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HOW I TAUGHT MY GRANDMOTHER TO READ
Short Answer Type Questions (30-40 Words) (2 Marks each)
Question 1:
What were the gifts exchanged between the granddaughter and grandmother?
Answer:
Value Points:
Grandmother gifted her a frock material-granddaughter gifted her the Kashi Yatre –
novel.
(CBSE Marking & Scheme 2015)
Detailed Answer:
The Grandmother gifted her granddaughter a frock material and touched ha- feet as
a sign of respect. The narrator gave her the novel-Kashi Yatre as a gift.
Question 2:
How did the granddaughter react to her grandmother’s request to teach her to read?
(Board Term 1, 2015 6SOOKQ5,2014 FROK4WI)
Answer:
Value Points:
At first made fun of her – age bar – seeing her grandmother’s determination to
overcome all obstacles – started teaching her in earnest’ (CBSE
Marking scheme 2014),
Detailed Answer:
When the grandmother requested the granddaughter to teach her to read at first, she
made fun of her. She wouldn’t understand why at the age of sixty-two her
grandmother had resolved to read and write. Then seeing her determination to
overcome all obstacles she (granddaughter) started teaching her in earnest.
Question 3:
Why did the grandmother depend on her granddaughter to know the story of ‘Kashi
Yatre’?
(Board Term 1,2014 ZEZDXJX)
Or
Why did the grandmother feel so helpless when her granddaughter went to attend a
marriage?
(Board Term 1,2012 Set 40)
Why was the grandmother upset when her granddaughter went to attend the
wedding?
(Board Term 1,2010 Set C1)
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Answer:
As the grandmother was illiterate, she was unable to read the next episode of ‘Kashi
Yatre’. She felt embarrassed at asking the villagers to read it for her.So she felt
miserable and dependent without her granddaughter.
Question 4:
Who was Triveni? What made her popular? (Board Term 1,2014 NCT-JR)
Or
What made Triveni a popular writer? (Textual) (Board Term 1-2012, Set 54)
Or
“Even after 40 years, people continue to appreciate Triveni’s novels.” In the light of
this remark what makes Triveni a popular
writer? (Board Term I, 2010, Set Cl)
Answer:
Triveni wrote in the Kannada language. Her writing style was easy and had the
power to convince the readers. Her stories were inspired from real life and were
interesting. The readers can relate themselves with the characters in the stories as
her stories were related to the lives of the ordinary people.
Question 5:
What were the circumstances which made the grandmother realize the importance of
education? Why had the grandmother not gone to
school? (Board Term 1,2013, XITIMG7)
Or
What incident made the grandmother realize the importance of education?
(Board Term 1,2012, Set 49,53)
Answer:
Like other villagers, the grandmother was also fond of the weekly magazine,
‘Karmaveera’. As she was not educated, she was dependent cm her granddaughter
to read that magazine for her. In her granddaughter’s absence, she could not read
the next episode of ‘Kashi Yatre’. She felt embarrassed at asking the villagers to
read it for her. This incident made her realize (he importance of education. The
grandmother had never gone to school because she was born in an era when
education of the women folk was not given much importance.
Question 6:
How had the narrator planned to surprise her grandmother? How was she herself
surprised?
(Board Term 1,2012, Set 35)
Answer:
The narrator had planned to surprise her grandmother by gifting her a copy of the
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novel, ‘Kashi Yatre’. The narrator was herself surprised when her grandmother
touched her feet to show a mark of respect to the Guru.
Question 7:
What message does the story ‘How I Taught My Grandmother to Read’ convey?
(Board Term 1,2012, Set 39)
Answer:
The story ‘How 1 Taught My Grandmother to Read’ conveys that there is no age bar
for learning. One can learn at any age, provided she/he has a strong will power and
determination.
Question 8:
Why did Krishtakka want her children to study well ? (Board Term 1,2012, Set 58)
Answer:
Krishtakka was not only the narrator’s grandmother but also her student. She had a
great zeal to learn to read Kannada and to become independent. She wanted to
overcome her inability to read. She had been born in an era when education for
women was not given much importance. Later, she understood the importance of
education in life and thus, wanted her children to study well.
Question 9:
The novel ‘Kashi Yatre’ had a great impact on the narrator. Explain.
(Board Term 1,2012, Set 60)
Or
Which aspect of the serial ‘Kashi Yatre’ appealed to the grandmother?
(Board Term 1,2010, Set B2)
Answer:
Grandmother had a keen interest in the novel ‘Kashi Yatre’. She identified herself
with the protagonist whose ardent desire to visit Kashi and sacrifice for others had a
great impact on the narrator.
Question 10: Why was the grandmother so keen on doing the homework?
(Board Term 1,2012, Set 62)
Answer:
The grandmother was keen on doing the homework because she wanted to become
literate. She found her illiteracy to be a one, handicap for her. She wanted to be
independent and self-reliant.
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Question 11:
“Awa or the narrator’s grandmother was a wonderful student”. Justify with the help of
the story.
(Board Term 1,2012, Set 63)
Or
How was Awa a wonderful student? (Board Term 1,2010, Set C2)
Answer:
At the age of sixty-two, Awa resolved to learn the Kannada alphabets which was
highly appreciable. She did a great amount of homework. She would untiringly read,
repeat, write and recite which was amazing.
Question 12:
“Krishtakka was illiterate but a very intelligent learner”. Explain.
(Board Term 1,2012, Set 68)
Answer:
Though illiterate, grandmother was a very intelligent lady. She could reproduce the
entire story after reading it.She made-up her mind to learn to read and write at the
age of sixty two and she did it very successfully.
Question 13:
The grandmother in the story ‘How I Taught My Grandmother to Read’ was a very
determined woman, yet at the same time very emotional. Justify.
(Board Term 1,2012, Set 72)
Answer:
The grandmother was determined to learn how to read.She worked hard with strong
determination in order to achieve her target before the deadline she had set for
herself. After she had accomplished her desire, she ex-pressed her gratitude to her
granddaughter She touched the little girl’s feet because she felt it was her duty to
pay respect to her teacher irrespective of the gender and age.The grandmother
seemed to be very emotional when she told the story of her life to her,
granddaughter.
Question 14:
The grandmother touched the feet of her granddaughter. How did she justify this
gesture of hers?
(Value Based Question) (Board Term 1,2010, Set 64)
Answer:
It is a part of our culture that we touch the feet of God, elders and teachers as a
mark of respect. But the grandmother touched the feet of her granddaughter. She
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justified the gesture by saying that she had not touched the feet of her little
granddaughter but that she had given respect to the teacher who had taught her so
well that she became literate.
Question 15:
In the lesson ‘How I Taught My Grandmother to Read’ more than anybody else
grandmother was interested in knowing about the latest episode of ‘Kashi Yatre’.Why
was she so much interested in it?
(Board Term 12010, Set C2)
Answer:
She was interested as it was the story of an old lady and her ardent desire to go to
Kashi and worship Lord Vishweshwara which is considered to be the ultimate puny
a. The story is of her straggle to go there. The grandmother identified herself with the
protagonist as she too had not been to Kashi.
Question 16:
How did Triveni, the writer capture the imagination of the
readers? (Board Term 12010, Set A1)
Answer:
Triveni, the popular writer, dealt with complex psychological problems in the lives of
the ordinary people. The readers could associate themselves with the characters in
her story and hence, followed them.
Question 17:
What major Hindu belief did Triveni revolve her story
around? (Board Term 12010, Set A2)
Answer:
Most Hindus believe that going to Kashi and worshipping Lord Vishweshwara is the
ultimate punya. Her story revolved around this desire, which is in the heart of every
Hindu.
Question 18:
What circumstances forced Sudha Murthy to become a teacher at the young age of
twelve?
(Board Term 12010, Set B1)
Answer:
The grandmother’s realization of her shortcoming, ha- firm resolution to empower
herself and her faith in Sudha’s ability to teach her made Sudha a teacher at a young
age.
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Question 19:
How did Triveni’s death leave a void in Kannada literature?
(Board Term 12010, Set C1)
Answer:
Triveni was a popular writer who wrote in an easy style and convincing manner She
touched the lives of ordinary people by dealing with issues close to their lives. Thus,
her early demise left a void in Kannada literature.
Question 20:
Which aspect of the serial ‘Kashi Yatre’ appealed to the grandmother?
(Board Term 12010, Set B2)
Answer:
The aspect of the serial ‘Kashi Yatre’ which appealed to the grandmother was the
protagonist’s desire to go to Kashi and sacrifice her happiness for others.
Question 21:
Do you think that the grandmother was really impressed or influenced by the
Kannada writer Triveni? Why or why not? (Board Term 12010, Set A1)
Answer:
Yes, she associated herself with the main character of’ Kashi Yatre’.
Question 22:
What is the theme of the novel ‘Kashi Yatre’? (Value Based Question) (Board
Term 12010, Set A2)
Answer:
The novel describes the travails of an old lady and her deep yearning to undertake
the much- cherished and arduous journey to Kashi.She ultimately sacrifices even her
deepest desire in order to help an orphan girl. Thus, it is a story of yearning, struggle
and sacrifice.
Question 23:
What was the name of the magazine in which ‘Kashi Yatre’ appeared? How often did
the villagers receive it?
(Board Term 12010, Set C1)
Answer:
The name of the magazine was ‘Karmaveera’. The villagers received it once a week
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. Question 24:
Could the grandmother succeed in accomplishing her desire to read?
How? (Textual)
Answer:
Grandmother had a keen desire to read. To achieve success in her desire, she
worked very hard. She read, repeated, wrote and recited, i.e., she did everything that
the lesson demanded. Her capacity to do the homework was ‘amazing’. She showed
that there is no age-bar for learning.
Long Answer Type Questions (80-100 Words) (4 Marks each)
Question 1:
“All times, I used to regret not going to school, so I made sure that my children mid
grandchildren study well.”With reference to Krishtakka’s saying, do you agree that
one understands the importance of something that one does not have in one’s life?
What does it reflect about he character and values of the speaker?
(Board Term 1 2014, FROK4WD (Value Based Question)
Answer:
Value points:
One understands the importance of something only when it is not present in one’s
life.
Due to society’s restrictions, Krishtakka could not study at the right age.
Always missed studying learning.
Realized the importance of education, especially when she found herself to be
completely dependent on her granddaughter.
Granddaughter, despite being a girl, was made literate by her grandmother –
Keeping in mind the void she had felt in her life all along.
Grandmother – quite radical, liberal, modern in making her children and
grandchildren literate when she herself had been the victim of society’s
restrictions.
Grandmother – determined – in making her granddaughter literate by going
against the society norms.
Detailed Answer :
One understands the importance of something only ,when it is not present in one’s life.Due to
society’s restrictions, Krishtakka could not study at the right age. But she always missed
studying and learning. She realized the importance of education, especially when she found
herself to be completely dependent on her granddaughter. She felt helpless when she couldn’t
read ‘Karmaveera’. She made her granddaughter literate despite her being a girl. She did so
keeping in mind the void she had felt in her life all along. We can call the grandmother quite
radical, liberal and modern in making her children and grandchildren literate when she herself
had been the victim of society’s restrictions.
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Question 2:
Q”I will keep Saraswati Pooja day during Dussehra as the deadline,” says the grandmother.
What does this statement reflect about the speaker? What is the importance of being
determined and punctual in our day-to-day life?
(Board Term 12014 MZPD310)
Answer:
Grandmother was an old lady of sixty-two. She decided that she would learn to read so that
she would become independent. She had set a deadline for herself and was determined to
achieve it. Her willpower helped her to succeed in learning how to read. She believed that for
learning, age is never an obstacle and she proved it right. Both determination and punctuality
can take us a long way towards our destination. They provide us with the motivation to fight
difficulties and overcome hurdles.
Question 3:
“The narrator felt happy that her student, her grandmother had passed with flying colours”.
Comment.
(Board Term 12013, EWAJ2JM),
Answer:
Value Points:
Grandmother was able to read the Kannada alphabets by the date.She could read the first
page of tire book gifted to her by granddaughter (CBSE
Marking Scheme 2013) 4
Detailed Answer:
Krishtakka proved to be a wonderful student.She read, repeated, wrote and recited all her
lessons with great enthusiasm and concentration. Despite her age, the amount of work the
grandmother did was amazing. On the day of the Dussehra festival, when she gifted her
teacher (the narrator) with a frock material, the narrator also gave the grandmother a copy of
‘Kashi Yatre’ which by that time had been published in the form of a novel. When the
grandmother read the novel, ‘Kashi Yatre’ and the author’s name, Triveni as well as the
publisher’s name; the narrator’s joy knew no bounds and she knew that her student had
passed with flying colours.
Question 4:
Education is important for all—young and old alike. Discuss, with reference to ‘How I
Taught My Grandmother to Read’. (Board Term 12013, XITIMGT) (Value Based
Question)
Answer:
I do agree that, ‘Education is important for all—young and old alike’. Many instances can be
cited in support of this statement. Although the grandmother was unlettered and unschooled,
she realized the importance of reading and took a keen interest in literature. Secondly, she
was fully aware of the drawback of being an illiterate.
So she made it a point to ensure that her children and grandchildren studied well. She herself
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resolved to learn to read and write at the age of sixty-two so that she could be independent. It
was all because she knew well that an educated person does not have to depend on others.
Education helps one to gain confidence and opens the door for new opportunities. •
Question 5:
The old lady in ‘Kashi Yatre’, Sudha Murthy’s’ grandmother and Sudha herself share some
common values of characters. What values are they? How are they important for our
contemporary society?
(Board Term 12013, AGRO-91)
Answer:
The principal character of ‘Kashi Yatre’ had an ardent desire to go to Kashi. The
grandmother had a similar wish.
She identified herself with the protagonist of the novel and followed her story with great
interest. Both have a compassionate nature and the spiritual learning; Both are the epitome of
love, determination, will power and dedication.The narrator, Sudha herself is a twelve year
old girl and has developed a bond with her grandmother. She too-is sincere and hard working.
As a loving teacher, she gifts her student ‘Kashi Yatre’.She too is caring and respects the
feelings of her grandmother. Thus, all the three characters leave a permanent impression of
dedication, sacrifice and love on the reader’s mind,
Question 6:
Imagine you are Krishtakka and you have achieved the goal that you had set before yourself.
Write a letter to one of your nephews telling him about your achievement in about 150 words.
(Board Term 1,2012, Set 40)
Answer:
Murthy Villa
Karnataka –
26thNovember,20xx
Dear Ramanatham,
How are you? I am fine here.I wanted to share my experience of learning how to read at this
age. It is a dream come true for me. I am unable to express my joy tor being able thread and
write. Now I am not dependent on anyone.
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Do write soon
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Yours affectionately,
Krishtakka
Question 7:
What made the narrator’s grandmother identify herself with the old lady of the novel ‘Kashi
Yatre’?
(Board Term 12012, Set 28)
Answer:
The principal character of ‘Kashi Yatre’ had an ardent desire to go to Kashi and worship Lord
Vishweshwara.The grandmother had a similar wish as it was a popular belief that
worshipping Lord Vishweshwara in Kashi was the ultimate punya.
In the story, there was an orphan girl, who wanted to marry but had no money. The old lady
gave all the money she had saved for her Kashi visit to the girl. This act of sacrificing pleased
the grandmother the most. She identified herself with the protagonist of the novel and
followed her story with great interest. Her compassionate nature and the spiritual learning
endeared her to the grandmother.
Question 8:
Suppose you are Sudha Murthy. Write a letter to your friend telling her how and why you
taught your grandmother to read? (150 words) (Board Term 12012, Set 38; 2010, Set C1)
Answer:
Murthy Villa,
Karnataka.
26th April 20xx
Dear Asha
You will be glad to know that I’ve taught my grandmother to read.I wanted to share my
experience of helping my grandmother become literate with you.
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Reply soon to my letter.
Your friend,
Sudha
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Question 9:
Suppose you are the grandmother. How did you feel when your granddaughter gave you the
novel ‘Kashi Yatre’ to read? Write about your feelings in your diary in about 150
words. (Board Term 12012, Set 43,42)
Answer:
10, Saturday, December 20xx
Dear Diary,
l am feeling more confident and free today. I have become independent. I no longer feel
embarrassed due to my dependence on others for reading.I can read well as I realized my
shortcomings and worked hard to overcome them.
Sudha is a wonderful teacher. She has been my guiding light. She helped me in transforming
my personality.I , accomplished my task in time – Sudha has gifted me the novel ‘Kashi
Yatre’ as a mark of respect and appreciation. I was both thrilled and delighted to receive the
novel in front of everyone. She has raised my self-esteem. My heart’s desire to be able to
read has been fulfilled and I shall ever be indebted to Sudha for it. I am full of gratitude and
blessings for her. This is a gift. I shall always cherish.
Good Night Diary.
Question 10:
Compare and contrast the character of the grandmother with Juliette. (Board Term
12010, Set C2)
Answer:
Grandmother
The grandmother in the story ‘How I Taught My Grandmother to Read’ is a sixty – two year
old lady.She enjoyed listening to ‘Kashi Yatre’ as she related herself with the protagonist.
She is very loving and affectionate towards her grandchildren. She decides to learn how to
read and write and sets Saraswati Puja day as the deadline. She is very humble. This can be
seen from the fact that she touches her granddaughter’s feet to show her respect, as her
granddaughter has taught her how to read. She is very enthusiastic about reading, diligent and
works very hard.
Juliette
She is a fickle-minded young woman.’ She changes her mind too often. When she decides to
sell the Villa, she wants more money for it than it is worth. This shows that she is very
greedy. When she sees the potential buyers Jeanne and Gaston; her cleverness comes to the
fore. She flatters the lady hoping to impress them. She is keen on maintaining appearances.
She needs money but refuses to work to earn it.
Question 11:
You are Krishtakka. Write a letter to Triveni, the popular writer telling her why you like
‘Kashi Yatre’ and how it motivated you to read. (Board Term 12010, Set B1)
Answer:
Murthy Villa,
Karnataka
26th May, 20xx
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Dear Triveni,
I wish to thank you for the way, unknowingly, you have brought about a change in my life.I
am an avid reader of your novel ‘Kashi Yatre’.
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Thanking you once again.
Yours sincerely,
Krishtakka
Question 12:
The writer’s grandmother is convinced that age is no bar when it comes to learning. She
wants to convey the same message to her friends. Write a speech in about 150 words to be
delivered by the grandmother conveying this most important message to her friends in the
temple courtyard. (Value Based Question)
Answer:
Dear friends, good evening. I want to stress upon you that age is no bar when it comes to
learning. I was born at a time when it was not necessary to educate the girls. I got married
when I was quite young and had children at a very young
age………………………………………………………………………………………………
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1 achieved the target I had set for myself. There is nothing impossible, you just need strong
willpower and determination to make it possible.
Thank you.
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Question 13:
Give a character-sketch of the grandmother.
Answer:
The Grandmother was an old lady of sixty-two. She was uneducated as she had never been to
school. She regretted her illiteracy when her granddaughter went to attend a wedding
ceremony. At that moment, she felt helpless and dependent as she could not read
‘Karmaveera’ on her own. She didn’t know how to read. This incident brought a change in
her life. She decided that she would learn to read so that she would become independent. Her
will power arid firm determination helped her and she succeeded in learning to read. She
believed that ‘for learning, age is never an obstacle’ and she proved it right. She was a
traditional lady who believed in touching the feet of God, elders and teachers; that’s why, on
Dussehra festival, she touched the feet of her granddaughter as a mark of respect towards her
teacher.To sum up, she was an affectionate lady with great will-power and firm-
determination.
