The Model Millionaire Questions and Answers Class 9
Question–answer sets for The Model Millionaire for ICSE Class 9 English. Includes formats used in both boards, short and long answers, reference-to-context questions, MCQs, and value-based responses.
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The Model Millionaire MCQ : HERE
The Model Millionaire Reference to the context:
(i) Who is ‘he’ referred to in the first line? How does ‘he’ look?
Ans. Here, “he” refers to Hughie. He was wonderfully good- looking, with his crisp brown hair, his clear cut profile, and his grey eyes.
(ii) What quality did ‘he’ not have?
Ans. Hughie did not have the accomplishment of making money.
(iii) What did his father bequeath to him? What does it reveal?
Ans. His father left him his cavalry sword and a fifteen-volume History of the Peninsular War.
This reveals that his father might have had a military background or a strong interest in military history, and it also suggests that the family's wealth was not substantial, as these were not monetary bequests, aligning with Hughie's own lack of ability in making money.
(iv) What was his only means of sustenance?
Ans. Hughie lived on an allowance of two hundred pounds a year that his aunt provided.
(v) What is ‘he’ compared with on the stock exchange?
Ans. The passage compares Hughie to a butterfly on the stock exchange. This implies he was unprepared and out of place in the aggressive and financial world of the stock market, where “bulls” and “bears” represent investors with opposing views.
(vi) What kind of person was 'he'?
Answer: Intellectually, he aka Hughie was not of much importance and never said a brilliant or even an ill-natured thing in his life. He was popular with men as well as with women and had every accomplishment except that of making money. Ultimately, he became nothing, a delightful, ineffectual young man with a perfect profile and no profession.
(vii) What was his only means of sustenance?
Answer: His only means of sustenance was the two hundred a year that an old aunt allowed him.
(viii) Comment on the last line - 'He had..bears?
Answer. The line. "but what was a butterfly to do among bulls and bears?" metaphorically illustrates Hughie's unsuitability for the aggressive and competitive environment of the Stock Exchange. A butterfly, being delicate and perhaps flighty, is ill-equipped to navigate the 'bulls' and 'bears,' which represent the harsh dynamics of financial trading. This emphasizes his lack of business acumen and his gentle, possibly impractical, nature.
Passage 2
(i) How did ‘he’ look? Describe his appearance.
Ans. Hughie was a wonderfully good-looking man with a clear-cut profile, grey eyes, and crisp brown hair.
(ii) Which two things did the colonel lose in India?
Ans. The colonel lost his temper and his digestion in India.
(iii) What was the hindrance in Hughie’s engagement with Laura?
Ans. The hindrance to their engagement was money. The Colonel wouldn’t consider it until Hughie had his own money.
(iv) The Colonel was fond of Hughie. Still he did not allow him to marry his daughter. Why?
Ans. The Colonel, despite liking Hughie, wouldn’t allow the marriage because he was poor.
(v) Which sentence in the passage shows that ‘he’ was madly in love with Laura?
Ans. The sentence “Laura adored him, and he was ready to kiss her shoe-strings” suggests his strong feelings. Kissing her shoe-strings is a hyperbolic expression indicating his deep devotion and willingness to do anything for her.
(vi) Describe the relationship between Hughie and Laura.
Answer: Laura adored Hughie, and he was ready to kiss her shoe-strings. They were the handsomest couple in London, though they had not a penny-piece between them.
(vii) Which two things did the colonel lose in India?
Answer. The two things the retired Colonel had lost in India were his temper and his digestion.
(viii) What had made matters worse for Hughie?
Answer: What had made matters worse for Hughie was that he was in love, which was problematic given his financial situation and the Colonel's conditions for marriage.
Passage 3
(i) Who is ‘he’ referred to in the first line? How does he look?
Ans. “He” refers to Alan Trevor. The passage describes him as a “strange rough fellow, with a freckled face and a red ragged beard.”
(ii) What tells you that ‘he’ was a great painter?
Ans. The passage mentions that his pictures were “eagerly sought after.” This suggests his work was in high demand and likely well-regarded.
(iii) Who are the only people a painter should know?
Ans. Alan Trevor believes a painter should only know people who are beautiful and provide artistic pleasure to look at and intellectual repose to talk to.
(iv) What is ‘his’ opinion about the beautiful people?
Ans. Alan Trevor views beautiful people as an artistic pleasure to look at and an intellectual repose to talk to. This implies he finds their beauty aesthetic and their conversation intellectually relaxing.
(v) Who according to ‘him’ rule the world?
Ans. Alan states “Men who are dandies and women who are darlings rule the world, at least they should do so.” Here, “dandies” refers to stylish and fashionable men, and “darlings” describes charming and attractive women. He believes these beautiful people deserve to be in power.
Passage
(i) Why does Hughie feel that the model should have a percentage in the sale price of a painting?
Ans. Hughie likely feels the model deserves a share because they contribute to the creation of the artwork. He says they work “quite as hard as you do,” implying the model’s posing and holding still are significant efforts.
(ii) Why does Alan think that the work of an artist is more difficult than that of a model?
Ans. Alan seems to view the physical effort of applying paint and standing for long periods as the core of art creation. He dismisses Hughie’s opinion with “Nonsense, nonsense!” and emphasizes the technical aspects of painting.
(iii) Explain the line – There are moments when Art almost attains to the dignity of manual labour.
Ans. Alan doesn’t truly believe art is on par with manual labor. He’s exaggerating the physical aspects to downplay the creative and intellectual effort involved in creating art. It’s a way of dismissing Hughie’s view and portraying art as less worthy.
(iv) Who enters the studio and what does he tell Alan?
Ans. The servant comes in and tells Trevor “the frame-maker wanted to speak to him.” This implies the frame-maker has arrived at the studio and wants to talk to Alan about probably framing a painting.
(v) When Alan goes out what does the beggar man do?
Ans. When Alan goes out, the beggar-man feels relieved. He feels tired as he has been standing in the same pose for a long time.
Passage
(i) What happened that made the old man smile?
Ans. The old man smiled because Hughie gave him a sovereign (a gold coin), which was a very kind and unexpected act of charity.
(ii) “Hughie left blushing a little at what he had done”. What had he done?
Ans. Hughie blushed because he felt a bit embarrassed about giving away his last bit of money to a beggar.
(iii) Why did Hughie receive a scolding from Laura?
Ans. Hughie received a scolding from Laura because he spent more money than he should have that day.
(iv) Why does the writer say that Hughie ‘had to walk home’?
Ans. The writer says Hughie “had to walk home” because he spent all his money, leaving him without enough for a carriage ride.
(v) What information did Hughie want to have from Alan?
Ans. Hughie wanted to know from Alan if he was able to finish the painting of the old man posing as a beggar.
Passage
(i) For whom is the word ‘him’ used in the first line?
Ans. The word “him” refers to the old man, who Hughie gave the money to.
(ii) What did Hughie have at home? What did he want to do with that?
Ans. Hughie has heaps of old clothes at home. He wants to offer them to the old man because he feels bad about his ragged clothes.
(iii) “But he looks splendid in them.” In which tone is this sentence spoken?
Ans. This sentence is spoken in a lighthearted and slightly sarcastic tone. Trevor doesn’t believe the old man is truly miserable and seems to find some artistic beauty in his poverty.
(iv) “I’ll tell him of your offer.” Which offer is referred to in this line?
Ans. Trevor refers to Hughie’s offer of giving the old man his old clothes.
(v) “What seems poverty, to you is picturesqueness to me.” What does the speaker mean by it?
Ans. This line highlights the difference in perception between Hughie and Trevor. Hughie sees the old man’s clothes as a sign of poverty and something to be pitied. However, Trevor sees the rags as picturesque, adding to the character of the old man.
Passage
(i) What does Alan tell Hughie about the old beggar?
Ans. Alan reveals that the “old beggar” Hughie saw was actually Baron Hausberg, one of the richest men in Europe.
(ii) What does Alan tell about the ‘old beggar’s financial position?
Ans. Alan describes Baron Hausberg as one of the richest men in Europe. He claims the Baron could buy all of London, owns houses in major cities, enjoys luxurious meals, and even has the power to influence international politics.
(iii) How is Baron Hausberg a friend of Alan?
Ans. Alan mentions the Baron is a “great friend” who “buys all my pictures.” This implies a close professional relationship.
(iv) What for did Baron Hansberg give commission to Alan?
Ans. Baron Hausberg commissioned Alan to paint him as a beggar. The passage mentions Alan received this commission a month prior.
(v) What do you know about the rags which were worn by the ‘old beggar’?
Ans. The passage tells us the rags worn by the “old beggar” were actually an “old suit” belonging to Alan himself. He mentions acquiring the suit in Spain.
Passage
(i) Why does Trevor want Hughie to stay?
Ans. Trevor wants Hughie to stay because he finds the situation humorous. He wants Hughie to relax, have another cigarette, and even talk about Laura.
(ii) How does Hughie feel despite Trevor’s reassurances?
Ans. Even though Trevor tries to lighten the mood, Hughie remains unhappy. He walks home feeling embarrassed and ashamed.
(iii) What does the card delivered the next morning signify?
Ans. The card delivered the next morning signifies that Baron Hausberg, the beggar Hughie gave money to, is sending someone to see him. “Monsieur Gustave Naudin” is likely the Baron’s representative.
(iv) What is Hughie’s initial assumption about the reason for the visit?
Ans. Hughie assumes the Baron’s representative is coming for an apology. He believes he might have been tricked by a fake beggar.
(v) How can you tell the visitor is likely someone of importance?
Ans. The description of the visitor as an “old gentleman with gold spectacles and grey hair” suggests a sense of authority and respectability. Additionally, his formal way of addressing Hughie (“Have I the honour of addressing Monsieur Erskine?”) implies a social standing above Hughie.
Passage
(i) Who apologized to the Baron?
Ans. Hughie stammered the apology, indicating nervousness or fluster.
(ii) Who delivered the letter to Hughie?
Ans. The old gentleman, commissioned by the Baron, delivered a letter to Hughie.
(iii) What was written on the letter?
Ans. The inscription on the letter identified it as a wedding present from an “old beggar” to Hugh
Erskine and Laura Merton.
(iv) What was inside the letter?
Ans. The letter contained a check for a substantial amount, 10,000 pounds for the couple.
(v) Who gave the speech at the wedding breakfast?
Ans. The Baron delivered a speech at the wedding breakfast.
Passage
(i) What was the old man’s mood after Hughie left?
Ans. The old man was in the highest spirits, chuckling to himself and rubbing his hands together.
(ii) Why was Trevor initially confused about the old man’s interest in Hughie?
Ans. Trevor couldn’t understand why the old man seemed so interested in learning about Hughie.
(iii) What does Trevor predict the old man will do with Hughie’s money?
Ans. Trevor predicts the old man will invest Hughie’s sovereign (a gold coin) and pay him interest on it in six months.
(iv) Why does Hughie call himself “unlucky”?
Ans. Hughie feels unlucky for giving money to a man who later turned out to be wealthy and respectable. He worries that his gesture might have offended or angered him.
(v) What does Hughie fear if people find out what happened?
Ans. Hughie worries that people who frequent The Row, a wealthy area, might think badly of him for giving money to a beggar who didn’t need it.
The Model Millionaire QUESTION-ANSWER
How does the author describe Hughie Erskine, the protagonist of this story?
Ans: Hughie Erskine was good looking handsome young man. He had brown hairs, grey eyes and clear-cut profile. He was very popular among men & women. He had every accomplishment except that of making money.
Why was Hughie unable to marry the love of his life? OR What was Colonel's condition for Hughie to marry with his daughter?
Ans: Hughie was madly in love with Laura Merton. Her father was a retired Colonel Merton who set one condition in front of Hughie to marry with his daughter Laura. The Condition was that Hughie has to collect 10,000 pounds before marriage. Since Hughie had not enough money, he was unable to marry the love of his life.
Describe the professions Hughie Erskine had tried & the result of his efforts.
Ans: Hughie Erskine had tried for many businesses. He had tried for Stock Exchange for 6 months. He had been a Tea Merchant for sometimes. He also tried selling dry sherry. But he could not become successful in any of them.
Who was Alan Trevor? What was Trevor doing when Hughie went to visit him?
Ans: Alan Trevor was a Painter & an Artist. He was Hughie Erskine's best friend.
When Hughie visited him in his studio, he was painting a picture of a beggar man who was standing on the platform in the comer of his studio. Unknown to Hughie, the beggar man was actually Baron Hausberg, a richest man of Europe.
According to Alan Trevor, who rules the world?
Ans: Alan states “Men who are dandies and women who are darlings rule the world, at least they should do so.” Here, “dandies” refers to stylish and fashionable men, and “darlings” describes charming and attractive women. He believes these beautiful people deserve to be in power.
Why did Alan Trevor like Hughie Erskine?
Hughie Erskine was a handsome person. From Aesthetic point of view, Alan believed that Artists should accompany beautiful men & women. So he got attracted to Hughie at first entirely on account of his personal charm. However, after he got to know Hughie better, he liked him quite as much for his bright buoyant spirits and his generous reckless nature.
Describe the appearance of the beggar-man as he stood in the studio of Alan Trevor.
The beggar man was old. He had wrinkle & piteous expression on his face. A battered brown coat was flung over his shoulders. His shoes were patched & cobbled. He stood with the help of rough stick on one hand and his other hand is held out his torn hat for alms. His appearance could bring tears in eyes.
How did Hughie Erskine show his reckless generosity?
Ans: Hughie was not rich men, yet he pitted on old beggar man & gave him sovereign. He know giving it away means means no hansoms for a fortnight, but he thought the beggar man needed it much more than him. Thus, Hughie Erskine shown his reckless generosity.
Why did Laura scold Hughie Erskine?
Ans: Laura scolded Hughie for giving sovereign to the beggar man out of pity because Hughie himself was not a rich person.
What is the beggar's true identity? What is Hughie's reaction when he leams of it?
Ans: The beggar is Baron Hausberg. He was one of the richest men in Europe. He has a house in every capital.
After knowing all this, he was ashamed himself. He considered himself as a duffer or fool person.
What did Baron Hausberg send to Hughie? and Why? (OR) Describe how & thorough whom Hughie got ten thousand pounds.
Ans: Baron Hausberg was impressed by Hughie's generosity. He came to know from Alan that Hughie is unable to marry Laura because of 10,000 pounds. So, he sent that amount to enable him to get married with Laura.
Give two positive qualities of Hughie. What was his drawback?
Ans: Hughie is described as "wonderfully good-looking" with crisp brown hair, a clear-cut profile, and grey eyes. Additionally, it is said that he never said anything brilliant or ill-natured in his life, highlighting his kind and amiable character. He was also shown having reckless genericity.
Hughie's gentle, romantic nature doesn’t suit the harsh demands of society. He could not make significant accomplishments in life. Thus he lacks financial instability.
What did Hughie's father bequeath him? What did he do with his inheritance?
Ans: Hughie's father had bequeathed him his cavalry sword, and a History of the Peninsular War in fifteen volumes. Hughie hung the first over his looking-glass, put the second on a shelf between Ruff's Guide and Bailey's Magazine, and lived on two hundred a year that an old aunt allowed him.
How did Hughie make a living? What was his experience in the Stock Exchange and in other concerns?
Ans: Hughie Erskine did not have a steady income and relied on a meager allowance of two hundred pounds per year from his aunt.
He tried working on the Stock Exchange for six months but felt out of place. He also attempted to be a tea-merchant and sell dry sherry, but both ventures were unsuccessful. Ultimately, he became a charming yet profession-less young man.
"Ultimately he became nothing, a delightful ineffectual young man with a perfect profile and no profession." - Explain.
Ans: The line implies that although Hughie Erskine has attractive physical appearance and pleasing personality, he lacked a stable profession or financial security. In a society that values wealth and achievement, he is regarded as “nothing” without any profession or significant accomplishment.
Name and explain the figure of speech used in the following "and he was ready to kiss her shoe-strings."
Ans: The figure of speech used in the phrase is hyperbole. Hyperbole is a figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or dramatic effect. In this context, it exaggerates Hughie's deep affection and willingness to do anything for Laura. By stating that he is willing to kiss her shoe-strings, it emphasizes his intense devotion and readiness to express his love in an exaggerated and extravagant manner.
Describe Alan Trevor's appearance.
Ans: Alan Trevor had a strange and rough appearance. He had a freckled face and a red, ragged beard. This unconventional look added to his artistic persona. Despite his unconventional appearance, when Trevor picked up the brush, he displayed true mastery in his craft, and his paintings were highly sought after.
What was the reaction of Laura and Trevor on Hughie's charity?
Ans: On Hughie's charity, Laura gave a charming scolding to Hughie. And Trevor first repeated Hughie's line loudly and then burst into a roar of laughter. Trevor told Hughie that the old beggar was actually one of the richest men in Europe and said Baron would invest Hughie's money and pay him interest.
What was the immediate fear of Hughie when he would go home?
Ans: The immediate fear of Hughie when he would go home was that Baron Hausberg, the old beggar-man whom he had unknowingly given a sovereign, would be waiting for him. Hughie worried that his act of charity, which he believed was directed towards a poor and destitute individual, would be revealed as a mistake, causing him embarrassment and making him feel like a fool.
Who was the old gentleman who brought the letter? What were the contents in the sealed envelope?
Ans: The old gentleman who brought the letter was Monsieur Gustave Naudin, acting on behalf of Baron Hausberg. The sealed envelope contained a wedding present for Hugh Erskine and Laura Merton. On the outside of the envelope, it was written, 'A wedding present to Hugh Erskine and Laura Merton, from an old beggar.' Inside the envelope was a cheque for £10,000.
Why did Hughie give the beggar the sovereign? How did the beggar respond?
Ans. The old beggar-man looked forlorn and wretched so Hughie felt sorry for him and gave him the sovereign. The old man smiled and thanked Hughie twice for the alms.
What did Hughie receive from the ‘beggar’?
Ans. One morning, an old gentleman with gold spectacles and grey hair, Monsieur Gustave Naudin came to meet Hughie. He gave him a cheque for £10,000 as a wedding present to Hugh Erskine and Laura Merton. It was from Baron Hausberg.
‘How miserable he looks! But I suppose, to you painters, his face is his fortune?’ Explain the statement.
Ans. Hughie was filled with pity on looking at the old beggar’s face and clothes. The mark of a good artist is if he paints a picture that evokes a strong emotion in the observer. Artists look for such faces; hence, they become saleable for both the model and the artist.
"What you call rags, I call romance. What seems poverty to you is picturesqueness to me"
Ans: The statement suggests that while some may view worn-out clothing as rags and a sign of poverty, Alan Trevor sees them as a source of romance and aesthetic appeal. He finds beauty in the tattered garments, considering them to possess a picturesque quality. It emphasizes the subjective nature of perception and highlights Trevor's unique perspective on poverty and its visual representation.
"An artist's heart is in his head".
Ans: The phrase "An artist's heart is in his head" implies that an artist's emotions, passions, and creative drive are expressed and channelled through their intellect and imagination. It suggests that the true essence and depth of an artist's feelings and inspirations come from their mental and intellectual capacities rather than solely relying on their emotional heart. It emphasizes the importance of intellect, thoughtfulness, and the ability to conceptualize ideas in the artistic process.
"Millionaire models are rare enough, but model millionaires are rare still!" Explain.
Ans: The phrase “Millionaire models are rare enough, but model millionaires are rare still!” suggests that while wealthy individuals working as models are uncommon, a model of a millionaire is someone even rarer—one who not only has wealth but also uses it with generosity, humility, and compassion.
What did Hughie see in Trevor’s studio?
Ans. When Hughie walked into Trevor’s studio, he saw Trevor working on a large, life-size painting of a beggar. The beggar looking man was standing on a platform in a corner of the studio. He was an old man with a face full of wrinkles and had a sad, pitiful look. He wore a rough brown cloak that was torn and shabby, and his heavy boots were patched and cobbled. One of his hands rested on a stick for support, while the other stretched out a battered hat for alms.
Why did Hughie think he had made a fool of himself?
Ans. Hughie met his artist friend, Trevor at the Palette Club. Trevor informed him that he had finished and framed the painting of the beggar. He also tells him that the old model has become quite devoted to Hughie and wanted to know all about Hughie– who he was, where he lived, what his income was, what prospects he had. He also knew about the colonel, Laura and £10,000. Hughie was annoyed that Trevor had told the old beggar all his private details. That’s when Trevor revealed that the old beggar is actually Baron Hausberg, the richest man in Europe. Trevor was given a commission to paint him as a beggar so he was dressed that way. Hughie was embarrassed and thought he had made a fool of himself by giving the Baron a sovereign thinking him a real beggar.
‘That old beggar, as you call him, is one of the richest men in Europe’. Name the richest man referred to. How is he described to Hughie? / Describe Baron Hausberg.
Answer: The richest man’s name was Baron Hausberg.
According to Alan Trevor, Baron Hausberg had a house in every capital city. He ate his food in gold plates. He could buy all of London the next day, and prevent Russia from going to war. Baron Hausberg was very influential and powerful. He had a desire to get his picture painted as a beggar. He had asked Alan to paint his portrait and offered to pose as the beggar model himself. His attitude towards Hughie shows that he was also a generous person.
Describe how Hughie was able to marry Laura Merton.
Answer: Hughie was a handsome young man. He was not intelligent and did not have any money. He tried to make money by doing different jobs, but failed in his attempts. He was deeply in love with Laura. However, Laura’s father told him that he would consider giving his daughter in marriage if he earned ten thousand pounds of his own. Then, Hughie met a beggar model in Alan Trevor’s studio and gave him a sovereign. The beggar model was in reality a rich man by name Baron Hausberg. He was impressed by Hughie’s generosity. He found out everything about Hughie from Alan Trevor. He sent Hughie a cheque for ten thousand pounds as a wedding present. Thus, Hughie was able to marry Laura.
How does Baron Hausberg demonstrate that he is both; a model millionaire and a millionaire model?
Baron Hausberg demonstrates that he is a millionaire model by being a millionaire who poses as a beggar for a portrait with tattered clothes and patched boots whimsically. He proves himself a model millionaire through his generous response to Hughie’s kindness. Though rich, he accepts the sovereign Hughie gives him out of pity. Later, learning about Hughie’s financial troubles and Laura’s father’s condition, he quietly sends a cheque of ten thousand pounds as a wedding gift. This thoughtful act enables Hughie to marry Laura and shows that Hausberg is not just a wealthy man, but a kind and generous one—truly a model for others.
How does humble and kind-hearted Hughie finally gain happiness?
Answer: Hughie is a kind but poor young man who loves Laura, but her father wants him to have ten thousand pounds before marriage. One day, Hughie visits his friend Alan and sees an old beggar posing for a painting. Feeling sorry, he gives the beggar a gold coin, even though he doesn’t have much money himself.
Later, Hughie finds out the beggar was actually Baron Hausberg, a very rich man. Instead of being angry, the Baron is touched by Hughie’s kindness. The next day, he sends Hughie a cheque for ten thousand pounds as a wedding gift. Thanks to this generous surprise, Hughie is able to marry Laura and find happiness.
What are two major traits in Hughie and Baron Hausberg that stand out most? Give a reason.
Answer: Hughie Erskine is marked by genuine kindness. Despite being poor, he gives a sovereign to a beggar out of pure compassion, showing empathy without expecting anything in return. This selfless act reflects a generous nature that ultimately leads to his happiness.
Baron Hausberg displays remarkable generosity. Instead of being offended by Hughie’s mistake, he appreciates the gesture and sends him a cheque for ten thousand pounds. His thoughtful gift helps Hughie marry Laura, proving that true greatness lies in valuing human goodness over wealth or status.
The Model Millionaire MCQ, Summary (in English & Bengali) : GO HERE
