Maharashtra Board Class 10 English Chapter 4.2 Bholi Solutions

Warming Up: Chit-Chat

Question 1. Discuss the following in your groups.
Answer:
(Use the points given in italic for your discussion,)
(a) Big cities: Female infanticide-dowry-women's safety-alcoholism-traffic-addiction-violence
(b) Small towns: Gender inequality at work-low status of women-child labour-caste system.
(c) Villages: Hygiene and sanitation-Religious conflicts - superstitions - poverty-illiteracy - consuming alcohol.
In simple words: This question asks students to discuss common social issues found in big cities, small towns, and villages, such as dowry, gender inequality, and lack of hygiene, as a group activity.

🎯 Exam Tip: For discussion-based questions, focus on identifying key social issues and presenting them clearly for each category. Use specific examples to support your points.

Question 2. Very few youngsters like to take social work as a career. Discuss the reasons why they do not take it seriously.
Answer:
Very few youngsters like to take up social work as a career because
1. No sense of accomplishment.
2. No fixed income.
3. No fixed duty hours and time.
4. 24 x 7 work.
5. Uncertainty of future.
In simple words: Young people often avoid social work as a career due to a perceived lack of recognition, irregular income, demanding hours, and an uncertain future, which makes it less appealing than other professions.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing reasons for career choices, clearly list and explain each point. Ensure your points are distinct and directly address the question's premise.

Adjectives And Some Adverbs Can Be Used In Three Degrees Of Comparison.

Question 1. Adjectives and some Adverbs can be used in three degrees of comparison. Positive-For example, cold, tall, heavy, fast, beautiful, little. Comparative-For example, colder, taller, heavier, faster, more beautiful, less. Superlative-For example, coldest, tallest, heaviest, fastest, most beautiful, least. Fill in the Table.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to irregular forms (e.g., good-better-best) and words that use "more/most" for comparative and superlative degrees (e.g., intelligent, affectionate).

Question 2. Pick out Hindi words used in the story written in English. Give their English alternative:
(a) Bholi - simpleton
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
Answer:
(a) Bholi - simpleton
(b) Numberdar - revenue official
(c) Tehsildar - collector
(d) Cinema - movie
(e) Pitaji - father
In simple words: This task identifies specific Hindi words used in the English story and provides their direct English equivalents, helping students understand the cultural context of the narrative.

🎯 Exam Tip: For vocabulary-based questions, ensure you accurately recall the exact words from the text and provide precise English definitions, not just general meanings.

3. Write three advantages and three drawbacks for each of the following:

Question 1. Write three advantages and three drawbacks for each of the following:

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing advantages and drawbacks, ensure you provide distinct points for each category and clearly articulate why each point is an advantage or a disadvantage.

English Workshop:

Question 1. Complete the following sentences using words given in the brackets: (contemplating, humiliate, scurried, disfigured, envious, contemptible, matted, startled)
(a) After the accident, Juhi's face was ............
(b) It took a long time to straighten the ............ bundle of wool.
(c) After class, students ............ out for their lunch - break.
(d) One should never ............ the disabled people.
(e) Nutan was ............ of her sister, who won the 'Best Singer' award.
(f) Corruption is a ............ act.
(g) We are ............ seriously about buying a new apartment.
(h) I was ............ to see a snake in my room.
Answer:
(a) After the accident Juhi's face was disfigured.
(b) It took a long time to straighten the matted bundle of wool.
(c) After class, the students scurried out for their lunch-break.
(d) One should never humiliate the disabled people.
(e) Nutan was envious of her sister, who won the 'Best Singer' award.
(f) Corruption is a contemptible act.
(g) We are contemplating seriously about buying a new apartment, (completing/contemplating)
(h) I was startled to see a snake in my room.
In simple words: This exercise helps students practice using appropriate vocabulary by filling in blanks in sentences with given words, ensuring they understand the context and meaning of each term.

🎯 Exam Tip: Read the full sentence carefully before choosing a word. Consider the grammatical fit (e.g., verb tense, adjective/adverb) and the overall meaning to select the most suitable option.

2. The story focusses on some social problems and evil practices that are prevailing in the society. Read the text carefully and make a list of all social problems and evil practices. Discuss in the class to find some solutions to these problems. One is done for you.

Question 1. The story focusses on some social problems and evil practices that are prevailing in the society. Read the text carefully and make a list of all social problems and evil practices. Discuss in the class to find some solutions to these problems. One is done for you.

🎯 Exam Tip: When listing problems and solutions, ensure there's a clear cause-and-effect relationship. Solutions should be actionable and directly address the identified problem.

3. Fill in the boxes with proper letters so as to find various characters in the story by their specialities. One is done for you.

Question 1. Fill in the boxes with proper letters so as to find various characters in the story by their specialities. One is done for you.

ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): यह एक अक्षर पहेली है जिसमें अक्षरों को ग्रिड में भरना है ताकि कहानी के पात्रों के नाम बन सकें, जैसे 'नंबरदार' पहले से भरा हुआ है। छात्रों को अधूरे अक्षरों को पूरा करके अन्य पात्रों के नाम ढूंढने हैं।
Answer:
(a) N u m b e r d a r
(b) T e a c h e r
(c) T e h s i l d a r
(d) H e a d m i s t r e s s
(e) R a m l a l
(f) B i s h a m b e r
In simple words: This exercise requires students to complete the names of characters from the story by filling in missing letters in a series of letter boxes, identifying them based on their roles or spellings.

🎯 Exam Tip: Carefully cross-reference the number of boxes with the expected character names from the story. A good understanding of the character list is crucial for accuracy.

4. Glance through the story again and describe Bholi's character before and after her meeting with the teacher. Complete the table and then write two paragraphs describing the changes seen in her character.

Question 1. Glance through the story again and describe Bholi's character before and after her meeting with the teacher. Complete the table and then write two paragraphs describing the changes seen in her character.

Bholi-A Courageous girl
Bholi was a backward child from her childhood and was known as simpleton. She had an attack of smallpox at the age of two and her entire body was pockmarked except for her eyes. She had neither good looks nor intelligence. Being fourth daughter of her parents, she couldn't get any comforts of her life so she was always under pressure and had no courage to speak.

She was always frightened so she was known as a dumb cow. She couldn't even talk properly because of her stammering habit. So she couldn't speak out her thoughts and couldn't take decision of her life. Overall she was sad, frightened and used to live life under the pressure of her parents.

But when she started going to school, her life was totally changed. She met a teacher who was kind and supportive. With her help she became confident and was able to utter her name properly. She changed herself mentally and became smart.

She also got courage to say what is right and what is wrong, so she refused to get married to a person who was her father's age and decided to serve her parents. At last she was able to take her own decisions of her life with the confidence her teacher had given to her. She decided to follow the path shown by her teacher and teach in the same school where she learnt.
In simple words: This question explores Bholi's transformation, contrasting her earlier timid and simpleton nature with the confident and articulate individual she became after receiving support and education from her teacher.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing character development, use clear comparative language ("before" vs. "after"). Provide specific examples from the story to illustrate the changes in personality, actions, and self-perception.

5. Find out synonyms from the passage for the following words:

Question 1. Find out synonyms from the passage for the following words:
Answer:
1. humiliate - put to shame
2. surely - certainly
3. fortunate - lucky
4. contentment - satisfaction
In simple words: This task requires finding words from the story that have similar meanings to the given terms, enhancing vocabulary and comprehension of the text.

🎯 Exam Tip: Read the words in the context of the story to ensure the synonym you choose accurately reflects the intended meaning within the narrative.

6. Expand the proverb in about 12 to 15 lines, 'Where there is a will, there is a way.'

Question 1. Expand the proverb in about 12 to 15 lines, 'Where there is a will, there is a way.' Steps: 1. Explanation of the proverb in simple words. 2. Examples/Experiences to prove the proverb. 3. Conclusion.
Answer:
'Where there is a will, there is a way'
Success and achievement in life are not possible without strong will. All great personalities and personages who have left permanent prints of their lives on the society, are the men and women who had indomitable (invincible) will. If we are determined to do something, we will get it done only when we have a strong will. Most of the successful people overcome a number of difficulties to find the right path to success, that is the reason why they are successful. The examples of Helen Keller, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Dr. A.P.J. Kalam, Dhirubhai Ambani and many others aptly prove the proverb.

Will power, determination and dedication help us to make impossible things possible. Only if we have the will to win, we would surely find our way sooner or later. Whatever inventions are seen today were a problem one day. But the will and hardwork of the inventors found their solutions. Impossible is possible for the person of strong will. Every successful man fails many a times but with unshaken faith and strong will, he becomes successful one day. Think high, try your best, without being daunted by the odds of the path and success is yours.

One step at a time and that well placed will take you to the grandest height. The only thing is to start with firm determination, strong will and the way is yours. So it is rightly said, "Where there is a will, there is a way."
In simple words: This proverb emphasizes that strong determination and a clear intention are the most crucial factors in overcoming obstacles and achieving success, regardless of how challenging the goal may seem.

🎯 Exam Tip: For proverb expansion, begin by explaining the core meaning, then support it with relevant examples, and conclude with a summary reinforcing the proverb's message.

7. Read the extract beginning from:

Question 1. Read the extract beginning from- "Her name was Sulekha .... find bridegroom for them." Narrate this extract in short, making Sulekha (Bholi) the narrator. Write it in your notebook. Begin with "I was named Sulekha...."
Answer:
I was named Sulekha but since my childhood everyone had been calling me Bholi, the simpleton.

I was the fourth daughter of Numberdar Ramlal. When I was ten months old, I had fallen off the cot on my head and perhaps it had damaged some part of my brain. That was why I remained a backward child and came to be known as Bholi, the simpleton.

At birth I was very fair and pretty. But when I was two years old I had an attack of smallpox. Only the eyes were saved. But the entire body was permanently disfigured by deep black pockmarks. I could not speak till I was five and when at last I learnt to speak, I stammered. The other children often made fun of me and mimicked me. As a result, I talked very little.

My father Ramlal had seven children, three sons and four daughters, and the youngest of them was me. Ours was a prosperous farmer's household and there was plenty to eat and drink. All the children except me were healthy and strong. My brothers had been sent to the city to study in schools and later in colleges. Of the sisters, Radha, the eldest had already been married. The second sister Mangala's marriage had also been settled. My father would think of my third sister Champa. They were good looking, healthy girls. And it was not difficult to find bridegrooms for them.
In simple words: This task requires students to retell a specific part of the story from Bholi's perspective, describing her early life, physical challenges, and family background in her own voice.

🎯 Exam Tip: When narrating from a character's perspective, maintain a consistent point of view (first-person, "I") and reflect the character's feelings and experiences as presented in the original story.

8. Interview:

Question 1. Interview- Prepare a set of 10-12 questions that you would ask at an interview of a person who has strongly acted against social injustice and has achieved success in spite of a long struggle against so many odds in his/her life.
Answer:
Good morning, Sir.
You are welcome in .............
Can you spare some time for us?
1. How did you get attracted towards social injustice?
2. Was it your passion from the beginning to work for the society?
3. How do you come to know about such unfair practices?
4. What do you do when you come to know such problems of injustice?
5. The world might be making progress in terms of providing social justice-How do you feel when you hear such kind of social injustice?
6. What difficulties did you face while doing your work?
7. Can you give any striking examples of injustice in which you have achieved success?
8. Social injustice is a disease-what do you think about it?
9. How did you make the person confident who was harassed?
10. What are your future plans related to your work?
11. What message would you give to the youngsters about such incidents of injustice?
In simple words: This question asks students to formulate a list of interview questions designed to elicit information about a person's journey in fighting social injustice, their challenges, successes, and advice.

🎯 Exam Tip: Ensure interview questions are open-ended to encourage detailed responses, cover a range of topics from motivation to challenges and advice, and are relevant to the person's fight against social injustice.

Language Study:

Question 1. Rewrite the following in indirect speech: "Put the fear out of your heart and you will be able to speak like everyone else.”
Answer:
The teacher told/advised Bholi to put the fear out of her heart and she would be able to speak like everyone else.
In simple words: This exercise converts a direct command and promise into indirect speech, changing the speaker's perspective and adjusting pronouns and verb tenses accordingly.

🎯 Exam Tip: When converting to indirect speech, remember to change reporting verbs (told, advised), pronouns, and verb tenses (if the reporting verb is in the past tense) while removing quotation marks.

Question 2. "Yes, certainly,” his wife said, "Bholi will be lucky to get such a well-to-do bridegroom."
Answer:
His wife said with certainty that Bholi would be lucky to get such a well-to-do bridegroom.
In simple words: This converts a direct statement into indirect speech, rephrasing the wife's comment about Bholi's potential marriage prospect while retaining its meaning.

🎯 Exam Tip: For indirect speech, correctly identify the reporting clause and the reported clause. Replace quotation marks with conjunctions like "that" and adjust pronouns and verb tenses as needed.

Question 3. "What will that witless one say? She is like a dumb cow". "May be you are right," muttered Ramlal.
Answer:
Ramlal's wife asked Ramlal what that witless one would say. She was like a dumb cow. Ramlal muttered that it was possible that she was right.
In simple words: This question asks for the conversion of a dialogue between Ramlal and his wife into indirect speech, reflecting their concerns and agreement about Bholi.

🎯 Exam Tip: When converting dialogues, split the direct speech into separate sentences in indirect speech for clarity. Ensure reporting verbs accurately convey the tone (e.g., asked, muttered).

Question 4. "Be a little considerate, please. If you go back, I can never show my face in the village." "Then out with five thousand."
Answer:
Ramlal requested the bridegroom to be a little considerate. He further said that if he went back, he could never show his face in the village. The bridegroom then told Ramlal to give out five thousand to him.
In simple words: This converts a tense negotiation dialogue into indirect speech, showing Ramlal's plea and the bridegroom's demand during the wedding.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to the type of sentence (request, statement, command) when changing to indirect speech. Use appropriate reporting verbs like 'requested', 'said', or 'told'.

Question 5. "Pitaji, take back your money. I am not going to marry this man.” “Bholi, are you crazy?" shouted Ramlal.
Answer:
Bholi told her father to take back her money as she was not going to marry that man. Ramlal angrily asked Bholi if she was crazy.
In simple words: This transforms a dramatic dialogue between Bholi and her father into indirect speech, capturing Bholi's refusal and Ramlal's shocked reaction.

🎯 Exam Tip: When converting exclamations or questions, use appropriate reporting verbs (e.g., 'shouted', 'asked angrily') and restructure the sentence to fit the indirect speech format.

2. Rewrite the sentences given below as per the given Degree of Comparison without change of meaning:

Question 1. Rewrite the sentences given below as per the given Degree of Comparison without change of meaning:
(a) You are not as young as she is. (Comparative)
(b) His fourth daughter's wedding was the grandest of all. (Positive)
(c) Bholi was younger than all his other daughters. (Superlative)
Answer:
(a) She is younger than you.
(b) No other daughter's wedding was as grand as his fourth daughter's wedding.
(c) Bholi was the youngest of all his daughters.
In simple words: This exercise demonstrates how to rephrase sentences to change their degree of comparison (positive, comparative, superlative) without altering their original meaning.

🎯 Exam Tip: Practice the rules for converting between degrees of comparison. Remember that "not as...as" in positive often becomes a comparative, and superlatives can be rephrased as "no other" in positive degree.

3. Correct the errors in the following sentences. Focus on verbs and subject.
(a) All children, except Bholi, was healthy and strong.
(b) Since childhood, everyone will have calling her Bholi.
(c) If girls goes to school, who will marry them?
(d) New clothes was never made for Bholi.
(e) The garland were flung into the fire.
(f) Do you wants to hear more?
(g) Aren't that right?
(h) I will teaches in the same school.

My English Coursebook 10th Digest Chapter 4.2 Bholi Additional Important Questions and Answers

Simple Factual Activities:

Question 1. Fill in the blanks: (Answers are directly given and underlined.)
Answer:
1. Ramlal had three sons and four daughters.
2. All the children except Bholi were healthy and strong.
In simple words: This fill-in-the-blanks exercise tests basic recall of facts from the story, focusing on details like family structure and character traits.

🎯 Exam Tip: For fill-in-the-blanks, always ensure your answer fits the grammatical structure of the sentence and accurately reflects the information presented in the text.

Question 2. State whether you Agree or Disagree with the following statements:
Answer:
1. Ramlal was a Government servant. - Agree
2. Ramlal had not the courage to disobey his wife. - Disagree
3. Bholi's eldest sister Radha was married. - Agree
4. Bholi had neither good looks nor intelligence. - Agree
In simple words: This question checks understanding of key facts about the characters and their relationships by asking students to determine the truthfulness of given statements.

🎯 Exam Tip: Read each statement carefully and compare it directly with the events and descriptions in the story. Avoid making assumptions not supported by the text.

Choose The Correct Alternative For Each Of The Following Questions:

Question 1. What does the word 'Bholi' mean?
Answer:
1. angry
2. foolish
3. simpleton
4. sad.

Question 1.
What does the word 'Bholi' mean?
Answer:
1. angry
2. foolish
3. simpleton
4. sad.
3. simpleton
In simple words: The word 'Bholi' literally translates to 'simpleton' or 'innocent' in English, reflecting the character's initial nature.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understanding the literal meaning of character names can offer insight into their initial portrayal or development in a story.

Question 2.
At what age Bholi had an attack of smallpox?
Answer:
1. six
2. two
3. ten
4. nine.
2. two
In simple words: Bholi contracted smallpox when she was two years old, which left pockmarks on her body and disfigured her.

🎯 Exam Tip: Specific numerical details like age or quantity are often key facts tested in comprehension questions.

Question 3.
What was the real name of Bholi?
Answer:
1. Radha
2. Champa
3. Mangala
4. Sulekha.
4. Sulekha.
In simple words: Bholi's birth name was Sulekha, but she was called Bholi due to her simple nature.

🎯 Exam Tip: Character identification, including real names versus nicknames, is fundamental for story comprehension.

Question 4.
Who was not healthy and strong in Randal's Family?
Answer:
1. Radha
2. Bholi
3. Mangala
4. Champa.
2. Bholi
In simple words: Bholi was not healthy and strong due to her smallpox and brain damage, unlike her siblings.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to descriptive adjectives and phrases used to characterize individuals within the text.

Who Said To Whom:

Question 1.
"Come with me. I will take you to school."
Answer:
Ramlal said to Bholi.
In simple words: Ramlal, Bholi's father, spoke these words to Bholi when he was taking her to school for the first time.

🎯 Exam Tip: "Who said to whom" questions test your recall of dialogue and character interactions, indicating an understanding of plot points.

Question 2.
"What is your name, little one?"
Answer:
The teacher said to Bholi.
In simple words: Bholi's teacher asked her this question gently to encourage her to speak her name.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identifying the speaker and listener helps in tracking character relationships and the flow of conversation.

Question 3.
Put [√] or [X] in front of the following sentences:
Answer:
1. Bholi was the beloved daughter of Ramlal. – [X]
2. Bholi used to wear old dresses of her sisters. – [√]
3. Bholi was happy to see so many girls of her age in the school. – [√]
4. All the girls in the school were laughing at Bholi. – [√]
In simple words: These statements evaluate factual recall about Bholi's family status, her attire, her feelings about school, and her peers' reaction to her.

🎯 Exam Tip: Accuracy in True/False or correct/incorrect statements depends on precise memory of story details.

Question 4.
State whether the following statements are True or False:
Answer:
1. Bishamber was a young bridegroom. - False
2. Ramlal had never dreamt that his fourth daughter Bholi would have such a grand wedding. – True
3. When Bholi was brought near the sacred fire she was in a red silken bridal dress. - True
In simple words: This section assesses knowledge of Bishamber's age, Ramlal's expectations for Bholi's wedding, and Bholi's attire during the marriage ceremony.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish between character perceptions/expectations and actual events as they unfold in the narrative.

Question 5.
Complete the following sentences:
(Answers are directly given and underlined.)
Answer:
1. Bholi's parents were eager to accept Bishamber's proposal for marriage because they felt that she might remain unmarried all her life.
2. Bholi's elder sisters who had come for her marriage were envious of her luck.
In simple words: These completions highlight the underlying reasons for Bholi's parents' decisions and her sisters' reactions regarding her marriage to Bishamber.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identifying cause-and-effect relationships or motivations behind characters' actions is crucial for higher-order thinking questions.

Question 6.
Choose the correct alternative and complete the following sentences:
(Answers are directly given and underlined.)
Answer:
1. The garland of marriage was made of yellow marigolds.
(a) roses
(b) yellow marigolds
(c) lilies
2. Bishamber demanded five thousand Rs. to get married to Bholi.
(a) two thousand Rs.
(b) three thousand Rs.
(c) five thousand Rs.
3. Bholi is compared with a dumb cow.
(a) a dumb cow
(b) a kind cow
(c) a dead cow
4. Bholi was not ready to get married.
(a) Bishamber
(b) Bholi
(c) Bholi's friend
In simple words: This question tests specific details from the story, such as the type of garland, the dowry demanded, the common comparison made for Bholi, and who ultimately refused the marriage.

🎯 Exam Tip: For multiple-choice questions, eliminate incorrect options by cross-referencing with key facts and descriptions from the text.

Complex Factual Activities:

Question 1.
Complete the following web:
(Answers are directly given.)
Answer:
ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): यह एक वेब आरेख है जो बताता है कि क्यों भोली बिशंभर से शादी करने को तैयार नहीं थी। आरेख के केंद्र में "Bholi was not willing to marry Bishamber because-" लिखा है, और इससे चार कारण जुड़े हुए हैं: 1) बिशंभर ने शादी के लिए पाँच हज़ार रुपये मांगे थे। 2) वह एक लंगड़ा बुढ़ा आदमी था। 3) वह एक नीच, लालची और घृणित कायर था। 4) वह एक हृदयहीन प्राणी था।
In simple words: Bholi refused to marry Bishamber due to his dowry demand, his old age, his physical lameness, and his greedy, cowardly, and heartless character.

🎯 Exam Tip: When analyzing character motivations, consider all the contributing factors presented in the narrative, both explicit and implicit.

Question 2.
Why did the bridegroom refuse to garland Bholi?
Answer:
When a woman slipped back the silken veil from Bholi's face, the bridegroom saw her pockmarked face. So he demanded five thousand Rs. from her father and refused to marry her, unless he paid the amount.
In simple words: The bridegroom refused to garland Bholi because he saw her pockmarked face after her veil was lifted and demanded a dowry to proceed with the marriage.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understanding the sequence of events and the reasons behind key actions is vital for plot-based questions.

Question 3.
What was the expression on Bholi's face?
Answer:
Bholi was looking up. Her eyes were not downcast. She was looking up looking straight at her prospective husband. There was neither anger nor hate in her eyes. They showed only cold contempt.
In simple words: Bholi's face showed cold contempt, indicating her disdain and lack of respect for her prospective husband.

🎯 Exam Tip: Character emotions and expressions often reveal their inner thoughts and foreshadow future actions, making them important narrative clues.

Question 4.
What shocked the family members?
Answer:
When Bishamber demanded money from Bholi's father, Bholi got angry and her hand struck out like a streak of lightning and the garland was flung into the fire. She got up and threw away the veil. She told her father in a clear loud voice without the slightest stammer to take back his money as she was not going to marry that man. Thus Bholi's firm and staight statement shocked the entire family.
In simple words: Bholi's family was shocked when she, who was usually meek and stammered, firmly refused to marry Bishamber in a clear voice, throwing away her veil and the garland.

🎯 Exam Tip: Moments of dramatic change or defiance from a character often signify a turning point in the story and are highly significant for analysis.

Question 5.
Who said to whom:
1. "Yes, Aunty, you are right. You all thought I was a dumb-driven cow.”
2. "I will serve you and mother and I will teach in the same school where I learnt so much."
Answer:
1. Bholi said to the old woman.
2. Bholi said to her father.
In simple words: The first statement was Bholi's bold retort to an old woman, while the second was her declaration to her father about her future plans to serve her parents and teach.

🎯 Exam Tip: Dialogue analysis helps identify character development, particularly when a character's speech patterns or assertiveness change over time.

Complex Factual Activities:

Question 1.
Describe the appearance of Bholi.
Answer:
Bholi was the youngest daughter of Ramlal. Some part of her brain was damaged, so she was a backward child. Her entire body was permanently disfigured by deep black pockmarks when she had an attack of smallpox. She was very weak. She had neither good looks nor intelligence.
In simple words: Bholi was physically disfigured by smallpox pockmarks and had a damaged brain, making her a backward and weak child lacking both good looks and intelligence.

🎯 Exam Tip: Character descriptions are essential for visualizing the narrative and understanding the initial challenges faced by the protagonist.

Question 2.
Complete the reasons:
Ramlal decided to send Bholi to school because -
Answer:
Ramlal decided to send Bholi to school because -
1. the Tehsildar urged him to send his (Randal's) daughter to school.
2. he had no courage to disobey the Tehsildar.
3. his wife was also ready to do so.
In simple words: Ramlal sent Bholi to school primarily because the Tehsildar insisted, and he didn't dare to refuse, with his wife also agreeing to the decision.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for external pressures and authority figures that influence character decisions, as these often drive significant plot points.

Complete The Following:

Question 1.
Bholi talked very little because -
Answer:
Bholi talked very little because she stammered and other children often made fun of her and mimicked her.
In simple words: Bholi spoke very little due to her stammering and the teasing she received from other children, which made her self-conscious.

🎯 Exam Tip: Behavioral traits often have clear causes in the narrative; identifying these causes helps in understanding character psychology.

Question 2.
Why did Ramlal's wife oppose sending Bholi to School?
Answer:
Ramlal's wife opposed sending Bholi to school because she thought that if she went to school, nobody would marry her.
In simple words: Ramlal's wife feared that if Bholi received an education, it would hinder her marriage prospects.

🎯 Exam Tip: Family dynamics and societal expectations are crucial elements in understanding character conflicts and motivations.

Question 3.
What shows that Bholi was unwilling to go to school?
Answer:
Bholi did not know what a school was like when her father was taking her to school. She remembered how a few days ago their old cow Lakshmi had been turned out of the house and sold so she was frightened to go to school.
In simple words: Bholi's reluctance stemmed from her unfamiliarity with school and her fear, triggered by the recent memory of their cow Lakshmi being sold after being sent away.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to specific incidents or analogies used in the text to explain a character's emotional state or behavior.

Question 4.
How did Bholi's parents change her appearance?
Answer:
Bholi was given some decent clothes to wear instead of old dresses of her sisters. No one cared to mend or wash her clothes. But she was bathed and oil was rubbed onto her dry and matted hair. And they made her ready to go to school.
In simple words: Bholi's parents improved her appearance by giving her new clothes, bathing her, and oiling her matted hair before sending her to school.

🎯 Exam Tip: Details about physical changes or preparations often signify a shift in circumstances or expectations for a character.

Question 5.
What made the class attractive to Bholi?
Answer:
When she saw many girls almost of her age present there, she became glad. She also hoped that one of those girls might become her friend. She saw the pictures on the wall and the colours fascinated her. Her lady teacher was also kind to her. All those things attracted Bholi.
In simple words: The presence of other girls her age, the colorful pictures on the wall, and the kindness of her teacher made the classroom an attractive and welcoming place for Bholi.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understanding a character's initial impressions and positive stimuli helps explain their acceptance of a new environment.

Question 6.
Why did Bholi feel ashamed?
Answer:
The lady teacher who was teaching in the class asked Bholi what her name was. But she could not utter her name 'Bholi' properly. As she was stammering, she felt ashamed in front of other girls. She began to cry. She felt ashamed because all the girls in the class were laughing at her.
In simple words: Bholi felt ashamed because her stammer made her unable to properly say her name when asked by the teacher, and the other girls in the class laughed at her.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emotional responses like shame or fear often highlight a character's vulnerabilities and the challenges they face.

Question 7.
How would you describe the teacher's attitude towards Bholi? Give 3 to 4 points.
Answer:
The teacher was very kind and sympathetic towards Bholi. She spoke with her in soft and soothing voice. Instead of commanding, she was just giving her friendly suggestions so Bholi felt better in her company. She had never been called with that much love; so it touched her heart.
In simple words: Bholi's teacher was kind, sympathetic, and used a soft, soothing voice, offering friendly suggestions rather than commands, which deeply touched Bholi as it was a rare experience of love.

🎯 Exam Tip: Analyzing a mentor's approach and its impact on the protagonist's emotional state is key to understanding character development.

Question 8.
How did the teacher encourage Bholi to overcome her stammering?
Answer:
When the teacher asked Bholi what her name was, she could not utter a single word because of fear. With the teacher's encouraging words and pat on her back she felt relieved to give a trial. And thus Bholi could give up her stammering and overcome her fear.
In simple words: The teacher encouraged Bholi by using gentle words and a reassuring pat, which helped Bholi feel confident enough to try speaking and eventually overcome her stammering and fear.

🎯 Exam Tip: Positive reinforcement and a supportive environment are often depicted as powerful tools for overcoming personal challenges.

Question 9.
Complete the following web.
Answer:
ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): यह एक वेब आरेख है जो दिखाता है कि कुछ वर्षों बाद गांव में क्या बदलाव आए। आरेख के ऊपरी बाईं ओर "Village became a small town" है और ऊपरी दाईं ओर "Primary school became high school" है। केंद्र में "Changes in the village after some years" है, जिससे दो शाखाएं निकलती हैं: बाईं ओर "Mail train began to stop at railway station" और दाईं ओर "There was cinema under tin shed, cotton ginning mill"।
In simple words: The web diagram illustrates the significant changes in the village over time: it transformed into a small town, the primary school became a high school, a mail train started stopping at the railway station, and a cinema and cotton ginning mill were established.

🎯 Exam Tip: Diagrams or web charts summarize key developments; understand how each element contributes to the overall transformation described.

Question 10.
What were the drawbacks of Bishamber as a bridegroom?
Answer:
1. Bishamber was as old as Bholi's father.
2. He was married.
3. The children from his first wife were quite grown-up.
In simple words: Bishamber's drawbacks included his advanced age (comparable to Bholi's father), his marital status as a widower, and having grown-up children from his previous marriage.

🎯 Exam Tip: Listing specific traits helps to justify character decisions and understand the narrative's moral or social commentary.

Question 11.
Complete the following:
(Answers are directly given and underlined.)
Answer:
1. Beside the humiliation and grief, Ramlal was afraid of Bholi's marriage as he thought that no one would ever marry Bholi.
2. Bholi told her father in a calm and steady voice that she would serve him and mother in their old age and she would teach in the same school where she learnt so much.
In simple words: Ramlal feared Bholi would never marry, and Bholi calmly assured her father she would care for them in their old age and teach in her old school.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to how characters articulate their fears and commitments, as these reveal their core values and character growth.

Question 12.
Name the artist and the masterpiece.
Answer:
The teacher who gave courage to Bholi was the real artist and Bholi was the masterpiece of her creation.
In simple words: The teacher is identified as the "artist" who molded Bholi into a confident individual, making Bholi the "masterpiece" of her efforts.

🎯 Exam Tip: Metaphorical questions require you to identify symbolic roles and relationships between characters based on their actions and impact.

Question 13.
Arrange the following sentences as per their order of occurrence in the passage:
1. Bholi's teacher was satisfied with her student's decision.
2. Bholi learnt a lot of things in her school.
3. Bholi refused to get married to Bishamber because she knew that he would not keep her happy.
4. Bholi decided to serve her parents and teach in the same school where she learnt.
Answer:
1. Bholi learnt a lot of things in her school.
2. Bholi refused to get married with Bishamber because she knew that he would not keep her happy.
3. Bholi decided to serve her parents and teach in the same school where she learnt.
4. Bholi's teacher was satisfied with her student's decision.
In simple words: The correct order of events is Bholi's learning at school, her refusal of marriage, her decision to serve her parents and teach, and finally, her teacher's satisfaction with her choices.

🎯 Exam Tip: Sequencing events requires careful chronological tracking of plot points and character development.

Activities Based On Vocabulary:

Question 1.
Find out from the passage opposites for the following words:
(Answers are directly given and underlined.)
Answer:
1. forgot x remembered
2. indecent × decent
3. sad x glad
4. bore x fascinated
In simple words: This exercise tests your ability to identify antonyms of given words from the context of the passage, enhancing vocabulary.

🎯 Exam Tip: When searching for opposites, consider the meaning of the word in the context of the story to find the most accurate antonym.

Question 2.
Use the following phrases in the following sentences by making certain changes :
(Answers are directly given and underlined.)
Answer:
(to shout in terror, to pass on, to hand over, to look up at.)
1. My sister handed over a letter of apology to her class teacher.
2. My father had the day off because he didn't want to pass on his flu to everyone in the office.
3. Ruta shouted in terror when she saw a cobra in front of her.
4. The world looks up at Dr Kalam as a great visionary.
In simple words: This task requires using given phrases in grammatically correct and contextually appropriate sentences, sometimes with minor modifications to fit the tense or subject.

🎯 Exam Tip: Practice using phrases in different sentence structures to improve your grammatical flexibility and expand your expression.

Question 3.
Find the verb forms of the following from the passage;
1. mimicry
2. settlement
3. speech
4. marriage.
Answer:
1. mimick
2. settle
3. speak
4. marry.
In simple words: This exercise requires converting nouns related to actions into their corresponding verb forms as found or implied in the text.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understanding word families (nouns, verbs, adjectives) helps to expand vocabulary and improve grammatical accuracy.

Question 4.
Read the given sentences and write the words of each sentence in the proper columns:
Answer:
1. The old dresses of her sisters were passed on to her.
2. Today she was lucky to receive a clean dress.
3. And suddenly Bholi noticed that the teacher was standing by her side.
4. Then she began to cry and tears flowed from her eyes.

🎯 Exam Tip: Correctly identifying parts of speech is fundamental for sentence construction, grammatical analysis, and improving writing skills.

Question 5.
Complete the following sentences using words given in the brackets:
(disfigured, matted, fascinated) (Answers are directly given and underlined.)
Answer:
The beautiful scenery fascinated me.
In simple words: This task requires selecting the most appropriate word from the given options to complete the sentence meaningfully.

🎯 Exam Tip: When choosing words, consider their precise meaning and how they fit the overall context and tone of the sentence.

Question 6.
Complete the following sentences using the words given in the brackets:
(scurried, affectionately, astonished, a great achievement) (Answers are directly given and underlined.)
Answer:
1. My father always tries to solve my problem affectionately.
2. My mother was astonished to see her brother in front of her after so many years.
3. Overcoming her difficulties was a great achievement for Bholi.
In simple words: This exercise involves filling in the blanks with suitable words from the provided list to complete the sentences logically and grammatically.

🎯 Exam Tip: Read the sentences carefully to understand the context and emotional tone before choosing the best-fitting word from the options.

Question 7.
Complete the following sentences using the words given in the brackets:
(envious, procession, overjoyed, pockmarks) (Answers are directly given and underlined.)
Answer:
1. Most of the youngsters like to dance in marriage procession.
2. He was overjoyed to see his friend after a long time.
3. Due to pockmarks on her face, she is rejected by many for a marriage.
In simple words: This question requires using the provided vocabulary words to complete sentences, ensuring they make sense in context.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to the part of speech and common collocations of the given words to choose the most natural fit for each sentence.

Question 8.
Find out synonyms from the passage for the following words: (Answers are directly given.)
Answer:
1. senseless – witless
2. jealous – envious.
In simple words: This task focuses on identifying words in the passage that have similar meanings to the given terms, expanding your synonym knowledge.

🎯 Exam Tip: Synonyms help in understanding subtle variations in meaning and enrich your vocabulary for both comprehension and writing.

Question 9.
Find 'one word' for the following from the passage:
Answer:
1. garment that covers the head and face – veil
2. hurt the pride of – humiliate
3. joyful and proud especially because of success – triumphant
4. related to the future – prospective
In simple words: This exercise tests your ability to condense descriptive phrases into single, appropriate words found in the story.

🎯 Exam Tip: One-word substitutes are valuable for concise expression and demonstrate a deep understanding of vocabulary.

Question 10.
Complete the following sentences using the words given in the brackets:
(contemptible, humiliate, startled, thunderstruck) (Answers are directly given and underlined.)
Answer:
Sujata was thunderstruck when he presented her with an engagement ring.
In simple words: This question requires selecting the correct word from the given options to complete the sentence, ensuring logical and grammatical accuracy.

🎯 Exam Tip: Consider the intensity and nuance of each word to choose the one that best conveys the intended meaning in the sentence.

Question 11.
Find out synonyms from the passage for the following words:
(Answers are directly given and underlined.)
Answer:
1. contempt – hatred
2. prospective – future
3. startled - shocked.
In simple words: This task involves finding words from the passage that are synonymous with the given terms, thus building vocabulary.

🎯 Exam Tip: Expanding your synonym base helps in both understanding diverse texts and expressing yourself more variedly in writing.

Question 12.
Complete the following sentences by choosing the words given in the brackets:
(Answers are directly given and underlined.)
Answer:
She violently disagreed with what we said. (slowly/violently)
In simple words: This question assesses your ability to select the appropriate adverb that best modifies the verb and conveys the intensity of the action.

🎯 Exam Tip: Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs; choose the one that precisely describes the manner, degree, or time of the action.

Question 13.
Find out synonyms from the passage for the following words :
(Answers are directly given and underlined.)
Answer:
formal event - ceremony
In simple words: This task requires identifying a single word from the passage that means "formal event."

🎯 Exam Tip: Contextual synonym questions often look for specific terms that encapsulate a broader concept described in the text.

Activities Based On Contextual Grammar:

Question 1.
Name the Tenses:
1. I will tell you what to do.
2. Ramlal consulted his wife.
Answer:
1. Simple Future Tense
2. Simple Past Tense.
In simple words: This exercise identifies the tenses of given sentences: the first indicates a future action, and the second, a completed action in the past.

🎯 Exam Tip: To identify tense, look for auxiliary verbs (e.g., 'will', 'had') and the form of the main verb (e.g., base, past participle).

Question 2.
Change into indirect speech:
Randal's wife said to him, “I will tell you what to do."
Answer:
Randal's wife told him that she would tell him what to do.
In simple words: This converts a direct quote into reported speech, changing pronouns, tenses, and removing quotation marks.

🎯 Exam Tip: When converting to indirect speech, remember to adjust pronouns, tenses (backshift), and sometimes time/place expressions.

Question 3.
Rewrite as an exclamatory sentence:
The child was very fair and pretty.
Answer:
How fair and pretty the child was!
In simple words: This changes a declarative sentence into an exclamatory one to express strong feeling or surprise.

🎯 Exam Tip: Exclamatory sentences often begin with 'How' or 'What' and end with an exclamation mark to convey strong emotion.

Do As Directed:

Question 1.
The child was very fair and pretty.
(Choose correct alternative to make it exclamatory.)
1. What a fair and pretty the child was!
2. How a fair and pretty the child was!
3. How fair and pretty the child was!
Answer:
2. How fair and pretty the child was!
In simple words: This task requires selecting the correct structure to transform a descriptive statement into an exclamatory sentence.

🎯 Exam Tip: For exclamatory sentences, 'How' is used before an adjective or adverb, while 'What' is used before a noun phrase.

Question 2.
It was not difficult to find bridegroom for them. (Underline the infinitive in the sentence.)
Answer:
It was not difficult to find bridegroom for them.
In simple words: The infinitive in the sentence, "to find," represents the base form of a verb preceded by "to."

🎯 Exam Tip: Infinitives (to + verb) function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs and are a key element of non-finite verb forms.

Change The Voice:

Question 1.
The teacher patted her affectionately.
(Begin the sentence with "She....)
Answer:
She was patted affectionately by the teacher.
In simple words: This converts an active voice sentence into passive voice, changing the focus from the doer to the receiver of the action.

🎯 Exam Tip: When changing to passive voice, the object of the active sentence becomes the subject, and a form of 'to be' + past participle is used.

Question 2.
The teacher encouraged her.
(Begin the sentence with "She....)
Answer:
She was encouraged by the teacher.
In simple words: This transforms an active voice sentence into passive voice, highlighting the person who received the encouragement rather than the teacher.

🎯 Exam Tip: Ensure that all parts of the original sentence, including the agent (the teacher), are retained in the passive construction if relevant.

Question 3.
She was a harmless dumb cow.
(Make it exclamatory.)
Answer:
What a harmless dumb cow she was!
In simple words: This sentence expresses strong emotion about how harmless a "dumb cow" (referring to Bholi) was.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on using "How" or "What a" followed by the adjective/noun phrase and an exclamation mark for exclamatory sentences.

Question 4.
What a shameless girl! (Make it assertive.)
Answer:
She was really a shameless girl.
In simple words: This sentence converts an exclamation of strong feeling into a simple, direct statement.

🎯 Exam Tip: To convert an exclamatory sentence to assertive, remove the exclamation, use a strong adjective/adverb (like "very" or "really"), and end with a full stop.

Frame a wh-question to get the underlined part as an answer:

Question 1.
Ramlal placed the bundle at the bridegroom's feet.
Answer:
Where did Ramlal place the bundle?
In simple words: This question asks for the location where Ramlal put the bundle.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the part to be questioned (e.g., location, time, person, reason) and use the appropriate "wh-" word.

Question 2.
Bishamber raised the garland to place it round the bride's neck.
Answer:
Why did Bishamber raise the garland?
In simple words: This question asks for the reason or purpose behind Bishamber raising the garland.

🎯 Exam Tip: To frame a 'Why' question, identify the reason or purpose in the original sentence and use an auxiliary verb before the subject.

Rewrite the following as per the tenses mentioned in the brackets:

Question 1.
Ramlal stood rooted to the ground.
(Past Continuous Tense)
Answer:
Ramlal was standing rooted to the ground.
In simple words: This changes the action from a completed past event to an ongoing action in the past.

🎯 Exam Tip: Past Continuous Tense uses "was/were" + verb-ing (present participle).

Question 2.
The teacher was watching the drama.
(Present Perfect Continuous Tense.)
Answer:
The teacher has been watching the drama.
In simple words: This changes the tense to show an action that started in the past and continues up to the present moment.

🎯 Exam Tip: Present Perfect Continuous Tense uses "has/have been" + verb-ing.

Question 3.
Complete the words by using correct letters:
Answer:
1. br_in – brain
2. stu_y -study
3. dr_ss - dress
4. hea_t -heart
In simple words: This exercise helps in spelling and identifying common words by filling in missing letters.

🎯 Exam Tip: Carefully read the given word and the hint to deduce the missing letters.

Question 4.
Put the words in alphabetical order:
1. violently, grief, proposal, astonish.
2. marriage, matter, manage, make.
Answer:
1. astonish, grief, proposal, violently.
2. make, manage, marriage, matter.
In simple words: This task arranges words in an order based on their initial letters, similar to a dictionary.

🎯 Exam Tip: Compare words letter by letter from left to right to determine their alphabetical sequence.

Question 5.
Punctuate the following sentences:
1. whats the matter with you you fool shouted ramlal
2. have you seen her said bishamber to the friend next to him she has pockmarks on her face.
Answer:
1. "What's the matter with you, you fool?" shouted Ramlal.
2. "Have you seen her?” said Bishamber to the friend next to him. "She has pockmarks on her face."
In simple words: This exercise involves adding appropriate punctuation marks like quotation marks, commas, and question marks to clarify the meaning and flow of the sentences.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to direct speech, interjections, and sentence boundaries when punctuating.

Question 6.
Make four words (minimum 3 letters each) using the letters in the word
'contemplating'.
Answer:
1. complain
2. contempt
3. tempt
4. contain.
In simple words: This activity challenges you to form smaller valid words using only the letters available in a longer given word.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for prefixes, suffixes, and common letter combinations within the main word to find smaller words.

Question 7.
Write related words as shown in the example: (Answer is directly given and
underlined.)
Answer:

ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): यह चित्र 'beauty' (सौंदर्य) शब्द से जुड़े हुए अन्य शब्दों को दर्शाता है। 'beauty' के केंद्र से 'fair' (गोरा), 'fine' (उत्तम), 'pretty' (सुंदर), 'lovely' (मनोहर), और 'good-looking' (सुंदर दिखने वाला) जैसे शब्द निकलते हैं, जो सभी सौंदर्य के विभिन्न पहलुओं का वर्णन करते हैं।
In simple words: This diagram shows words related to "beauty" such as fair, fine, pretty, lovely, and good-looking, illustrating various aspects of physical appeal.

🎯 Exam Tip: For word association, consider synonyms, antonyms, and descriptive adjectives that relate to the central concept.

Question 8.
Complete the word-chain of verbs. Add four words, each beginning with the letter of
the previous word.
disfigure, e..............
Answer:
disfigure,
\( \implies \) enter, record, detect, tend.
In simple words: This exercise requires you to create a sequence of verbs where each word starts with the last letter of the preceding word.

🎯 Exam Tip: Think of common verbs and ensure each new word correctly follows the letter chain rule.

1. Attempt anyone:

Question (a)
Make a meaningful sentence by using the given phrase: "to make fun of'
Answer:
It is not good to make fun of any disabled person.
In simple words: This sentence uses the phrase "to make fun of" to create a complete and sensible statement.

🎯 Exam Tip: Ensure the sentence is grammatically correct and the phrase is used in its intended context.

OR

Question (b)
Add another clause to the following sentence expand meaningfully:
My teacher was angry -
Answer:
My teacher was angry because some students misbehaved in the class.
In simple words: This expands the given sentence by adding a reason (a dependent clause) for the teacher's anger.

🎯 Exam Tip: A clause adds more information to the main sentence; ensure it logically connects and makes the sentence more complete.

2. Attempt anyone:

Question (a)
Add prefix or suffix to make new words.
1. decorate
2. courage
Answer:
1. decorative, decoration
2. courageous, discourage.
In simple words: This involves adding word parts (prefixes at the beginning, suffixes at the end) to base words to create new related words.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand common prefixes (e.g., dis-, un-) and suffixes (e.g., -tive, -tion, -ous) and how they change word meaning or form.

OR

Question (b)
Make a meaningful sentence using any one of the following words.
1. decorate
2. courage
Answer:
1. We shall decorate our classroom with flowers and balloons on Independence Day.
2. He showed great courage in the dangerous situation.
In simple words: This task requires using the given words correctly within a sentence that makes logical sense.

🎯 Exam Tip: Choose a word and construct a sentence that clearly demonstrates your understanding of its meaning.

Personal Response:

Question 1.
What do you think about your school?
Answer:
My school is the second home for me. I meet my friends and share my sorrows and joys with them. I can take proper guidance and advice from my teachers. It is the place which I love from the- bottom of my heart.
In simple words: This question asks for your personal feelings and thoughts about your school.

🎯 Exam Tip: For personal response questions, express your genuine opinions and experiences clearly and concisely.

Question 2.
How do you feel on the first day of your school?
Answer:
When I go to school after a long vacation I feel very happy and excited to meet my friends. There is always a curiosity about a new class teacher and newcomers in the class. New dress, new bag I and books add more excitement on the very first day of my school, so I like it very much.
In simple words: This question asks about your emotions and experiences on the first day back at school after a break.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe specific feelings (happy, excited, curious) and activities associated with the first day of school.

Explain the following statements:

Question (a)
She had neither good looks nor intelligence.
Answer:
According to her parents, she was neither beautiful nor literate. She was ugly. Being uneducated and ugly nobody will accept her as a life partner. It also means good looks and intelligence are important in our life but it is not at all right.
In simple words: This statement reflects the societal bias and parental perception that Bholi lacked both physical attractiveness and mental sharpness, which were considered crucial for a girl's future.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining, break down the statement and elaborate on its underlying assumptions or implications, often drawing from context.

Question (b)
Let the teachers at school worry about her.
Answer:
Bholi's parents were careless about her. They ignored her education. When the Tehsildar sahib told her father to send his daughter to school, he reluctantly was ready. The mother knew that there was little chance of getting her married because of her ugly face and lack of sense. There will be no need to worry about her, if she gets some education. So her mother said, "Let the teachers at school worry about her."
In simple words: This statement shows Bholi's parents' indifference towards her, essentially shifting the responsibility of her well-being and future to the school teachers.

🎯 Exam Tip: Provide context for the statement, explaining who said it, why it was said, and what it implies about the speaker's attitude or the situation.

Question 4.
Is it good to make a fun of the child who can't speak well?
Answer:
No, it's not good to make a fun of the child who can't speak well because it is his disability and it is not good to laugh at somebody's disability. We should encourage him/her to speak so that he/she would speak clearly. It will boost his/her confidence whereas teasing him/her will down his/her moral.
In simple words: It is wrong to mock a child with a speech impediment; instead, they should be supported and encouraged to build their confidence.

🎯 Exam Tip: For ethical or social questions, state your stance clearly and provide reasons based on empathy and positive social values.

Question 5.
"If girls go to school, who will marry them?"-Why, do you think, that Bholi's mother thought so?
Answer:
It is sad that some communities still discriminate against the education of the girl child. The condition in the past was worse. If a girl child was sent to school nobody would be ready to get married to her. Education was not at all important for any girl in those days. It was her duty to look after 'Home and Hearth' so taking education was considered to be useless then. Bholi's mother was also from the same era. So she thought that nobody would marry their daughters, if they were sent to school.
In simple words: Bholi's mother believed this because, in her time, education for girls was seen as a barrier to marriage, as society expected girls to focus solely on domestic roles.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect the character's thoughts to the prevailing societal norms and historical context presented in the story.

Question 6.
Why does positive encouragement work better than criticism?
Answer:
Positive encouragement helps us to focus on our self-centred outlook. Positivity also reduces - our anxiety whereas criticism leads us towards fear, anger and stress. A word of encouragement can go a long way in our daily lives as it is the most effective motivator. It recognizes and fosters continual growth and effort. It builds determination and confidence so it is always better than criticism.
In simple words: Positive encouragement motivates, builds confidence, and reduces anxiety, leading to better growth and effort compared to criticism which often instills fear and stress.

🎯 Exam Tip: Compare and contrast the effects of both, highlighting the beneficial outcomes of encouragement on psychological well-being and performance.

Question 7.
Her heart was throbbing with the thought of new hope and new life-Explain.
Answer:
After going to school, Bholi realised that she was happy there. She had a new hope for her life as the life of school was better than her family life. She was quite happy in school because the teacher and her classmates were really co-operative and she was happy with them. So she had a new hope in her new school life.
In simple words: Bholi's heart throbbed because the school offered her a supportive environment, kind teachers, and friendly classmates, giving her a sense of happiness and a fresh outlook on life away from her difficult home.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe the internal emotional state and connect it to the external factors (school, teacher, classmates) that caused this change in Bholi.

Question 8.
What is your opinion about Bholi's bridegroom? Should she get married to him?
Answer:
I think Bholi's bridegroom was aged with grown-up children from his first wife. She should not get married to a person who is almost the age of her father. There was a vast difference in their age so it did not seem to be a good couple/match.
In simple words: Bholi's bridegroom was an older, married man with grown children, and due to a significant age difference, marrying him would not have been a suitable or happy match for Bholi.

🎯 Exam Tip: Express a clear opinion and support it with specific reasons from the story, focusing on the character's well-being.

Question 9.
What did you learn from Bholi's action of not getting married to Bishamber?
Answer:
Bholi has done the right thing. She wouldn't be happy with the person who was of her father's age. He was greedy and heartless. Her married life would have been ruined. So the decision taken by her not to get married to Bishamber was right.
In simple words: Bholi's refusal to marry Bishamber teaches us the importance of self-respect and making choices that ensure one's happiness and dignity, rather than succumbing to societal pressure or an unsuitable match.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight the moral or life lesson learned from the character's actions and its relevance.

Question 10.
"The teacher is an artist." Do you agree with the statement. Justify your answer.
Answer:
Yes, I fully agree with the statement. The teacher is an artist who fills colours in lives of many students. Whenever he/she sees his/her student successful in his/her life, he/she feels satisfied from the bottom of his/her heart. His/her joy is greater - than anything else in the world. Seeing his/her student at the top, makes him/her feel proud and contented. It is like an artist contemplating after completing his/her masterpiece. He is the sculptor of i the students' future and shapes and colours their lives.
In simple words: Yes, a teacher is like an artist who passionately shapes and enriches students' lives, guiding them to success and finding immense satisfaction in their achievements, much like an artist creating a masterpiece.

🎯 Exam Tip: Affirm your agreement strongly and provide metaphorical comparisons and detailed reasons that explain the profound impact of a teacher.