What kind of a person was Evans ?
Evans was quite a pleasant sort of person. But he was a congenital kleptomaniac. He was often caught and sent to jail. But he was very clever and managed to escape every time. He had many friends who helped him in it.
According to the Governor, what kind of a person was Evans ?
The Governor said that Evans had no record of violence. He was quite a pleasant sort of chap. He was one of the stars at the Christmas concert. But he was just a congenital kleptomaniac.
What opinion of Evans did the prison authorities convey to the Secretary, Education Board ?
They said that Evans had no record of violence. He was quite a pleasant sort of chap. He was one of the stars at the Christmas concert. But he was just a congenital kleptomaniac.
What were the precautions taken for the smooth conduct of Evans’ O-level examination ?
(Or)
What precautions did the authorities take for the smooth conduct of the O-level examination ?
The examination was arranged in the prisoner’s cell. It was locked from outside. Two prison officers were put to keep a constant watch on the prisoner. The invigilator was thoroughly frisked. A device was fitted in the cell so that the Governor could hear whatever conversation was going on there.
What facts influenced the authorities to allow Evans to appear in O-level German ?
Evans was quite a pleasant sort of person. He was not at all violent in his behaviour. There was no record of violence against him. He had been one of the stars at the Christmas concert. All these facts influenced the authorities to allow Evans to appear in O-level German.
What call was received by the Secretary of Examinations Board from Oxford Prison ?
It was a call from the prison Governor. He told the Secretary that a prisoner named Evans wanted to take the O-level examination in German. The Governor asked the Secretary if arrangements could be made for the same in the prison itself.
Do you think Evans was really keen to get some sort of academic qualification ?
No, he was not interested in any academic qualification. It was only a part of his plan to escape from the prison. The German teacher who came to teach him in the night classes was also a part of that plan.
What was his German teacher’s opinion of Evan’s proficiency in German ?
The German teacher had no good opinion of Evan’s proficiency in German. He said that Evans had no chance at all of getting through the examination.
Why did people doubt Evans’ sincerity towards taking the O-level exam ?
Evans was a kleptomaniac. He was arrested for stealing many a time. Three times, he had managed to escape from prison. Naturally, no one believed that he was sincere about taking the O-level examination. It was feared that he would use it as a means to escape from prison once again. Even his German teacher had said, ‘‘You have no chance of getting through.’’ Thus Evans’ intentions were clear from the very beginning.
What information did the Governor give to the Secretary of Examinations Board about Evans ?
(Or)
How did the Governor, Oxford Prison, describe Evans to the Secretary, Examination Board ?
The Governor said that Evans had no record of violence. He was quite a pleasant sort of chap. He was one of the stars at the Christmas concert. But he was just a congenital kleptomaniac.
Why did the prison officers call Evans, ‘Evans the Break’ ?
Evans was a congenital kleptomaniac. He was often arrested and put in prison. But three times, he had managed to escape from the prison. That was why the prison officers started calling him ‘Evans the Break’.
What two visitors did Evans have in the morning of the day of his examination ?
One of them was Jackson. He was the senior prison officer on D Wing. The other one was Stephens. He was Jackson’s assistant. He had been recently recruited to the profession.
What did Jackson ask Stephens to take away from Evans’ cell and why ?
Evans had a razor with which he was going to shave. Jackson asked Stephens to take away that razor after Evans had shaved. He didn’t want to leave anything in the cell with which Evans could do any mischief.
What things had Jackson taken away from Evans’ cell and why ?
Evans had with him his nail-scissors and a nail-file. Jackson had taken away both these things. He had done so by the orders of the governor. They did not want to leave anything in the cell which Evans could use to do some mischief.
Why did Evans not take off his hat when Jackson ordered him to do so ?
(Or)
Why was Evans not ready to remove his hat ?
It was the day of Evans’ exam. He was going to take his O-level examination in German. He said that his hat had always brought him some sort of luck. So he wanted Jackson to let him keep it on his head. In fact, Evans was planning to flee from the jail.
Who was Reverend Stuart McLeery ?
He was a parson who had been put on duty to invigilate during Evans’ examination. But the one who really came to invigilate was not this person. The real McLeery had been kept tied in his room while someone else impersonated him.
What were the contents of the small brown suitcase that Mcleery carried ?
He had with him a small brown suitcase. It contained all that he could need for his examination duties. It included a sealed question-paper envelope, a yellow invigilation form, a special ‘authentication’ card from the Examinations Board, a paperknife, Bible and a copy of The Church Times.
What seating arrangements were made in Evans’ cell for the examination ?
Stephens brought in two small square tables. He set them opposite each other. One of the tables was placed nearer the cell door. Then he brought in two hard chairs. He placed them in front of each table.
What puzzling thing did Jackson find in McLeery’s suitcase ? How did McLeery explain it ?
It was a small semi-inflated rubber ring. It was about twelve inches in diameter. McLeery said that he suffered from haemorrhoids and needed the ring when he had to sit for some length of time.
What objection did Evans raise when the examination was going to start ? What was done about it ?
Evans objected to Stephens’ being inside the cell. He said that he could not concentrate on his exam with someone standing so close to him. When the Governor heard this, he ordered Jackson on the phone to get Stephens out of the cell.
What time did the examination start ? What had made it a little late ?
The examination started at 9.25. First, it took some time in frisking McLeery and looking into his suitcase. Then Evans objected to Stephens’ being in the cell. The Governor asked Jackson to get Stephens out of the cell. All this took some time and the exam was a little late.
What particulars did McLeery ask Evans to enter on his answer paper ?
First of all, he asked him to write the name of the paper as 021—1. It was to be put in the top left-hand corner. In the top right-hand corner, he was asked to write his index number as 313 and in the box just below that his centre number as 271.
Did the exam go as scheduled ?
No, the exam did not go as scheduled. It was to start at 9.15 but could start at 9.25 only. First, it took time in frisking McLeery and then in getting Stephens out of the cell.
How did the Governor react to the two phone calls he received in a quick succession ?
The first call was from the Examinations Board about a correction slip. He at once put the caller straight through to Jackson. The second call was from the Magistrate’s court. The caller needed a prison van with a couple of prison officers. The Governor at once sent the van.
There was a call from the Examination Board about a correction slip. What did the Governor do about it ?
The Governor at once put the caller straight through to Jackson. But later, he thought that the phone call could be fake. He immediately dialled the number of the Examinations Board, but found the line engaged. He could try again but had not the intelligence to do that.
What was the call from the Magistrate’s court ? What did the Governor do about it ?
The caller said that they needed a prison van with a couple of prison officers. There was a remand case. The Governor sent the van but then began to wonder that it could be a hoax call. However, he told himself not to be so silly.
What did Stephens notice every time he peered through the peephole of Evans’ cell ?
He would find Evans with his pen between his lips. He sat staring straight in front of him towards the door. McLeery sat looking at The Church Times. His right index finger would be beneath the clerical collar. The fingers of the left hand would be stroking his short black beard.
Who accompanied McLeery to the main prison gates ? How did he feel about it ?
It was Stephens who accompanied McLeery to the main prison gates. He was pleased that the Governor had asked him, and not Jackson, to see McLeery off the prison premises.
What did Stephens find when he came to have just one last look at Evans after McLeery had left ?
He saw there a man sitting on Evans’ chair. A grey blanket was slipping from his shoulders. The front of his hair was closely cropped. It was awash with fierce red blood. The blood had already dripped through the small black beard. Stephens thought it was McLeery and shouted for Jackson.
What did the ‘injured McLeery’ hand over to the Governor ?
It was the German question paper. It had a blank last page. But on it, there was superimposed a photocopied sheet. It was in German. It had all the details of Evans’ plan to escape from the prison. The injured McLeery said that he knew where Evans could be found.
Where did Evans go after his escape ?
He went to the hotel Golden Lion that was in the centre of Chipping Norton. All information about it had been given to him during the examination. McLeery had given him the area code numbers and the correction slip had told him about the name of the hotel.
What clues had been left behind on the question paper ? Did they help to put Evans back in prison again ?
All the clues left on the question paper were part of the escape plan. In fact, they were all meant to put the police on the wrong track. While they kept looking for Evans in Newbury, he had gone to the hotel Golden Lion in Chipping Norton.
How was the Governor able to find the place where Evans had gone ?
The Governor had listened to all the conversation between McLeery and Evans. He remembered the code number 313/271 that McLeery had asked Evans to fill in. From the Oxfordshire map, he found out that this place was the centre of Chipping Norton. He also remembered the ‘Golden Lion’ of the correction slip. Thus he was able to make out where Evans had gone.
What clues did Evans’ answer sheet provide to the Governor ?
Evans was asked to write Index number 313 and Centre number 271 on his answer sheet. The words written on the correction slip meant Golden Lion. From this, the Governor was able to aver that Evans was at the Golden Lion Hotel of Chipping Norton.
How had Evans managed to get all that blood to pour over his head ?
Evans had got it through McLeery, the invigilator. McLeery had brought with him a little rubber ring which he said was for his piles. In fact, it had in it pig’s blood. To prevent it from clotting, they had mixed trisodium citrate in it.
Which article in Mcleery’s suitcase played perhaps the most significant role in Evans’ escape and how ?
It was a small semi-inflated rubber ring. McLeery told Jackson that he had brought this ring with him because he suffered from piles and he used it while sitting down. In fact, in this rubber ring a pig’s blood was stored to help Evans in escaping from the prison.
Who was Carter ? What did the Governor ask him to do ?
Carter was Detective Superintendent. The Governor asked him to look for Evans.
What did the Detective Superintendent tell the Governor about Evans ?
The Detective Superintendent Carter informed the Governor that Mcleery had spotted Evans driving off along Elsfield Way. They had got the number of the car all right and had given chase immediately, but had lost him at the Headington roundabout.
Who do you think has outwitted the other — Evans or the Governor ? How ?
It is certainly Evans who outwits the Governor at every step of the story. He outwits the Governor through his superior intelligence and presence of mind. His dramatic escape from the prison and then equally dramatic stroke at the Golden Lion are ample examples of it.
What could the Governor have done to securely bring Evans back to the prison from the ‘Golden Lion’ ?
To nab Evans at the Golden Lion, the Governor should have gone there with full force and with all arrangements of his arrest. He should have accompanied Evans to the prison himself. But he handed him over to a fake prison officer whom he had never seen before. As a result, Evans was able to make good his escape once again.
How does the Governor convince the Secretary of the Examinations Board that Evans deserves to take the O-level German examination ?
The Governor rings the Secretary of the Examinations Board and tells him that Evans has no record of violence and is quite a pleasant sort of chap. He was one of the stars at the Christmas concert. At this the Secretary of Examination gets ready to allow Evans to sit for the examination.
How does the Governor convince the Secretary of the Examinations Board that Evans is very keen to add to his academic qualification ?
The Governor convinces the Secretary of the Examinations Board saying that one of their prisoners, Evans, is very keen to add to his academic qualification. He has no record of violence. He was one of the stars at the Christmas concert. But he is just a congenital kleptomaniac.
It was important that the recaptured Evans keep up the façade till the very last moment of his interaction with the Governor. Support this statement with a rationale.
Evans had done so to keep the General entangled in his talk till the end of his interaction with the General. Otherwise the Governor would have been quite alert. He would surely have smelt that clever Evans still could fool the police and escape once again. Thus the Governor would not have let Evans flee.
From the very beginning, Evans proves far more clever than any of the prison officials. He fools them at every step and none of them can foresee his plans. The German teacher was a part of Evans’ plans, but no one comes to know of it for full ten months. Then he arranges his own man to invigilate during the exam. No one comes to know that the man is not really parson McLeery who has been deputed by the Examinations Board. Then he impersonates McLeery so well that even the Governor takes him to be really injured and wants to have him sent to the hospital. He shows the Governor a photocopied sheet that has been superimposed on the German question paper. It has all the details of the plan that has been made for Evans’ escape. But in fact, it was all meant to put the police on the wrong track. And lastly, he escapes in the prison van itself before the very eyes of the Governor. Thus, we see how Evans has the last laugh at every step in the story.
What could the Governor have done to securely bring back Evans to prison when he caught him at the Golden Lion ? Does that final act of foolishness really prove that ‘he was just another good-for-a-giggle, gullible governor, that was all’ ?
It was just a matter of chance that the Governor remembered the index number (313) and centre number (271) that McLeery had asked Evans to fill in. With the help of an Oxfordshire map, he could make out that the six-figure reference 313/271 was the code for central part of Chipping Norton. It was also a matter of chance that he knew a little German and could understand the words ‘Golden Lion’ mentioned in the correction slip. Thus, we can say that it was just a matter of luck that the Governor was able to catch Evans at the Golden Lion. He had seen how cleverly Evans had fooled all of them all day long. So he should have taken no chances when he was able to nab him at the Golden Lion. He should have gone there with full force and with all arrangements of his arrest. He should have accompanied him to the prison himself. But he hands him over to a fake prison officer who does not even salute him and whom he has never seen in his prison. As a result, Evans is able to make good his escape once again. So we can say that the Governor was just a good-for-a-giggle, gullible person.
Why did the Governor send Jackson to frisk McLeery ? What were the things found with him ?
The Governor had no doubts about McLeery himself. But he feared that McLeery could have innocently brought in something which Evans could use as a weapon for his escape. So he sent Jackson to ensure himself about it. While frisking McLeery, he felt something hard. McLeery said that it was his reading glasses. Jackson then opened the small suitcase that McLeery had brought with him. He picked up each envelope in turn. He passed his palms carefully along their surfaces. He seemed satisfied. There was a copy of the Bible and a copy of The Church Times also. There was nothing objectionable about them. But then Jackson saw a small semi-inflated rubber ring in the suitcase. McLeery said that he suffered from piles and needed it when he had to sit for some length of time. Jackson was satisfied with this explanation. At the bottom of the suitcase, there was a paperknife. Jackson thought it better to keep the knife with him. Then he went away satisfied.
Narrate briefly in your own words the incident relating to what happened after Stephens had seen McLeery off the jail premises.
Stephens thought that all in all, the morning had gone pretty well. He wanted to go to the canteen for a cup of coffee. But before that, he thought of having just one last look at Evans. He walked to Evans’ cell and opened the peephole. He was shocked at what he saw inside. There was a man fallen back in Evans’ chair. A grey blanket was slipping from his shoulders. The front of his closely cropped hair was awash with fierce red blood. It had already dripped through his small black beard. It was spreading over his white clerical collar and into his black clerical front. Stephens at once concluded that it was McLeery who had been injured by Evans. He shouted wildly for Jackson. When Jackson arrived, he at once sent Stephens to ring the police and the ambulance. But McLeery said, “Do not worry about the ambulance. I am all right. Get the police ! I know where he has gone.” But, as we know, it was Evans who was impersonating McLeery and trying to put the officials on the wrong track.
How was the Governor able to catch Evans at the Golden Lion, and how did Evans escape once again ?
The Governor had got a mike fitted in Evans’ cell. Thus, he was able to listen in all the conversation between Evans and McLeery. He remembered the index number (313) and the centre number (271) that McLeery had asked Evans to fill in. Now he thought that these numbers could be the code of some area in the town. He took an Oxfordshire map and found that the six-figure reference 313/271 indicated the middle of Chipping Norton. He also remembered the words ‘Golden Lion’ of the correction slip. Thus with the help of these two clues, he was able to nab Evans in his room at the Golden Lion hotel. Evans gave himself up at once. They had a long pleasant chat. In the meantime, a prison van came there with a prison officer. The prison officer silently handcuffed Evans. Both of them got into the back seat of the van and drove away. But later, we find that the prison officer was a fake one. In fact, he was one of Evans’ own men and had appeared on the scene for his escape.
How did the question paper and the correction slip help the prisoner and the Governor ?
Mcleery, the invigilator, had asked Evans to write in the top left-hand corner the name of the question paper as 021—1, and in the top right-hand corner index number as 313, and the centre number as 271. And then, he dictated to him some corrections that were meant to be made in the question paper. These corrections were in the German language which in English meant Golden Lion.
In fact, the man impersonating Mcleery was Evans’ own accomplice. He was not there to do any invigilation. He was there to help Evans to escape. Through the question paper and the correction slip, he was simply telling Evans that arrangements had been made for his escape at Golden Lion hotel in 313/271 (code for Chipping Norton). But these very clues later help the Governor to nab Evans at Golden Lion in Chipping Norton.
The Governor had got a mike fitted in Evans’ cell. Thus, he was able to listen in all the conversation between Evans and Mcleery. He remembered the index number and the centre number that McLeery had asked Evans to fill in. The six-figure reference 313/271 was a code for Chipping Norton. He also remembered the words ‘Golden Lion’ of the correction slip. With the help of these two clues, he was able to nab Evans at the Golden Lion hotel.
What were the precautions taken for the smooth conduct of examination ?
(Or)
Describe the precautions taken by the prison officers to prevent Evans from escaping ?
The Governor of Oxford Prison took all precautions for the smooth conduct of examination. The examination was arranged in the prisoner’s cell itself. The door of the cell was locked. The evening before the examination, the prisoner’s cell was thoroughly searched. It was ensured that there was nothing that could help Evans in his escape. Jackson, the senior prison officer, himself did all the search. He got Evans’ nail-scissors and nail-file removed from there. He asked his junior, Stephens, to take away Evans’ razor after he had shaved. A device was put above the door of the cell so that the Governor could hear all the conversation going on in the cell during the examination. The Governor himself kept sitting in his office all the time with a receiver to listen in. McLeery, the invigilator, was thoroughly frisked before the start of the examination. Stephens was posted at the door of the cell. He kept peering through the peephole to see that everything was all right inside.
In spite of the precautions taken by the Governor, Evans was able to escape. How do you think he was able to do it ?
Evans was a congenital kleptomaniac. He was often caught and sent to jail. But he was very clever and managed to escape every time. He wanted to take the O-level examination in German. The Governor knew about Evans’ past record. Therefore, he took every precaution to prevent Evans escaping from prison. His nail-scissors and nail-file were taken away. Even the invigilator Rev. Stuart Mcleery was frisked. His paperknife was also taken away. The examination was arranged in the prisoner’s cell. It was locked from outside. Two prison officers were put to keep a constant watch on the prisoner. A device was fitted in the cell so that the Governor could hear whatever conversation was going on there. After the exam, Stephens accompanied McLeery to the main gates. When he came back to the cell, he was taken aback by what he saw inside. He saw a man fallen back in Evans’ chair. Stephens at once concluded that it was McLeery who had been injured by Evans. The police and ambulance was sent for. But McLeery said, ‘‘Do not worry about the ambulance. Get the police ! I know where he has gone.’’ But, in fact, it was Evans who was impersonating McLeery. He escaped from the prison in the ambulance before the very eyes of the Governor.
What purpose did the question paper and the correction slip serve ? How did they help both the criminals and the Governor ?
On the question paper, there was superimposed a photocopied sheet. It was in German. It had all the details of Evans’ plan to escape from the prison. But all these clues were part of the escape plan. In fact, they were all meant to put the police on the wrong track. While they kept looking for Evans in Newbury, he had gone to the hotel Golden Lion in Chipping Norton. In this way, the question paper helped the criminals.
The Governor had listened in to all the conversation between McLeery and Evans. He remembered the code number 313/271 that McLeery had asked Evans to fill in. From the Oxfordshire map, He found out that this place was the centre of Chipping Norton. He also remembered the ‘Golden Lion’ of the correction slip. Thus, he was able to make out where Evans had gone. Thus the correction slip helped the Governor to nab Evans at the Golden Lion hotel at Chipping Norton.
Give a character-sketch of the Governor of Oxford Prison based on your understanding of the story, ‘Evans Tries an O-level’.
The Governor was very duty-conscious. He didn’t run away from responsibility. He performed his duty with heart and soul. But in spite of all these virtues, the Governor had a serious flaw. He was too credulous. He had full faith in his officers. He believed the injured McLeery and let him accompany Superintendent Carter to help him trace Evans. But in fact, he let Evans leave the prison. However, the Governor was quite intelligent and succeeded in locating the hideout of Evans. But his gullible nature deprived him of all credit. He had seen how cleverly Evans had fooled all of them all day long. So he should have taken no chances when he was able to nab him at the Golden Lion. He should have gone there with full force and with all arrangements for his arrest. He should have accompanied him to the prison himself. But he hands him over to a fake prison officer who does not even salute him and whom he has never seen before. As a result, Evans is able to make good his escape once again. So we can say that the Governor was just a good-for-a-giggle, gullible, person.
How was the injured McLeery able to fool the prison officers ?
(Or)
Give an account of the blunders committed by the prison authorities which helped Evans in escaping from the prison.
(Or)
How did the mistakes committed by the prison authorities help Evans to escape from the prison ?
After the exam was over, Stephens escorted McLeery to the main gates of the prison and saw him off. Then he walked to Evans’ cell and looked through the peephole. He found there a man badly wounded in the head. He at once concluded that it was McLeery and that Evans had escaped after hitting him on the head. He committed a blunder there. He didn’t go into the cell to check the man lying there. Rather he raised an alarm and panic spread all over the prison. Then the prison officers committed another blunder when they believed the wounded man’s words.The wounded McLeery said that he knew where Evans could be found. The jail officials accompanied him to nab Evans. The ‘wounded’ McLeery took the jail officials to the Board of Examinations. It was doubted that someone from the Board was involved in the escape plan of Evans. Here the jail officials arranged for sending the wounded McLeery to a hospital. But McLeery fooled everyone and escaped. Later, it was found that the ‘wounded’ McLeery was, in fact, Evans himself.
Give a detailed account of the preparations made by the Governor for Evans James to write his examination.
The Governor always performed his duty with heart and soul. When it came to make preparations for Evans’ examination, he took every possible precaution for its smooth conduct. The examination was arranged in the prisoner’s cell itself. The door of the cell was locked. The evening before the exam, it was ensured that there was nothing that could help Evans in his escape. Jackson, the senior prison officer, himself did all the search. He got Evans’ nail-scissors and nail-file removed from there. He asked his junior, Stephens, to take away Evans’ razor after he had shaved. A device was put above the door of the cell so that the Governor could hear all the conversation going on in the cell. The Governor himself kept sitting in his office all the time with a receiver to listen in. McLeery, the invigilator, was thoroughly frisked before the start of the examination. Stephens kept peering through the peephole to see that everything was all right inside. But alas ! all these precautions could not stop Evans from escaping once again.
