1. What does the dusty road leading to Ujjain tell us about the challenges of the young men’s journey?
How to answer: Use the road, weather, duration and their condition.
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Answer: The dusty road, high sun and ten-day journey show that the men face heat, tiredness and uncertainty. They are travel-worn, but they continue because they hope to find work.

Question 15
2. Why did the Merchant become suspicious of the four men? What does this tell us about him?
How to answer: Answer in two parts: cause of suspicion, then character trait.
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Answer: The Merchant becomes suspicious because the men describe his camel exactly while claiming never to have seen it. This shows that he is distressed and quick to judge without asking for the reasoning behind their knowledge .

Question 16
3. How do the four young men’s observations about the camel serve as a turning point in the play?
How to answer: Explain how the same observations first create danger and later create opportunity.
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Answer: Their observations first make the Merchant accuse them of theft. In court, the explanations prove their innocence and reveal their rare intelligence. The observations therefore turn a dangerous accusation into the opportunity to become the King’s advisers.

Question 17
4. Why did the King believe the four young men and not the Merchant?
How to answer: Compare logical evidence with unsupported accusation.
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Answer: The four men explain each conclusion with a clear clue and logical reasoning. The Merchant has no evidence of theft. The King therefore accepts the reasoned explanations instead of the unsupported accusation.

Question 18
5. How does the capability of the four young men make them suitable to become advisers?
How to answer: Name the abilities useful in giving advice.
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Answer: They can notice small details, connect causes and effects, remain calm and explain their conclusions clearly. These qualities help advisers understand difficult situations and guide a ruler wisely.

Question 19
6. Why does the Merchant feel ashamed for accusing the four young men of stealing his camel? Explain in your own words.
How to answer: State what the court proves and what the Merchant realises about his behaviour.
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Answer: The Merchant feels ashamed because the King proves that the men are innocent and wise. He realises that he accused them without evidence and allowed fear and anger to control his judgement.

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