I was a custom-house officer - One dark December afternoon, a letter, but of a different nature, arrived- Multiple Choice & Short Question for SSC English First Paper - English for Today
- Fakhruddin Babar
- Feb 4
- 13 min read
Read the passage carefully and answer the questions following it.
I was a custom-house officer in 1827. At that time there was much smuggling in this country. There were government officials to check this unlawful trade, but many of them were bribed to hear and see nothing. It is, therefore, not surprising that many captures slipped through our fingers.
I was then a young man. For some years of good work, I had been raised to the rank of a riding officer with a good salary that enabled me to marry.
My station was on the South Coast near the town of Dover. In those days, most of the sailors along the coast took part in smuggling. On several occasions when I did my duty properly, I received warnings from the well-known townsmen that I was too active to carry out my duties. But I did not want to be a silent, toothless watchdoglike old Captain Peabody who had for forty years looked with blind eyes after the rights of the country. My chiefs had always praised me as I was very honest and dutiful. They were already talking of raising my rank further.
Once in a stormy autumn night, I successfully led my team to a secret place where the smuggled goods were stored. The hiding place was a cave forty feet below the surface of a chalk- hill in the south of England.
After this capture my Chief came to Dover to report on it. He praised me and promised to reward me. Filled with joy, I began to care even less for the threatening letters of the smugglers.
1. Choose the best answer from the alternatives. 1×7=7
The word ‘smuggling’ is related to —.
i) normal market ii) black market iii) white market iv share market
The customs officer could marry because of his —.
i) good job ii) good wages
iii) modesty iv) good salary and high rank.
The officer was —.
i) reluctant to his work ii) dutiful
iii) insincere iv) lazy
The government officials were—.
i) engaged in smuggling ii) active in removing smuggling
iii) bound to check smuggling iv) aware of smuggling.
Dover is in —.
i) the USA ii) the UK iii) the Middle East iv) the East
f. We have been introduced with the season— in the story.
i) dew ii) summer iii) late autumn iv) winter
The word’ warning’ is a—.
i) verb ii) noun iii) adjective iv) adverb
Extra Practices
The officer said in his speech “the captures slipped through our fingers” means.
i) They were unable to arrest them. ii) They would not escape from the officials
iii) They were powerful iv) The bribed officials would help them to escape.
The night was —.
i) dark ii) stormy iii) lightly iv) snowing
j. Captain Peabody had served for—.
i) one decade ii) two decades iii) three decades iv) four decades
Once in a stormy — night.
(i) summer (ii) autumn (iii) winter (iv) raing season
He was a custom house officer in —.
(i) 1827 (ii) 1817 (iii) 1837 (iv) 1828
For — years of good work.
(i) one (ii) three (iii) some (iv) lot of
He was to active to carry out his —.
(i) office (ii) study (iii) job (iv) duties
He was very — and dutiful.
(i) honest (ii) dishonest (iii) lazy (iv) hard worker
My chiefs had always praised me as I was very ― and dutiful.
(i) honest (ii) dutiful (iii) praised (iv) chief
They were already talking of raising my rank―.
(i) raising (ii) talking (iii) further (iv) already
2. Answer the following questions. 2×5 = 10
a) How could the customs officer achieve the high rank?
b) Which one is an unlawful trade?
c) What was the surprising matter to him?
d) Why did the people of Dover warn him?
e) Who was Captain Peabody?
Extra Practices
1. Where was his workplace?
2. When did he get the post of a riding officer?
3. When did he get married?
4. Who were engaged in smuggling?
5. Who gave him the threatening letters?
6. When he was a custom house officer?
7. Why did the chief the customs officer?
8. Where did the smugglers keep their smuggled goods?
9. Where are the chalk-hill?
10. Who were there to check the unlawful trade?
11. What is not surprising?
12. What had he been raised to?
13. When did he successfully lead his team?
14. How was the hiding place?
57. Model Question
Read the passage carefully and answer the questions following it.
One dark December afternoon, a letter, but of a different nature, arrived. It was stamped with ‘On His Majesty’s Service’. The letter was written by one of my chiefs. It informed me that, according to secret news they had received, a great cargo was going to be landed that very night on the coast between Dover and Folkstone. I was told to go to a particular place of the cliff exactly at eleven o’clock that very night. There the chief and his men would wait for me. He wanted to use my knowledge and experience to catch the smugglers. Also he ordered me to come alone and not to speak of his letter or the meeting place to any person in Dover.
All that evening while I was preparing for my night ride, Lucy was looking at me sadly. I was oiling and loading my guns, getting ready my sword and belt, my heavy coat and high boots. And all the time she was looking at me with her blue tearful eyes.
“Are you quite sure,” she asked, “that the letter is in the Chief’s handwriting?” I laughed at her, but she wanted an answer. I had to admit that I did not know his official handwriting. However, I assured her that he had been newly appointed and he must have good intention to protect our national interest from the smugglers. Still Lucy was doubtful.
I tried to cheer her up by talking to the bright future awaiting us after tonight’s expedition. I told Lucy that after the capture I am sure I would be rewarded with a rise and a position in the London main Custom House. I talked of a nice cottage at Islington, with a garden, and of the best school for our son Alex. Lucy tried to smile but all in vain.
After supper when I began to set out, Lucy trembled in fear and said, “Alfred, dear, are you quite, quite sure that the letter really came from your Chief?” I laughed, told her not to be afraid, and hurried out of the room and walked down the street.
Choose the best answer from the alternatives. 1×7=7
The letter was —- with ‘On His Majesty’s Service.
i) written ii) embossed iii) implemented iv) placed
The officer went — to them.
i) quickly ii) slowly iii) gladly iv) sadly
His hands were — fastened.
i) prudently ii) recklessly iii) insecurely iv)
He had to go there—.
i) after 12 am ii) just at 11 pm iii) the night before iv) just at 10pm.
The officer—his wife.
i) jeered at ii) looked at iii) smiled at iv) short at
Lucy stared at him when he was — the guns.
i) preparing ii) marking iii) using iii) re-pairing
After the capture he would get a —- he thought.
i) promotion ii) demotion iii) prize iv) notification
Extra Practices
Alex would go to —.
i) a new school ii) the best school of the city
iii) the ancient school in the city iv) a famous school in the city
Alfred didn’t know at the handwriting of the —.
i) smugglers ii) his wife iii) his Chief iv) his son
His Chief was—.
i) an old officer of his office ii) a new officer of his office
iii) the eldest officer of his office iv) the newest officer of his office
2. Answer the following questions. 2×5 = 10
a) What was inscribed on the letter?
b) Why do you think the officer was obedient to his Chief?
c) Where was the meeting place located?
d) Which questions answer was Lucy waiting for?
e) Do you think Lucy didn’t smile? Why?
Extra Practices
1. What might happen in Alfred’s future?
2. Why was Lucy looking at Harvey with tearful eyes?
3. When did he start for the meeting place?
4. What did Alfred say to Lucy about his new house?
5. How did he go there?
Read the passage carefully and answer the questions following it.
I took my lonely way up the high cliffs. It was all dark and miserable. I was trying to keep up my cheerful spirits. But Lucy’s last question, “Are you quite, quite sure that the letter really came from your Chief?” kept coming back again and again to my mind.
I knew the meeting place. It was a large cliff standing above the angry sea. I walked slowly up and down along the cliff edge. It was all dark and quiet except for the mysterious sound of the waves. A trembling ran through me.
Soon I heard the low voice of some men, coming from the hillside. I thought they were the Chief and his party. So I hastened up to them and said, “Good evening, gentlemen!”
But there was no answer. After a sharp and clear whistle, I was seized by a dozen strong hands at once. So sudden was the attack that before I could strike a blow or pull out my sword, I was pinned to the ground and disarmed. The smugglers!
“We’ve got the fellow at last!” cried several voices at once. Then followed a stream of curses, “Murder him!” “Cut him into pieces and through him to the fishes!” And so on.
“Stop!” cried out the voice of one who no doubt was their leader. “First make sure he’s the man we want.”
My hands were now safely bound, and all resistance was impossible. A red light flashed full on my face.
“He’s the fellow we want!” They all cried. By the light of the lamp, I could see that all those strong built men were in sailor’s clothes. They were all armed, their faces being covered.
Then I was mercilessly beaten and knocked down. Someone put a gun at my head.
“Stop!” cried the leader. “Shooting is too easy a death for a man like him. Hang him over the cliff.” There were roars of laughter, mixed with “Yes! Yes!” Then the leader said, “All right, but before we do that, let’s here if he has anything to say in his defence.”
With despair in my heart I said, “I have done nothing but my duty to the King without fear.” All was in vain, as the smugglers were too angry to listen to me.
Then came the ultimate verdict from the leader, “Alfred Harvey, you are a very tough customs officer. Your punishment cannot be anything less than death.” Then he turned to his men. “So tie him to the neck and heels, and throw him to the fishes.”
I made a great effort to break the ropes on my wrists, but they were too strong to break. The men led me to the edge of the tall cliff, beneath which roared the sea.
1. Choose the best answer from the alternatives. 1×7=7
Many of the customs officers were given — to hear and see nothing.
i) money ii) prize iii) book iv) advice
Most of the — would take part in smuggling.
i) porters ii) drivers iii) sailors iv) doctors
His station was on the — coast near the town of Dover.
i) south ii) east iii) west iv) north
The hiding place was a cave — the surface of a chalk hill.
i) 40 feet below ii) 30 feet below iii) 20 feet below iv) 45 feet below
His chiefs praised him as he was —.
i) honest ii) very honest and dutiful
iii) dutiful iv) truthful
The hiding place was a cave — the surface of a chalk hill.
i) 40 feet below ii) 30 feet below iii) 20 feet below iv) 45 feet below
His chiefs praised him as he was —.
i) honest ii) very honest and dutiful
iii) dutiful iv) truthful
2. Answer the following questions. 2×5 = 10
a) Why were the officials bribed?
b) Did most sailors take part in smuggling in those days?
c) Where was his station?
d) Shat did he do once in a stormy night?
e) Why did his chiefs praise him?
Extra Practices
1. When did he become the riding officer?
2. What enabled him to marry?
3. When did he receive warnings?
4. What was the hiding place?
5. What were his chiefs talking?
Read the passage carefully and answer the questions following it.
I was swinging half over the cliff and the men were preparing to throw me below to my inevitable death.
“One! … “Two!” …
“Poor Lucy! God guard my wife and child!” broke from my lips half unknowingly as I was going to die.
Those last words of mine had produced an effect which no fine speech or begging for mercy could have produced. I was sure some of them had wives and children of their own that they loved. My prayer had touched something in their wild hearts that made them pause.
“Three!”
But nothing happened.
“I’ll have nothing to do with this,” said one man.
“His pretty blue-eyed wife is kind to the poor, my old mother once said,” whispered another smuggler.
“Are you all chicken-hearted, men,” shouted the leader angrily.
Yet nothing happened. Quiet for some time they were whispering something to their leader.
“Alfred Harvey,” said the leader, “we are going to give you a chance. Instead of throwing you to the fishes, we shall hang you over the edge of the cliff, and leave you there.”
The smugglers then lifted me over the edge and lowered me until my chin just rested on the grass. I was asked to take a hold of the earth with my hands still tied together.
They left me there to die. While I was hanging thus over my wide-open grave, my thoughts flew off to Lucy and little Alex, to the pain and suffering that were waiting for them.
I could no longer hold on. My strength was gone. I let go my hold.
But no! I did not fall into mid-air, did not crash on the rocks. And I did not die! My feet sank only a few inches, and then touched the ground! It was no dream! I fainted and fell to the earth.
When I came to life again, it was morning. I was lying on the wet ground. Two men were beside me. The covering had been removed from my eyes, and my wrists were free. I looked up, wondering whether I was in this world or the next.
“I’m very glad, sir, you’ve opened your eyes at last,” said one of the men. I looked wildly about. I was not on the shore. No cliff rose up beside me. I was lying just in a hole in the chalk hills. The hole was shallow, less than nine feet in depth.
1. Choose the best answer from the alternatives. 1×7=7
The word’Guard1 has been used in this story to mean.
i.save ii. control iii. protest iv. protect
In this story the officer said to himself “my thought flew off to Lucy and and Alex. What do you mean by the underlined word?
small in size ii. short iii. baby iv. miniature
Who will be sufferer after the death of Alfred Harvey?
countrymen ii. townsmen iii. family members iv. customs men
The officer lost his—.
sense ii. money iii. memory iv. wrist watch
The officer prayed to God for his wife and son —.
i.quite unconsciously ii. Consciously iii. subconsciously iv. super consciously
The leader paid attention — the his men.
for ii. to iii. on iv. upon
Lucy’s eyes were—.
i.black ii. blue iii. whitich iv. blacklist
Extra Practices
Death for man is—.
inescapable ii. escapable iii. impossible iv. acceptable
The officer prayed to God to—.
protect his son only ii. protect his whole family
iii. give him much wealth iv. save him from death
Which of the states were waiting for Alfred’s family?
i. suffering and sorrow ii. peace and happiness
iii. weal and woe iv. wealth and riches2. Answer the following questions. 2×5 = 10
a) What was the officer sure about?
b) What is his opinion about the smugglers wives and children?
c) Who praised Lucy?
d) Why did the smugglers lift the officer over the edge?
e) When did the officer get back his sense?
Extra Practices
f) Where was he lying?
g) Describe the officer’s condition in the last scene in the story.
h) Who was Alex?
i) Who made untie the officer?
j) Why did the officer think that he would not die?
Answer:
Model Question
1. a. ii) black market; b. iii) good salary and high rank; c. ii) dutiful; d. iii) bound to check smuggling; e .i) the UK; f. i) dew; g. ii) noun; h. iv) the bribed officials would help them to escape i, ii) stormy; j. iv) four decades,
2.a. By giving good services in his duty for some years, he could achieve the high rank.
Smuggling is an unlawful trade.
Slipping of many captures through their fingers was the surprising matter.
People of Dover warned him for his much activeness in discharging his duty.
Captain Peabody was an officer who had worked for forty years but played silent role after the rights of country.
Model Question
1. a. ii) embossed; b. i) quickly; c. ii) prudently; d. ii) just at 11 pm; e. i) jeered at; f. i) prepared; g. i) promotion; h. ii) the best school in the city. i. iii) his chief; j. ii) new officer,
2. a. “On His Majesty’s Service’—this phrase was inscribed on the letter.
The officer was ready to abide by the Chiefs order which was given to him by a letter without any delay. So I think that the officer was obedient to Chief.
The meeting place was on the large cliff.
Lucy asked her husband if he was sure of the handwriting of the letter and she was waiting for his answer of her questions.
Yes, I think Lucy didn’t smile because she was afraid of her husband’s going to the meeting place alone.
Model Question
1. a. (i) money; b. (iii) sailors; c. (i) south; d. (i) 40 feet below; e. (ii) very honest and dutiful.
2. a. The officials were bribe to hear and see nothing illegal.
Yes, in those days most sailors took part in smuggling.
His station was on the south coast near the town of Dover.
Once in a stormy night, he successfully led his team to a secret place where the smuggled goods were stored.
His chiefs praised him for his being honesty and dutifulness.
Model Question
1. (a) iv. protect; (b) iii. baby; (c) iii. family members; (d) i. sense; (e) iii, subconsciously f. i. to (g) ii. blue; (h) i, inescapable (i) ii. protect his whole family; (j) i. suffering and sorrow.
2. (a) The officer was sure that some of them certainly had wives and children.
(b) They obviously loved their wives and children.
(c) One of the smugglers praised the officer’s wife, Lucy.
(d) To hang him from the edge they lifted him over there.
(e) In this morning the officer got back his sense.
Bangla Translation
১৮২৭ সালে আমি একজন কাস্টম-হাউস অফিসার ছিলাম। সেই সময় এই দেশে প্রচুর চোরাচালান চলছিল। এই বেআইনি ব্যবসা ঠেকানোর জন্য সরকারি কর্মকর্তা ছিলেন, কিন্তু তাদের অনেকেই ঘুষ দিয়ে কিছু শুনতে এবং দেখতে না পারায় ঘুষ দেওয়া হত। তাই, অনেক ধরা আমাদের হাত থেকে পড়ে যাওয়া অবাক করার মতো কিছু নয়।
আমি তখন যুবক ছিলাম। কিছু বছরের ভালো কাজের জন্য, আমাকে একজন অশ্বারোহী অফিসারের পদে উন্নীত করা হয়েছিল যার বেতন ভালো ছিল এবং আমি বিয়ে করতে সক্ষম হয়েছিলাম।
আমার স্টেশন ছিল ডোভার শহরের কাছে দক্ষিণ উপকূলে। সেই সময়ে, উপকূলের বেশিরভাগ নাবিক চোরাচালানে অংশ নিয়েছিল। বেশ কয়েকবার যখন আমি আমার দায়িত্ব সঠিকভাবে পালন করতাম, তখন আমি সুপরিচিত শহরবাসীর কাছ থেকে সতর্ক করে দিয়েছিলাম যে আমি আমার দায়িত্ব পালনের জন্য খুব বেশি সক্রিয়। কিন্তু আমি একজন নীরব, দাঁতহীন প্রহরী হতে চাইনি, যেমন বৃদ্ধ ক্যাপ্টেন পিবডি, যিনি চল্লিশ বছর ধরে দেশের অধিকারের দিকে অন্ধ দৃষ্টিতে তাকিয়ে ছিলেন। আমার প্রধানরা সবসময় আমার প্রশংসা করেছেন কারণ আমি খুব সৎ এবং কর্তব্যপরায়ণ। তারা ইতিমধ্যেই আমার পদমর্যাদা আরও বাড়ানোর কথা বলছিলেন।
একবার এক ঝড়ো শরতের রাতে, আমি সফলভাবে আমার দলকে একটি গোপন স্থানে নিয়ে যাই যেখানে চোরাচালান করা জিনিসপত্র সংরক্ষণ করা হত। লুকানোর জায়গাটি ছিল ইংল্যান্ডের দক্ষিণে একটি চক-পাহাড়ের পৃষ্ঠ থেকে চল্লিশ ফুট নীচে একটি গুহা।
এই ধরা পড়ার পর আমার প্রধান ডোভারে এসে রিপোর্ট করেন। তিনি আমার প্রশংসা করেন এবং আমাকে পুরস্কৃত করার প্রতিশ্রুতি দেন। আনন্দে ভরে, আমি চোরাকারবারীদের হুমকিমূলক চিঠিগুলির প্রতি আরও কম গুরুত্ব দিতে শুরু করি।
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