Chapter: How I Taught My Grandmother to Read & Bharat Our Land
PART 1: HOW I TAUGHT MY GRANDMOTHER TO READ
SECTION A: REFLECT AND RESPOND (Page 2)
Exercise I: Word Web
Question: Why is it important to learn how to read and write?
Answer:
- To gain independence and self-reliance: One does not need to depend on others for reading letters, signs, or documents.
- To acquire knowledge: Reading allows access to books, newspapers, and educational materials.
- To communicate effectively: Literacy helps in expressing thoughts clearly through messages, letters, and emails.
- To manage daily life: It helps in practical tasks like bank transactions, filling forms, and managing household finances.
Exercise III: Vocabulary Matching (Pages 2–3)
Question: Match the words/phrases in Column A with their meanings in Column B.
| Column A (Word/Phrase) | Column B (Meaning) |
| 1. excitedly | (vi) eagerly |
| 2. believable | (vii) convincing |
| 3. people living in one particular area | (iv) community |
| 4. discussion | (ii) debate |
| 5. a part of a story | (iii) episode |
| 6. focus | (v) concentration |
| 7. main character | (i) protagonist |
| 8. directed | (viii) guided |
SECTION B: CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING (Page 6 & Pages 9–10)
Part I: Cause and Effect Table (Page 6)
- Cause: The morning papers arrived late in the day and weekly magazines would come one day late.
Effect: All of us would wait eagerly for the bus, which used to come with the papers, weekly magazines, and the post.
- Cause: The grandmother, Krishtakka, never went to school.
Effect: She could not read, so the narrator had to read the next episode of the story to her every Wednesday.
- Cause: She identified herself with the novel’s protagonist who also wished to go to Kashi.
Effect: She was deeply interested in the story and discussed it with her friends.
- Cause: The narrator went to a wedding for a week.
Effect: The grandmother could not read the latest episode of Kashi Yatre and was left in tears feeling helpless and dependent.
- Cause: The grandmother’s mother passed away when she was young, her father remarried, and people back then did not consider education essential for girls.
Effect: The grandmother never went to school during her childhood.
- Cause: The grandmother regretted not going to school.
Effect: She made sure that her children and grandchildren studied well.
Part I: Comprehension Questions (Page 6)
Q2. Do you think the narrator expected to see her grandmother in tears when she returned to the village? If yes, why? If no, why not?
Answer: No, the narrator did not expect to see her grandmother in tears. She was completely surprised because she had never seen her grandmother cry before, even in the most difficult and challenging situations.
Q3. How might the narrator help her grandmother to fulfil her desire to learn to read and write?
Answer: The narrator can help her grandmother by agreeing to become her teacher. She can conduct daily lessons, teach her the Kannada alphabet, set homework, and guide her with practice in reading, writing, and reciting until she reaches her target deadline.
Part II: True or False Statements (Pages 9–10)
- Statement: The grandmother wanted to learn the Kannada alphabet to gain independence.
Answer: True - Statement: The grandmother asked someone in the village to read Kashi Yatre to her while the narrator was away.
Answer: False (Reason: She felt too embarrassed to ask anyone else in the village). - Statement: The narrator was the grandmother’s first teacher and taught her how to read Kannada.
Answer: True - Statement: The grandmother believed that there was no age limit for learning.
Answer: True - Statement: The grandmother touched the narrator’s feet as a mark of respect for her as a teacher.
Answer: True - Statement: The narrator was disappointed with the progress her grandmother made in learning to read.
Answer: False (Reason: She was proud that her grandmother passed with flying colors).
SECTION C: CRITICAL REFLECTION (Pages 10–13)
Extract 1 Questions (Pages 10–11)
“When I came back to my village, I saw my grandmother in tears. I was surprised… Avva came and sat next to me. Her affectionate hands touched my forehead…”
Q(i). Which of the following traits is NOT displayed by the grandmother in the given extract?
- strong-willed
- practical
- emotional
- dependent
Answer: A. strong-willed
Q(ii). Fill in the blank with ONE suitable word:
The narrator’s initial reaction upon seeing her grandmother in tears highlights her feeling of concern and her grandmother’s emotional state.
Q(iii). What ritual did the narrator and her grandmother follow on summer nights?
Answer: On summer nights, they used to sleep together on the open terrace of the house, where the grandmother would listen to stories or talk to her granddaughter.
Q(iv). Identify the sentence from the extract that shows the grandmother’s warmth towards the narrator.
Answer: “Avva came and sat next to me. Her affectionate hands touched my forehead.”
Q(v). The grandmother’s tears symbolise:
- her happiness at seeing her granddaughter back
- her sadness over the story of Kashi Yatre
- her regret over her lack of education and dependency
- her frustration with her family
Answer: C. her regret over her lack of education and dependency
Extract 2 Questions (Pages 11–12)
“For a good cause if you are determined, you can overcome any obstacle. I will work hard. My deadline is Saraswati Pooja day during Dassara…”
Q(i). What does the line “I will work hard” signify about the grandmother’s attitude towards learning?
- She feels forced to learn.
- She desires self-sufficiency and is committed.
- She wants to prove something to the villagers.
- She finds learning very easy.
Answer: B. She desires self-sufficiency and is committed.
Q(ii). Complete the sentence:
The grandmother sets a specific deadline because she believes that for learning there is no age limit.
Q(iii). Why did the narrator initially find her grandmother’s decision to learn reading amusing?
Answer: The narrator found it amusing because her grandmother was 62 years old, had grey hair, wore spectacles, and was extremely busy with kitchen chores. The narrator thought it was too late for her to start learning the alphabet from scratch.
Q(iv). State two character traits of the grandmother revealed in this extract.
Answer:
- Strong determination / Willpower
- Humility and respect for knowledge
Q(v). What assumption does the narrator make about elderly people learning new things?
Answer: The narrator assumes that elderly people cannot learn new skills like reading because of their age, physical appearance, and household duties.
Short Answer Questions (Pages 12–13)
Q1. Why was the grandmother embarrassed to ask someone else in the village to read the story for her?
Answer: She felt embarrassed because her family was well-off, yet she felt helpless for not being able to read a simple story. Asking outsiders would make her feel overly dependent and exposed her lack of literacy.
Q2. Why did the narrator initially laugh at her grandmother’s request to teach her?
Answer: She laughed because she thought it was funny and unusual for a 62-year-old woman with grey hair, spectacles, and heavy household chores to begin studying the basic alphabet like a young child.
Q3. Explain the significance of the novel Kashi Yatre in the story.
Answer: Kashi Yatre acts as the catalyst in the story. The protagonist’s desire to visit Kashi mirrors the grandmother’s own life experiences. When the grandmother cannot read the novel’s next episode, it triggers her deep desire to become literate.
Q4. What does the grandmother’s determination to learn reading at the age of 62 reflect about her character?
Answer: It shows her extraordinary willpower, self-respect, and progressive mindset. She refuses to let age stand in the way of her personal growth and independence.
Q5. What lesson about respect and education is highlighted when the grandmother touches her granddaughter’s feet?
Answer: It highlights the traditional value that a teacher must always be respected, regardless of their age or gender. It proves that true education brings humility and respect for knowledge.
Q6. Discuss the broader theme of the statement: “For a good cause if you are determined, you can overcome any obstacle.”
Answer: The statement emphasizes that obstacles—whether age, societal norms, or lack of early opportunities—can be overcome through sincere effort, commitment, and strong motivation.
Q7. How does the story highlight the value and impact of education on an individual’s life?
Answer: The story shows that education provides dignity, self-reliance, and freedom. It transforms an individual from being helpless and dependent into being confident and self-sufficient.
SECTION D: VOCABULARY AND GRAMMAR IN CONTEXT (Pages 13–16)
Binomials Matching (Page 13)
Question: Match the binomial expressions with their correct meanings.
- sink or swim (vii) succeed or fail without help
- on and off (v) sometimes, occasionally
- mix and match (i) put different things together to get a range of possibilities
- all or nothing (viii) something to be done completely or not at all
- part and parcel (ii) complete part of or belong to
- pick and choose (iii) choose only the best (things, people, etc.)
- sooner or later (iv) at sometime in the future
- leaps and bounds (vi) increase or develop very quickly
Prefixes Table (Page 14)
Question: Add suitable prefixes (un-, dis-, in-, mis-, extra-, im-) to form antonyms.
- popular unpopular
- belief disbelief
- important unimportant
- respect disrespect
- correct incorrect
- continue discontinue
- understand misunderstand
- ordinary extraordinary
- interesting uninteresting
- possible impossible
Idioms Related to Learning (Page 15)
Question: Match the idioms to their correct meanings.
- to hit the books (iii) to study seriously
- to draw a blank (v) to be unable to remember
- to learn the ropes (vi) to understand how to do an activity
- to rack one’s brain (ii) to think very hard
- to learn by heart (i) to memorise something
- burn the midnight oil (iv) to study or work late into the night
Past Tense & Past Perfect Tense (Page 16)
Exercise (i): Choose the correct form of the verbs
- A. By the time I arrived at the station, the train had already begun to move.
- B. She had learned the Kannada alphabet before she started reading the novel.
- C. The session started only after the teacher had ensured that everyone had their books.
- D. I recognised the location easily because I had exhausted all map options earlier.
- E. They logged in to the meeting after the team had already discussed the main agenda.
Exercise (ii): Fill in the blanks with Simple Past or Past Perfect form
When I (a) took over the responsibility of teaching my grandmother, I (b) reviewed the plan I (c) had spent days preparing. We (d) had discussed the schedule the previous week, so when she (e) opened her notebook, she (f) set her target clearly. I (g) had already introduced the Kannada alphabet, so she (h) hurried to write the letters. By evening, she (i) had completed her homework and (j) enjoyed her achievement.
PART 2: BHARAT OUR LAND (POEM)
SECTION A: REFLECT AND RESPOND (Page 23)
Exercise I: Identifying Names from National Anthem
- States/Provinces: Punjab, Sind, Gujarat, Maratha, Dravida, Utkala, Banga
- Mountain Ranges: Vindhya, Himachal (Himalayas)
- Rivers: Yamuna, Ganga
Exercise III: Odd One Out (Page 23)
- peerless: matchless, valuable, incomparable, unique
Odd word: valuable (peerless means incomparable/unmatched) - sanctified: blessed, hallowed, purified, applauded
Odd word: applauded (sanctified means holy/blessed) - auspicious: fortunate, favourable, fantastic, promising
Odd word: fantastic (auspicious means bringing good fortune) - hoary antiquity: ancient times, recent past, time immemorial, olden days
Odd word: recent past (hoary antiquity refers to ancient history)
SECTION B: CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING (Pages 25–28)
I. Summary Fill in the Blanks (Page 25)
Question: Complete the summary using words from the poem.
The poem highlights India’s rich geographical beauty, spiritual depth, and (1) historical greatness. The speaker proudly mentions the mighty (2) Himavant and the sacred, life-giving river (3) Ganga. India’s wisdom is reflected in the sacred texts, the (4) Upanishads, and in its brave (5) warriors and revered (6) sages. The country is celebrated as a source of divine knowledge, or (7) Brahma-knowledge, and as the birthplace of (8) Buddha, who spread teachings of peace. The land is described as (9) peerless, filled with natural wealth, and worthy of highest (10) praise.
II. Features of the Poem (Page 25)
- Mood: Inspiring, proud, and reverent.
- Tone: Patriotic, admiring, and celebratory.
- Rhyme Scheme:
- Personification Example: “generous Ganga” (attributing the human quality of generosity to the river Ganga) / “she’s peerless” (referring to the land as ‘she’).
IV. Sentence Completion (Page 26)
Complete the sentence:
The phrase “sunny golden land” suggests that India is prosperous, radiant, and rich in natural wealth and spiritual wisdom.
V. Symbolism Matching (Page 26)
| Symbol | Meaning |
| 1. Himavant | (v) strength and permanence |
| 2. Ganga | (iii) purity and generosity |
| 3. Upanishads | (ii) spiritual and philosophical legacy |
| 4. Gallant warriors and sages | (vi) courage and wisdom |
| 5. Brahma-knowledge and Buddha’s Dhamma | (i) enlightenment and wisdom |
| 6. Sunny golden land | (iv) richness and glory |
VII. Impact of Hyphens (Pages 26–27)
Question: Select the TRUE options regarding hyphenated words in poetry (life-giving, Brahma-knowledge).
- True Options:
- They combine two ideas into a single vivid description.
- They help maintain the poetic rhythm and flow.
- They emphasize key spiritual and cultural concepts.
X. Allusion Matching (Pages 27–28)
- Scriptures: Upanishads
- Spiritual knowledge: Brahma-knowledge
- Buddha’s teachings: Buddha preached his dhamma
SECTION C: CRITICAL REFLECTION (Pages 28–29)
Extract-Based Questions (Pages 28–29)
“The mighty Himavant is ours— / there’s no equal nowhere on earth. / The generous Ganga is ours— / which other river can match her grace?”
Q1. What quality of the Himalayas is highlighted by the word “mighty”?
Answer: The word “mighty” highlights the great height, majestic strength, power, and grandeur of the Himalayas.
Q2. The repetition of “is ours” serves to:
(i) create rhyme
(ii) emphasise a point
(iii) show ownership
(iv) add extra words
Answer: (ii) emphasise a point (It emphasizes national pride and collective belonging).
Q3. Why is the river Ganga described as “generous”?
Answer: The river Ganga is called “generous” because she continuously provides life-sustaining water, fertility, and spiritual nourishment to millions of people without asking for anything in return.
Q4. Why is the river Ganga called “graceful”?
Answer: She is described as graceful because of her smooth, majestic, calm, and beautiful flow across the plains of India.
Q5. Find a word from the extract that means ‘without equal’.
Answer: peerless (or “no equal”).
SECTION D: VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT (Pages 29–30)
I. Suffix Table (Page 29)
Question: Identify the suffix in each word from the poem.
- generous Suffix: -ous
- antiquity Suffix: -ity
- divinest Suffix: -est
- peerless Suffix: -less
II. New Words with Suffixes (Page 30)
Question: Add suffixes to base words and frame sentences.
- Base Word: attract Suffix: -ive New Word: attractive
Sentence: The sunny golden landscape of the valley looks extremely attractive. - Base Word: achieve Suffix: -ment New Word: achievement
Sentence: Learning to read the alphabet at 62 was a great achievement for the grandmother. - Base Word: walk Suffix: -ed New Word: walked
Sentence: She walked quietly to the terrace to spend time with her granddaughter.