Evans Tries an O-level
By - Colin Dexter
By - Colin Dexter
The story "Evans Tries an O-Level" by Colin Dexter is a crime thriller that shows the cleverness of a prisoner named Evans and the failure of the prison authorities. The chapter highlights how intelligence and presence of mind can outsmart even strict security systems.
Evans was a prisoner in Oxford Prison, known as “Evans the Break.” He had already escaped three times. This time, he wanted to take the German O-Level exam. The Governor of the prison, though doubtful, allowed it. He wanted to prove that Evans could not escape again. Extra precautions were taken to stop him from escaping. Evans was kept under strict watch. His cell was checked thoroughly and all dangerous things were removed. The prison authorities arranged for a parson, Reverend Stuart McLeery, to come as the invigilator for the exam.
On the exam day, Evans’s cell was turned into an examination room. A microphone was also installed in the cell to hear everything. The exam began under the supervision of McLeery. Evans was provided with all exam materials, but he was also allowed to keep a handkerchief to wipe his face.
Surprisingly, during the exam, McLeery allowed Evans to wear a woollen hat because he said it was his lucky charm. The exam went on smoothly for some time. When it was nearly over, the prison officer discovered that McLeery was injured and bleeding. It seemed as if Evans had attacked him and escaped in disguise.
The Governor and the prison officers immediately started searching for Evans. They believed McLeery, who was actually Evans in disguise, and followed the clues he gave. In reality, the real parson McLeery had been locked up elsewhere. Evans had cleverly dressed as McLeery with the help of fake blood and other tricks. The German exam paper itself carried secret coded instructions that guided Evans’s escape plan.
The Governor finally traced Evans to a hotel. He felt proud that he had recaptured him. But Evans again outsmarted the police. The so-called prison van that came to take him back was arranged by his friends. The guards in the van were his men. In this way, Evans escaped once more, leaving the Governor embarrassed.
Important Points for Exam
* Evans was a clever criminal, nicknamed “Evans the Break.”
* The Governor made strict arrangements but underestimated Evans.
* The German O-Level exam was used as a trap for escape.
* Evans disguised himself as McLeery and fooled everyone.
* The Governor caught him but failed again because of Evans’s planning.
* Theme: Intelligence, planning, and wit can outsmart authority.
कहानी "Evans Tries an O-Level" लेखक कॉलिन डेक्सटर की एक अपराध कथा है, जो कैदी इवान्स की चतुराई और जेल अधिकारियों की असफलता को दर्शाती है। यह कहानी यह दिखाती है कि बुद्धिमानी और चालाकी से कोई भी कड़ी सुरक्षा को मात दे सकता है।
इवान्स, जिसे “इवान्स द ब्रेक” कहा जाता था, पहले भी तीन बार जेल से भाग चुका था। इस बार उसने जर्मन O-Level परीक्षा देने का मन बनाया। जेल के गवर्नर ने शंका के बावजूद उसे परीक्षा देने की अनुमति दी। उन्होंने सोचा कि इस बार इवान्स भाग नहीं पाएगा। इवान्स की हरकतों पर कड़ी नजर रखी गई। उसके कोठरी की पूरी जांच की गई और सभी खतरनाक वस्तुएँ हटा दी गईं। परीक्षा की निगरानी के लिए रिवरेन्ड मैकलीरी को बुलाया गया।
परीक्षा के दिन, इवान्स के कोठरी को परीक्षा कक्ष में बदल दिया गया। वहां एक माइक्रोफोन भी लगाया गया ताकि उसकी हर गतिविधि सुनी जा सके। इवान्स को परीक्षा के लिए सभी सामग्री दी गई और उसे हाथ में रुमाल रखने की अनुमति भी थी।
परीक्षा के दौरान, इवान्स ने ऊनी टोपी पहन रखी थी, जिसे मैकलीरी ने उसकी "लकी चार्म" कहकर स्वीकार कर लिया। परीक्षा कुछ समय तक सामान्य रूप से चली। लेकिन जब परीक्षा समाप्ति के करीब थी, तो जेल अधिकारी ने देखा कि मैकलीरी घायल और खून में लथपथ है। उन्होंने सोचा कि इवान्स ने हमला किया और मसीहा के रूप में भाग गया।
असल में, असली मैकलीरी को कहीं और बंद किया गया था। इवान्स ने खुद को मैकलीरी का भेस धारण कर रखा था। जर्मन परीक्षा पत्र में छिपे संकेतों ने भी इवान्स को उसके भागने की योजना बनाने में मदद की।
गवर्नर ने इवान्स को एक होटल में खोजा। उन्हें लगा कि अब उन्होंने उसे पकड़ लिया है, लेकिन इवान्स ने फिर से पुलिस को मात दी। जेल वाहन, जिसे इवान्स को लेने भेजा गया, वास्तव में उसके मित्रों का था और वहां मौजूद प्रहरी भी उसके साथी थे। इस तरह इवान्स फिर से भाग गया और गवर्नर की प्रतिष्ठा धूमिल हो गई।
परीक्षा के लिए महत्वपूर्ण बिंदु
* इवान्स बहुत चालाक था, उसे “इवान्स द ब्रेक” कहा जाता था।
* गवर्नर ने सख्त इंतजाम किए, लेकिन इवान्स को कम आंका।
* जर्मन O-Level परीक्षा इवान्स के लिए जाल साबित हुई।
* इवान्स ने मैकलीरी का भेस धारण करके सभी को चकमा दिया।
* गवर्नर ने उसे पकड़ लिया, लेकिन इवान्स की योजना से हार गया।
* विषय: बुद्धिमानी और योजना से बड़ी सुरक्षा को भी मात दी जा सकती है।
1. Who was “Evans the Break”?
A) A school teacher
B) A clever prisoner ✅
C) A police officer
D) The prison governor
2. Why was Evans allowed to take the German O-Level exam?
A) To punish him
B) To test his intelligence
C) To trap him and prevent escape ✅
D) Because he requested politely
3. Who was appointed as the invigilator for Evans’s exam?
A) The prison governor
B) Reverend Stuart McLeery ✅
C) A fellow prisoner
D) Evans himself
4. What special arrangement was made in Evans’s cell for the exam?
A) A secret tunnel
B) It was turned into an examination room with a microphone ✅
C) It was left empty
D) Guards were removed
5. How did Evans disguise himself to escape?
A) As a police officer
B) As the prison governor
C) As Reverend McLeery ✅
D) As a waiter
6. What role did the German O-Level exam paper play in Evans’s escape?
A) It contained secret coded instructions ✅
B) It was a normal exam paper
C) It was never used
D) It had a map to the city
7. How did the prison authorities react when they saw McLeery injured?
A) They ignored it
B) They believed Evans attacked him and searched for him ✅
C) They praised him
D) They left the cell
8. How did Evans finally escape from the hotel under the governor’s watch?
A) By hiding under the bed
B) Using a helicopter
C) Through a prison van arranged by his friends ✅
D) By climbing the wall
9. What does the story primarily highlight?
A) The importance of strict rules
B) Intelligence and clever planning can outsmart authority ✅
C) Punishment works better than trust
D) Exams are easy
10. How many times had Evans escaped before this incident?
A) Once
B) Twice
C) Three times ✅
D) Four times
Q.1 What kind of a person was Evans ?
Evans was a bright and youthful prisoner. He was famous for his jail breaks and escape from the prison. He was successful three times escaping from jail. Therefore, he was called ' Evans the break'. He was a star at the christmas concert. He was an excellent actor.
Q.2 What were the precautions taken for the smooth conduct of the examination ?
The following precautions were taken for the smooth conduct of the examination :-
Razors and nail - scissors were removed.
The sharp items were removed.
Officer Stephen, the Governor and senior jail officer Jackson were assigned to duty.
Q.3 Will the exam now go as scheduled ?
No, the exam will not go as scheduled. It was scheduled to start at 9:15 am, but it started at 9:25 am due to a last minute change of plans by the Governor. Frisking the invigilator was also caused of a delay.
Q.4 Did the Governor and his staff finally heave a sigh of relief ?
No, the Governor and his staff did not heave a sigh of relief at the end of the examination. The Governor and his staff had intended to end the inspection peacefully, but when Stephens rechecked Evans' cell, he found McLeery injured and bloody.
Q.5 Will the injured McLeery be able to help the prison officers track Evans ?
Yes, the injured McLeery will be able to help the prison officers track Evans. McLeery showcasing his knowledge of German, reveals the supposed plan of Evans through the superimposed question paper. He proposes to guide the officials to the whereabouts of Evans.
Q.6 Will the clues left behind on the question paper, put Evans back in prison again ?
Yes, the clues left behind on the question paper will put Evans back in prison again. Evans escaped from the prison with the help of a clever plan. But, there was a superimposed question paper with directions to the supposed plan. However, it was fake and part of the plan to misguide the officials. But, the little German the Governor knew and the 'correction slip' did help them to track him down.
Q.7 Where did Evans go ?
Evans was a prisoner. He was famous for his jail breaks and escape from the prison. He went to the hotel Golden Lion located in Chipping Norton.
Q.1 Give the character sketch of Evan.
Introduction : The present question has been taken from the chapter "Evans Tries to O-Level" written by 'Colin Dexter'. This story is about a prisoner Evans who makes a plan to escape from the prison on the day of his German language O-Level exam.
The character sketch of Evans :
Evans was a prisoner.
He wanted to take German language O-Level exam.
He started night class for learning O-Level in German.
He was famous for his jail breaks and escape from the prison.
He was successful three times escaping from jail. Therefore, he was called 'Evans the break'.
His full name was 'James Rodrick Evans'.
He wanted to take O-Level exam and therefore the governor made arrangments for his exam in prison.
He was determine to escape again from the prison.
He was genius in planing.
He was an excellent actor
He was a star at the christmas concert..
Q.2 How did Evans escape during the O-Level exam?
Ans: Evans escaped the prison cleverly during the German O-Level exam. The prison authorities had made strict arrangements and appointed Reverend McLeery as the invigilator. They monitored Evans with a microphone and checked his cell thoroughly. During the exam, Evans disguised himself as McLeery using fake blood and clothing. The real McLeery was locked elsewhere. Using secret coded instructions in the exam paper, Evans planned his move carefully. When the officers saw the “injured McLeery,” they believed he was Evans in disguise and followed him. Finally, Evans escaped in a prison van arranged by his friends. This shows his intelligence, careful planning, and ability to deceive even experienced authorities.
Q.3 What role did the German O-Level exam play in Evans’s escape?
Ans: The German O-Level exam was used by Evans as a clever tool to escape. The prison allowed him to take the exam, but it became part of his plan. The exam paper contained hidden instructions that guided him step by step. The exam also provided an opportunity to mislead the guards and disguise himself as Reverend McLeery. While everyone thought he was taking the exam, he was actually preparing for his escape. The exam helped him create confusion and trick the authorities. In short, it became the perfect cover for Evans to show his intelligence and outsmart the prison system.
Q.4 What is the main theme of the story?
Ans: The main theme of the story is that intelligence, cleverness, and careful planning can help a person outsmart authority. Evans, though a prisoner, shows that wit and strategy can overcome strict rules and control. The story also highlights human ingenuity and the idea that a rigid system can fail if it underestimates an individual’s intelligence. Another theme is that appearances can be deceptive, as seen when Evans disguised himself as the invigilator. Overall, the story emphasizes that brains can sometimes be more powerful than force or rules.
Here’s **another important question-answer** from *Evans Tries an O-Level* suitable for board exams (within 200 words, in simple language):
Q.5 How did Evans trick the prison authorities despite strict security?
Ans: Evans was very clever and used his intelligence to trick the prison authorities even though they made strict arrangements to prevent his escape. The Governor had checked his cell carefully, removed all dangerous items, and installed a microphone to monitor him. Reverend McLeery was appointed as the invigilator to watch over Evans. However, Evans had already planned his escape in detail. During the exam, he disguised himself as McLeery using fake blood and clothing. The real McLeery was locked elsewhere, so when the guards saw the “injured invigilator,” they believed Evans had escaped. The exam paper also had secret coded instructions to guide his movements. Finally, Evans escaped in a prison van arranged by his friends, which misled the authorities completely. This shows that careful planning, creativity, and clever use of resources can outsmart even strict systems. Evans’s actions highlight his intelligence, boldness, and ability to think ahead, making him an extraordinary criminal in the story.