41. What does the narrator humorously suggest about a Labour man wearing a silk hat?
a) It would be a perfect fit
b) It would burn his forehead
c) He would feel honored
d) He would immediately sell it
Answer: b) It would burn his forehead
Explanation: The narrator humorously suggests that a Labour politician, typically associated with working-class values, would feel so uncomfortable wearing an aristocratic silk hat that it would metaphorically “burn” his forehead. This is a satirical jab at social class distinctions and how different groups are expected to dress and behave.
42. How does the narrator feel when he finds an umbrella with a gold tassel at home?
a) Proud and excited
b) Nervous and guilty
c) Indifferent
d) Angry at his servant
Answer: b) Nervous and guilty
Explanation: Upon discovering a luxurious umbrella at home, the narrator feels uneasy, realizing that it does not belong to him. This moment highlights how even someone who humorously critiques others’ moral compromises can find himself in a similar situation. His nervousness reflects the human tendency to justify one’s own minor dishonest acts while condemning the same behavior in others.
43. How does the narrator return the statesman’s umbrella?
a) He personally delivers it
b) He sends it through a friend
c) He writes a letter and dispatches it
d) He leaves it at a lost and found center
Answer: c) He writes a letter and dispatches it
Explanation: The narrator, feeling guilty about possessing an umbrella belonging to a prominent statesman, decides to return it. He writes a polite letter, acknowledging the mistake, and sends it through an official dispatch. This action contrasts with how people often justify keeping things that don’t belong to them, showing that awareness of ownership can lead to moral accountability.
44. What does the narrator imply about people who swap umbrellas at a barber’s shop?
a) They do it without guilt
b) They carefully choose a better umbrella
c) They feel lucky if they get a better one
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: The narrator humorously explains that people who swap umbrellas in public places do so without guilt, sometimes intentionally choosing a better one, and often feeling lucky if they get away with it. This behavior is a reflection of how minor dishonest acts are socially normalized, and individuals find ways to rationalize them.
45. According to the narrator, how do people justify keeping books they borrow?
a) They believe they love the book more than its owner
b) They think the owner forgot about it
c) They assume the book was a gift
d) They simply don’t care
Answer: a) They believe they love the book more than its owner
Explanation: The narrator critiques how book borrowers often convince themselves that they deserve to keep a book because they appreciate it more than the original owner. This justification allows them to suppress any guilt about not returning it, reinforcing the essay’s theme of self-deception in minor moral failings.
46. Why does the narrator mention his own history of umbrella exchanges?
a) To show that even he is guilty of minor dishonesty
b) To prove that umbrella exchanges are common
c) To highlight the benefits of trading items
d) To defend the person who took his umbrella
Answer: a) To show that even he is guilty of minor dishonesty
Explanation: By admitting that he has unknowingly or knowingly participated in umbrella exchanges, the narrator highlights that no one is entirely free from such small moral compromises. This self-awareness adds depth to his argument, making it clear that these behaviors are widespread and relatable.
47. Why does the narrator call book lending “a dangerous habit”?
a) Because books can get damaged
b) Because borrowers rarely return books
c) Because books can be stolen easily
d) Because books should never be shared
Answer: b) Because borrowers rarely return books
Explanation: The narrator humorously warns against lending books because most borrowers never return them. He shares an anecdote about a man whose personal library was entirely composed of borrowed books, illustrating how people take possession of things that are not rightfully theirs while justifying it in their minds.
48. How does the statesman react when the narrator returns his umbrella?
a) He is angry and demands an apology
b) He takes the blame on himself
c) He ignores the return completely
d) He punishes the narrator
Answer: b) He takes the blame on himself
Explanation: When the narrator returns the statesman’s umbrella, the statesman humorously claims that the confusion was caused by the many attendants handing him various items. This response reflects how people, when caught in minor dishonest acts, often shift blame to circumstances or others rather than admitting guilt.
49. What does the narrator believe about the name engraved on the statesman’s umbrella?
a) It saved him from keeping it permanently
b) It made the umbrella more valuable
c) It helped him identify the owner easily
d) It was a trick to track thieves
Answer: a) It saved him from keeping it permanently
Explanation: The narrator realizes that if the umbrella had not been engraved with the statesman’s name, he might have justified keeping it. This highlights how clear ownership markings force people to confront their moral choices, making self-deception more difficult.
50. What phrase does the narrator use to describe people who justify minor dishonesty?
a) “Umbrella conscience”
b) “Theft psychology”
c) “Moral righteousness”
d) “Petty crime mentality”
Answer: a) “Umbrella conscience”
Explanation: “Umbrella conscience” is a term the narrator coins to describe individuals who maintain a self-image of honesty while engaging in minor dishonest acts. It encapsulates the theme of self-justification and the flexible morality that allows people to rationalize small ethical breaches.
