HOW I TAUGHT MY GRANDFATHER TO READ (QUESTIONS)
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT [Textbook Questions]
1. Now that you have enjoyed reading the story, answer the following questions by choosing the correct
option.
(a) The grandmother could relate to the central character of the story ‘Kashi Yatre’ as ________ .
(i) both were old and uneducated.
(ii) both had granddaughters who read to them.
(iii) both had a strong desire to visit Kashi.
(iv) both were determined to learn to read.
(b) 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 the serial.
(iv) Women have a habit of discussing serials.
(c) The granddaughter found her grandmother in tears on her return as _________ .
(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.
(d) Why did the grandmother touch her granddaughter’s feet?
(i) As a mark of respect to 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.
2. Answer the following questions briefly.
(a) What made Triveni a popular writer?
(b) Why did the grandmother depend on her granddaughter to know the story?
(c) Pick out two sentences which state that the grandmother was desperate to know what happened in
the story.
(d) Could the grandmother succeed in accomplishing her desire to read? How?
(e) Which of the following traits would be relevant to the character of the narrator’s grandmother?
(i) determined (ii) selfish (iii) emotional (iv) mean
3. Here are some direct quotations from the story. Identify the speaker and write what each quotation
suggests about the speaker. You can use the adjectives given in the box and may also add your own.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow by choosing the option you consider the most
appropriate.
1. ‘Her stories usually dealt with complex psychological problems in the lives of ordinary people and were
always very interesting.’
(a) Who is ‘her’ referred to ?
(i) Krishtakka (ii) Triveni
(iii) Narrator (iv) None of the above
(b) What was the person referred to here, by profession?
(i) Writer (ii) Doctor
(iii) Social Worker (iv) Teacher
(c) How many years ago did the person referred to here die?
(i) Ten years (ii) Thirty years
(iii) Forty years (iv) Sixty years
2. “Many times, I rubbed my hands over the pages wishing they could understand what was written.”
(a) The ‘I’ in the above lines refers to :
(i) Sudha Murthy (ii) Triveni
(iii) Krishtakka (iv) Saraswati
(b) The ‘pages’ were of a :
(i) Kannada Newspaper (ii) Magazine
(iii) Novel ‘Kashi Yatre’ (iv) Weekly magazine ‘Karmaveera’
(c) “Rubbing my hands over the pages” suggests the speaker’s :
(i) disappointment (ii) desperation
(iii) deep yearning (iv) regret
3. “Later, she could repeat the entire text by heart.”
(a) ‘She’ is referred to :
(i) Sudha Murthy (ii) Sudha Murthy’s classmate
(iii) Sudha Murthy’s grandmother (iv) Sudha Murthy’s neighbour
(b) The ‘text’ is referred to :
(i) Holy scriptures (ii) Text-books
(iii) Homework (iv) The story of the episode
(c) The speaker intends to :
(i) highlight memory of the girl
(ii) highlight memory of the grandmother
(iii) say that girl was so fascinated with the episodes of the novel
(iv) tell that grandmother was very much fascinated with the episodes of the novel
4. “I knew my student had passed with flying colours.”
(a) 'my student' refers to :
(i) Duke (ii) Triveni
(iii) Avva (iv) Jeanne
(b) The student has passed in :
(i) Flying colours (ii) Class
(iii) Exam (iv) Life
(c) I knew that my student has passed when she :
(i) Could read on her own (ii) Could write on her own
(iii) Paid the fee (iv) Stopped the classes
5. “I have decided I want to learn the Kannada alphabet from tomorrow onwards. I will work very hard.”
(a) The speaker wants to learn Kannada alphabet______
(i) To be able to read a novel on her own
(ii) To be able to write a novel on her own
(iii) To be able to teach others.
(iv) As the speaker can read other languages fluently but not Kannada.
(b) The above statement reveals that the speaker is______
(i) Humorous (ii) Helpful
(iii) Determined (iv) Concerned
(c) At the time of speaking these lines she was______
(i) 61 years old (ii) 62 years old
(iii) 63 years old (iv) 64 years old
6. “I will work harder than anybody but I will do it.”
(a) The speaker has decided to learn :
(i) to walk (ii) to speak Hindi
(iii) to read (iv) to act
(b) The speaker is addressing :
(i) Maid (ii) Marcy Hooper
(iii) Sudha Murthy (iv) Jeanne
(c) From the line, speaker’s ____ is reflected :
(i) Determination (ii) Personality
(iii) Attitude (iv) Stubbornness
NON-MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow.
1. “I was surprised, for I had never seen her cry even in the most difficult situations.”
(a) Who is ‘Her’ referred to here ?
(b) Which quality of ‘her’ was revealed to the narrator at this moment ?
(c) What was the reason which made ‘her’ cry ?
2. ‘We would eat and play endlessly, savouring the freedom.”
(a) ‘We’ here refers to whom ?
(b) Which occasion is being talked about here ?
(c) What led to ‘savouring the freedom’ ?
3. “She bent down and touched my feet. I was surprised and taken aback.”
(a) Who bent down to touch narrator’s feet ?
(b) What was the ‘feeling within’ when ‘she’?
(c) What had the speaker done ?
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
1. Why could the grandmother not be educated? Give reasons.
2. For what did the grandmother set Dassara festival as a deadline?
3. Explain the statement, “I knew then that my student had passed with flying colours” in the context of the
lesson.
4. The grandmother remained steadfast in her decision despite her granddaughter’s mockery? Why?
4. Describe the grandmother’s desperation when she was not able to read 'Kashi Yatre'.
5. Describe the grandmother’s desperation when she was not able to read ‘Kashi Yatre.’
6. But I know it was not possible. If only I was educated enough..... Describe the circumstances that made
the grandmother realise the importance of education.
7. What major Hindu belief did Triveni revolve her story around ?
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
1. The granddaughter proves to be a catalyst in the grandmother’s pursuit of knowledge. Discuss.
2. Why does the grandmother identify with the protagonist of the ‘Kashi Yatre’? What does this tell you
about her character?
3. The grandmother believes in scriptures and Hindu mythology, yet she touches the feet of her
granddaughter. Why?
4. Give a character-sketch of the grandmother as depicted in the lesson, ‘‘How I Taught My Grandmother
To Read.’’
5. As grandmother in the story ‘How I Taught My Grandmother to Read’ write a diary entry on your
transformation.
OR
You are the grandmother. Write your feelings in your diary when your granddaughter gave you the novel
‘Kashi Yatre’.
6. Imagine you are the grandmother. In about 150 words, write a letter to share your thoughts, feelings,
ambitions and resolutions as a neo-literate.
7. You are Sudha Murthy. Write a letter to your friend telling her how and why you taught your
grandmother to read.
