41. What does Rusty dislike about Mr. Harrison’s house?
a) It is too noisy
b) It lacks warmth and freedom
c) It is filled with guests all the time
d) It is too colorful
Answer: b) It lacks warmth and freedom
Explanation: Rusty’s life in Mr. Harrison’s house feels cold and lifeless. There is no love, fun, or emotional warmth—just strict rules and discipline. He is not allowed to explore outside, meet new people, or celebrate festivals. This makes him feel trapped and lonely. In contrast, when Rusty stays with his Indian friends, he experiences warmth, care, and the joy of true friendships, which makes him realize how much he was missing.
42. How does Rusty react when he first eats Indian street food?
a) He dislikes it and throws it away
b) He finds it strange but eventually enjoys it
c) He gets sick after eating it
d) He refuses to try it
Answer: b) He finds it strange but eventually enjoys it
Explanation: Since Rusty was raised in an English-style household, he was not used to Indian street food. When he first tries it, the spices and flavors are unfamiliar, and he finds it different from what he has eaten before. However, over time, he begins to enjoy it and realizes that Indian food is not just tasty but also a symbol of his connection to his new life in India. This moment represents his acceptance of Indian culture.
43. Why does Rusty feel lost in his identity?
a) He is not fully British nor fully Indian
b) He has no friends
c) He does not like Indian food
d) He has no family
Answer: a) He is not fully British nor fully Indian
Explanation: Rusty is an Anglo-Indian, meaning he has both British and Indian heritage. However, he does not feel completely British because he has lived in India all his life. At the same time, he does not fully belong to Indian society either, as he was raised under strict British customs. This identity crisis makes Rusty feel confused and disconnected. The novel follows his journey of self-discovery as he learns where he truly belongs.
44. How does Rusty’s guardian treat him?
a) With kindness and care
b) With strict discipline and control
c) With complete indifference
d) Like a son
Answer: b) With strict discipline and control
Explanation: Mr. Harrison is a strict British man who believes that Anglo-Indians should follow only British customs. He does not allow Rusty to interact with Indians, make friends, or explore life outside his home. He enforces rules with strict discipline and even uses physical punishment. This control makes Rusty feel like a prisoner, which is why he eventually runs away to experience freedom and independence.
45. What does Rusty find most appealing about his Indian friends?
a) Their money
b) Their freedom and joy for life
c) Their ability to speak English
d) Their wealth and status
Answer: b) Their freedom and joy for life
Explanation: Rusty’s Indian friends—Somi, Ranbir, and Kishen—live life with energy, fun, and excitement. Unlike Rusty, they are not restricted by strict rules, and they freely express themselves. They laugh, celebrate, and support each other, something Rusty has never experienced before. He is drawn to their carefree attitude because it represents the life he wishes to have—one filled with friendship, happiness, and independence.
46. What does Holi symbolize in Rusty’s journey?
a) A new beginning and breaking free from restrictions
b) A reminder of his guardian’s strictness
c) A festival he dislikes
d) A return to his old life
Answer: a) A new beginning and breaking free from restrictions
Explanation: Holi is Rusty’s first real taste of freedom. When his Indian friends invite him to play Holi, he lets go of his fears and enjoys himself, feeling truly happy for the first time. However, his joy is short-lived because Mr. Harrison beats him for celebrating an Indian festival. This event makes Rusty realize that he can never truly be free unless he escapes from his guardian. Thus, Holi symbolizes Rusty’s breaking away from restrictions and starting a new life.
47. What is the first thing Rusty does after running away from home?
a) Goes to a restaurant
b) Lives on the streets
c) Finds shelter with an Indian family
d) Leaves for England
Answer: c) Finds shelter with an Indian family
Explanation: After running away from Mr. Harrison’s house, Rusty does not have money, food, or a place to stay. His friend Somi helps him find a place to live in Mr. Kapoor’s house, where Rusty gets a room on the roof in exchange for teaching English to Kishen. This moment is important because it is the first time Rusty is independent and has to take care of himself.
48. Why does Rusty feel guilty after meeting the sweeper boy?
a) Because he realizes the unfairness of social divisions
b) Because he had stolen his food
c) Because the boy is richer than him
d) Because he wants to go back to England
Answer: a) Because he realizes the unfairness of social divisions
Explanation: Rusty meets a sweeper boy and sees how difficult life is for the lower class in India. The boy works hard, yet society treats him poorly because of his social status. Rusty, despite being privileged, has always felt unhappy, but seeing the boy’s struggles makes him feel guilty about his complaints. He realizes that life is unfair for many people and that he has been unaware of these struggles because of his British upbringing.
49. What does Mr. Kapoor’s character represent?
a) A responsible and loving father figure
b) A careless and self-indulgent man
c) A strict teacher
d) A businessman who helps Rusty
Answer: b) A careless and self-indulgent man
Explanation: Mr. Kapoor, the owner of the house where Rusty stays, is a careless and irresponsible man. Instead of taking care of his wife (Meena Kapoor) and son (Kishen), he spends most of his time drinking alcohol. His neglect causes his wife to feel lonely and unhappy, which leads to her emotional bond with Rusty. Mr. Kapoor represents people who fail to take responsibility for their families, which ultimately leads to emotional suffering for others.
50. How does Kishen react to Rusty’s presence in his home?
a) He ignores Rusty completely
b) He becomes good friends with him
c) He complains to his father
d) He forces Rusty to leave
Answer: b) He becomes good friends with him
Explanation: At first, Kishen and Rusty do not have much in common. However, as they spend more time together, they form a strong bond. Kishen is playful, mischievous, and full of life, which helps Rusty break free from his reserved personality. Kishen sees Rusty as a big brother, and Rusty becomes protective of him. Their friendship is one of the most important relationships in the novel, showing how true companionship can form across different backgrounds.
51. How does Rusty’s view on relationships change after Meena Kapoor’s death?
a) He stops believing in love
b) He learns that relationships are fragile and life is unpredictable
c) He decides to return to his guardian
d) He decides never to make friends again
Answer: b) He learns that relationships are fragile and life is unpredictable
Explanation: Rusty deeply admires and secretly loves Meena Kapoor, who treats him with kindness and care. When she dies suddenly in a car accident, Rusty is devastated. He realizes that life is unpredictable and that relationships can be taken away in an instant. This event teaches him emotional maturity and helps him understand that he cannot depend on others for his happiness—he must build his own future.
52. What role does the missionary’s wife play in Rusty’s life?
a) She encourages him to be independent
b) She supports Mr. Harrison’s strict rules
c) She helps him escape from Mr. Harrison
d) She is Rusty’s real mother
Answer: b) She supports Mr. Harrison’s strict rules
Explanation: The missionary’s wife is one of the few women in Rusty’s British community, but instead of offering kindness, she enforces the same strict discipline as Mr. Harrison. She believes that Anglo-Indians should not mix with Indians and discourages Rusty from exploring the world outside his guardian’s house. Her presence in the novel shows how some people accept restrictive rules instead of challenging them, which contrasts with Rusty’s desire for freedom.
53. How does Rusty manage to survive financially after leaving Mr. Harrison?
a) He begs on the streets
b) He gets a job teaching English
c) He works in a shop
d) He steals money
Answer: b) He gets a job teaching English
Explanation: Rusty has no money or job when he runs away, but his friend Somi helps him find work. Mr. Kapoor offers Rusty a place to stay in exchange for teaching English to his son, Kishen. This is an important moment in Rusty’s journey because it marks the first time he earns his own living and takes responsibility for himself. It shows that he is growing into an independent young man.
54. What is the biggest lesson Rusty learns throughout the novel?
a) That freedom and self-discovery are essential
b) That life is better under strict rules
c) That he should always obey authority
d) That he must return to England
Answer: a) That freedom and self-discovery are essential
Explanation: At the beginning of the novel, Rusty is controlled by Mr. Harrison, living under strict rules. However, through his friendships, struggles, and experiences, he learns that freedom is necessary for true happiness. He realizes that he must take control of his own life rather than let others decide for him. His journey of self-discovery is what makes The Room on the Roof a coming-of-age novel.
55. How does Rusty’s friendship with Somi and Ranbir differ from his relationship with Mr. Harrison?
a) His friends control him even more
b) His friends treat him as an equal and offer him freedom
c) His friends are stricter than Mr. Harrison
d) His friends force him to go back to England
Answer: b) His friends treat him as an equal and offer him freedom
Explanation: Under Mr. Harrison, Rusty was treated like a child who needed to follow strict rules. In contrast, Somi, Ranbir, and Kishen treat Rusty as an equal. They introduce him to fun, adventure, and independence. They do not force him to follow rules or traditions but allow him to be himself. This friendship is what ultimately gives Rusty the confidence to break free from his restrictive past.
56. What do Kishen’s actions after his mother’s death indicate?
a) He is completely heartbroken and lost
b) He is happy to be independent
c) He forgets his mother easily
d) He goes back to his father
Answer: a) He is completely heartbroken and lost
Explanation: Kishen loves his mother deeply, and when she dies in a car accident, he feels abandoned and lost. Instead of dealing with his emotions in a healthy way, he runs away and starts stealing, making poor life choices. His reaction contrasts with Rusty’s—while Rusty chooses to grow and move forward, Kishen gets trapped in grief and bad decisions. This shows how different people react to loss in different ways.
57. Why does Rusty hesitate before entering the Indian bazaar for the first time?
a) He fears his guardian’s punishment
b) He does not like crowded places
c) He does not want to meet new people
d) He is afraid of getting lost
Answer: a) He fears his guardian’s punishment
Explanation: Rusty has been raised under strict British discipline, and he was always told that Anglo-Indians should not mix with Indians. Because of this, he feels nervous and guilty about entering an Indian bazaar, even though he is curious. His hesitation shows how deep Mr. Harrison’s control over him was, but by overcoming his fear, Rusty takes the first step toward independence.
58. What does the night Rusty spends outside after escaping Mr. Harrison symbolize?
a) His transition into a new life of independence
b) His failure and regret
c) His wish to return home
d) His need for revenge
Answer: a) His transition into a new life of independence
Explanation: When Rusty runs away from Mr. Harrison, he has nowhere to go. He spends a night outside, which symbolizes his journey into a new world. He is no longer protected by his guardian’s house, but at the same time, he is no longer trapped. This moment represents his rebirth into a life of freedom, even though he still has many challenges ahead.
59. What is the overall tone of The Room on the Roof?
a) Dark and tragic
b) Hopeful and coming-of-age
c) Mystery and suspense
d) Comedy and satire
Answer: b) Hopeful and coming-of-age
Explanation: Although Rusty experiences pain, loss, and struggles, the novel is ultimately a hopeful story. It is a coming-of-age novel, meaning it focuses on Rusty’s growth from a dependent boy to an independent young man. The tone is reflective, emotional, and inspiring, showing that even though life is difficult, one can always find happiness and create a better future.
60. At what age did Ruskin Bond write The Room on the Roof?
a) 21
b) 17
c) 25
d) 19
Answer: b) 17
Explanation: Ruskin Bond wrote The Room on the Roof when he was only 17 years old. The novel was inspired by his own experiences as an Anglo-Indian teenager growing up in India. Even though he was very young, his writing was deeply emotional and realistic, which made the book widely appreciated. The novel’s themes of identity, independence, and self-discovery reflect his own struggles at that time.
