Students can find accurate Class 9 English Extra Questions and Class 9 English Kaveri Chapter 1 How I Taught My Grandmother to Read Extra Questions and Answers for better understanding.
How I Taught My Grandmother to Read Extra Question Answer
How I Taught My Grandmother to Read Class 9 Extra Question Answer
How I Taught My Grandmother to Read Short Question Answer
Question 1.
How does Triveni’s Kashi Yatre reveal the social, cultural and religious side of our society?
Answer:
Kashi Yatre is about an old lady who wants to visit Kashi or Varanasi. Most Hindus believe that going to Kashi and worshipping Lord Vishweshwara is the ultimate punya. But the old lady can’t go. Instead she gives all her savings to a young orphan girl, who being poor, can’t marry her lover. The old lady finds the happiness of the orphan girl more important than her Kashi visit. All this shows the social, cultural and religious side of our society.
Question 2.
Why did the grandmother identify herself with the main character of the novel “Kashi Yatre”?
Or
Why did the grandmother identify herself with the novel’s protagonist?
Answer:
The grandmother identified herself with the main character of the novel because the main character was herself an old lady like her. Both of them shared the same feelings and had same thinking. So she felt herself in her place.
Question 3.
Give two reasons why ‘Kashi Yatre’ was grandmother’s favourite novel.
Answer:
The two reasons why ‘Kashi Yatre’ was grandmother’s favourite novel were: First, the style was easy to read and very convincing. Second, the
stories usually dealt with psychological problems of the ordinary people in the day-to-day common lives. These stories were very interesting.
Question 4.
Why was money of no use to the grandmother in ‘How I Taught my Grandmother to Read’ ?
Answer:
Money was of no use to grandmother in ‘How I Taught My Grandmother to Read’ because, she had crossed that threshold of life. The grandmother was sixty-two and in that part of life, spiritual things mattered much than the monetary things. That’s why, she valued helping the young.
Question 5.
Why could Krishtakka not go to school and learn to read ?
Or
Why did the grandmother never go to school?
Answer: Krishtakka’s mother died when she was a little child. Her father being a busy man married again. There was now no one to look after Krishtakka. Education for girls was not considered essential in those days. Thus Krishtakka was never sent to school. She was married at a young age and thus remained illiterate.
Question 6.
Why did the grandmother feel so helpless when her granddaughter went to attend a marriage?
Answer:
The grandmother felt very helpless when her granddaughter went to attend a marriage. She wanted to know what happened in the serial published in the magazine. But being illiterate she couldn’t read it. So she felt very helpless in not reading it and not knowing anything about what she wanted to know.
Question 7.
When did the grandmother realise the worth and value of being literate?
Answer:
The grandmother was fond of listening to the weekly episode of the novel Kashi Yatre. Once her granddaughter who would read it to her went out of the village to attend a wedding. The serial came and the grandmother tried to read it. But being illiterate she couldn’t read. She felt dependent and sad. Then she realized the value of being literate.
Question 8.
How did the granddaughter react to her grandmother’s request to teach her to read?
Answer:
The granddaughter reacted in great surprise when her grandmother requested her to teach her to read. She told her that all her hair was grey, her hands wrinkled and she wore spectacles. It was most amazing that she should learn to read at that stage. She innocently made fun of her grandmother.
Question 9.
Why did the grandmother touch the feet of her granddaughter, though she was a child?
Answer:
The narrator was her grandmother’s teacher when she taught her the alphabet of Kannada. In our culture teachers are held in high esteem and their feet are touched out of respect. So in that tradition the grandmother, as a pupil of her granddaughter, touched her feet as a teacher as per the tradition.
Question 10.
What message does the story “How ITaught My Grandmother to Read” convey ?
Answer:
The story ‘How I Taught My Grandmother to Read’ conveys the message that it is never too late to learn, and with determination, patience, and guidance, anyone can become literate, gain the power to achieve their goals, overcome obstacles, and attain independence.
Question 11.
Explain why the narrator’s grandmother strongly identified herself with the protagonist of Kashi Yatre.
Answer:
The grandmother identified with the protagonist because she too had never gone to Kashi and shared similar beliefs and emotions. Like the character, she understood the value of sacrifice and emotional fulfillment. The story reflected her own unfulfilled desires and personal experiences, which made her feel a deep connection with it. This emotional similarity drew her closer to the narrative, making her deeply involved and moved by the novel.
Question 12.
Describe the social atmosphere at the temple courtyard after the grandmother listened to the story.
Answer:
After listening to the story, the grandmother joined her friends at the temple courtyard. While children played games like hide and seek, the elders discussed the latest episode of Kashi Yatre. These discussions often turned into lively debates, reflecting their curiosity and involvement. It showed how deeply the story influenced the villagers, as they eagerly shared opinions, emotions, and interpretations, making the narrative an important part of their daily lives and social interactions.
Question 13.
How did the weekly arrival of Karmaveera influence the routine and interests of the narrator’s grandmother?
Answer:
The arrival of Karmaveera every Wednesday became a special event for the grandmother. She would stop all her household work and listen attentively as the narrator read the serial aloud. The story engaged her so deeply that she remembered each episode clearly and eagerly awaited the next one. This routine brought her great joy and became an important and cherished part of her weekly life.
Question 14.
Why did the grandmother repeat the entire episode of Kashi Yatre by heart after listening to it?
Answer:
The grandmother listened with complete concentration and deep emotional involvement. Since she could not read, listening carefully was her only way of engaging with the story. Her strong interest and close identification with the protagonist helped her understand every detail. This connection enabled her to remember and even repeat the entire episode accurately, showing her remarkable memory, dedication, and the powerful impact the story had on her mind.
Question 15.
Why was the narrator shocked to see her grandmother crying when she returned from the wedding?
Answer:
The narrator was shocked because she had never seen her grandmother cry, even in difficult situations. Seeing her in tears was unexpected and alarming. This unusual behaviour made the narrator feel anxious and concerned. It also made her curious to understand what had troubled her normally strong and cheerful grandmother. The incident highlighted the depth of the grandmother’s emotions and showed how deeply the story had affected her.
Question 16.
What reasons did Avva give for not receiving education in her childhood?
Answer:
Avva explained that she had lost her mother at an early age and had no one to guide or support her. Her father remarried and remained occupied with his own responsibilities, leaving her without proper care. During those times, girls’ education was not given importance, so she never had the opportunity to attend school.
As a result, she remained illiterate and was married off at a very young age, shaping the course of her life.
Question 17.
How did Avva’s illiteracy affect her sense of self-worth and independence?
Answer:
Avva felt deeply dependent and helpless because she could not read the magazine by herself. Though she was financially comfortable, she realised that money alone could not give her true independence. Her inability to read made her feel embarrassed and emotionally weak. This experience made her understand the importance of education, as it not only provides knowledge but also builds confidence, self-respect, and a sense of personal dignity.
Question 18.
What qualities made Avya a successful student despite her age?
Answer:
Avva was determined, disciplined, and hardworking in her efforts to learn. She read, wrote, repeated, and recited her lessons regularly, and completed a large amount of homework with dedication. Her strong motivation to become independent and her deep respect for education kept her focused. Despite her age, she showed great perseverance and confidence, which helped her overcome challenges and successfully achieve her goal of becoming a capable learner.
How I Taught My Grandmother to Read Long Question Answer
Question 1.
What made the grandmother so much interested in the serial of Kashi Yatre that appeared in the weekly Karmaveera? What happened when the narrator went to attend a wedding in the neighbouring village ?
Answer:
The story of Triveni’s novel Kashi Yatre dealt with a religious theme relating to an old lady. She wanted to visit Kashi or Varanasi and worship Lord Vishweshwara there. It, for Hindus, was the ultimate punya. But she couldn’t go there. Instead, she gave all her savings to an orphan poor girl who couldn’t marry her heart-throb due to poverty.
The grandmother identified herself with the old lady of the novel as both had a similar outlook and similar sentiments. Then their psychologies and social levels were almost the same. The grandmother thus identified herself totally with the old woman of the novel. All this made the grandmother interested in the serial.
After a few days, the narrator went to a neighbouring village to attend a wedding. She remained there for a week. In her absence, the magazine arrived and the grandmother was unable to read the serial, as she was illiterate. She then felt the worth and value of being literate. When the narrator came she wept before her. She made her to teach her the Kannada alphabet.
Question 2.
How did the grandmother make her granddaughter, the narrator, to be her teacher ?
Answer:
The narrator’s grandmother couldn’t read the serial in the magazine in her absence. It was because she was illiterate. She then understood the value of being literate. She made a strong determination to learn how to read and write. So when the narrator came, the grandmother went to her at night with tears in her eyes. She then told her about her past. She also told her why she couldn’t study in her young age. She showed her eagerness to learn reading and writing. She requested her to teach her the Kannada alphabet. The narrator made fun of her. But this didn’t deter the grandmother to be literate.
On the contrary the grandmother was determined. She set the deadline for Saraswati Puja day during Dassara festival so that she could read a novel. The narrator agreed to teach her after listening to her and seeing her determination to read. The grandmother’s determination soon bore fruit. She celebrated her being literate by gifting her granddaughter and touching her feet.
Question 3.
Suppose you are Sudha Murty. Write a letter to your friend telling her how and why you taught your grandmother to read. (120 words)
Answer:
898, Guruyyar
Karnataka
10 April, 2027
My dear Parbathi,
I hope you are feeling well. In this letter I am describing how I taught my grandmother to read.
Actually my grandmother got interested in the serialisation of ‘Kashi Yatre’ by Triveni in ‘Karmaveera’. I used to read it for her. She had identified herself with the main character, an old lady like her in the serial. She needed my help to know it. So when I was out for a few days to attend a wedding, she couldn’t know about it as she herself couldn’t read. She then understood the value of learning to read.
When I returned she told me about her past life. She also showed her keen interest in learning the Kannada alphabet and asked me to be her teacher. I laughed at this but she showed her promise. I started teaching her the alphabets in Kannada.
On Dassara eve she honoured me by touching my feet. But I also touched her feet and gave her the novel as my humble gift in return of her gift of a frock piece to me. My grandmother was my first student and she had passed with flying colours.
Yours sincerely,
Sudha Murty
Question 4.
The Story ‘How I Taught My Grandmother To Read’, gives a beautiful message of importance of literacy. Write an article on ‘Each one, Teach one’ in about 120 words.
Or
What message does the story “How I Taught My Grandmother To Read” convey ?
Answer:
Each one, Teach one
Illiteracy is really a blot on the fair name of Indian Society. It is an off-spring of poverty. It affects our society. It also leads to poor and sub-standard living conditions. The only thing they need is the enlightenment which is possible by making them literate.
The illiterates become easy preys to the shrewd and crafty persons. They can easily be cheated by them. Then they remain ignorant of government policies meant for their economic upliftment. They can’t come out of the grip of ignorance, poverty etc.
We, the educated ones, can make a difference by teaching an illiterate so that he can hold his head high with pride. We can help him to change his life. A few words of motivation can inspire an illiterate adult to change himself into an enlightened one. So we should adopt one illiterate person and help him to change his life. We should follow the slogan of Indian Literacy Mission “Each one, Teach one” and make the whole country literate.
Question 5.
‘I am independent. ‘Based on this statement of the grandmother, write a paragraph on the topic ‘Education can make one independent’ in about 120 words.
Answer:
Education can make one Independent
It would not be wrong to say that education can make one independent. Like the grandmother, one can make oneself fully independent if one learns to study. With education one develops self-confidence, courage, perseverance, determination and zeal to know further. These values of life are very important for further progress. As one proceeds further in life one’s curiosity to know more and more increases. Thus literacy opens further gates of knowledge. With the passage of time one feels quite independent.
If one is not educated, one is liable to be cheated. Illiterate persons cannot know what rights they have from the sides of the government and other administrative agencies. Education helps the people to progress more on the paths of civilization. All the present progress has been possible due to the spreading of education and people becoming educated. Illiteracy is, thus, a curse. All must be educated.
Question 6.
Taking ideas from the chapter ‘How I Taught My Grandmother to Read’, write a paragraph on the topic ‘When there is a will, there is a way’ in about 120 words.
Answer:
When there is a will, there is a way
It is true that when there is a will, there is always a way. If we look at human life in a broader sense, we find that man has progressed so much due to his will. When he wills to do something, he invents a way to fulfil it. The narrator’s grandmother could not study when she was young. She develops a will in her old age to study. She is passionate to study and finds her tutor in her granddaughter. The grandmother’s great passion to know what happens to the old lady in the novel, now serialised in a magazine, excites her will to study again. This makes her feel that she is helpless without any means to know the story. So she must learn to read. She weeps at her helplessness to read and this strengthens her will. When it is strengthened, she finds a way out in her granddaughter. Her granddaughter teaches her and due to devotion, she becomes literate.
Question 7.
Is it not written in our scriptures that a teacher should be respected, irrespective of the gender and age ? Based on your reading of How I Taught My Grandmother to Read, write a paragraph on the topic, ‘Respect Your Teachers’.
Answer:
Respect Your Teachers
It means we must respect our teachers. Teachers are invaluable. There is no price of them when we consider what they give us and have given to their students. Our scriptures rightly hold them in higher esteem than the Gods. They have been shown and held above Gods as they teach and guide their students. Ironically, their students rise higher in life due to them, yet they remain as revered as anything can be. Parents give us birth but it is the teachers who act more than the parents. They teach their students valuable lessons that make them great in their lives. Nothing can be compared with them in terms of virtues that they teach their students. Whatsoever and howsoever we may act, we can’t pay them back in terms of thankfulness for what they have taught us.
Question 8.
Sudha Murty’s, story “How I Taught My Grandmother to Read” teaches us that the real practice of religion is practicing humaneness. Give your views on the given statement.
Answer:
Sudha Murty’s story “How I Taught My Grandmother to Read” teaches us that the real practice of religion is practicing humanness. Humanness means showing tenderness, compassion, and sympathy towards those who are suffering or in distress. In the story, the grandmother had never gone to school and longed to read the serial Kashi Yatre. In the novel, the protagonist, an old lady, gave away all her savings to ensure that the young orphan girl could get married, instead of going to Kashi, showing that helping others is more important than rituals. Inspired by this, the grandmother worked hard to become literate, showing determination and the desire for independence.
Thus, the real practice of religion doesn’t lie in rituals or social or religious practices but in helping others in distress. It implies showing real compassion and sympathy towards suffering beings.
Question 9.
Describe the character of Avva and explain how her life experiences shaped her desire to become educated.
Answer:
Avva, the grandmother, is a loving, hardworking, and determined woman who devoted her life entirely to her family. She lost her mother at a young age and had no one to guide her. Her father remarried and remained busy, while society did not consider education essential for girls at that time, so she never went to school. She married young and spent her life raising children and later caring for grandchildren. Although she was happy in her family life, she often regretted not being able to read or be independent. When she could not read the magazine herself, she felt helpless and dependent, which motivated her to learn Kannada at the age of sixty-two, showing her perseverance, courage, and lifelong love for learning.
Question 10.
Explain the significance of the novel Kashi Yatre in the lives of the grandmother and the narrator.
Answer:
Kashi Yatre plays a central role in both the grandmother’s and the narrator’s lives. For Avva, the novel reflected her own unfulfilled desire to visit Kashi, allowing her to emotionally identify with the protagonist. Listening to the story became her weekly highlight, giving her immense joy and purpose. For the narrator, reading the serial aloud created a sense of responsibility and introduced her to the joys of teaching. The story also inspired Avva to become literate, turning the novel into a catalyst for learning, growth, and independence. Ultimately, Kashi Yatre strengthened the bond between grandmother and granddaughter and symbolised the transformative power of literature and education in their lives.
Question 11.
How does the author highlight the importance of education and independence through Avva’s experiences?
Answer:
The author highlights the critical importance of education and independence through Avva’s life. Despite financial comfort, Avva felt deeply dependent and helpless because she could not read the weekly magazine herself. This limitation caused embarrassment and emotional distress, making her realise that true independence comes from education, not wealth. Her determination to learn the Kannada alphabet at sixty-two, her disciplined practice, and her ability to read a novel by herself show that education empowers individuals, regardless of age. Through Avva’s journey, the author conveys that literacy fosters self-confidence, dignity, and selfreliance, and learning should never be limited by age, gender, or societal restrictions.
Question 12.
Describe the relationship between the narrator and her grandmother. How does it evolve through the story?
Answer:
The relationship between the narrator and her grandmother is built on love, trust, and mutual respect. Initially, the narrator acts as a caring granddaughter, reading Kashi Yatre aloud to Avva every week, creating moments of joy and bonding. Over time, their roles evolve when Avva decides to learn Kannada and the narrator becomes her teacher. Initially, the narrator laughs at Avva’s determination, but she soon supports and guides her. The grandmother touching the narrator’s feet during Dassara symbolises the reversal of roles and recognition of her as a teacher. By the end, their bond deepens into one of love, guidance, respect, and shared achievement, strengthened by learning and understanding.
Question 13.
Discuss the symbolic importance of Avva touching the narrator’s feet during the Dassara festival.
Answer:
Avva touching the narrator’s feet during the Dassara festival is highly symbolic. Traditionally, elders bless younger family members by touching their heads, and students show respect to teachers by touching their feet. By reversing the tradition, Avva recognises the narrator as her teacher rather than her granddaughter. This gesture highlights the sacredness of learning and the respect that knowledge and teaching deserve, regardless of age or gender. It also symbolises Avva’s achievement of independence and literacy, showing her gratitude and humility. The act reinforces cultural values, emphasising that respect should be based on merit and learning, not just age or social status, making it a deeply meaningful moment in their relationship.
How I Taught My Grandmother to Read Extract Based Questions and Answers
Read the following extracts and answer the questions:
1. At that time, Triveni was a very popular writer in the Kannada language. She was a wonderful writer. Her style was easy to read and very convincing. Her stories usually dealt with complex psychological problems in the lives of ordinary people and were always very interesting. Unfortunately for Kannada literature, she died very young. Even now, after forty years, people continue to appreciate her novels. (Pages 2-3)
Comprehension Questions:
Question 1.
Who was Triveni?
(a) A politician
(b) A Kannada writer
(c) A teacher
(d) A scientist
Answer:
(b) A Kannada writer
Question 2.
Even after _______ years, people continue to appreciate her novels.
Answer:
forty
Question 3.
Was Triveni a popular writer?
Answer:
Yes, Triveni was a popular writer.
Question 4.
What is special about her writing style?
Answer:
It is easy to read, understand and her stories are very convincing.
Question 5.
What type of problems did Triveni’s stories usually deal with?
(a) Complex psychological problems
(b) Mythological problems
(c) Science problems
(d) Historical problems
Answer:
(a) Complex psychological problems
Question 6.
Triveni’s stories were always about historical events. (True or False)
Answer:
False (Reason: Triveni wrote about complex psychological problems in the lives of ordinary people, not historical events.)
Question 7.
Did Triveni write about ordinary people or rich people?
Answer:
She wrote about the lives of ordinary people and conveyed a social message.
Question 8.
Did Triveni write novels or poems?
Answer:
Triveni wrote novels.
Question 9.
How is Triveni’s writing style described?
(a) Difficult and boring
(b) Strictly for children
(c) Confusing and long
(d) Easy to read and convincing
Question 10.
Her writing style was difficult and hard to understand. (True or False)
Question 11.
How many years ago did she die?
Question 12.
Why was Triveni’s early death a loss to Kannada literature?
2. One of her novels, called Kashi Yatre, was appearing as a serial in the Kannada weekly Karmaveera then. It is the story of an old lady and her ardent desire to go to Kashi or Varanasi. Most Hindus believe that going to Kashi and worshipping Lord Vishweshwara is the ultimate punya. This old lady also believed in this, and her struggle to go there was described in that novel. In the story there was also a young orphan girl who falls in love but there was no money for the wedding. In the end, the old lady gives away all her savings without going to Kashi. She says, ‘The happiness of this orphan girl is more important than worshipping Lord Vishweshwara at Kashi.’ (Page 3)
Comprehension Questions:
Question 1.
What was the old lady’s strongest desire in the story?
(a) To earn money
(b) To go to Kashi
(c) To educate a child
(d) To build a temple
Answer:
(b) To go to Kashi
Question 2.
Kashi Yatre appeared as a serial in the Kannada weekly _______ .
Answer:
Karmaveera
Question 3.
Name the novel mentioned in the passage.
Answer:
The novel mentioned in the passage is ‘Kashi Yatre’.
Question 4.
What does the word “punya” mean?
Answer:
The word “punya” means religious merit gained by good deeds.
Question 5.
Worshipping Lord Vishweshwara at Kashi is believed to give:
(a) Fame
(b) Wealth
(c) Ultimate punya
(d) Knowledge
Answer:
(c) Ultimate punya
Question 6.
Kashi Yatre is the story of a young girl travelling to Kashi. (True or False)
Answer:
False (Reason: Kashi Yatre is the story of an old lady’s desire to go to Kashi, not a young girl travelling there.)
Question 7.
Who is worshipped at Kashi?
Answer:
Lord Vishweshwara is worshipped at Kashi.
Question 8.
What message does the ending of Kashi Yatre convey?
Answer:
The ending of Kashi Yatre conveys that human kindness and compassion are more important than religious rituals.
Question 9.
Why could the orphan girl not get married?
(a) She was too young
(b) She had no family
(c) She was ill
(d) There was no money
Question 10.
In the end, the old lady sacrifices her pilgrimage for the girl’s happiness. (True or False)
Question 11.
Whose happiness did the old lady value more than her pilgrimage?
Question 12.
How is the old lady’s struggle shown in the novel?
3. My grandmother too never went to Kashi, and she identified herself with the novel’s protagonist. So more than anybody else she was the one most interested in knowing what happened next in the story and used to insist that I read the serial out to her. (Page 4)
Comprehension Questions:
Question 1.
Who did the grandmother identify herself with in the story?
(a) The narrator
(b) The young orphan girl
(c) The novel’s protagonist
(d) The author
Answer:
(c) The novel’s protagonist
Question 2.
The grandmother had already read the novel herself. (True or False)
Answer:
False (Reason: She made the narrator read the serial to her as she was illiterate. This shows she had not read the novel herself.)
Question 3.
Did the grandmother read the serial herself?
Answer:
No, she listened to it from her granddaughter.
Question 4.
What does grandmother’s insistence on hearing the serial tell us about her?
Answer:
Grandmother’s insistence on hearing the serial shows that she was determined and emotionally involved with the serial.
Question 5.
Who read the serial aloud to the grandmother?
(a) Her friends
(b) The narrator
(c) A teacher from the village
(d) The postman
Answer:
(b) The narrator
Question 6.
The grandmother never went to _______ .
Answer:
Kashi
Question 7.
What does the word ‘protagonist’ mean?
Answer:
The word ‘protagonist’ mean the main character in a story or novel.
Question 8.
How does the narrator help us understand the grandmother’s emotions?
Answer:
The narrator helps us understand the grandmother’s emotions by describing her reactions and eagerness to know what happened next.
Question 9.
The grandmother’s insistence on hearing the story shows that she was:
(a) Curious and interested
(b) Lazy
(c) Annoyed
(d) Confused
Question 10.
What lesson can readers learn from her reaction to the story?
Question 11.
What is the meaning of ‘protagonist’?
Question 12.
What is the name of the novel being talked about?
4. When I came back to my village, I saw my grandmother in tears. I was surprised, for I had never seen her cry even in the most difficult situations. What had happened? I was worried. “Avva, is everything all right? Are you okay?” I used to call her Avva, which means mother in the Kannada spoken in north Karnataka.
She nodded but did not reply. I did not understand and forgot about it. In the night, after dinner, we were sleeping in the open terrace of our house. It was summer night and there was a full moon. Avva came and sat next to me. Her affectionate hands touched my forehead. I realised she wanted to speak. I asked her, “What is the matter?” (Page 5)
Comprehension Questions:
Question 1.
What does “Avva” mean in Kannada?
(a) Grandmother
(b) Sister
(c) Mother
(d) Teacher
Answer:
(c) Mother
Question 2.
Avva immediately explained the reason for her tears. (True or False)
Answer:
False (Reason: Avva did not reply immediately; the narrator had to wait and realise later that she wanted to speak.)
Question 3.
Did the grandmother reply immediately?
Answer:
No, the grandmother didn’t replied immediately.
Question 4.
What did the narrator feel when she saw her grandmother crying?
Answer:
The narrator felt surprised and worried, as she had never seen her grandmother cry even in the most difficult moments.
Question 5.
Where were the narrator and her grandmother sleeping that night?
(a) In the bedroom
(b) On the open terrace
(c) In the courtyard
(d) In the kitchen
Answer:
(b) On the open terrace
Question 6.
It was a summer night with a full moon. (True or False)
Answer:
True
Question 7.
How does the narrator’s reaction show her bond with her grandmother?
Answer:
Yes, it shows care, love, and concern because she immediately asks if she is alright and tries to understand her feelings.
Question 8.
Why was the narrator worried when she saw her grandmother cry?
Answer:
The narrator was worried because she had never seen her grandmother cry, even in the most difficult situations.
Question 9.
What did the grandmother do to show affection?
(a) Hugged the narrator
(b) Touched her forehead
(d) Gave her a gift
(d) Sang a song
Question 10.
The narrator realised that her grandmother wanted to speak. (True or False)
Question 11.
Why did the narrator call her grandmother “Avva”?
Question 12.
What does “affectionate” mean?
5. ‘When I was a young girl, I lost my mother. There was nobody to look after and guide me. My father was a busy man and got married again. In those days people never considered education essential for girls, so I never went to school. I got married very young and had children. I became very busy. Later I had grandchildren and always felt so much happiness in cooking and feeding all of you. At times I used to regret not going to school, so I made sure that my children and grandchildren studied well…’ (Page 6)
Comprehension Questions:
Question 1.
Why did the grandmother not go to school?
(a) She did not like learning
(b) People did not consider education essential for girls at that time.
(c) Her father stopped her
(d) She was busy with household work
Answer
(b) People did not consider education essential for girls at that time.
Question 2.
The grandmother got _______ at a very young age.
Answer
married
Question 3.
Did grandmother have any siblings mentioned?
Answer
No, the lesson does not mention anything about the grandmother’s siblings.
Question 4.
What does “regret” mean in the passage?
Answer
‘Regret’ in the passage means feeling sorry or sad about something done or not done; here, not going to school is what she regrets.
Question 5.
What did the grandmother regret at times?
(a) Getting married early
(b) Having children
(c) Not going to school
(d) Cooking for her family
Answer
(c) Not going to school
Question 6.
She made sure her children and grandchildren _______ well.
Answer
studied
Question 7.
What does “busy” mean in this context?
Answer
‘Busy’ means occupied with many tasks or responsibilities.
Question 8.
Who took care of the grandmother after her mother’s death?
Answer
Nobody, she had no one to look after her.
Question 9.
What brought the grandmother happiness later in life?
(a) Cooking and feeding her grandchildren
(b) Going to school
(c) Travelling to Kashi
(d) Reading novels
Question 10.
The grandmother lost her _______ when she was young.
Question 11.
What does “guide” mean in this context?
Question 12.
What did the grandmother’s father do after losing his wife?
6. I could not understand why my sixty-two-yearold grandmother was telling me, a twelve-yearold, the story of her life in the middle of the night. But I knew I loved her immensely and there had to be some reason why she was talking to me. I looked at her face. It was unhappy and her eyes were filled with tears. She was a good-looking lady who was usually always smiling. Even today, I cannot forget the worried expression on her face. I leaned forward and held her hand. (Page 7)
Comprehension Questions:
Question 1.
How old was the grandmother when she shared her life story?
(a) 60
(b) 62
(c) 64
(d) 65
Answer:
(b) 62
Question 2.
The narrator was _______ years old when her grandmother told her the story.
Answer:
twelve
Question 3.
How did the grandmother look that night?
Answer:
The grandmother looked unhappy and tearful that night.
Question 4.
How did the narrator feel about her grandmother despite being confused?
Answer:
The narrator felt that she loved her grandmother immensely and knew there had to be a reason for her telling the story.
Question 5.
How did the narrator feel about her grandmother?
(a) Afraid of her
(b) Loved her immensely
(c) Indifferent
(d) Confused
Answer:
(b) Loved her immensely
Question 6.
The narrator leaned forward and _______ her grandmother’s hand.
Answer:
held
Question 7.
What does the word “immensely” mean in the paragraph?
Answer:
“Immensely” means very much or deeply.
Question 8.
Why is the narrator’s observation of her grandmother important to the story?
Answer:
It shows the emotional bond and sets the stage for the grandmother’s decision to learn to read.
Question 9.
What unusual thing did the narrator notice about her grandmother that night?
(a) She was crying
(b) She was smiling
(c) She was reading a book
(d) She was cooking
Question 10.
The narrator ignored her grandmother’s tears. (True or False)
Question 11.
What does the word “expression” mean in this context?
Question 12.
What can we infer about the grandmother’s usual personality from this paragraph?
7. ‘Yes, I need your help. You know when you were away, Karmaveera came as usual. I opened the magazine. I saw the picture that accompanies the story Kashi Yatre and I could not understand anything that was written. Many times I rubbed my hands over the pages wishing they could understand what was written. But I knew it was not possible. If only I was educated enough. I waited eagerly for you to return. I felt you would come early and read for me. I even thought of going to the village and asking you to read for me. I could have asked somebody in this village but I was too embarrassed to do so. I felt very dependent and helpless. We are welloff, but what use is money when I cannot be independent?’ (Pages 7-8)
Comprehension Questions:
Question 1.
Why did the grandmother open the magazine when the narrator was away?
(a) To see pictures
(b) To read advertisements
(c) To read Kashi Yatre
(d) To pass time
Answer:
(c) To read Kashi Yatre
Question 2.
She waited _______ for the narrator to return.
Answer:
eagerly
Question 3.
What does the word “embarrassed” mean?
Answer:
“Embarrassed” means feeling shy or ashamed.
Question 4.
How did the grandmother feel without education?
Answer:
The grandmother felt dependent and helpless without education.
Question 5.
How did the grandmother feel when she could not read the magazine?
(a) Embarrassed and helpless
(b) Angry
(c) Excited
(d) Proud
Answer:
(a) Embarrassed and helpless
Question 6.
She felt helpless because she could not read. (True or False)
Answer:
True
Question 7.
What does the word “wishing” imply in this context?
Answer:
In this context, “wishing” means hoping, she could understand what was written in the magazine.
Question 8.
What does the grandmother’s reaction to the magazine tell us about her character?
Answer:
It shows that the grandmother values learning and independence highly and cares about her self-respect.
Question 9.
Why did the grandmother not ask others in the village to read for her?
(a) She did not trust them
(b) She was too embarrassed to ask them
(c) They were unavailable
(d) They refused to read for her
Question 10.
The grandmother felt money was enough to make her independent. (True or False)
Question 11.
What lesson can we learn from the grandmother’s feelings about money and independence?
Question 12.
How does this passage show that education is linked to self-respect?
8. I did not know what to answer. Avva continued. ‘I have decided I want to learn the Kannada alphabet from tomorrow onwards. I will work very hard. I will keep Saraswati Puja day during Dassara as the deadline. That day I should be able to read a novel on my own. I want to be independent.’
I saw the determination on her face. Yet I laughed at her. (Page 8)
Comprehension Questions:
Question 1.
What did the grandmother decide to learn?
(a) English alphabet
(b) Kannada alphabet
(c) Reading newspapers
(d) Writing stories
Answer:
(b) Kannada alphabet
Question 2.
The grandmother wanted to learn English alphabet first. (True or False)
Answer:
False (Reason: She wanted to learn the Kannada alphabet first, not English alphabet.)
Question 3.
What does the word “determination” mean in the passage?
Answer:
“Determination” means a strong will to achieve something despite difficulties.
Question 4.
What does the grandmother’s setting of a deadline tell us about her personality?
Answer:
It shows she is disciplined, focused, and goaloriented.
Question 5.
What day did she choose as her deadline to read a novel on her own?
(a) Diwali
(b) Holi
(c) Saraswati Puja during Dassara
(d) New Year
Answer:
(c) Saraswati Puja during Dassara
Question 6.
The narrator immediately took her grandmother’s plan seriously. (True or False)
Answer:
False (Reason: The narrator saw her grandmother’s determination, but laughed at her.)
Question 7.
What does the word “goal” mean here?
Answer:
“Goal” means something that a person wants to achieve.
Question 8.
Why do you think the narrator laughed at her grandmother’s decision? Was it disrespectful or natural?
Answer:
The narrator laughed because it seemed unusual for someone elderly to start learning, which is a natural reaction, not disrespectful.
Question 9.
How did the narrator react to her grandmother’s decision?
(a) Encouraged her immediately
(b) Ignored her
(c) Felt angry
(d) Laughed at her determination
Question 10.
She planned to read a novel on her own by Saraswati Puja. (True or False)
Question 11.
What does the word “achieve” mean?
Question 12.
What is the significance of her choosing Saraswati Puja as the deadline?
9. When I was a girl of about twelve, I used to stay in a village in north Karnataka with my grandparents. Those days, the transport system was not very good, so we used to get the morning papers only in the afternoon. The weekly magazine used to come one day late.All of us would wait eagerly for the bus, which used to come with the papers, weekly magazines and the post. At that time, Triveni was a very popular writer in the Kannada language. She was a wonderful writer. Her style was easy to read and very convincing. Her stories usually dealt with complex psychological problems in the lives of ordinary people and were always very interesting. Unfortunately, for Kannada literature, she died very young. Even now, after forty years, people continue to appreciate her novels.
Question i.
Complete the following sentence with the appropriate option.
The description ‘Her style was easy to read and very convincing’ tells us that Triveni was ________.
A. imaginative
B. clear and persuasive
C. emotional
D. traditional
Answer:
B. clear and persuasive
Question ii.
Complete the following with the correct option from those given in the brackets. The villagers received the morning newspapers late because the transport system was ________ (efficient / not very good).
Answer:
not very good
Question iii.
Identify the clue from the extract that shows the popularity of Triveni during that time.
Answer:
“At that time, Triveni was a very popular writer in the Kannada language.”
Question iv.
Which line from the extract indicates that Triveni’s writings focused on ordinary people’s inner struggles?
Answer:
“Her stories usually dealt with complex psychological problems in the lives of ordinary people.”
Question v.
Which of the following aspects is NOT emphasised in the given extract?
A. The poor transport system in the village
B. Triveni’s contribution to Kannada literature
C. The psychological depth of Triveni’s stories
D. The narrator’s formal education in the village
Answer:
D. The narrator’s formal education in the village
10. One of her novels, called Kashi Yatre, was appearing as a serial in the Kannada weekly Karmaveera then. It is the story of an old lady and her ardent desire to go to Kashi or Varanasi. Most Hindus believe that going to Kashi and worshipping Lord Vishweshwara is the ultimate punya. This old lady also believed in this, and her struggle to go there was described in that novel. In the story, there was also a young orphan girl who falls in love but there is no money for the wedding. In the end, the old lady gives away all her savings without going to Kashi. She says, “The happiness of this orphan girl is more important than worshipping Lord Vishweshwara at Kashi.’
Question i.
What does the old lady’s statement, “The happiness of this orphan girl is more important than worshipping Lord Vishweshwara at Kashi,” reveal about her character?
A. She is deeply religious
B. She values human compassion over rituals.
C. She is afraid of travelling
D. She has lost faith in religion
Answer:
B. She values human compassion over rituals.
Question ii.
Fill in the blank with the appropriate option from those given in brackets.
The old lady gives away her savings because she believes that ________ is the highest form of punya.
(kindness to others / visiting holy places / performing rituals)
Answer:
kindness to others
Question iii.
Complete the following with a suitable reason.
The old lady’s journey to Kashi does not take place because ________.
Answer:
she sacrifices her lifelong savings to help the orphan girl to get married.
Question iv.
List any two qualities displayed by the old lady in the extract.
Answer:
Compassion
– Selflessness
(or generosity / kindness)
Question v.
How does the story redefine the idea of ‘punya’ according to the old lady?
Answer:
The story shows that true punya lies in helping others and ensuring their happiness rather than merely performing religious rituals or visiting holy places.
11. The Dassara festival came as usual. Secretly, I bought Kashi Yatre which had been published as a novel by that time. My grandmother called me to the pooja place and made me sit down on a stool. She gifted me a frock. Then she did something unusual. She bent down and touched my feet. I was surprised and taken aback. Elders never touched the feet of youngsters. We have always touched the feet of God, elders and teachers. We considered that as a mark of respect. It is a great tradition but today the reverse had happened. It was not correct. She said, “I am touching the feet of a teacher, not my granddaughter; a teacher who taught me so well, with so much of affection that I can read any novel confidently in such a short period. Now I am independent. It is my duty to respect a teacher. Is it not written in our scriptures that a teacher should be respected, irrespective of the gender and age?’
Question i.
Complete the following sentence with the appropriate option.
The description ‘She bent down and touched my feet’ tells us that the grandmother was ________.
A. tradition-bound
B. humble and respectful towards teachers
C. afraid of social customs
D. emotionally weak
Answer:
B. humble and respectful towards teachers
Question ii.
Complete the following with the correct option from those given in the brackets. The narrator was surprised because elders touching the feet of youngsters was considered ________ (appropriate / not correct).
Answer:
not correct
Question iii.
Identify the clue from the extract that shows touching feet is a mark of respect in Indian tradition.
Answer:
“We have always touched the feet of God, elders and teachers. We considered that as a mark of respect.”
Question iv.
Which line from the extract indicates that the grandmother had gained confidence after learning to read?
Answer:
“Now I am independent.”
Question v.
Which of the following aspects is NOT emphasised in the given extract?
A. Respect for teachers in Indian culture
B. The grandmother’s gratitude towards her teacher
C. The reversal of traditional practices
D. The narrator’s dislike for the Dassara festival
Answer:
D. The narrator’s dislike for the Dassara festival
Extra Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother to Read for Practice
Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Why did the grandmother like ‘Kashi Yatre’ so much?
Question 2.
How did the grandmother know about the episodes of ‘Kashi Yatre’ serial despite being illiterate?
Question 3.
Why did the grandmother depend on her grand daughter to know the story ?
Question 4.
What did Krishtakka decide to do and why ?
Question 5.
What disabled the grandmother from learning after her marriage ? Give two reasons.
Question 6.
What was the most unusual decision of the grandmother and why did she take it ?
Question 7.
How did Sudha Murty help her distressed grandmother ?
Question 8.
Why did the grandmother touch her granddaughter’s feet? What does it show of her character ?
Question 9.
What role did the Dassara festival play in the story?
Question 10.
What does the grandmother’s statement “What use is money when I cannot be independent?” mean?
Question 11.
Why did the narrator become emotional during the conversation with her grandmother?
Question 12.
What does the story reveal about the social conditions of earlier times?
Question 13.
How did teaching her grandmother influence the narrator’s future?
Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
What made the grandmother take the unusual decision of being literate? How did she succeed?
Question 2.
How does ‘How I Taught My Grandmother To Read’ help in the cause of ‘Adult Education’ in the country?
Question 3.
As a grandmother write a letter to your sister how you were able to read the serial on your own.
Question 4.
As a grandmother write a diary page how you treated your granddaughter on the Saraswati Pooja Day and why?
Question 5.
You are Sudha Murty. You have realized your grandmother’s staunch determination to learn the Kannada-alphabet. Write a diary entry contemplating how radical your grandmother is, and how, despite being a modern girl, you voiced traditional views. Also write about what values you have learnt from your Avva, in about 100-120 words.
Question 6.
‘How I Taught My Grandmother To Read’ focuses on the value, importance and need to be educated. Explain the statement.
Question 7.
How did the grandmother’s inability to read affect her, and what change did it bring in her life?
Question 8.
Describe the relationship between the narrator and her grandmother.
Question 9.
How did the narrator realise the importance of being a teacher?
The post How I Taught My Grandmother to Read Class 9 Extra Questions and Answers English Chapter 1 appeared first on Learn CBSE.
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