How I Taught My Grandmother to Read - Interact in English: Literature Reader - Class 9 - CBSE English

Why did the women at the temple discuss the latest episode of ‘Kashi Yatre’? (i) to pass their time. (ii) the writer, Triveni was very popular (iii) They could relate with the protagonist of ‘Kashi Yatre’. (iv) women have a habit of discussing stories.

The granddaughter found her grandmother in tears (i) The grandmother had been unable to read the story ‘Kashi Yatre’ on her own. (ii) the grandmother had felt lonely. (iii) the grandmother wanted to accompany her granddaughter. (iv) she was sad she could not visit Kashi.

Why did the grandmother touch her granddaughter’s feet? (i) She did it as a mark of respect for her teacher. (ii) It was a custom in their family. (iii) Girls should be respected. (iv) She had read the story of ‘Kashi Yatre’ to her.

“Childishly I made fun o f the old lady. But she just smiled. “The smile of the grandmother explains that she understood that her granddaughter (i) Was determined to teach her. (ii) might be too immature to understand her pain. (iii) would ridicule her later. (iv) could be contemplating.

“Those days, the transport system was not very good, so we used to get the morning papers only in the afternoon.” What can you infer from this? (i) The transport system, especially the bus service, was running at loss. (ii) The transport system, especially the bus service, was not fully functional in rural areas. (iii) The transport system, had stopped in villages. (iv) The transport system failed to introduce the bus service in rural areas.

Many times, I rubbed my hands over the pages wishing to understand what was written. But I knew it was not possible. If only I was educated enough .... I waited eagerly for you to return. I felt you would come early and read for me. I could have asked somebody in this village but I was too embarrassed to do so. I felt so very dependent and helpless. We are well-off, but what use is money when I cannot be independent? i. What made the grandmother feel inadequate? a. She was unable to read the story. b. She was unable to stay attentive. c. She was unable to buy the magazine. d. She was unable to understand the story. ii. Select the relevant option that best supports the context of the given extract: 1. Grandmother was elated to get the magazine 2. Grandmother was embarrassed to ask for help 3. Grandmother eagerly waited for her granddaughter’s arrival 4. Grandmother loved gazing at the picture from the story a. only 1 and 2 b. only 2 and 3 c. only 3 and 4 d. only 1 and 4 iii. Select the option that tracks the progression of emotions experienced by the grandmother in the given extract. a. reassured – inquisitive – thankful – uncertain b. surprised – grateful – perplexed – excited c. yearning – uncertain – dejected – helpless d. perplexed – uncertain – panic – stricken – appreciative

She said, “I am touching the feet of a teacher, not my granddaughter; a teacher who taught me so well, with so much of affection that I can read any novel confidently in such a short period. Now I am independent. It is my duty to respect a teacher. Is it not written in our scriptures that a teacher should be respected, irrespective of the gender and age”? I did return namaskara to her by touching her feet and gave my gift to my first student. She opened it and read the title Kashi Yatre by Triveni and the publisher’s name immediately. I knew, then, that my student had passed with flying colours.

1. Choose the option that lists the most likely response to “.... I am touching the feet of a teacher”. a. feel shy b. get anxious c. feel overwhelmed d. get upset
2. “A teacher should be respected irrespective of gender and age.” Select the quote that suggests a reason for this sentiment. a. Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education. b. A teacher aims to give equal attention to all the students. c. A teacher elevates the mind and gives energy to the character. d. Teaching is a profession that teaches all other professions.
3. Select the sentence that best brings out the meaning of ‘confidently’ as used in the extract. a. Some of the information was confidently misleading. b. The report asserts confidently that the world economy will boost from the market collapse. c. The present memoir is confidently a tribute to his ability and character. d. The pandemic has confidently brought down the market.
4. Which of the given option stands closest in meaning to “flying colours”? a. risky b. courageous c. profitable d. successful

Where did the author stay? How did the poor transport system affect their life?

What made Triveni a popular writer?

Where was the story of Kashi Yatre appearing?

What was the story of Kashi Yatre?

Why did grandmother depend on her granddaughter to know the story?

How do we know that grandmother loved the story of Kashi Yatre?

What happened when the granddaughter had gone to attend a wedding?

How did granddaughter feel when her grandmother was relating her, the story of her life? Why?

Explain ‘What use is money I cannot be independent’.

What was grandmother’s deadline to be able to read?

Explain ‘For a good cause if you are determined, you can overcome any obstacle. I will work harder than anybody but I will do it. For learning there is no age bar.’

What kind of a student was grandmother?

What did grandmother do which was unusual and why?

Could the grandmother succeed in accomplishing her desire to read? How?

Which of the following traits would be relevant to the character of the narrator’s grandmother? (i) determined (ii) selfish (iii) emotional (iv)mean Give reasons for your choice.

You are the grandmother. How did you feel when your granddaughter gave you the novel ‘Kashi Yatre’? Write your feelings in your diary.