Chapter- 3               The Cop and the Anthem


1️⃣ Q. Who is the main character in the story “The Cop and the Anthem”?

Ans. The main character is Soapy, a homeless man living on the streets of New York.


2️⃣ Q. What does Soapy want at the beginning of the story?

Ans. Soapy wants to get himself arrested so he can stay in jail during the winter, where he will get food and shelter.


3️⃣ Q. Why does Soapy target restaurants?

Ans. He plans to eat a good meal without paying, so he will be arrested.


4️⃣ Q. What happens when Soapy creates trouble in the restaurant?

Ans. The staff throws him out instead of calling the police.


5️⃣ Q. What crime does Soapy commit by breaking the shop window?

Ans. He breaks the window expecting to be arrested for destruction of property.


6️⃣ Q. Why doesn't the cop arrest Soapy after the window breaks?

Ans. The cop assumes someone else did it and chases another man instead.


7️⃣ Q. How does Soapy try to get arrested outside the shop?

Ans. He pretends to be drunk and shouts loudly to attract police attention.


8️⃣ Q. Why does the cop ignore Soapy when he shouts?

Ans. The cop thinks he is a harmless drunkard and walks away.


9️⃣ Q. Who plays the anthem that changes Soapy’s thoughts?

Ans. A church organist plays the anthem.


🔟 Q. What does Soapy realize when he hears the anthem?

Ans. He realizes his life has gone wrong and decides to change and live honestly.


1️⃣1️⃣ Q. “Soapy left his bench and strolled out of the square.”

Ans. This means Soapy was living on a public bench in a park and had nowhere else to go.


1️⃣2️⃣ Q. “A prison seemed the only safe place for the winter.”

Ans. Soapy feels that only a prison can give him food, shelter, and protection during the cold season.


1️⃣3️⃣ Q. “Tomorrow he would be a new man.”

Ans. Soapy promises himself that he will change his life, work hard, and live honestly from the next day.


1️⃣4️⃣ Q. “The anthem… stirred his soul.”

Ans. The church music touched his heart deeply and awakened a desire to change.


1️⃣5️⃣ Q. “The cop’s hand rested on his shoulder.”

Ans. Just when Soapy planned to start a new life, the policeman arrested him.


1️⃣6️⃣ Q. Soapy wanted to enter jail by committing crimes.

Ans. True.


1️⃣7️⃣ Q. Soapy successfully got arrested in his first attempt.

Ans. False.


1️⃣8️⃣ Q. The cop arrested Soapy when he tried to steal from the fruit cart.

Ans. False – the shopkeeper chased him instead.


1️⃣9️⃣ Q. The church anthem inspired Soapy to change.

Ans. True.


2️⃣0️⃣ Q. At the end, Soapy happily starts a new life.

Ans. False – he gets arrested before he can begin.


2️⃣1️⃣ Soapy wanted to spend the _____ in a warm prison.

Ans. winter


2️⃣2️⃣ He tried to get arrested by entering a _____ without paying.

Ans. restaurant


2️⃣3️⃣ He broke a _____ to attract the attention of the police.

Ans. shop window


2️⃣4️⃣ Soapy heard an _____ being played in the church.

Ans. anthem


2️⃣5️⃣ Soapy dreamt of becoming a _____ man.

Ans. new


2️⃣6️⃣ Q. Why does Soapy prefer prison instead of living freely?

Ans. Soapy is homeless and has no food or shelter. For him, prison offers warm beds, regular food, and safety. Therefore, he tries to get arrested so he can survive winter comfortably.


2️⃣7️⃣ Q. What attempts did Soapy make to get arrested?

Ans. He tried eating at a restaurant without paying, broke a shop window, pretended to be drunk and created noise, flirted with a woman, and stole another person’s umbrella — but none of these succeeded.


2️⃣8️⃣ Q. What made Soapy decide to change his lifestyle?

Ans. When he heard a beautiful anthem from a church, he was reminded of his past dreams and felt ashamed. This moment touched his heart and inspired him to live honestly.


2️⃣9️⃣ Q. How does the ending of the story show irony?

Ans. Just when Soapy decides to live a good life and get a job, a policeman arrests him for “loitering.” His dream of change is destroyed at the very moment it begins.


3️⃣0️⃣ Q. What is the message of the story?

Ans. The story teaches us that life can be changed through determination and self-realization, but society often judges people by their appearance. It also shows the irony of fate and the importance of giving opportunities to the poor.

Answer by Dimpee Bora