Textual Questions

1. What was Hughie’s financial status? (Pg:1)

Answer:Hughie had no job. So his financial status was very poor.

2. What was the condition laid down by the Colonel to allow Hughie’s engagement to Laura? (Pg:1)

Answer:The Colonel asked Hughie to earn ten thousand pounds of his own to marry Laura. This was the condition.

3.  Why was Hughie upset? (April-2012) (Pg:1)

Answer: Hughie was unable to fulfill the condition of the Colonel. So he was upset.

4.What makes you feel Alan was a good painter? (Pg:2)

Answer: The author says that Alan’s pictures were eagerly sought after. It makes me feel that Alan was a good painter.

5. What made the old man look a typical beggar? (Pg:2)
 
Answer: The old man had a wizened face. He looked very miserable. His tattered cloak and patched boots made him a typical beggar.

6. Why is the model’s face, his fortune? (Pg:3)

Answer:The beggar model had a wizened face. He looked very miserable. His face brings money for both him and the painter. So, his face is his fortune.

7. How many shillings make a pound? (Pg:3)

Answer: 20 shillings make a pound.
 
8. In our country models pose for advertisement. How much do you think they are paid? (Pg:3)
 
Answer: Models are paid high. Celebrity models are paid in Lakhs.

9.What was the beggar’s true identity? (Model,June-2012) (pg:3)
      
Answer: The beggar model was Baron Hausberg. He was one of the richest men in Europe.

The beggar model had a wizened face. He looked very miserable. His tattered cloak and patched boots made him a typical beggar. So Hughie mistook him as a real beggar.

10. Why did Hughie fear an adverse reaction from the Baron? (pg:3)

Answer: Hughie mistook the Baron for a real beggar and gave him a sovereign. When he came to know the truth, he feared an adverse reaction.

11. Why did Hughie wish to apologise to the Baron? (pg:4)

Answer: Hughie had treated the Baron like a beggar. So, he wished apologise to him.

Pondering over the text

1. Why was Hughie angry with Trevor?

Answer: Trevor discussed Hughie's personal affairs with the beggar model. Hence Hughie was angry with Trevor.

2. Why did Trevor remark that such beggars as the model were not to be met with everyday?

Answer: Though the Baron was a millionaire he came forward to work as a beggar model. So, Trevor remarked that such beggars as the model were not to be met with every day.

3. Why did Hughie grow offended at Trevor's act of discussing his affairs with a stranger?

Answer: Hughie didn’t like his affairs to be discussed with someone. So, he grew offended.

4. What was the Baron's reaction to Hughie's innocent act of awarding him a coin?

Answer: Baron thanked Hughie when he gave him a coin. Later, he sent Hughie a cheque for ten thousand pounds as a wedding gift.

5. Differentiate – Millionaire Model and Model Millionaire.

Answer: Model millionaires are very generous and kind. But Millionaire models aren’t so noble.

More about the text

1. How would you justify the title of the story?

Answer: The title ‘The Model Millionaire’ refers to Baron Hausberg. He is really a Model Millionaire with generosity. So the title is suitable one.  

2. Attempt a character sketch of (a) Hughie (b) The Baron.

Answer:

(a) Hughie    : Hughie is a poor handsome young man but kind. He never wants to share his affairs with others.  
(b) The Baron: The Baron is generous and forgiving. He rewards Hughie, who mistook him as a beggar.  

3. Think of different a way in which Hughie’s problem could have been solved.

Answer: Hughie might have joined a good job and earned ten thousand pounds. Thus, his problem could have been solved.

4. Imagine another possible reaction the Baron could have had on receiving alms from Hughie.

Answer: The Baron could have invested Hughie’s sovereign and paid him the interest.

Answer in a paragraph

1.Who was Hughie? How had Hughie treated the model who posed for Trevor? (June -2012)
           OR
2.What was the result of Hughie’s mistaking the Baron for a beggar? (April-2012)
          OR
3.How does Baron Hausburg prove to be a ‘model millionaire’? (Model-2012)

Answer: Hughie was a handsome young man. He had no job. So his financial condition was very poor. He wanted to marry Laura Merton. Her Colonel-father asked Hughie to earn ten thousand pounds of his own to marry Laura. Hughie was unable to fulfill the condition of the Colonel. So he was upset.

Once, Hughie visited his friend Trevor’s studio. He saw a beggar model there. The old man had a wizened face. He looked very miserable. His tattered cloak, patched and cobbled boots made him a typical beggar. Hughie took pity and gave him a sovereign. Actually the beggar model was Baron Hausberg, one of the richest men in Europe. After knowing the truth, Hughie felt very sorry for his act. But the Baron sent a cheque for ten thousand pounds as a reward. Thus the charitable act of Hughie was rewarded. Really the millionaire model was a model Millionaire.