CBSE Class 10 English Bholi Worksheet

Bholi Summary Class 10 English

GIST
From a very young age, Bholi was neglected at home. She had remained a backward child and had contacted small-pox at the age of two which left her permanently disfigured by deep black pock-marks. She was late to start speaking and she stammered which made the other children make fun of her. This resulted in her speaking very little, until she went to school and learned to read and write with the help of a dedicated teacher.

KEY POINTS OF THE LESSON ‘BHOLI’
• This story is about a girl named Sulekha, but is called Bholi as she is ugly and stammers.
• As she is different from her siblings, she does not get proper care in her family.
• Her father sends her to a school because of a command from the Tehsildar.
• The teacher in the school becomes the true mentor of Bholi and helps her gain confidence.
• Bholi shows us the impact of family on children. Bholi fails to develop self-confidence because of her parents’ attitude towards her. The story hints at why family support and emotional security are essential for proper child development.
• Bholi turns into a symbol of the power of educated women when she refuses to marry a greedy, mean and old widower, demanding dowry.
• The role played by a teacher in shaping a child is clearly seen here
• The role of a teacher as an alchemist, turning a base metal into gold; a rock into an idol is highlighted here
• Bholi is her teacher’s masterpiece.

EXTRACT BASED QUESTIONS

Read the extracts given below carefully and Answer.wer the questions that follow:

1. Bishamber raised the garland to place it around the bride’s neck; but before he could do so, Bholi’s hand struck out like a streak of lightning and the garland was flung into the fire. She got up and threw away the veil.

Question. What did Bholi do?
(i) threw away the garland into the fire
(ii) put the garland round her neck
(iii) keep the garland safe
(iv) none of the above
Answer. A

Question. Why did she do it?
(i) Because Bishamber asking five thousand rupees
(ii) Because Bishamber asking six thousand rupees
(iii) Because Bishamber asking seven thousand rupees
(iv) Because Bishamber asking motor cycle
Answer. A

Question. Why did Bholi at first agree to an unequal match?
Answer. This was because; she never wanted to add to the worries of her parents by her refusal.

Question. Later, she rejected the marriage. What does this tell us about her?
(i) she was timid.
(ii) she was tame
(iii) she was dumb-driven
(iv) she was a bold, confident and self-respecting girl.
Answer. D

Question. Who is the bride here?
Answer. Bholi

2. “What’s the matter with you, you fool?” shouted Ramlal. “I am only taking you to school.” Then he told his wife, “Let her wear some decent clothes today, or else what will the teacher and the other school girls think of us when they see her?”

Question. Who is speaking and to Bholi?
(i) Ramlal
(ii) Ramlal’s wife
(iii) Bholi’s mother
(iv) Ramlal’s mother
Answer. A

Question. What did he want his wife to do?
(i) to get Bholi ready for the school
(ii) to get Bholi ready for the marriage
(iii) to get Bholi ready for the morning work
(iv) to get Bholi ready for the meal
Answer. A

Question. Who is referred as fool here?
(i) Ramlal
(ii) Ramlal’s wife
(iii) Bholi’s mother
(iv)Bholi
Answer. A

I. “I am only taking you to school.” Then he told his wife, “Let her wear some decent clothes today or else what will the teachers and the other schoolgirls think of us when they see her? New clothes had never been made for Bholi. The old dresses of her sisters were passed on to her. No one cared to mend or wash her clothes. But today she was lucky to receive a clean dress which had shrunk after many washings and no longer fitted Champa. She was even bathed and oil was rubbed into her dry and matted hair. Only then did she believe that she was being taken to a place better than her home! When they reached the school, the children were already in their classrooms.”

Question. When Bholi was told about being taken to school,____________
(a) she thought she was going to be neglected by her parents.
(b) she thought her parents were going to get rid of her.
(c) she felt that she would be thrown out of the house and sold.
(d) she thought her parents were thinking of ways to throw her out.
Answer. C

Question. Choose the correct statements based on the given extract.
1. Bholi was not treated on a par with her siblings.
2. Bholi received new clothes on every occasion.
3. Bholi was excited and anxious to go to school.
4. Bholi was dressed in decent clothes because her father was conscious of his status.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 4
Answer. D

Question. What does the phrase ‘Bholi’s hair matted’, suggests?
(a) It was entangled and oiled.
(b) It was never oiled or combed.
(c) It was not combed regularly.
(d) It was unkempt and oiled.
Answer. B

Question. Select the reason which made Bholi think that school would be a better place than home.
(a) She had been given a good description of the school.
(b) She would make many friends there.
(c) She was given a bath and clean dress.
(d) She was taken to the school by her father.
Answer. C

Question. Pick the sentence that brings out the meaning of ‘decent’ as used in the extract.
(a) He gets a decent amount of salary.
(b) One must be decent when having a conversation with strangers.
(c) She was dressed in a decent manner for the interview.
(d) It was very decent of him to lend me some money.
Answer. C

II. “In one month you will be able to read this book. Then I will give you a bigger book, then a still bigger one. In time you will be more learned than anyone else in the village. Then no one will ever be able to laugh at you. People will listen to you with respect and you will be able to speak without the slightest stammer. Understand? Now go home, and come back early
tomorrow morning.”
Bholi felt as if suddenly all the bells in the village temple were ringing and the trees in front of the school-house had blossomed into big red flowers. Her heart was throbbing with a new hope and a new life.

Question. “Then I will give you a bigger book, then a still bigger one.’.
Here the speaker’s intention is to _____
(a) encourage the child to pursue studies regularly.
(b) lure the child to see the book only.
(c) tempt the child to get a big book.
(d) make the child realise the value of books.
Answer. A

Question. Which among the following is the correct reason for the teacher insisting Bholi to become learned.
(a) People will become sensitive.
(b) Bholi would become confident and respected by the people.
(c) Bholi could speak with stammer.
(d) Villagers may realize their mistake.
Answer. B

Question. Select the most appropriate option for (1) and (2).
1. When Bholi will be learned then no one will ever be able to laugh at her.
2. Everyone makes fun of Bholi .
(a) (1) is true and (2) is false.
(b) (2) is true and (1) is false.
(c) (2) furthers the meaning of (1).
(d) Both (1) and (2) cannot be inferred from the extract.
Answer. C

Question. From the options given below, identify the teacher’s character raits in the extract.
1. soft-spoken
2. indifferent
3. considerate
4. rude
5. caring
(a) (1), (2) and (3)
(b) (2), (3) and (4)
(c) (2) (4) and (5)
(d) (1), (3) and (5)
Answer. D

Question. Select the suitable word from the extract to complete the following:
Hope: despair:: ________: wither
(a) respect
(b) throb
(c) blossom
(d) life
Answer. C

Question. Why was Bholi scared to go to school?
Answer. Bholi did not know what a school was like. Actually, she had no idea of a school.

Question. What made her feel that she was going to a better place than her home?
Answer. When, she was given a bath, decent clothes to wear, her hair was oiled and combed, she thought so.

3.For the sake of this kind woman, however, she decided to make an effort. She had such a soothing voice; she would not laugh at her.

Question. Who was the kind woman?
(i) The teacher of Bholi
(ii) The mother of Bholi
(iii)The sister of Bholi
(iv)The wife of Ramlal
Answer. A

Question. Who decided to make an effort?
(i) The wife of Ramlal
(ii) The mother of Bholi
(iii)The sister of Bholi
(iv) The teacher of Bholi
Answer. D

Question. How was her approach?
(i) effective
(ii) negative
(iii) destructive
(iv) careless
Answer. A

Question. How did Bholi’s teacher played an important role in changing her life?
Answer. Bholi’s teacher made her confident, daring and self-respecting person who had the courage to refuse to marry a lame and greedy old man.

Question. Why didi the teacher speak in soothing voice?
Answer.The teacher spoke in a soft voice knowing that Bholi was in fear. She wanted to give confidence to stammering Bholi.

Question. Who is the author of the story “Bholi”?
(a) KA Abbas
(b) Mark Twain
(c) Guy De Maupassant
(d) Sinclair Lewis
Answer. A

Question. What was Bholi’s real name?
(a) Sulekha
(b) Sudekha
(c) Champa
(d) Chamla
Answer. A

Question. Who was Bholi’s father?
(a) Village Numberdar
(b) Village Sarpanch
(c) Village Tehsildar
(d) None of these
Answer. A

Question. What happened when Bholi was two years old?
(a) Falling off a cot
(b) Falling off the stairs
(c) Falling off a verandah
(d) Small-pox
Answer. D

Question. Who is referred to as the “artist” in the lesson?
(a) Bholi’s friend
(b) Bholi
(c) Bholi’s cow
(d) Bholi’s teacher
Answer. D

Question. What according to you, was wrong in Bishamber’s marrying Bholi?
(a) His age
(b) His limbs
(c) Another village
(d) All of these
Answer. A

Question. How did Bholi’s prospective husband react on seeing Bholi’s face?
(a) Asked for compensation
(b) Got frightened
(c) Both of the above
(d) None of the above
Answer. A

Question. How does Bholi describe her prospective husband?
(a) Mean
(b) Greedy
(c) Coward
(d) All of these
Answer. D

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Question. Why is Bholi’s father worried about her?
Answer. Bholi was not like other children. She fell off a cot when she was a baby due to which her brain was slightly damaged. She did not speak till she was five years old and when she began to speak, she stammered. When she was two years old small pocks affected her and her face and whole body were covered with pock marks. So her father was worried about her .

Question. Bholi had many apprehensions about going to school. What made her feel that she was going to a better place than her home?
Answer. Bholi had many apprehensions about going to school. She remembered how their cow ‘ Lakshmi ’ was sold and feared that she too was going to be sent out of the house. But when she was bathed, her hair was oiled and combed and she was given a better dress to wear, she felt that she was going to a better place.

Question. How did Bholi’s teacher play an important role in changing the course of her life?
Answer. Bholi stammered and was just a bundle of nerves when she attended school in the beginning. Her teacher treated her kindly and encouraged her to have confidence. She taught her to read and write and made her an independent girl who was aware of her rights. Thus, she changed her life.

Question. Why did Bholi at first agree to an unequal match? Why did she later reject the marriage? What does this tell us about her?
Answer. Bholi agreed to an unequal match at first to fulfill her parents’ wishes. Later on, she rejected the marriage because the bridegroom demanded dowry. This tells us that Bholi was not a timid and dumb girl. She was a confident girl with self-respect who was aware of her rights. She also knew how to fight for her own dignity and feared no one.

Question. Bholi’s real name is Sulekha. We are told this right at the beginning. But only in the last but one paragraph of the story is Bholi called Sulekha again. Why do you think she is called Sulekha at that point in the story?
Answer. The word ‘ Bholi’ meAnswer. a simpleton. Throughout the story, she had been a simpleton who hardly expressed her opinion on any matter. The word Sulekh a meAnswer. ‘a person with a beautiful sense of letters’. In this story, this word has a larger meaning of being a literate, intelligent, and mature individual. We see how
education converts Bholi into mature, confident and bold Sulekha whose assertion at the time of her marriage is her announcement to the world that she is no more a Bholi, but is a Sulekha.

Question. Bholi’s teacher helped her overcome social barriers by encouraging and motivating her. How do you think you can contribute towards changing the social attitudes illustrated in this story?
Answer. We can contribute towards changing the social attitude by saying no to social evils like taking or giving dowry, discriminating people on the basis of their physical or mental condition, colour, caste etc. We must not discriminate between a boy and a girl. Both should be given equal rights and opportunities to grow. We must also learn to respect those who are differently-abled and treat them well.

Question. For what unusual reason is Bholi sent to school?
Answer. Ramlal was a government official and the Tehsildar had asked Ramlal to send his daughters to the new school in his village, Bholi was sent to the school just to satisfy the Tehsildar. As Ramlal’s wife felt that sending girls to school would affect their marriage prospects adversely, she did not want to send any of her daughters to school. However, Bholi, with her pock-marked face and dull brain would not get married anyway, so Bholi’s parents decided to send her to school to satisfy the Tehsildar.

Question. Does she find her teacher to be different from the people at home?
Answer. Bholi had been a neglected child at home. She was never bathed nor her clothes washed. She was criticized and everyone made fun of her. But she found her teacher to be entirely different. Her teacher did not make fun of her. She encouraged her tenderly. Her affection deeply touched Bholi’s heart.

Question. Why did the Tehsildar come to Ramlal‘s village? What did he ask Ramlal to do?
Answer. The Tehsildar came to the village to perform the opening ceremony of the new primary school for girls that was being opened there. He asked Ramlal to set an example to villagers as he was a representative of the government, and send his daughters to school.

Question. Why does the marriage not take place?
Answer. At the time of marriage, Bishamber asked for a dowry of five thousand rupees because he saw Bholi’s pock-marked face. Ramlal had no choice but to pay. But, Bholi refused to marry the greedy man. She asserted her rights and dignity. Thus the marriage did not take place.

Question. Why did Bholi at first agree to an unequal match? Why did she later reject the marriage? What does this tell us about her?
Answer. Bholi had been made to believe, since childhood, that she was a ‘dumb cow’ and that no one would want to marry her. This is why, she agrees to the match for the reputation of her father. However, when she sees that the man despite, being, too old and limping, asks for five thousand rupees to marry her, she rejects the marriage calling him greedy and callous. This shows how she uses her education and confidence to lead a better life and not give in to social pressures.

Question. Bholi’s real name is Sulekha. We are told this right at the beginning. But only in the last but one paragraph of the story isBholi called Sulekha again. Why do you think she is called Sulekha at that point in the story?
Answer. Sulekha is named Bholi since childhood as she is a simpleton with little intelligence. Everybody calls her Bholi. By the end of the story, she is an educated and confident girl who can go against the social pressures and lead a life she wants. This shows that she is no longer the simpleton everyone would laugh at and so she is called Sulekha.
 

Question. Bholi’s teacher helped her overcome social barriers by encouraging and motivating her. How do you think you can contribute towards changing the social attitudes illustrated in this story?
Answer. Creating awareness among the rural population about the benefits of educating the girl child and increasing tolerance towards special needs people is the way we can contribute towards changing social attitudes.

Question. Should girls be aware of their rights and assert them? Should girls and boys have the same rights, duties and privileges? What are some of the ways in which society treats them differently? When we speak of ‘human rights’, do we differentiate between girls’ rights and boys’ rights?
Answer. Girls should be aware of their rights and assert them. Girls and boys both should have the same rights. Female infanticide and not sending girls to school are some of the ways that society treats them differently. Human rights do not differentiate between girls and boys.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

Question. Bholi chose a dignified life of service rather than surrendering herself to a greedy old man for the rest of her life. Education provides the required stimulus to overcome one’s personal barriers. Explain the role of education in shaping the life of a child with respect to the lesson ‘Bholi’.
Answer. Education is the Answer.wer to all social ills. Illiteracy and ignorance bring nothing but poverty, suffering and misery. Bholi lacks confidence initially because of her disabilities. She is silent, timid and weak in mind. Her ugliness and her stammer do not let her progress. She is afraid to speak as others make fun of her. School changes her life completely. It opens a new world of hope for her. Her teacher treats her with love and kindness. Her affection and support help Bholi to have faith in herself. She studies and grows into a confident young woman. She knows her rights and she asserts them as well. She refuses to marry a man who demands dowry. Thus, being educated changes the life of Bholi.

Answer. Bholi suffered a weak mind due to her accident (falling from her cot) during her infancy. She also started to a stammer while speaking. Then she became ugly due to pock-marks on her face and body on contracting the smallpox disease. All these made her family and other children treat her badly, resulting in her becoming an introvert. To help such children face the world bravely, we must treat them with love and affection and encourage them to join mainstream society. We must not mock their disabilities; instead we should give them hope that they can be as good as the other children by motivating and uplifting them.

Question. The chapter ‘Bholi’ highlights the discrimination against the girl child. Analyze this statement. Nature does not discriminate, but society does.
Answer. From time immemorial the world has discriminated against the girl child. The chapter, ‗Bholi‘ throws, up many instances. Ramlal‘s sons go to school and college. His daughters are not educated because it would be difficult to marry them off.
Her mother does not think it necessary to take Bholi‘s consent for her marriage. The groom is an old and lame widower. Still he demands dowry. Her father is ready to pay him. It is the girl herself who realizes that she is being demeaned and hence opposes the marriage. She raises her voice against the man‘s undue demand and refuses to marry him. She is criticized and humiliated for standing up for her dignity. But she is firm and decides the course of her life. From the dumb cow and stammering fool, she trAnswer.forms herself into a bold girl who is ready to speak her mind.
 

Question. Dowry is negation of the girl’s dignity’. Write with reference to the story ‘Bholi’.
Answer. A girl is an individual in her own right. Equal opportunities in life can help her become independent and strong. She is not a burdensome object to be given away with money as compensation. Thus dowry negates the girl’s dignity and self respect. The story ‘Bholi’ shows this in a dramatic manner. Bholi is thought to be ugly and dumb by her parents. So, they are willing to pay dowry to an old man,so that he marries her. Bholi, on the other hand, refuses
to marry that man. She is educated; assertive and capable of taking care of herself. She dedicates her life to service of her parents and teaching at school.