Question 1
Why does Griffin become a lawless fugitive?
He uses his discovery for theft, revenge and escape instead of considering how his actions affect others. His scientific achievement is separated from ethical responsibility.
Chapter guide: central idea and structure
Griffin discovers how to make himself invisible but uses the discovery selfishly and violently. His unusual footprints reveal his presence even when his body cannot be seen. The story examines the danger of knowledge without responsibility.
Key ideas
- Scientific ability does not automatically bring ethical judgement.
- Invisibility can remove social safeguards but not consequences.
- The footprints make invisible wrongdoing visible.
Reading checklist
- Identify who is speaking and what changes.
- Support each interpretation with a detail from the text.
- Explain how the title, structure or ending develops the central idea.
Plot or image sequence
- Griffin is a gifted but lawless scientist.
- He uses invisibility to steal and evade people.
- His actions cause fear, damage and conflict in Iping.
- The footprints disclose his route and make the invisible intruder detectable.
Important vocabulary
- monocle — a single corrective lens
- baffled — completely puzzled
- proprietor — owner of a business
Answer-writing tip: Begin with a direct response, support it with a relevant event or image, and finish by linking the detail to the question. Avoid retelling the entire text.
Activity for close reading
Create a two-column ethics chart: scientific capability and responsible use. Give a modern, non-harmful example of a technology needing safeguards.
This is an original study activity based on the text; use the prescribed book for the full work and exact exercise wording.
Solved questions in CBSE/PYQ style
Newly written practice modeled on common extract, inference, theme and character question patterns; these are not copied past-paper questions.
Question 2
How do the footprints contribute to the plot?
They reveal movement that should be impossible to see. The visible marks expose Griffin’s presence and create suspense around an otherwise invisible character.
Question 3
What warning does the story offer about science?
Knowledge and technical skill need ethical judgement. Without responsibility, a powerful discovery can be used to harm others and isolate its creator.
Self-check
- Can I state the central idea in one or two sentences?
- Can I explain one important turning point, image or technique?
- Can I support my interpretation with evidence without copying long passages?
- Can I answer in the required word limit and keep the response focused?
Prepared as supplementary revision for CBSE Class X English Language and Literature 2026–27. Consult the current CBSE syllabus and your prescribed NCERT edition for assessment details.