CBSE Class 10 English Madam Rides the Bus Assignment

Madam Rides the Bus

INTRODUCTION—
This is a sensitive story of an eight year old girl, Valli’s first bus journey into the world outside her village. At a very tender age, she tries to understand the mystery of life and death in her own terms.
SUMMARY—
‘Madam Rides the Bus’ is the story of a young girl who travels for the first time outside her village by a bus.Valliammai, Valli for short, was an eight year old girl who wanted to know a number of things. She had no one to play with. A bus ran between her village and the nearest town and Valli longed to travel by
that bus.
Listening to people who had travelled by the bus, she gathered little details about the trip. She decided to gather enough money to travel by it. When she had the required money, she went on the bus. The conductor was surprised to see a young girl, travelling by herself but jokingly called her ‘Madam’ and offered her the front seat. Valli observed everything very carefully e.g. the trees that seemed to be running towards them, a cow that suddenly moved in front of the bus and so on.
When they reached the town, Valli gaped at everything in amazement—the big shops and so on. The conductor asked her to get down and have a look at the sights, but Valli refused. She said that she had come only for the bus ride. The conductor offered to buy a cold drink for her but she refused. On the journey back, Valli saw a young cow dead by the roadside. The conductor told Valli that it was the same cow they had seen earlier. Valli felt sad. The memory of the cow haunted her. When they reached the village, the conductor told her to come again, but to remember to bring the fare. When Valli reached home, she found an aunty with her mother. Her mother asked her where she had been. Valli did not reply but only smiled secretively.

Extract Based Questions 

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow :

1. It was slack time of the day, and there were only six to seven passengers in the bus. They were all looking at Valli and laughing with the conductor. Valli was overcome with shyness. Avoiding everyone’s eyes she walked quickly to an empty seat and sat down ….. It was a new bus, its outside painted a gleaming white with some green stripes along the sides. Inside, the overhead bars shone like silver. 

Question. Who was going on a bus journey, just to fulfil her dream ?
(i) Valli
(ii) Valli’s mother
(iii) Valli’s aunt
(iv) The old woman
Answer.(i) Valli

Question. Which word in the passage means the same as ‘shining’.
(i) stack
(ii) gleaming
(iii) shone
(iv) overhead
Answer. (ii) gleaming

Question. Who was laughing at Valli’s remark of being grown up ?
(i) Bus driver
(ii) Bus conductor
(iii) All the passengers
(iv) The Policeman
Answer. (iii) All the passengers

Question. Write the adjectival form of ‘shyness’.
(i) shy
(ii) shyness
(iii) shyless
(iv) skyful
Answer. (i) shy

 

2. The bus rolled on, now cutting across a bare landscape, now rushing through a tiny hamlet or past a tiny wayside shop. Sometimes, the bus seemed on a point of gobbling up another vehicle that was coming towards them or a pedestrian crossing the road. But lo! Somehow it passed on smoothly, leaving all obstacles safely behind. Trees came running towards them but then stopped as the bus reached them and simply stood there helpless for a moment by the side of the road before rushing in other direction.

Question. Which poetic device is used in ‘trees come running towards them’ ?
(i) Metaphor
(ii) Simile
(iii) Personification
(iv) Hyperbole
Answer.(iii) Personification

Question. Which word in the passage means the same as ‘difficulties’ ?
(i) rushing
(ii) gobbling
(iii) pedestrian
(iv) obstacles
Answer. (iv) obstacles

Question. How was the bus moving ?
(i) at a slow speed
(ii) at a high speed
(iii) at a normal speed
(iv) at a very high speed
Answer.(ii) at a high speed

Question. The bus passed on ___________, leaving all obstacles safely behind.
(i) harshly
(ii) smoothly
(iii) gently
(iv) carelessly
Answer.(ii) smoothly

 

Read the given extracts to attempt the questions that follow:

1. There was a girl named Valliammai who was called Valli for short. She was eight years old and very curious about things. Her favourite pastime was standing in the front doorway of her house,watching what was happening in the street outside. There were no playmates of her own age on her street, and this was about all she had to do. But for Valli, standing at the front door was every bit as enjoyable as any of the elaborate games other children played. Watching the street gave her many new unusual experiences.

A. Multiple Choice Questions

Question. Valli spends all day looking at the hustle and bustle of the street. It tells us that:
(a) Valli avoids doing household work and homework.
(b) Valli is completely idle.
(c) Valli is eager to know about new and unknown things.
(d) Valli’s parents don’t bother about Valli’s needs.
Answer. C

Question. Choose the option that lists the statement that are NOT TRUE according to the given extract.
1. Valli has no friends to play with, so she spends her time on watching outside.
2. Valli yearns for travelling by bus.
3. Valli reluctantly stands in the front door as she has no friends.
4. Valli is a quarrelsome girl. That is why she has no friend.
5. Valli learns about many new things while standing in the front doorway watching things.
6. Valli is a matured girl. So whatever she is doing is absolutely right.
(a) 1, 2 and 5
(b) 2, 4 and 5
(c) 3, 4 and 6
(d) 2, 3 and 6
Answer. C

Question. Pick the option that correctly classifies fact/s (F) and opinion/s (O) of the students below.
(1) Ithink , Valli should not waste so much time on watching things.
(2) Oh, No! She is compelled to do so as she has no friends.
(3) I feel, her mother should prevent her from doing so as time is very precious.
(4) Let’s not forget that Valli does so when her mother sleeps.
(a) F – 1, 3 and O – 2, 4
(b) F – 2, 4 and O – 1, 3
(c) F – 2, 3 and O – 1, 4
(d) F – 1, 2 and O – 3, 4
Answer. B

Question. Why does Valli spend so much time on watching the activities going on outside?
(a) She has no friends to play with.
(b) Her parents do not prevent her from doing so.
(c) She is eager to know about new things.
(d) All of these.
Answer. D

Question. The extract uses the phrase, ‘favourite pastime’. Which of the following expressions is INCORRECT with respect to the word ‘pastime’?
                (2) Recreation
                        ↑
(1) Game ←  PASTIME  →(3) Relax
                        ↓
                (4) Entertainment
(a) Option (1)
(b) Option (2)
(c) Option (3)
(d) Option (4)
Answer. C

 

Very Short Answer Questions

Question. How old was Valli?
Answer. Valli was eight years old.

Question. What was her favourite pastime?
Answer. Her favourite pastime was standing at the front door of her house.

Question. Why did she stand alone at the door?
Answer. She stood alone watching what was happening in the street.

Question. Why was watching the street pleasant for her?
Answer. Watching the street gave her many new and unusual experiences.

Question. How was she different from other children?
Answer. Unlike other children, she had no playmates. She did not play games, but watched the street before her house.

 

2. The conductor was a jolly sort, fond of joking. “Oh, please don’t be angry with me, my fine madam,” he said. “Here, have a seat right up there in front. Everybody move aside, please—make way for madam.” It was the slack time of day, and there were only six or seven passengers on the bus. They were all looking at Valli and laughing with the conductor. Valli was overcome with shyness. Avoiding everyone’s eyes, she walked quickly to an empty seat and sat down.”

A. Multiple Choice Questions

Question. ‘‘Oh, please don’t be angry with me, my fine madam.’’ The conductor said it to Valli:
(a) respectfully
(b) sarcastically
(c) angrily
(d) lovingly
Answer. A

Question. Choose the option that lists the set of statements that are NOT TRUE according to the given extract.
1. The conductor was a self-centred person and did not help Valli.
2. In fact, Valli did not want to take the conductor’s help.
3. The bus was full of passengers.
4. The conductor told other passengers to make way for Valli.
5. Valli was very nervous while travelling in the bus.
(a) 2, 3 and 5
(b) 1, 2 and 4
(c) 2, 4 and 5
(d) 1, 3 and 5
Answer. D

Question. Pick the option that correctly classifies fact/s (F) and opinion/s (O) of the students below.
(1) I think, Valli was a bold and self-reliant girl.
(2) I feel, she was an overconfident girl which was not good for her.
(3) In my opinion, she was absolutely right. How can one trust a stranger? In such case one must be confident.
(4) Let’s not forget that her act of boldness in the bus was adored by all passengers and the conductor
(a) F – 1, 3 and O – 2, 4
(b) F – 2, 3 and O – 1, 4
(c) F – 1, 2 and O – 3, 4
(d) F – 1, 4 and O – 2, 3
Answer. D

Question. Valli was angry with the conductor as the conductor:
(a) said ‘madam’ to Valli.
(b) stretched his hand to help her.
(c) demanded bus fare from her.
(d) didn’t offer her any seat.
Answer. C

Question. The extract uses the phrase, “slack time”. Which of the following expressions is INCORRECT with respect to the word ‘slack’?
                    (2) Loose
                          ↑
(1) Slow ←    SLACK    →(3) Lax
                          ↓
                 (4) Stagnant
(a) Option (1)
(b) Option (2)
(c) Option (3)
(d) Option (4)
Answer. B

Question. What exactly is the writer trying to portray from this story?
(a) Limitations of a poor family
(b) Life in an Indian village
(c) Mature perspective of an eight year old Indian village child.
(d) Bus travel is rare in villages.
Answer. C

Question. What is the symbolism of the bus in the story?
(a) The vehicle took passengers from stagnated village to a modern town.
(b) Only sign of modernity in the village.
(c) Only means of fast transport.
(d) It was the link that helped to bridge the chasm between curiosity and realisation.
Answer. D

Question. What best describes Valliammai ‘watching what was happening in the street outside’.
(a) Arrogant in nature
(b) Defensive
(c) Curious
(d) Unconcerned
Answer. C

Question. Identify the apt option that best describes a hobby.
(a) Curious
(b) Pastime
(c) Watching
(d) Experiences
Answer. B

Question. Identify the option that does not describe Valliammai’s feelings of experiences while watching the street.
(a) Extraordinary
(b) Unusual
(c) Weary
(d) Curious
Answer. C

Question. What is the most important thing the author wants to convey about Valli?
(a) Valli’s self respect is worth noting.
(b) Valli’s mental perspective undergoes enlightenment.
(c) She was intelligent and remarkably courageous.
(d) Valli was brave with an inquisitive mind.
Answer. B

Question. Which option correctly replaces the underlined word in the given line from Madam Rides the Bus ‘between her village and the nearest town’?
(a) Up and down
(b) Back and forth
(c) In and out
(d) Backward and forward
Answer. B

Question. What was the most catching to Valli’s eyes?
(a) The timely movement of the bus.
(b) The hourly movement of the bus.
(c) The conductor in the bus.
(d) The driver of the bus.
Answer. B

Question. What most excited Valli was ___________.
(a) The change of drivers
(b) The change of conductors
(c) The change of passengers
(d) The change of color of the bus.
Answer. C

Question. What does the author mean by day after day?
(a) Alternately
(b) Often
(c) Repeatedly
(d) Mostly
Answer. C

Question. Fill in with the appropriate word. Gradually a tiny ______crept into her head and grew there.
(a) Idea
(b) Wish
(c) Hair
(d) Hope
Answer. B

Question. Identify the word that has the same meaning as ‘slowly’.
(a) Immediately
(b) Suddenly
(c) Gradually
(d) Frequently
Answer. C

Question. The urge that crept into Valli’s mind was.
(a) To jump in and out of the bus
(b) To ride on that bus.
(c) To watch that bus
(d) To ask her mother to take her on that bus
Answer. B

Question. In the lesson ‘Madam Rides the Bus’, relate the words stronger: overwhelming: wish: ________.
(a) Ride
(b) Dreams
(c) Desire
(d) longings
Answer. C

Question. Identify the word that means the same as ‘Longingly’.
(a) Desirably
(b) Wistfully
(c) Wishfully
(d) Hopefully
Answer. B

Question. The word___________means the same as ‘set a blaze’.
(a) Longing
(b) Wistful
(c) Kindle
(d) Jealous
Answer. C

Question. What would set a kindle in Valli?
(a) The faces of the children
(b) The faces of the passengers
(c) The face of the conductor
(d) The face of the driver
Answer. B

Question. What would make Valli jealous?
(a) Strangers ravelling by bus
(b) Hearing stories of her friend’s bus journey
(c) Her mother travelling the bus
(d) All of the above
Answer. B

Question. Valli feels__________if any of her friends spoke about their bus ride.
(a) Proud
(b) Casual
(c) Jealous
(d) Angry
Answer. C

Question. Which option correctly replaces the underlined word in the given line from Madam Rides the Bus? Really understood.
(a) Proud
(b) Comprehend
(c) Confusion
(d) Comprise
Answer. B

Question. The children used the word “Proud! proud!” as a ____________.
(a) As a taunting expression
(b) As a jealous expression
(c) As a slang expression
(d) As an angry expression
Answer. C

Question. Another important aspect about Valli clearly understood from the excerpt was:
(a) She was very confident about her thoughts and actions.
(b) She was very proud.
(c) She could be shy when people’s attention was drawn towards her.
(d) She was scared of her mother.
Answer. A

Question. Valli listened carefully to conversations of the frequent travelers. This meant that she was very.
(a) Inquisitive
(b) Snoopy
(c) Attentive
(d) Intruder
Answer. C

Question. In the lesson Madam Rides the Bus identify and relate the words fare: paisa: journey:________.
(a) Time
(b) Distance
(c) Cost
(d) Details
Answer. B

Question. Valli was attentive to the conversation of regular travelers and asked discreet questions? What do you not agree with about her behaviour?
(a) She was not interested
(b) She was eager to know about the journey
(c) She needed to plan her journey
(d) She needed to know the expenses
Answer. A

Question. In this lesson Madam Rides the Bus what does ‘discreet questions’ indicate?
(a) Irrelevant questions
(b) Unnecessary questions
(c) Careful questions
(d) Interrogative questions
Answer. C

Question. What does the author mean by saying “which is almost nothing at all”.
(a) It is easy
(b) It is costly
(c) Worthless
(d) Not much
Answer. D

Question. From whom did Valli hear “which is almost nothing at all”?
(a) A well-dressed woman
(b) A well-dressed man
(c) A Conductor
(d) A Driver
Answer. B

Question. What was the one way fare from the village to the town?
(a) 1 rupee
(b) 50 paise
(c) 40 paise
(d) 30 paise
Answer. D

 

B. Very Short Answer Questions

Question. What was the nature of the conductor?
Answer. The conductor was a jolly person who was fond of joking.

Question. What did he ask others to do?
Answer. He asked others to make way for ‘madam’ Valli.

Question. Why were there only six or seven passengers in the bus?
Answer. It was the slack time of the day, therefore, there were not many passengers in the bus.

Question. How did Valli feel at that time?
Answer. Valli was overcome with shyness and avoided everyone’s eyes.

Question. Why did she choose the afternoon bus?
Answer. Her mother used to take a nap in the afternoon. So, to make two-ways journey, the afternoon bus was the good choice of her.

3. Over many days and months Valli listened carefully to conversations between her neighbours and people who regularly used the bus, and she also asked a few discreet questions here and there. This way she picked up various small details about the bus journey. The town was six miles from her
village. The fare was thirty paise one way.

A. Multiple Choice Questions

Question. Valli listened carefully to conversations:
(a) between her neighbours.
(b) between her friends.
(c) between her relatives.
(d) between her neighbours and the people who used the bus.
Answer. D

Question. The town was:
(a) six miles from her village.
(b) six miles from the next village.
(c) five miles from the next village.
(d) seven miles from her village.
Answer. A

Question. Valli was picking up various details:
(a) for the train journey.
(b) for her friend.
(c) for the bus journey.
(d) None of these.
Answer. C

Question. What was the bus fare?
(a) Thirty paise one way
(b) Twenty paise one way
(c) Thirty five paise one way
(d) None of these
Answer. D

Question. Which word is ODD one out with reference to the meaning of ‘discreet’?
                   (2) Inconsistent
                             ↑
(1) Careful  ←     DISCREET     → (3) Delicate
                             ↓
                    (4) Judicious
(a) Option (1)
(b) Option (2)
(c) Option (3)
(d) Option (4)
Answer. B

 

B. Very Short Answer Questions

Question. How was Valli related to the passengers?
Answer. Most of them were her neighbours.

Question. Why did she need small details of the bus ride?
Answer. Because she had never rode a bus.

Question. What quality of her character is shown here?
Answer. She was a sincere girl.

Question. What do you understand by ‘a few discreet questions’.
Answer. Various details needed by Valli for her first bus ride.

Question. How did Valli save the bus fare?
Answer. She had to suppress her wants to save the bus fare which was difficult for a child of her age.

 

Short Answer Type Questions  

Question. How can you say that the conductor was a good natured jolly fellow ? Support your answer with examples.
Answer. The conductor of the bus was a good natured fellow, with pleasant manners. He was concerned that such a small girl was travelling to town alone and took care that she was comfortably seated. When Valli objected to being treated as a child, he took it in good spirit and jokingly addressed her ‘Madam’. His behaviour, thus, reflects the congeniality of his nature.

Question. What details did Valli pick up about the bus journey ? How did she pick up these details ?
Answer.The details that Valli picked up was about the distance that the bus travelled, the duration and fare. She gathered that information by hearing the conversation of others and by asking a discreet question or two.

Question. Why does Valli stand upon the seat ? What does she see now ?
Answer. Valli could not see anything outside as the blind of the bus covered the lower part of the window. So, Valli stood up on her seat. Now, she was able to see the canal and the greenery beyond it.

Question. Why did Valli not get off from the bus when it was terminated at the bus stand ?
OR
Why didn’t she get off the bus at the bus station ?
Answer.Valli did not get off from the bus when it was terminated at the bus stand because she had come in the bus just for a ride and would go back in the same bus.

Question.What information did Valli collect from her first bus ride ? 
Answer. The information that she collected was that the town was six miles from her village and it took thirty paise one way. She also came to know that the one way ride was of forty five minutes.

 

Long Answer Type Questions 

Question. Valli was so overcome with sadness to see the dead cow that she lost all enthusiasm. Do you feel the same way ? If you feel concerned about the plight of animals falling prey to the fast moving traffic, what efforts will you make to make road travel safer ?
Answer.The incident of the playful cow, being hit by a fast moving vehicle, indeed disturbed Valli a lot. It was a rude shock that the animal that she’d been laughing at just a while ago, enjoying fully its clumsy efforts to dodge the vehicles, lay in the stillness of death.
What had been a lovable, beautiful creature just a while ago had now suddenly lost its charm and its life and looked so horrible, so frightening as it lay there, legs spreadeagled, with a fixed stare in its lifeless eyes and the blood spilt all over. The memory of the dead cow haunted her enthusiasm. She no longer wanted to look out of the window.
Stray animals on the road are definitely a menace and can endanger the safety of many commuters in addition to their own. The Municipal Corporation must see to it that the cattle are not let loose on the road just because they are not beneficial to their owners any more. Precaution should be taken that speed limits are strictly followed in the larger interest of the safety for all.