Q1. Read the passage given below and write the option that you consider the most appropriate in your answer sheets. 5 Marks There is a story of a Japanese philosopher who would only accept specially selected pupils who would convince him that they would do justice to his teachings. One would – be pupil was received by the great teacher and left alone in a room completely bare except for a little table bearing a glass bowl containing a single goldfish. About half an hour later the teacher returned and asked the young man what he had learned. The lad looked round the bare room in surprise and admitted that he had learned nothing. There upon the teacher gave him a pad of paper and a brush and ink and left him without further words for another half an hour. On his second return he found the lad had drawn a picture of the goldfish and could tell him the number and shape of the fins, the scales and in fact, gave a complete and accurate description of the goldfish. He was accepted as a pupil. (a) Why did the philosopher select pupils after testing them ? (i) he wants them to learn nothing (ii) he wants them to do justice to his teachings (iii) he wants them to do injustice to his teachings (iv) he wants them to learn from other teachers. (b) Where did the philosopher leave his would be pupil ? (i) in a bare room (ii) in a bare classroom (iii) in a bare garage (iv) in a bare godown (c) The boy saw a glass bowl on the table which contained __________. (i) a starfish (ii) a golden fish (iii) a pomfret (iv) a gold fish (d) What did the boy do the second time with paper and ink ? (i) he ate the gold fish (ii) he put the gold fish on the paper (iii) he threw the gold fish (iv) he drew the picture of the gold fish on the paper. (e) Trace a word from the passage that means `careful and exact’. (i) accurate (ii) scales (iii) complete (iv) shape Q2. Read the poem given below and write the option that you consider the most appropriate in your answer sheets. 5 Marks (a) What happened to the house after the death of poet’s grandmother ? (i) the poet renovated the house (ii) the house became silent (iii) the tenants started living there (iv) the builders bought the house (b) The poet is unable to read the books there as they___________. (i) have disappeared (ii) are damaged (iii) have been donated to a library (iv) are surrounded by snakes (c) The poet wants to get back to the house ___________ (i) to meet her grandmother (ii) to get love of grandmother (iii) to remember her grandmother (iv) to sell the house (d) Why was the poet proud in living that house once ? (i) got love and care of her grandmother there (ii) got a chance to meet strangers there (iii) got a chance to see the dogs around the house (iv) got a chance to see the snakes around the books (e) Find a word from the extract that means `look very carefully’. (i) despair (ii) brooding (iii) peer (iv) frozen Q3. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : 5 For the last fifty years, the globe has been warming up. It is true that the average temperature rise is only about two degrees, but that has been enough to start the glaciers receding in many parts of the world. A rise of one degree per generation is a large increase. Nature seldom moves as swiftly as this. We may have been helping her. To a very large extent, the temperature of the earth is determined by the amount of solar heat which the atmosphere can keep. The air above us acts like the glass in a green house, trapping many of the heat waves which would otherwise bounce back into space. Carbon dioxide (CO2 ) in the air is mostly responsible for the `green house effect’. It is a gas produced by all our countless fires, furnaces and internal combustion engine. (a) What has happened as a result of the warming of the globe ? (b) What determines the temperature of the earth ? (c) What is the green house effect ? (d) Which gas is responsible for the green house effect ? (e) Trace a word from the passage which means `world – wide’. Answer Key Q1. (a) (ii) he wants them to do justice to his teachings (b) (i) in a bare room (c) (iv) a goldfish (d) (iv) he draw the picture of the goldfish on the paper (e) (i) accurate Q2. (a) (ii) the house became silent (b) (iv) are surrounded by snakes (c) (iii) to remember her grandmother (d) (i) got love and care of her grandmother there (e) (iii) peer Q3. (a) rise of temperature, melting of glaciers etc. (b) by the amount of solar heat (c) to trap heat waves to control them so that they do not go back into the space. (d) carbon dioxide-CO2 (e) globe

Read the passage given below and complete the sentences that follow by writing the options that you consider the most appropriate in your answer sheet. 5 Marks Q1. We often find ourselves in situations where it feels easier to say `yes‟ and to agree to the other person‟s opinion. However, we end up making mistakes on account of this tendency to agree on everything. So saying no is an important skill which helps one make decisions that work for you. Every person has his/her point of view. This opinion needs to be respected. You can think for yourself. You can have a stand also. Do not deny your ability to think through things and put forth your view. It is not always a bad thing to be different from the others. Do not follow others blindly. Decisions need to be based on one‟s individual personality, needs and ways of coping with situations. Do not be aggressive or restless when trying to express yourself. Be confident about your ability to say `no‟. Rely on your ability to determine what is right and what is wrong. Work towards what you feel is right. Prioritise in a way that is based on your individual assessment of yourself and your life and not on what others around you think. While it is important to learn to refuse to do or agree to something, it is essential to recognize that it is not always prudent to dismiss someone‟s point of view outright. So, listen and evaluate and make decision keeping yourself in mind. If you are unsure about what you should do, then talk to other people. Your family in particular would be able to guide you. (a) We often make mistakes of ___________. (i) saying yes to everyone (ii) saying no to everyone (iii) agreeing with everyone (iv) disagreeing with everyone (b) We should not follow the views of the other people ____________. (i) easily (ii) hardly (iii) blindly (iv) sprightly (c) It is very important to learn to _____________. (i) fuse (ii) muse (iii) defuse (iv) refuse (d) Whenever we are confused about any decision in life, you can take help of your ___________ (i) guides (ii) teachers (iii) family (iv) friends (e) A word from the passage that means `careful‟ is _________________ (i) prudent (ii) aggressive (iii) recognize (iv) evaluate Q2. Read the extract given below and write the options that you consider the more appropriate to answer the questions / complete the sentences. 5 Marks (a) Who is ''I‟ in the above lines ? (i) one of the peasants (ii) the poet (iii) one of the villagers (iv) the mother (b) Why did the poet remember that particular night? (i) it was a dark night (ii) it rained heavily that night (iii) his mother was stung by a scorpion (iv) it was his first encounter with a scorpion (c) The scorpion was hiding behind a ___________ in the house. (i) sack of grain (ii) sack of millet (iii) sack of wheat (iv) sack of rice (d) The peasants repeated the name of God to _____________ (i) comfort the mother (ii) console the poet (iii) paralyse the scorpion (iv) None of the above (e) Trace the word from the extract which means `evil‟ (i) diabolic (ii) swarms (iii) paralyse (iv) poison Q3. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: Baisakhi is an important festival in northern India for several communities. On this day in 1699, Akal Khalsa was established by the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. Thus a new religious order known as Sikhism emerged on this day. New year in the solar calendar also begins this day. Hindu legend associated with Baisakhi is that Goddess Ganga descended to earth on this day. Arya Samaj was also founded this day by Swamy Dayanand Saraswati in 1875. Buddhists believe on this day Gautam Buddha achieved enlightenment at Gaya, under a Mahabodi tree. In Punjab particularly, Baisakhi also marks the beginning of the harvesting season. Farmers start cutting their crops on this day. Since agriculture constitute an over whelming majority occupation of the people, they get up early and after taking bath in holy water, wear new clothes and visit nearby gurudwaras. They express their gratitude to the almighty for the bountiful crop and pray for having a better crop next time. They participate in religious functions specifically held and receive parshada. It is followed by Guru ka Langer – community feast to the people. Men and women dance and sing over the rhythmic beat of dholak accompanying the dance. These dances are known as bhangra and giddha. A Baisakhi procession led by five elder Sikhs is taken out in all the major places. It symbolises universal brotherhood. (a) Who was the tenth Guru of the Sikhs ? (b) When did the Ganga descend on the earth ? (c) Where did Gautam Buddha achieve enlightenment ? (d) What do you understand by `Guru ka Langer‟. (e) Find the word in the passage which means `''thankfulness‟. Answer Key Q1. (a) (iii) agreeing with every one (b) (iii) blindly (c) (iv) refuse (d) (iii) family (e) (i) prudent Q2. (a) (ii) the poet (b) (iii) his mother was stung by a scorpion (c) (iv) a sack of rice (d) (iii) paralyse the scorpion (e) (i) diabolic Q3. (a) Guru Gobind Singh (b) On the day of the Baisakhi (c) Under a Mahabodi tree in Gaya (d) a community feast (e) gratitude

Lesson Covered The Road Not Taken The Fun They Had Bismillah Khan The Lost Child Q1. Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveller, long I stood And looked down one as far I could To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Lessons Covered Nelosn Mandela A Letter to God Amanda Tiger in the Zoo The Ball Poem The Black Aeroplane The Diary of Anne Frank The Hundred Dresses Footprints without Feet Triumph of Surgery The Thief's Story A Question of Trust Q1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : 4 (a) It was not only a display of pinpoint precision and military force, but a demonstration of the military‟s loyalty to democracy, to a new government that had been freely and fairly elected. Only moments before the highest generals of the South African defense force and police, their chests bedecked with ribbons and medals from days gone by, saluted me and pledged their loyalty. (i) What type of government was chosen in South Africa ? (ii) How was it chosen ? (iii) What did the generals of the army did ? (iv) Which word in the passage is the noun form of 'demonstrate‟ ? Q2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow : 4 Lechno showed not the slightest surprise on seeing the money; such was his confidence - but he became angry when he counted the money. God could not have made a mistake, nor could he have denied Lencho what he had requested. (i) Why did Lechno get angry ? (ii) Who could not have made a mistake in Lencho‟s eyes ? (iii) What quality of Lencho is shown in the above lines ? (iv) Trace a word from the passage which means the same as “fury”. Q3. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions by writing the correct options in your answer sheet. Attempt any two of the extracts. 3=3=6 (A) There is a languid, emerald sea, where the sole inhabitant is me -- a mermaid drifting blissflully. (a) Who is ''me‟ in the above lines (i) Rapunzel (ii) mermaid (iii) Amanda (iv) poetess (b) The word „blissfully‟ means ________ (i) sorrowfully (ii) cheerfully (iii) melancholy (iv) satisfactorily (c) Why is „me‟ drifting away ? (i) running away (ii) avoiding (iii) moving playfully (iv) hiding (B) He stalks in his vivid stripes The few steps of his cage, On pads of velvet quiet In his quiet rage. (a) Who is ''he‟ mentioned here ? (i) tiger (ii) panther (iii) elephant (iv) clown (b) The poem depicts the ________ of the animal (i) happiness (ii) mental condition (iii) serenity (iv) ecstasy (c) (c) What does the word ''vivid‟ means here ? (i) dull (ii) bright (iii) intelligent (iv) boring (c) An ultimate shaking grief fixes the boy As he stands rigid, trembling, staring down All his young days into the habour where His ball went. I would not intrude on him. (a) The boy is ________. (i) cheerful (ii) joyful (iii) sorrowful (iv) quiet (b) Who is “I” in the above lines ? (i) poet (ii) boy (ii) acquaintance (iv) passer by (c) Pick out the word closest in meaning to “intrude” (i) invade (ii) cooperate (iii) help (iv) wait Q4. Answer any three of the following questions in 30 - 40 words each : 2x3=6 (a) What did the military generals do ? Why has their attitude changed ? (b) A pilot is lost in the storm clouds. Does he arrive safe ? Who helps him ? (c) How does Anne feel about her father, grandmother, Mrs. Kuperus and Mr. Keesing ? (d) In what way was Wanda different from the other children ? Q5. Answer the following in about 50 words : 4 Marks (a) Describe the narrator's experience as he flew the aeroplane into the storm. Throw a light on his feelings and emotions at that time. OR (b) What does courage mean to Mandela and how does he prove that his courage can never die if he is fighting for a cause ? Q6. Answer the following in about 50 words. 4 Marks (a) Write an account of ''Griffin‟s activities bringing out the various aspects of his personality. OR (b) Anil is an employer with a difference. Prove this statement citing examples from the text. Q7. Answer any two of the following in 40-50 words each : 3x2=6 (a) How is Tricki treated by Mrs. Pumphrey ? Why does Mrs. Pumphrey think the dog's recovery is “ a triumph of surgery” ? (b) How is Ausable different from other secret agents ? How does he deal with Max ? (c) What are the subtle ways in which the lady manages to deceive Horace Danby into thinking she is the mistress of the house ?

Lessons Covered A Letter to God Nelson Mandela Fire & Ice The Ball Poem Amanda His First Flight The Black Aeroplane The Diary of Anne Frank The Thief's Story Footprints Without Feet A Triumph of Surgery A Question of Trust Q1.Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: 4 (A) It was during the meal that, just as Lencho had predicted, big drops of rain began to fall. In the north-east huge mountains of clouds could be seen approaching. The air was fresh and sweet. The man went out for no other reason than to have the pleasure of feeling the rain on his body… (i) What had Lencho predicted? (ii) When did his prediction come out to be true? (iii) Why did he go out? (iv) Which word in the passage means the same as told in advance‘? (B) Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: 4 The policy of apartheid created a deep and lasting wound in my country and my people. All of us will spend many years, if not generations, recovering from that profound hurt. (i) Which country is being referred to here? (ii) What is the policy of apartheid? (iii) Who are 'us‘ in the lines above? (iv) Which word from the passage means the same as deep‘? Q2. Read the extracts given below and answer the question that follow by writing the correct options in your answer sheet. Attempt any two extracts. 3x2=6 A. Some say the world will end in fire, Some say in ice. From what I‘ve tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire. (a) The tone of the poem is ________ (i) cordial (ii) amiable (iii) argumentative (iv) friendly (b) “Fire” and “ice” are _______ (i) symbols of human nature (ii) names of branded items (iii) nuclear weapons (iv) theories of modern science (c) “Fire” signifies _______ (i) hate (ii) anger (iii) affection (iv) desire B. He is learning, well behind his desperate eyes, The epistemology of loss, how to stand up Knowing what every man must one day know And most know many days, how to stand up. (a) The tone of the poem is ___________ (i) analytical (ii) depressing (iii) humorous (iv) critical (b) The expression ‗how to stand up‟ means _______ (i) how to move on after a drastic loss (ii) to stand with the help of others (iii) act of standing up (iv) how to move around (c) The word epistemology means ______ (i) the part of philosophy that deals with knowledge (ii) the study of human mind (iii) the study of stars (iv) the study of animals and plants C. There is a languid, emerald sea, Where the sole inhabitant is me a mermaid drifting blissfully. (a) Who is ''me‟ in the above lines…..? (i) Rapunzel (ii) mermaid (iii) Amanda (iv) poetess (b) The word, „blissfully‟ means ---- (i) sorrowfully (ii) cheerfully (iii) melancholy (iv) satisfactorily (c) Why is ''me‟ drifting away? (i) moving (ii) avoiding (iii) relaxing (iv) hiding Q3. Answer any THREE of the following questions in 30-40 words each: 2x3=6 (a) What did Lencho hope for? What were his feelings when the hail storm stopped? (b) How did Mandela‘s understanding of freedom change with age and experience? (c) The sight of the food maddened him‘. Who is 'he‘ in these lines? Why was he angry? What does this suggest? (d) How does Anne feel about her father, grandmother, Mrs. Kuperus and Mr. Keesing? Q4. Answer the following in about 50 words: 4 (a) Describe the narrator‘s experience as he flew the aeroplane into the storm. Throw a light on his feelings and emotions at that time. OR (b) Give a brief biographical sketch of Anne Frank. Highlight her attitudinal characteristics also. Q5. Answer the following in about 50 words: 4 (a) Give an account of Griffin as a lawless person. OR (b) Compare and contrast the characters of Anil and Hari Singh. Q6. Answer any two of the following in about 30-40 words each : 3x2=6 (a) What kind of person was Mr. Herriot? How did he treat Tricke? Why was he tempted to keep Tricki on as a permanent guest? (b) Aussable shows great presence of mind‘ in a situation of danger and surprise. Do you agree with this statement? If yes, why? (c) How did the visible man become invisible? What did he do then?

Important Questions with Answers Q1.How was Jackson instrumental in Evans’ escape from the prison? Ans :Jackson was instrumental in Evans’ escape from the prison because he allowed Evans to wear his old cap. Evans told him that it was his lucky hat and due to his compassionate nature, Jackson allowed him to wear the cap which concealed the haircut of Evans. He had cut his hair in the same style as the parson McLeery had. Q2. What shock awaited Stephens when he peeped inside Evans’ cell after the Exam? Ans :When Stephens peeped inside Evans’ cell, he found that a man was all smeared in blood and sprawled on Evans’ chair. He presumed that it was McLeery and Evans had escaped after injuring the invigilator. Q3. What was the purpose of the correction slip? Ans : The correction slip served two purposes in the escape plan of Evans. First, it confirmed the name of the hotel Golden Lion where Evans had to reach after his escape. Secondly, it also confirmed the time at which Evans’ paper had started. Q4. How did the Governor locate Evans in his hotel? Ans : The Governor finally realised that is was McLeery who had escaped and it was Evans who had stayed back in the guise of McLeery. It was foolish to send him out with Detective Carter. The Governor put the index no. and centre no. 312/271 together and derived the pin code of the area. with the help of ordnance map of Oxfordshire he managed to locate Evans’ hotel, Golden Lion. Q5. How did Evans manage to get McLeery’s get-up in the cell? Ans : McLeery was wearing two collars, two gowns and two spectacles along with his own clothes. It was so cleverly done that nobody could detect it. So, one collar, one gown, one false beard and a pair of spectacles were used by Evans to disguise as parson for his escape. Q6. How was Evans able to devise a foolproof plan for his escape from prison as well as procure items for his disguise in spite of severe instruction and strict observation? Ans : As part of his plan to escape the prison, Evans expressed his desire to learn German and passing O-level examination. The prison authority after consulting the board, allowed a tutor to come into the cell and give him tuitions in German. In fact, the tutor was part of his team arranging his escape. Evans was to appear for examinations. The test would be given in the prison cell and a priest was arranged as an invigilator. At the end of the test, Evans impersonated as the invigilator McLeery and remained inside the cell, pretending to be injured while the other escaped. In fact, it was the invigilator who had come wearing two coats, two collars, two pairs of spectacles and two false beard and the pig blood in a rubber tube. As a result, in spite of strict vigil by the prison authorities, he was able to escape from the prison. Q7. What could the Governor have done to securely bring back Evans to the prison, when he caught him at the ‘Golden Lion’? What does this final act of the Governor prove? Ans : The Governor was intelligent and had good analytical power. He very cleverly located the Golden Lion hotel and deciphered Chipping Norton on the map of Oxfordshire. He reached there and caught Evans. Evans was handcuffed and sent back to the prison in the prison van. But here the Governor again did the same mistake as earlier of relying on his staff. He never bothered to cross-check the identity of prison officers. So Evans was taken away by his own friends disguised as the prison officers. And once again Evans escaped leaving the Governor shocked and surprised. Q8. How did the negligence of the prison officers prove to be a boon for Evans? Ans : The prison officers prove to be a pack of “good-for-a-giggle’ officers who were no match to the clever Evans. First, negligence on their part was not to verify the identity of the German teacher. They could not even identify McLeery, the imposter, who came to the cell right under the nose of the prison authorities. Jackson’s casual attitude towards the hat of Evans was another blunder. He showed his negligence in not even searching McLeery throughly, otherwise his false beard and two collars and gowns could have been identified. Moreover, nobody tried to establish the identity of the wounded man and the Governor himself facilitated his escape by sending him out with Carter. Finally, the biggest negligence was not to verify the authenticity of prison officers with whom he sent Evans after he was captured. All this proved to be a boon for Evans to escape. Q9. What role is played by McLeery, in contributing to the success of Evans’ escape plan? Ans : McLeery plays the most significant role in Evans’ escape. He impersonates Reverend McLeery and reaches the prison. He has great acting skills and is so confident and intelligent that the jail authorities do not suspect him. It is his smartness to wear two beards, two collars and two gowns which helps Evans to escape. Throughout, McLeery sits like a parson, giving specific instructions like index no, centre no, etc. He is smart enough to answer Jackson regarding the rubber tube. It is not only once but even at the end, it is his friend who appeared as a driver of the prison van to steer Evans to freedom from H.M. Prison. Thus it was McLeery who was instrumental in the success of Evans’ escape plan. Reference https://gowebrachnasagar.com/

Please Subscribe to my Channel by clicking here. (page 36) NCERT Solution Q1. Why was the young seagull afraid to fly? Do you think all young birds are afraid to make their first flight, or are some birds more timid than others? Do you think a human baby also finds it as a challenge to take his first steps? Ans: The young seagull doubted that his wings could not be able to support him. He became scared to fly as the vast expanse of sea below with a limitless stretch of water frightened him to take his first plunge. Yes, I think all birds must be hesitating before taking their first flight. Yes, just like young birds human beings also hesitate while taking their first step. Q2. ‘The sight of food maddened him’. What does this suggest? What compelled the young seagull to finally fly? Ans: On not being able to gather courage to fly, the young seagull’s family left him alone. As a result, he was starving since he could not fly to get his own food. When he saw his mother coming near him with fish, he got excited and dived straight at the fish forgetting for a moment that he was afraid to fly. Thus his hunger propelled by the sight of food that his mother has brought compelled him to take his fist flight. Q3. ‘They were beckoning to him, calling shrilly.’ Why did the seagull’s father and mother threaten him and cajole him to fly? Ans: Unlike his younger siblings, the poor seagull could not gather enough courage to take his fist flight. Thus, his parents threatened him and also made fun of him for being a coward. They even threatened him to let him starve to death if hid did not fly. They did all this because they wanted him to fly. Extra Question Q1. When did the seagull get over his fear of the water? Ans : The seagull thought the sea was like a land. When he landed on the sea, his feet sank into it. He was seized with fear. He was too tired to rise again. His belly touched the water and he sank no further. Now, he was floating on the sea. He had got over his fear of the water. Q2. How did the seagull express his excitement when he saw his mother bringing food for him? Ans : The seagull was very hungry. When he saw his mother bringing food for him, he was greatly excited. He expressed his excitement by uttering a joyful scream. He leaned out eagerly. He tapped the rock with his feet. He tried to get nearer to her as she flew across. Q3. How did the young seagull’s parents teach him the art of flying? Ans : Birds have a natural instinct to fly. However, some birds, like the young seagull in the story are afraid to fly. His mother had picked up a piece of the fish and was flying across to him with it. She halted with the piece of fish in her beak almost within reach of his beak. Then maddened by hunger, he dived at the fish. With a loud scream he fell outwards and downwards into space. The next moment he felt his wings spread outwards. His mother swooped past him, her wings making a loud noise. He answered her with another scream. Then his father flew over him screaming. He saw his two brothers and his sister flying around him curveting and banking and soaring and diving. Thus the entire family was busy perfecting him the art of flying. Q4. Describe how the young seagull made his first flight? Ans: The young seagull was too scared to fly. He remained on his ledge all throughout the day. HIs parents scolded him and threatened to starve him out. But the moment he came to the edge and look at the expanse of the sea beneath the high cliff, he would feel scared and run back to the safety of the hole where he slept. He saw his mother tearing pieces of fish on the opposite cliff. He pleaded for food. Then to his joy she flew towards him with a piece of fish in her beak. But just as she neared him, she stopped and dangled the food in front of him. Maddened with hunger the young seagull dived for the fish and fell off the ledge with a loud scream. Thus the young seagull made his first flight. Q5. What did the young seagull experience after his first flight? Ans: When the young seagull jumped off the ledge, he was seized by a monstrous terror and his heart stood still. for a while he could not hear anything. But the next moment, he had spread out his wings, and instead of falling headlong he was soaring downwards and outwards. He felt a little dizzy , but was no longer afraid.

Lesson Architecture Story-At-A- Glance NCERT Questions Extra Questions From the Diary of Anne Frank BEFORE YOU READ Anneliese Marie ‘Anne’ Frank (12 June 1929 – February/March 1945) was a German – born Jewish girl who wrote while in hiding with her family and four friends in Amsterdam during the German occupation of the Netherlands in World War II. Her family had moved to Amsterdam after the Nazis gained power in Germany but were trapped when the Nazi occupation extended into the Netherlands. As persecutions against the Jewish population increased, the family went into hiding in July 1942 in hidden rooms in her father Otto Frank’s office building. After two years in hiding, the group was betrayed and transported to the concentration camp system where Anne died of typhus in Bergen-Belsen within days of her sister, Margot Frank. Her father, Otto, the only survivor of the group, returned to Amsterdam after the war ended, to find that her diary had been saved. Convinced that it was a unique record, he took action to have it published in English under the name The Diary of a Young Girl. The diary was given to Anne Frank for her thirteenth birthday and chronicles the events of her life from 12 June 1942 until its final entry of 1 August 1944. It was eventually translated from its original Dutch into many languages and became one of the world’s most widely read books. There have also been several films, television and theatrical productions, and even an opera, based on the diary. Described as the work of a mature and insightful mind, the diary provides an intimate examination of daily life under Nazi occupation. Anne Frank has become one of the most renowned and discussed of the Holocaust victims. Anne Frank’s First Entry in the Diary Anne Frank a thirteen year old girl was gifted a diary by her father. So she decided to write in her diary which she considered to be her best friend in loneliness and named it ‘Kitty’. She began writing in June 1942. In her first entry she expressed her desire to confide everything to the diary as she hadn’t been able to do so to anyone else. Initially she was not interested to write anything on her diary as she thought that at a later date in future nobody would be interested to read the musings of a 13-yr-old girl. She had many things to write about as she had no real friend with whom she could share all her private things. She felt that paper had more patience than people. As she had no friend, therefore, she started writing her own diary. Her Childhood and Family Annie says that she had loving parents and a sixteen-year-old sister, and there are about thirty people she could call friends. She had a family, loving aunts and a good home. In spite of being flanked by many people around in her family, she could not confide herself to them. Therefore, she planned to start writing her own diary. Annie decided to give a name to her diary-it is ‘Kitty’’. As she thought people might read her diary in future, so she started the diary by giving introduction of her family. She called her father the most adorable father. Her father married her mother when he was at the age of 36 and she was 25. She and her sister Margot were both born in Frankfurt. As soon as Anne turned 4, her father moved to Holland followed by her mother in September while both the sisters stayed with their grandmother in Aachen. Margot was also sent to Holland in December followed by Anne in February who was brought as a birthday present for Margot. Anne’s School Annie started right away at the Montessori nursery school. She stayed there until she was six in the first form. In the sixth form my teacher was Mrs Kuperus, the headmistress. At the end of the year we were both in tears as we said a heart-breaking farewell. In the summer of 1941 Grandma fell ill and had to have an operation, so my birthday passed with little celebration. Her Grandmother’s Death Grandma died in January 1942. Annie had profound love for her grandmother whom she missed very often. Her birthday celebration in 1942 was intended to make up for the previous year’s celebration which could not be held due to sickness of her grandmother. Grandma’s candle was lit along with the rest. Annie informed us that her family was doing well and that brings her to the present date of 20 June 1942 the date of dedication of her diary. Her view About Teachers She mentions in her first diary how her entire class is nervous about their results. The result will be decided by a meeting of teachers in which they will decide which students will move to next form and which of them will be kept back. According to Anne, about a quarter of class should not be allowed to pass because they hardly respond or take part in any of the activities. She refers to them as “dummies”. But her prediction might not be correct as teacher’s decision will be final. The only thing subject that she was unsure about was mathematics. But all they could do was wait for the results and not lose their hope. Annie informs us that she got along pretty well with all her teachers. There are nine of them, seven men and two women. Punishment by Mr Keesing & Annie’s Response Mr Keesing, the old fogey who taught her maths, was annoyed with her for ages because she talked so much. After several warnings, he assigned her extra homework- an essay on the subject, ‘A Chatterbox’. A chatterbox. Annie wrote the three pages Mr Keesing had assigned her and was satisfied. She argued that talking is a student’s trait and that she would do her best to keep it under control, but that she would never be able to cure herself of the habit since her mother talked as much as she did if not more, and that there’s not much she could do about inherited traits. Mr Keesing had a good laugh when she handed in the homework. He assigned her another homework- ‘An Incorrigible Chatterbox’. She handed it in, and Mr Keesing had nothing to complain about for two whole lessons. On the third class Mr. Keesing handed her yet another assignment as punishment on the topic ‘Quack, Quack, Quack, Said Mistress Chatterbox’. Her friend, Sanne, being good at poetry, offered to help her write the essay from beginning to end in verse. Annie thought to herself that Mr Keesing was trying to play a joke on her with this ridiculous subject, but through the poem she would make sure the joke was on him. It was a beautiful poem which was about a mother duck and a father swan with three baby ducklings who were bitten to death by the father because they quacked too much. Mr. Keesing’s Appreciation of Annies’s Homework Mr Keesing fortunately took the joke the right way. He read the poem to the class, adding his own comments, and to several other classes as well. Annie was allowed to talk and had not been assigned any extra homework. On the contrary, Mr Keesing’s always making jokes these days. On the contrary, Mr Keesing was always making jokes in the class very often. NCERT Solution Oral Comprehension Check ( Page 51) 1. What makes writing in a diary a strange experience for Anne Frank? Ans: Annie was writing her diary for the first time. She thought neither she nor anyone else in future would be interested to read the musings of a thirteen-year-old school child. Therefore, it appeared to be a strange experience for Anne Frank. 2. Why does Anne want to keep a diary? Ans: Annie wants to keep a diary so as to confide all her feelings, which were bottled up inside her. As paper had more patience than friends, therefore, she wanted to empty all her suppressed feelings in writing down a diary. She had no friend whom she could confide to all her secrets. 3. Why did Anne think she could confide more in her diary than in people? Ans: According to Annie, paper has more patience than people. Therefore, she thought that only in writing on her diary she could express her feelings. In the event of finding a real friend, she would read all her feelings from her diary in future. Oral Comprehension Check ( Page 51) 1. Why does Anne provide a brief sketch of her life? Ans: Annie thought that if people found interest in reading her diary in future, then it is necessary to mention her family background so that they have fair knowledge about whom they would read the diary. So she provided a brief sketch of her life. 2. What tells you that Anne loved her grandmother? Ans: Annie had profound love for her grandmother whom she missed very often. Her birthday celebration in 1942 was intended to make up for the previous year’s celebration which could not be held due to sickness of her grandmother. Grandma’s candle was lit along with the rest. So from Annie’s description of her grandmother, we can understand that fact that Annie loved her grandmother very much. Oral Comprehension Check (Page 54) 1. Why was Mr Keesing annoyed with Anne? What did he ask her to do? Ans: Mr. Keesing was annoyed with Annie as she was very talkative in the class. He asked her to write an assignment on chatterbox. 2. How did Anne justify her being a chatterbox in her essay? Ans: Annie argued that talking is a student’s trait and that she would do her best to keep it under control. She expressed her doubt that she would never be able to cure herself of the habit since her mother talked as much as she did if not more. She expressed her inability that there’s not much she could do about inherited traits. 3. Do you think Mr Keesing was a strict teacher? Ans: I don’t think Mr. Keesing was a strict teacher. He ignored Annie’s chattering inside the class for many days. In spite of repeated warnings when Annie did not stop talking, he gave her extra work. Therefore, he can’t be termed as a very strict teacher. 4. What made Mr Keesing allow Anne to talk in class? Ans: On the third class Mr. Keesing handed her yet another assignment as punishment on the topic ‘Quack, Quack, Quack, Said Mistress Chatterbox’.Her friend, Sanne, being good at poetry, offered to help her write the essay from beginning to end in verse. It was a beautiful poem which was about a mother duck and a father swan with three baby ducklings who were bitten to death by the father because they quacked too much. Mr. Keesing read the poem to the class and to several other classes as well. Thereafter, Annie was allowed to talk in class. Thinking about the Text ( Page 54) 1. Was Anne right when she said that the world would not be interested in the musings of a thirteen-year-old girl? Ans: Anne was not right in thinking that her diary would not be read by the people. It is due to the publication of her diary by her father that she could become a household name later on. 2. There are some examples of diary or journal entries in the ‘Before You Read’ section. Compare these with what Anne writes in her diary. What language was the diary originally written in? In what way is Anne’s diary different? Ans: Anne’s diary was originally written in Dutch. The other diary entries are either about a particular day or incident. Anne’s diary is different as it is in the form of an informal letter, which she addressed to her diary, Kitty as if she was speaking to a friend. 3. Why does Anne need to give a brief sketch about her family? Does she treat ‘Kitty’ as an insider or an outsider? Annie gives a brief sketch about her family so that if family information is provided while writing her diary the readers would come to know in detail about her and would take interest in reading contents of her diary. She treats Kitty as an insider. We can understand this as she imagines her to be her intimate friend. 4. How does Anne feel about her father, her grandmother, Mrs Kuperus and Mr Keesing? What do these tell you about her? Ans: Anne thinks that her father is the most adorable father in the world. She loves her grandmother as well and misses her badly during her birthday. She is fond Mrs. Kuperus as well. When Anne left her school to return to Germany, both of them became emotional and shed tears for each other. Mr. Keesing is her Maths teacher. Although he gave her punishment in the form of assignment, she regards her teacher. 5. What does Anne write in her first essay? Ans: Annie argued that talking is a student’s trait and that she would do her best to keep it under control. She expressed her doubt that she would never be able to cure herself of the habit since her mother talked as much as she did if not more. She expressed her inability that there’s not much she could do about inherited traits. 6. Anne says teachers are most unpredictable. Is Mr Keesing unpredictable? How? Ans: Mr Keesing is unpredictable . He became irritated with Annies for talking in the class and gave her three assignments as punishment. But towards the end, when Annie submits her third essay, he found it interesting and read it out to other students in the class. 7. What do these statements tell you about Anne Frank as a person? (i) We don’t seem to be able to get any closer, and that’s the problem. Maybe it’s my fault that we don’t confide in each other. Ans: Anne found it extremely difficult to make a close friend whom she could confide her secrets. She is also self-critical about her inability to make friendship. (ii) I don’t want to jot down the facts in this diary the way most people would, but I want the diary to be my friend. She wants to be very informal in her dealing with the diary. It is just a medium of sharing her pent-up emotions, nothing more than that according to Anne. It is a substitute for a friend for her. (iii) Margot went to Holland in December, and I followed in February, when I was plunked down on the table as a birthday present for Margot. Anne seemed to have exhibited a lot of humour in this sentence with the use of the phrase ‘ plunked down’. (iv) If you ask me, there are so many dummies that about a quarter of the class should be kept back, but teachers are the most unpredictable creatures on earth. Ans: Anne means to say that in spite of the presence of many dummies, teachers are sensitive enough to consider them as it is a matter of their future. So as far as possible, they would try to promote them. (v) Anyone could ramble on and leave big spaces between the words, but the trick was to come up with convincing arguments to prove the necessity of talking. Here Anne means to say that she wanted to prove to Mr. Keesing, her Maths Teacher, the necessity of talking in the class with her logical essay. Extra Questions: Q1. What prompted Anne to maintain a diary? When Anne’s grandmother passed away, Anne felt quite lonely. She started writing a diary to share pent-up feelings in a diary, which she named ‘Kitty’. Q2. Why did Anne think that she was alone? Give reasons. Ans : Anne felt very lonely though she had loving parents and many other friends because she could not share her feelings with any one of them. Q3. How do you know that Anne was close to her grandmother? Ans : After the death of her grandmother, Anne missed her a lot and often thought of her. She even lit a candle as a tribute to her deceased grandmother on her birthday. Thus we come to know she was close to her grandmother. Q4. (i) Where did Anne stay before going to Holland? (ii) Why was she in tears when she left the Montessori School? Ans : (i) Anne stayed at Aachen where her grandmother stayed. (ii) When she parted with her loving teacher, Mrs Kuperus, she became emotional and shed tears. Both used to love each other. Therefore, Anne could not hold herself while parting from her teacher. Q5. Do you think Keesing was justified in punishing Anne? Would you support such a punishment in your class? Why/Why not? Ans : Mr Keesing was a very strict teacher who could not tolerate Anne’s talkativeness and would punish her. He even did not try to find out why the girl was always talking in his class. He was not justified in punishing her because he should have tried to make his teaching more impressive and interesting. Anne was weak in Mathematics; naturally, she was not interested in learning in his class. First, he insulted her and asked her to write an essay on a chatterbox. As a teacher he should have been careful enough not to insult a young girl in front of the class. He further punished her to write another essay. The children are loving young ones who should not be punished at all but treated affectionately. No, I will not support any kind of punishment. A teacher should not use punishment to control the class. He/she should understand the level of students and modify his/her method of teaching. Q6. Anne was very much attached to her grandmother. What should be our attitude towards our elders? What do you learn from Anne? Ans : Anne Frank was a thirteen year old girl. She was born at Frankfurt in Germany. She lived there until she was four. Her parents emigrated to Holland and she was sent to stay with her grandmother. Anne was very close to her grandmother. She found her a lovely lady. She loved her most. After her death, Anne missed her very much. She remarks, “No one knows how often I think of her and still love her.” It shows that Anne was very much attached to her grandmother. We should be respectful and sympathetic towards our elders. We get love and wishes from our elders if we treat them respectfully. It is our duty to take a good care of our elders. We learn from Anne that if we love our elders we get love in return.

Pre-Board I Reading Section i. Humanity’s evolution from primitive stage to the present has been extensive and varied. ii. The needs of man during the hunting and fishing stage were basic and they were adequately met by Nature. iii, The pastoral stage was marked by some amount of economic activity which was more than the previous stage. iv. Class System began to develop when agriculture started v. The consequences of the Feudal system marked economic changes which also marked the beginning of the labour problem in the world. vi. …… After an hour long inquiry of the suspected men the truth emerged that he was innocent. 2. i. The zone meant for the protection of the environment is called buffer zone. ii. The most important reason behind the massively reduced forest area is the alarming rise in human population. iii. The encroachment into the homes of wildlife by humans has compounded the human-animal conflict. iv. Over 1,000 tigers have been killed in the country by poachers and over 650 on road in the last five years. v. One had to visit a national park or sanctuary to sight the beautiful Nilgai in the past but now a days one may go round to any agricultural field and may find plenty of animals like the Nilgai roaming in the grounds freely. vi. According to the data provided the numbers of deaths due to humananimal conflict have increased alarmingly this situation is worrying because we need to safeguard human lives and livelihoods. Literature Qno. 6 How important is peace of mind according to Gautam Buddha? How can it be achieved? According to Buddha, grief and sorrow increase pain, peace of mind can be achieved if one understands the functioning of nature and not grieve at something which is bound to happen. Why does the poet like Animals? The poet desires to live among animals as they are calm and self sufficient. They do not whine and weep about their conditions. They express love towards human beings What does the line ‘never let down my bright hair’ tell us about Amanda? Amanda will not let her hair down because she wants to be all by herself. If she lets her hair down, anyone can climb up . She does not want this to happen What impresses you most about Custard the Dragon? Custard the Dragon never boasted about any of his qualities. He was laughed at and mocked but remained patient. He was the bravest of all and faced the pirate with courage . He swallowed him up. According to Chubukov, what happened as a result of the dispute over the meadows? Who did he think the meadows belonged to? Chubukov thinks that a golden opportunity of the marriage has been lost. He feels upset due to the dispute .He thought that the land belonged to him. What efforts did Matilda and her husband make to find the lost necklace? They looked in the folds of her dress, in the folds of her cloak. Looked in her pockets Searched the whole route Went to the police and newspaper man Went to various cab companies Which places did the narrator and the hack driver drive around to find Lutkins? They went to all the places where Lutkins could be found They went to Fritz’s shop Gustaff’s shop Gray’s shop The pool room Lutkins mother’s farmhouse Q7. Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 120 words each. Q7. (i) Both Valli and Rajvir are passionate about travelling to different places. Why do they like travelling? How are their travel plans similar to each other? Rajvir loved to travel and so did Valli. They both enjoyed looking at the scenery outside and were marvelled to see new things as they went ahead in their journey. They felt engrossed in natures beauty enjoyed the greenery. Travelling to places is rejuvenating . It breaks monotony of life and amuses. It also increases our knowledge of the outside world Both Valli and Rajvir are full of curiosity. They like to learn from their surroundings. (ii) Bholi is “a harmless dumb cow “ people feel so but her teacher does not agree and plays a big role in giving her life a turning point. Develop a conversation between the two, based on your understanding of the story ' Bholi'. Ans: Teacher – Bholi please feel comfortable in my class. You are dressed in neat clothes and look so bright. Bholi – Maa’m I feel nervous all the time Teacher – You ………. You look so neat and disciplined Bholi. You have the urge to learn . I appreciate your spirit to learn . Come on , Don’t be hesitant. Bholi – But maam the ooooother childrrr…en make fun Teacher – Do not take it to heart , be friendly to them and do well in your studies, they will be fine in a few days. Concentrate on your books . If you perform well in your studies , they will be eager to talk to you and make friends with you . Bholi – Yes maam . I will try . ( many answers possible as per the creativity of the student) (iii) 'Madam rides a bus” is a memorable and unforgettable journey of a little girl with comic details and element of humour. Discuss Ans: Several sights and sounds contribute to the comic element in the story Madam rides a bus Honking of the car horn the speed of the bus and the thrill in the air The frightened cow running on the road . Valli clapping, laughing and enjoying standing on the seat The conductor calling her madam All these evoke humour in the story Pre-board II Reading Section i. Power foods should be prepared properly using season-fresh foods and identifying one’s choice of flavour among power foods. ii. Though she was the newest writer, the hardworking woman’s diligent efforts could not be matched by any of her coworkers. iii. Onion and garlic help in the absorption of iron and zinc from the chickpeas. iv. Yoghurt is full of proteins that help preserve muscle mass and bananas are packed with carbohydrates that help in refuelling energy and preventing muscle soreness. v. Combining green tea with lemon juice helps the body to absorb catechins more easily. vi. Power foods can be included in our daily diet to increase muscle development. Q2. i. Ice formation continues for 3-4 months. ii. Due to creation of artificial glaciers, farmers have been able to manage two crops instead of one. iii. Ladakh is a cold desert as it has a low average annual rainfall rate of 50 mm situated at an altitude of 3,000-3,500 metres above sea level. iv. The increasing effects of climate change, rainfall and snowfall patterns had resulted in severe shortage and drought situations. v. June and July. vi. It is diverted to a shaded area of the hill, facing north so that the winter sun is blocked by a ridge or a mountain range and ice formation can take place. Note: Pleasel write your answers from reading section in the exam like the answers given above-short and concise. Q6 Answer ANY SIX questions in 30-40 words each. (1 mark for content) (1 mark for expression) i. It is not complaining but accepting a situation, that is the key to happiness. Justify in context of the poem ‘Animals’. Man should learn a lesson from animals who are innocent, self contained, satisfied, peaceful and happy. ii. What made Kisa Gotami compare a man’s life with the lights of the city? She found man’s life similar to the lights of the city as both flickered, illuminated the world for some time and then got extinguished. It made her aware of the truth of life. iii. Comment on the poetic aspect of the poem ‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon’ . Light-hearted story, written in ballad style. written in four lined stanza format with the rhyming scheme of aabb poem offers many similes the words are simple iv. Why does Amanda imagine to be a mermaid, an orphan and Rapunzel? Amanda yearns for freedom and her right to be free She wishes to go away from all the nagging into an imaginary world v. ‘It was all over for her’. What does ‘It’ refers to here with reference to the story ‘The Necklace’. How had it all ended for her? ’It’ refers to Matilda’s success,fame,being rich and the fulfillment of her dreams It all ended for her with the end of the ball party as she would not get another chance to show that they were rich. vi. Would you call ‘The Proposal’ a comical play? Give two instances from it to support your answer. Yes, it’s a cominal play. Lomov’s unstable physical condition makes him appear comical Their fighting over petty issues, Natalya’s hysteria and desperation to get married. vii. The lawyer had education, but lacked experience of life. Comment in context of the story ‘The Hack Driver’ The lawyer was taken for a ride by a simple villager, Oliver Lutkins because he lacked experience He learnt the lesson of life the hard way despite being an educated lawyer Q7. Answer ANY TWO of the following in about 120 words each. Mark Distribution: Content : 2 Marks & Expression 2 Marks (i) Valli succeeded in her plan of taking a bus-ride with proper planning and sacrifice. On the other hand, Bholi, a physically challenged girl, developed the courage and confidence to challenge the evil system of dowry. Bring out the similarities and contrast in both the characters. Ans: Valli was bold, brave and self-respecting. Bholi developed the courage and confidence to challenge the evil system of dowry. Valli and Bholi both innocent, highly sensitive. Valli, jut 8 years old, behaved like a ‘madam’ whereas Bholi had low self esteem as a child. Valli was a smart girl who planned the bus journey whereas Bholi was like a ‘dumb cow’ because of her head injury. (ii) Parents play a crucial role in the upbringing of their children. Justify how Ebright’s mother played a pivotal role in enabling him to become a successful scientist. Ebright’s mother always encouraged and supported him. She was his first teacher. She was his only childhood friend and companion She took him on trips, bought him telescopes, microscopes, cameras etc. that helped him in his research on butterflies She gifted him Dr Urquhart’s book, “The Travels of Monarch X”. It opened the world of science to the young collector (iii) ‘During our childhood in Goa, the baker used to be our friend, companion and guide’. What does this statement tell you about the character of the narrator? Which character traits of the narrator would you like to be developed in yourself? Narrator has a special place in his heart for the baker. He remembers all the details very vividly. He was friendly with the baker as all children ran to meet the baker on hearing the jingling thud of his bamboo. Narrator is very expressive about his affection for the baker. Narrator’s friendly traits are worth developing. Reference: Directorate of Education, GNCT of Delhi

Lesson Architecture Theme Lesson-At-A-Glance NCERT Solution Theme: The lesson narrates the story of a precocious girl by the name of Valli, an eight years old. She nurses a secret desire to take a bus ride fro her village to the town. The lesson narrates the childhood dreams and fantasies and the realization of such dreams with commitment and patience. Lesson -At-A-Glance Valli wishes to ride the bus that goes from her village to the town. She sees every day the bus that travels between her village and the nearest town. She looks wistfully at the people who got on and off the bus. People inspire her the hop and wish to take a ride herself one day. Valli's secret wish started spreading wings till she decides one day that she wold attempt a ride on the bus. She saves every penny resisting the temptations to buy peppermints and toys, the ride on the merry-go-round and the village fair. One afternoon when her mother is asleep, Valli slips ot of the house, boards the bus and starts relishing her first ever bus ride. The conductor is taken aback to find her travel alone and is amused by her haughty manners. She resents being called a child and reminds everyone on the bus that she has paid full fare like anyone else. On the way to town, Valli is delighted to see a young cow running right in the middle of the road in front of the bus. The honking frightens the cow and he gallop[ed even faster. On the way back to the village, Valli becomes sad by the sight of the same cow who lies dead by roadside. On her return home, she finds her mother awake and is involved in chatting with her aunt. Her mother is not able to guess that she have been outside home all the while. NCERT Textbook Questions Oral Comprehension Check ( Page 119) 1. What was valli's favourite pastime? Valli's favourite pastime was to stand in the front doorway of her house and watch what was happening in the street outside. 2. What was a source of unending joy for Valli? What was her strongest desire? Ans A source of unending joy for Valli was watching the bus that travelled between her village and the nearest town and back each hour. Her strongest desire was to ride the bus which was filled each time with full of passengers going to the town and returning back to the village. 3. What did Valli find out about the bus journey? How did she find out these details? Ans: Valli collected the following details about the bus journey: Valli found out that the fare was thirty paise one way. The trip to the twn took forty -five minutes. On reaching town, she could return home on the same bus if she could pay another thirty paise. She found out these details by listening carefully to conversations of her neighbours and people who regularly travelled in the bus. 4. What do you think Valli was planning to do? Ans: Valli was planning to take a ride on the bus to the town and back to her village one day. Oral comprehension Check ( Page 122) 1. Why does the conductor call Valli 'madam'? Ans Valli talks like a matured adult person. She refuses to take help from the conductor while climbing the steps of the bus. She behaves as if she was capable of taking care of herself. 2. Why does Valli stand up on the seat? What does she see now? Ans: Valli stands up on the seat because the lower half of the window was covered with a canvas blind. She can see the canal on one side of the road and beyond it the palm trees, grassland, distant mountains and the blue sky. On the other side of the road, she can see a deep ditch beyond which were acres and acres of green fields. 3. What does Valli tell the elderly man when he calls her a child? Ans Valli is annoyed at being called a child and replies that she can take care of herself. She further says that she has paid her thirty paise like an adult passenger. 4. Why didn't Valli want to make friends with the elderly woman? Ans: The elderly woman appeared to be very shabby. She had very big holes in her ear lobes, and ugle earrings in them. she could smell the betel nut the woman was chewing and the betel juice was about to spill over her lips at any moment. Oral Comprehension Check ( page 125) 1. How did Valli save up money for her first journey? Was it easy for her? Ans: Valli had thriftily saved a total of sixty paise. She had saved whatever stray coins came her way, resisting every temptation to buy peppermints, toys, balloons, and the like. It wasn't easy for her. She had to curb a strong desire to spend the money at the fair and ride the merry-go-round. 2. What did Valli see on her way that made her laugh? Ans: Valli saw a young cow running very fast right in the middle of the road. It had its tail high up as it ran. The more the driver blew the horn the more, the cow grew frightened and ran faster in front of the bus. It grew frightened and ran faster in front of the bus. Thus Valli laughed by seeing this frantic act of the cow. 3. Why didn't she get off the bus at the bus station? Ans: Valli did not get off the bus at the bus station because she wanted to return to her village by the same bus. She was not left with adequate money to explore the town. She just had the bus fare to return to her village. 4. Why didn't Valli want to go to the stall and have a drink? What does this tell you about her? Ans: Valli did not want to go to the stall and have a drink because she was left with just the money to buy a ticket for the journey back home. It tells us that Valli is a disciplined and alert girl She refused to have the drink even when the conductor offered it as a treat. She was having the self-respect and did not take any undue favour from any one unnecessarily. Thinking About the Text: (Page 127) 1. What was Valli’s deepest desire? Find the words and phrases in the story that tell you this. Ans: Valli's deepest desire was to take a bus ride to the town. The words & phrases that tell us about this fact are the following: 'most fascinating thing'. 'a source of unending joy for valli' 'wish became stronger and stronger until it was an overwhelming desire'. 2. How did Valli plan her bus ride? What did she find out about the bus, and how did she save up the fare? Ans: Valli planned her bus ride in the following manner : She listened carefully to conversations between her neighbours and people who regularly used the bus. She asked a few discreet questions here and there. She found out details about the bus like : The bus fare to the nearest town was thirty paise one way. The trip to the town took forty-five minutes. On reaching town she could return to her village in the same bus by paying another thirty paise. Thus she planned to catch the one-o'clock afternoon bus, reach the town at one forty-five and be back home by about two forty-five. Valli saved up the fare in the following manner : She saved by collecting whatever stray coins came her way. She resisted every temptation to buy peppermints, toys, balloons, and so on. She resolutely stifled a strong desire at the village fair to ride the merry-go-round. Thus she ended up saving a total of sixty paise for a to-and-fro trip to the town. 3. What kind of a person is Valli? To answer this question, pick out the following sentences from the text and fill in the blanks. The words you fill in are the clues to your answer. (i) “Stop the bus! Stop the bus!” And a tiny hand was raised ________ (Commandingly) (ii) “Yes, I ________go to town,” said Valli, still standing outside the bus. (simply have) (iii) “There’s nobody here _________ ,” she said haughtily. “I’ve paid my thirty paise like everyone else.” (who's a child) (iv) “Never mind,” she said, “I can ______________. You don’t have to help me. ”I’m not a child, I tell you,” she said, ________ ( get on by myself , irritably ) (v) “You needn’t bother about me. ___________________ ,” Valli said, turning her face toward the window and staring out. ( I can take care of myself) (vi) Then she turned to the conductor and said, “Well, sir, I hope _____________.” (to see you again) 4. Why does the conductor refer to Valli as ‘madam’? Ans: Valli talks like a matured adult person. She refuses to take help from the conductor while climbing the steps of the bus. She behaves as if she was capable of taking care of herself. 5. Find the lines in the text which tell you that Valli was enjoying her ride on the bus. Valli devoured everything with her eyes. Oh, it was all so wonderful ! Suddenly Valli clapped her hands with glee. Somehow this was very funny to Valli. She laughed and laughed until there were tears in her eyes. Struck dumb with wonder, Valli gaped at everything.. Valli wasn't bored in the slightest and greeted everything with the same excitement she'd felt the first time. 6. Why does Valli refuse to look out of the window on her way back? Valli refuses to to look out of the window on her way back due to the following reasons: She had seen the young cow lying dead on the road. On her way to town, she was taken back to have seen a young cow running right in the middle of the road. On her way back the cow was hit by a vehicle. The sight of the dead cow moved her so much so that she refused to outside. 7. What does Valli mean when she says, “I was just agreeing with what you said about things happening without our knowledge.” On reaching home Valli overhears a conversation between her auntie and her mother about things happening without our knowledge. She then agrees to what they say as the same thing has also happened with her. Her mother was blissfully unaware of Valli's to and fro bus ride to Town. 8. The author describes the things that Valli sees from an eight-year-old’s point of view. Can you find evidence from the text for this statement? The following are the text sentences to support the statement. The most fascinating thing of all was the bus that travelled between her village and the nearest town. She wanted to ride on that bus even if just once. Valli devoured everything with her eyes. She stood up on the seat and peered over the blind. Valli found the woman absolutely repulsive... who could be sociable with such a person? How difficult it had been, particularly that day at the village fair.... Suddenly Valli clapped her hands with glee. Important Questions for Board Exam, Term II <<<<<<<<<< End>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Theme: The story highlights the condemnation of evil practice of dowry in the society. The story also focusses on the need of women empowerment through education. The story portrays the arduous journey of a girl disfigured with pock-marks and how she fights out to become an iconoclast in the society. Lesson-At-A-Glance : Bholi is a touching story of Sulekha, a little girl who suffers a head injury in her childhood and suffers from developmental problems. The seventh child of Ramlal, a prosperous revenue official, Sulekha is called Bholi because she does not seem to be intelligent. She suffered an attack of chicken pox which leaves her scarred with pick marks. She spoke very little as she was teased because she used to stammer a lot. Bholi's parents were worried as all her brothers and sisters were healthy and good-looking except her. A primary school came up in the village when Bholi was seven years old. Based on the suggestion of Bholi's mother Bholi was sent to school as she had little chance of getting married. Bholi is frightened when she her father, Ramlal, tried to take her to the school. When Bholi was given clean clothes she feels that going to school might be a good idea. At school her teacher was a kind soul who immediately took care of Boli. She assured Bholi that she would be able to speak like everyone else, and that people would not laugh at her, but listen to her with respect. Many years later Bholi's parents arranged her marriage to Bishamber, a middle-aged grocer with grown-up children. On the day of the wedding when the groom saw saw Bholi's pock-marked face, he demanded money from Ramlal, her father. Bholi asked her father to cancel this marriage as she would not mary such a greedy and contemptible man. The guests at the wedding were surprised at such a bold decision by Bholi. But Bholi remained steadfast in her decision. When her father Ramlal expressed his worry at the turn of events, Bholi assured him that she could be around her parents to take care of them in case she did not get married. She further told him that she could teach at the school from where she had studied. Her teacher who was standing in one corner looked with a sense of pride for Bholi and endorsed her decision. NCERT Solution: Read and Find out ( Page 54) Why is Bholi's father worried about her? Ans: An attack of small pox leaves Bholi scarred with pock marks. She stammers and other children make fun of her. As a result, Bholi withdraws and speaks very little. Therefore, her parents were very worried about her. For what unusual reasons is Bholi sent to school? During the opening ceremony of the primary school for girls in the village, the Tehsildar asked Ramlal to send his daughters to school so as to set an example for others in the village. But Ramlal's wife thinks that none of her daughters would get married if they were sent to school. she suggested her husband to send Bholi to school as she has little chance of getting married owing to her disfigured pock-marked face. Read and Find Out ( Page 55) Does Bholi enjoy her first day at school? On the first day of her school her teacher gives her a picture book and informs her that she will soon be able to speak like everyone else. She will be more learned than all the villagers and then everyone will respect her. These encouraging words from her teacher inspired Bholi on her first day. Does she find her teacher different from the people at home? Ans: At home Bholi feels isolated as no one takes care of her. However, at school her teacher is kind and caring. Instead of scolding Bholi for stammering, her teacher encourages Bholi to pronounce her name. She gives her a picture book and says she will soon learn to speak fluently and become a role model for the whole village. Thus bholi finds her teacher different from the people at home. Read and Find Out ( Page 58) Why do Bholi's parents accept Bishamber's marriage proposal? Ans: Bholi's parents think that Bholi will be fortunate enough to get such a wealthy bridegroom. He is from another village and does not ask for any dowry. Therefore, they accept Bishamber's marriage proposal. Why does the marriage not take place? On seeing the pock marks on Bholi's face, her prospective husband demands a dowry of five thousand rupees. In spite of repeated requests the groom did not agree and threatens to cancel the marriage. Therefore, Bholi gets angry and says that she will not marry such a mean, greedy and a coward like Bishamber. Think about it: 1. Bholi had many apprehensions about going to school. What made her feel that she was going to a better place than her home? As a run-up to preparation of going to school, Bholi's hair was oiled and she was bahed. She was also given a clean dress which had shrunk after many washings and which actually belonged to Champa. Thus Bholi felt that she was going to a better place than her home. 2. How did Bholi’s teacher play an important role in changing the course of her life? When Bholi joined the school, she stammered and could barely speak and was frightened. Her transformation into an educated and well-spoken woman was possible due to the sincere commitment of her teacher. Her teacher contributed in the following ways: a) The teacher encouraged Bholi to speak softly and assured her that she would speak like everyone else in future. b) She convinced Bholi to come to school everyday. c) She gave Bholi a book. She furher encouraged her that she would be able to read the book in no time and then she would be given bigger books. d) She also encouraged Bholi that one day she would be ore learned than any other person in the village. She further said that people would no longer laugh at her, but listen to her with respect. After many years of her schooling at her wedding, Bholi refused to marry a greedy man and stood up against an extortionist bridegroom who demanded dowry form her father because of her disfigured pock-marked face . Thus Bholi's teacher exemplifies the role that teachers can play in one's life and in the context of Bholi played a transformational role. Bholi's confidence, independence and values are the outcome of her teacher's commitment and selfless devotion. 3. Why did Bholi at first agree to an unequal match? Why did she later reject the marriage? What does this tell us about her? In order to avoid being a burden on her parents for a lifetime, Bholi probably agreed to an unequal match. She was having a pock-marked face and therefore she had apprehensions like her parents that no man would marry her. This is probably the reason why Bholi did not say no to an unequal match. Her values and self-respect that she imbibed from her teacher made her reject the man who demanded dowry to the tune of five thousand rupees due to her pock-marked face. This tells us about her she was having self-respect and courage to bring about a sea change in the society. This was possible because of the way her teacher inculcated values in her and confidence to fight out any injustice. 4. Bholi’s real name is Sulekha. We are told this right at the beginning. But only in the last but one paragraph of the story is Bholi called Sulekha again. Why do you think she is called Sulekha at that point in the story? Bholi is called Sulekha again as she has turned out to be an educated girl owing to the relentless effort of her teacher. She has grown up to be a woman who is able to judge right from wrong and take independent decisions. She has stood up against her prospetive husband when he demanded a sum of five thousand rupees owing to her disfigured face. Thus she has shown her values and outright protest at the injustice and tried to bring about a transformation in the society. Extra Questions for Practice. What happened to Bholi when she was ten months old? Why did Bholi begin to cry when her teacher asked her name? Who was Bishamber? why did Bholi's parents accept his marriage proposal? Why did Bholi refuse to marry Bishamber? Describe the interaction between Bholi and her teacher on her first day at school? 5-mark Questions for Practice How did Bholi's teacher bring about a transformation in the personality of Bholi. Explain with instances from the text. How did Bholi oppose her marriage with Bishamber? Describe the circumstances that led to the cancellation of the marriage. Bholi's teacher looked on with the deep satisfaction of an artist contemplating the completion of her masterpiece. What 'masterpiece' had she created? Why did her masterpiece give her immense satisfaction? Explain with instances from the text. 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