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1. The granddaughter proves to be a catalyst in the grandmother’s pursuit of knowledge. Discuss.
Ans. A lot of credit in helping the grandmother in her pursuit of knowledge goes to the granddaughter. She only used to read out the episodes of the story of ‘Kashi Yatre’ every week to her grandmother. She took up the challenge of teaching the Kannada alphabet to her grandmother. The grandmother had kept Dassera festival as a deadline to learn reading. She worked with full devotion – reading, repeating, writing and reciting and the granddaughter gave full support to her. Finally, the grandmother was able to read ‘Kashi Yatre’ by herself.

2. Why does the grandmother identify with the
protagonist of the ‘Kashi Yatre’? What does this tell you about her character?
Ans. ‘Kashi Yatre’ was a story of the struggle of an old lady who had a strong desire to go to Kashi or Varanasi but could not do so because she spent the money she had saved for the purpose, in helping a poor orphan get married.
There is a belief among most of the Hindus that going to Kashi and worshipping Lord Vishweshwara is the ultimate ‘punya’. The grandmother had never been to Kashi. Like all other Hindus, she also had a desire to visit Kashi, but was anyway happy cooking and feeding her grandchildren.
That is why she identifies herself, with the protagonist of ‘Kashi Yatre’. This shows that she is a religious lady, who is very loving and affectionate.
3. The grandmother believes in scriptures and
Hindu mythology, yet she touches the feet of her granddaughter. Why?
Ans. According to the Hindu scriptures, touching the feet of elders is considered as a sign of respect. Normally, elders never touch the feet of youngsters. But the grandmother touched the feet of her granddaughter as a mark of respect because she had been her teacher. The grandmother believed that the granddaughter deserved the respect as she had taught her so well and with so much affection that she had made her confident and independent enough to read any novel all by herself.
4. Give a character-sketch of the grandmother as depicted in the lesson, ‘‘How I Taught My
Grandmother To Read.’’
Ans. Grandmother is the central character, the fulcrum around which the entire lesson revolves. She is sixty-two years old, grey-haired, wrinkled and all her life is devoted to the kitchen-chores and well-being of her family. Her lifestyle is mundane, ordinary and routine. Triveni, the famous Kannada writer, acts as the only rainbow to her humdrum life. The novel ‘Kashi Yatre’ stirs in her, yearnings for a visit to Kashi, the ultimate Pooja for Hindus. The sufferings of the protagonist find a ready echo in the grandmother’s heart and she identifies with the suffering of the main character.
The grandmother is not only religious, but also believes in worshipping Lord Vishweshwara and
performing rituals. She is a lady of great commitment, courage and indomitable spirit, which is evident in her desire to master Kannada alphabet, even at the age of sixty-two. Determined, fiercely independent, she hates being helpless and desperate. That is why she never asks anyone else to read out the story in the entire village. She diagnoses the weakness that comes in her way and decides to learn the Kannada alphabet immediately. Her desperation over her inability to know the next episode of Kashi Yatre, her rubbing of hand over the pictures and words, is very evocative, it expresses her intense desire for learning. Triveni awakens her dormant desire for literature and education. The grandmother not only proves to be an ideal and diligent student but also preaches by precept that ‘‘One is never too old to learn and a teacher is the most revered one, irrespective of age.’’

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’. [CBSE 2010 (TERM 1)]

Dear Diary 25th August 2011
I am on Cloud Nine today because I am able to read the episode of ‘Kashi Yatre’ on my own. I remember the day when my granddaughter presented me the magazine in which the novel ‘Kashi Yatre’ was published in a serial.
Since I was uneducated, she used to read every episode to me. Just like the main protagonist of the novel I also had a strong desire to visit Kashi but could not do so for one reason or the other. I identified myself with the protagonist and became so interested in the novel that I eagerly waited for the magazine so that my granddaughter could read the next episode to me. Once she was away at a wedding, I felt helpess as I couldn’t read the story. There and then I decided to learn Kannada alphabets and it was my granddaughter who did the needful. And see the result Oh!
I am feeling so light, so independent! I am thankful to my granddaughter. Had she not presented me the magazine, this day would never have come to my life.
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.
[CBSE 2010 (Term 1)]
Dear Krishna
How are you? I am writing this letter to give you a thrilling news — I have learned to read Kannada alphabets as you know that we could not go to school because at that time education for girls was not considered essential. Till Sudha presented me the magazine in which ‘Kashi Yatre’ was published even I never felt its important. But afterwards I got so interested in the novel that I used to wait for the next episode so that Sudha was able to read that to me. But once in her absence, I could not read it. It left a void in my life. This fanned my desire to learn. There and then I decided to read and see the result! I am independent now at the age of 62. I suggest you also should try your hand at learning Kannada alphabets. I feel so great to be able to read and write that I have decided to spend some time in teaching the ladies of my neighbourhood. Rest in next letter.
Your friend
7. You are Sudha Murthy. Write a letter to your friend telling her how and why you taught your grandmother to read. [CBSE 2010 (Term 1)]
Dear Mamta
Hope you are fine. I am writing this letter to you not to tell you about our common friends but about my student. Guess who? She is none other than my grandmother. It so happened that once I came back after attending a wedding she came to me and started crying. I was dumbstruck because I have always known her to be a tough lady who never cried even in most difficult situation.
You know she cried at her helplessness of not being able to read. This desperation led her to decide upon learning the alphabet even at the age of sixty two. I took up the challenge of teaching Kananada alphabet to my grandmother. She kept Dassera festival as a deadline. She worked with full devotion—reading, repeating writing and reciting and I gave her full support. After she was able to read ‘Kashi Yatre’ by hereself she came and touched my feet. When I protested, she said: ‘‘One is never too old to learn and a teacher is the most revered one, irrespective of age’’. Rest in next letter.
Sudha

Content’s

• Summary of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Hindi Summary of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Word Meanings of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Textbook Question of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Multiple Choice Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Non-Multiple Choice Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Short Answer Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.

Short Answer Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.

1. Why could the grandmother not be educated? Give reasons.
Ans.When the grandmother was young, education for
girls was not considered as essential, so she was never sent to the school. Moreover, she got married at a very young age and had a busy life. Later, when she had the grandchildren, she just felt happy cooking and feeding them.
So, her education was never thought of by anyone.
2. For what did the grandmother set Dassara festival as a deadline?
Ans.In the absence of her granddaughter, the
grandmother had felt too dependent and helpless as she could not read the next episode of‘Kashi Yatra’. Due to this miserable feeling, she decided to learn the Kannada alphabet for which she kept Dassara as the deadline by then she should be able to read‘Kashi Yatra’ on her own.
3. Explain the statement, “I knew then that my student had passed with flying colors” in the context of the lesson.
Ans.When the granddaughter gave the novel to her
grandmother, she opened it and read immediately the title ‘Kash Yatra’ by Triveni and the publisher’s name. The author knew then that her student had passed with the flying colors, i.e., she had been successful at learning the Kannada alphabet.
4. The grandmother remained steadfast in her decision despite her granddaughter’s mockery? Why?
Ans. In spite of her granddaughter’s mockery, the grandmother remained steadfast in her decision to study because she believed that if one is determined for a good cause, one can overcome any obstacle irrespective of the age. She was determined to learn the alphabet, no matter how much hard work she would have to do it.

5. Describe the grandmother’s desperation when she was not able to read ‘Kashi Yatre’.
Ans. When the grandmother was not able to read ‘Kashi Yatre’, she felt a vacuum in her life. She was a tough lady and had never cried even in the most difficult situations, but she cried at the helplessness of not being able to read.
This desperation led her to decide upon learning the alphabet, even though she was sixty-two-years old.
6. But I know it was not possible. If only I was educated enough….. Describe the circumstances that made the grandmother realize the importance of education.
When grandmother was young, education for girls was not considered as essential, so she never went to school.
Once her granddaughter presented her ‘Kashi Yatre’ which had been published as a serial in a magazine. She identified herself with the protagonist. Her granddaughter used to read the story to her. Once her granddaughter was away. She was unable to read ‘Kashi Yatre’, she felt a vacuum in her life. Then she realized the importance of education.
7. What major Hindu belief did Triveni revolve her story around?
The story revolves around a belief, prevailing among most of the Hindus, that going to Kashi and worshipping Lord Vishweshawara is the ultimate ‘Nirvana’. ‘Kashi Yatre’ is a story of an old lady’s struggle who had a strong desire to go to Kashi but could not do so because she spent the money she had saved for the purpose of helping a poor girl getting married

Content’s

• Summary of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Hindi Summary of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Word Meanings of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Textbook Question of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Multiple Choice Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Non-Multiple Choice Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Long Answer Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.

Non-Multiple Choice Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.

Content’s

• Summary of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Hindi Summary of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Word Meanings of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Textbook Question of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Multiple Choice Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Non-Multiple Choice Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Short Answer Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Long Answer Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.

Multiple Choice Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.

Content’s

• Summary of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Hindi Summary of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Word Meanings of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Textbook Question of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Multiple Choice Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Non-Multiple Choice Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Short Answer Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Long Answer Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.

Word-Meaning

Convincing – leaving no margin for doubt

Complex – not easy to understand

Ardent – having strong and passionate feelings

Episode – an event or a group of events happening as a part of a sequence

Protagonist – the main character in the story 

Savouring – enjoying a feeling or experience thoroughly

Regret – to feel disappointed about

Accompanies – to be with

Embarrassed – To feel awkward or ashamed

Independent – not dependent on others

Deadline – time or date by which a particular task is to be completed

Overcome – to succeed in dealing with problems

Obstacle – thing that makes something difficult to do

Reverse –opposite

Scriptures – the sacred writings

Content’s

• Summary of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Hindi Summary of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Word Meanings of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Textbook Question of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Multiple Choice Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Non-Multiple Choice Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Short Answer Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Long Answer Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.

Content’s

• Summary of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Hindi Summary of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Word Meanings of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Textbook Question of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Multiple Choice Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Non-Multiple Choice Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Short Answer Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Long Answer Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.

Summary

The writer was twelve years old and she used to stay with her grandparents in North Karnataka. Since there were very few diversions, the entire family would eagerly wait for a weekly magazine called Karamveera. This magazine was publishing famous writer Triveni’s novel, ‘Kashi Yatre’ as a serial. The novel dealt with the protagonist’s struggle to visit Kashi. Since grandmother believed in Kashi-Yatra as a pilgrimage, she could identify with the trials and tribulations of the main characters. Every Wednesday, the writer would read the next episode of the story to her. The grandmother would not only listen with great attention but also memorize it by heart. Later she would discuss it with friends in the temple courtyard.
One day the writer had to go to the neighboring village for a cousin’s wedding and stayed back there for a week. When she returned, she was surprised to see her grandmother in tears. At night, the grandmother narrated how her past life, feeding and bringing up children, kept her busy, sparing no time for education of any kind.
Moreover, education for girls was not considered as important in those days. Without the granddaughter, she had a tough time trying to decipher and guess the next episode of ‘Kashi Yatre’. She had felt very desperate and helpless, mutely gazing at the pictures, unable to read a single word.
This incident fanned the grandmother’s desire to learn the Kannada alphabet and she vowed to learn it by Dassera. The granddaughter’s pleas, her mockery of the grandmother’s age, all fell on deaf ears. No wonder, the grandmother proved to be an ideal student. In no time, she could read, repeat and write Kannada. The writer presented her with a copy of the novel ‘Kashi Yatre’ as a token of appreciation and grandmother touched the feet of her granddaughter, her teacher, as a befitting tribute.

Content’s

• Summary of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Hindi Summary of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Word Meanings of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Textbook Question of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Multiple Choice Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Non-Multiple Choice Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Short Answer Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.
• Long Answer Questions of How I Taught My Grandmother To Read.