51. What was the narrator forced to do after losing his silk hat?
a) Walk bareheaded to buy another
b) Borrow a hat from a friend
c) Steal a different hat
d) Make a public complaint
Answer: a) Walk bareheaded to buy another
Explanation: After realizing his silk hat was taken, the narrator humorously recounts how he had to walk through important streets without a hat, feeling exposed and embarrassed. This adds a comical element to the essay while underscoring how such incidents can inconvenience the victim.
52. Why does the narrator think engraving a name on an umbrella is useful?
a) It prevents people from stealing it
b) It makes it easy to identify the owner
c) It forces people to return it
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: The narrator concludes that engraving a name on an umbrella prevents theft, makes identification easier, and increases the likelihood of its return. This practical solution reinforces the theme that clear ownership markings reduce opportunities for moral compromise.
53. What does the narrator say about books that are borrowed and never returned?
a) They become part of a person’s collection
b) They are better appreciated by the borrower
c) They have their own destiny
d) They should be given away freely
Answer: a) They become part of a person’s collection
Explanation: The narrator humorously points out that borrowed books often end up permanently in the borrower’s collection, as people justify keeping them. This example reinforces the broader theme of how people rationalize taking possession of things that aren’t theirs.
54. How does the narrator justify umbrella exchanges?
a) By claiming they happen accidentally
b) By stating that he sometimes loses and sometimes gains
c) By saying umbrellas should be shared
d) By believing that honesty is flexible
Answer: b) By stating that he sometimes loses and sometimes gains
Explanation: The narrator acknowledges that he, too, has participated in umbrella exchanges, sometimes ending up with a better umbrella and sometimes with a worse one. This admission reflects the broader idea that people excuse minor dishonest acts by viewing them as a matter of chance or balance.
