CBSE Class 10 English Madam Rides the Bus Worksheet

MADAM RIDES THE BUS

GIST:
In this story, the author tries to present a world as seen from a child’s perspective. The main character of this story is an eight year old girl who lives near a bus stop in a village. For major part of the day, she enjoys standing in her doorway; watching frenetic activities at the bus stop. Valli develops a desire to enjoy a ride on the bus but she needs to plan meticulously to realize her dream. She has to curtail her expenses so that she can save enough money for two-way fair. She also has to make the journey during the time when her mother takes afternoon nap. While on her journey, Valli does not want anybody’s help and wants to feel independent. She enjoys every bit of her journey to the town.
But she is careful enough not to get off the bus in the unknown environs of the town. On her return journey, a sad accident spoils her mood and she just keeps to herself throughout the journey. She does not seem to be satisfied with one ride and wishes to make another attempt in future. She is also quite mischievous when she is sure that her mother did not know about her journey.

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

1. Mark ! while relatives are looking on and lamenting deeply, one by one mortals are carried off, like an ox that is led to the slaughter. So the world is afflicted with death and decay, therefore the wise do not grieve, knowing the terms of the world. 

Question. Who have accepted the truth that death is common to all ?
(i) The wise
(ii) The foolish
(iii) The literates
(iv) The illiterates
Answer.(i) The wise

Question. The ___________ is afflicted with death and decay.
(i) universe
(ii) city
(iii) earth
(iv) world
Answer.(iv) world

Question. Who are carried off one by one ?
(i) Rocks
(ii) Mortals
(iii) Immortals
(iv) Stones
Answer.(ii) Mortals

Question. Find the word from the passage that means ‘expressing sorrow’.
(i) lamenting
(ii) slaughter
(iii) afflicted
(iv) decay
Answer.(i) lamenting

2. At about the age of twenty five, the Prince, thereof shielded from the sufferings of the world, while hunting out glanced upon a sick man, then an aged man, then a funeral procession, and finally a monk begging for alms.These sights so moved him that he at once became a beggar and went out into the world to seek enlightenment concerning the sorrows he had witnessed.

Question. The Prince was ___________ by the effect of sights.
(i) moved
(ii) carried away
(iii) not moved
(iv) not disturbed
Answer. (i) moved

Question. Find a word from the passage that means the same as ‘looked at’.
(i) shielded
(ii) glanced
(iii) procession
(iv) enlightenment
Answer.(ii) glanced

Question. What was the age of Gautama Buddha when he had thereof shielded himself from the sufferings of the world ?
(i) twenty two
(ii) twenty four
(iii) twenty eight
(iv) twenty five
Answer. (iv) twenty five

Question. The Prince left the palace in search of
(i) freedom
(ii) treasure
(iii) knowledge
(iv) enlightenment
Answer.(iv) enlightenment

3. The Buddha answered : ‘‘I want a handful of mustard seeds.’’ And when the girl in her joy promised to procure it, then Buddha added : The mustard-seed must be taken from a house where no one has lost a child,husband, parent or friend.’’

Question. Who is ‘I’ in the passage ?
(i) Kisa Gotami
(iii) Gotam’s son
(iv) Buddha
Answer.(iv) Buddha

Question. Find the word from the passage which means the same as ‘Obtain’.
(i) get it
(ii) procure
(iii) ordered
(iv) found
Answer.(ii) procure

Question. Buddha asked the girl for a handful of ___________ seeds.
(i) wheat
(ii) rice
(iii) mustard
(iv) maize
Answer. (iii) mustard

Question. Whom did Buddha asked for a handful of mustard seeds ?
(i) girl
(ii) man
(iii) boy
(iv) child
Answer.(i) girl

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

1. Her first journey-what careful, painstaking, elaborate plans she had to make for it; she had thriftily saved whatever stray coins came her way, resisting every temptation to buy peppermints, toys, balloons and the like, and finally she had saved a total of sixty paise. How difficult it had been, particularly that day at the village fair, but she had resolutely stifled a strong desire to ride the merry-go-round, even though she had the money. 

Question. Where was her first journey made to ?
(i) to the park
(ii) to the circus
(iii) to the mall
(iv) till the next town
Answer.(iv) till the next town

Question. Who does ‘her’ refer to in the passage ?
(i) The old lady
(ii) The young lady
(iii) Valli
(iv) Valli’s mother
Answer.(iii) Valli

Question. Which word in the passage means the same as a ‘Swing’ ?
(i) painstaking
(ii) elaborate
(iii) thriftly
(iv) merry-go-round
Answer.(iv) merry-go-round

Question. She had resisted all temptations to save __________ for a bus ride.
(i) things
(ii) toys
(iii) money
(iv) time
Answer.(iii) money

2. 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.The most fascinating thing of all was the bus that travelled between her village and the nearest town. It passed through her street each hour, once going to the town and once coming back. The sight of the bus filled each time with a new set of passengers, was a source of unending joy for Valli.

Question. What was the most fascinating thing of all for Valli ?
(i) Bus
(ii) Car
(iii) Truck
(iv) Scooter
Answer.(i) Bus

Question. How often did the bus pass her street?
(i) each day
(ii) each week
(iii) each morning
(iv) each hour
Answer.(iv) each hour

Question. Valli’s favourite pastime was to stand at the __________.
(i) back door
(ii) terrace
(iii) front door
(iv) bus stop
Answer.(iii) front door

Question. Find a word from the passage which means the same as ‘very interesting’.
(i) unusual
(ii) fascinating
(iii) source
(iv) elaborate
Answer. (ii) fascinating

3. “Don’t you want to have a look at the sights, now that you’re here ?
“All by myself ? Oh, I’d be much too afraid.”
Greatly amused by the girl’s way of speaking, the conductor said, “But you weren’t afraid to come in the bus.”
“Nothing to be afraid of about that,” she answered. 

Question. Who had come only for a bus ride ?
(i) The old man
(ii) The old woman
(iii) Valliammai (Valli)
(iv) The little boy
Answer.(iii) Valliammai (Valli)

Question. Who is the ‘girl’ mentioned in the passage ?
(i) Valli
(ii) Pooja
(iii) Veena
(iv) Mallini
Answer.(i) Valli

Question. Was Valli really afraid ?
(i) Yes
(ii) a little
(iii) No
(iv) very much

Question. Which word in the passage means the same as ‘To cause to laugh’ ?
(i) sights
(ii) amused
(iii) fun
(iv) great time
Answer.(ii) amused

Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.

1.Day after day she watched the bus, and gradually a tiny wish crept into her head and grew there:
she wanted to ride on that bus, even if just once. This wish became stronger and stronger until it was an “overwhelming desire. Valli would stare wistfully at the people who got on or off the bus when it stopped at the street corners. Their faces would kindle in her longings, dreams and hopes. If one of her friends ride the bus and tried to describe the sights of the town to her, Valli would be too jealous to listen to tug shout, in English: ‘ Proud! Proud” Neither she nor her friends really understood the meaning of the word but they used it often as a slang expression of disapproval.

Question.What would Valli wistfully stare at?
Answer. She would stare wistfully at the people who got on or off the bus.

Question.What was Valli’s ‘tiny wish’?
Answer.Valli’s tiny wish was to travel by bus.

Question.When would Valli be jealous?
Answer.‘Kindle.’

Question.When were Valli’s longings, hopes and dreams kindled?
Answer.The sight of the bus passengers would kindle in her longings, dreams and hopes. (d) She felt jealous when one of her friends described the sights of the town to her.

2.The bus rolled on now cutting across a bare landscape, now rushing through a tiny hamlet or past an odd wayside shop. Sometimes the bus seemed on the 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 away in the other direction.

Question. Find a word from the passage which means ‘village’.
Answer.Hamlet

Question. How did the trees appear from the moving bus?
Answer.The trees appeared to be coming towards the moving bus

Question. What did the bus pass by?
Answer.The bus passed by a bare landscape, a tiny hamlet or an odd wayside shop.

Question. How does the author describe the landscape?
Answer.The author says that the landscape was bare.

Question.From which story have these lines been taken?
Answer.These lines have been taken from the story, ‘Madam Rides the Bus.’

3.Suddenly Valli clapped her hands with glee. A young cow, tail high in the air, was running very fast,right in the middle of the road, right in front of the bus. The bus slowed to a crawl, and the driver sounded his horn loudly again and again. But the more he honked, the more frightened the animal became and the faster it galloped—always right in front of the bus. Somehow this was very funny to Valli. She laughed and laughed until there were tears in her eyes.

Question. What did the bus driver do when there was a cow on the road ahead of him?
Answer.He sounded the horn loudly again and again.

Question. What was the effect of honking of the horn on the cow?
Answer.The cow was more frightened and it ran faster.

Question.Why did Valli clap her hands with joy?
Answer.Valli clapped her hands with joy to see a young cow, tail high in the air, running very fast, right in front of the bus.

Question. Find a word from the passage which means ‘ran very fast’.
Answer.Galloped.

Question.What seemed very funny to Valli?
Answer.The running of the cow just in front of the bus was very funny to Valli. 

4.Her first journey—what careful, painstaking, elaborate plans she had to make for it; she had thriftily saved whatever stray coins came her way, resisting every temptation to buy peppermints, toys,balloons, and the like, and finally she had saved a total of sixty paise. How difficult it had been, particularly that day at the village fair, but she had resolutely stifled a strong desire to ride the merrygo-round, even though she had the money.

Question.How did she save the money for the bus fare?
Answer.She thriftily saved every penny, relisted temptation to buy things for her liking or taking a ride on the merry-go-round.

Question.Where was her first journey made to?
Answer.Town.

Question.Who does ‘her’ refer to in the passage?
Answer.Valli.

Question. What did she do to make it a reality?
Answer.She made careful, painstaking and detailed plans to make it a reality. 

Character Sketch
Valliammai: She emerges as a very clever, sensitive, self-respecting and fun-loving girl. She was just eight years old. She was a determined girl with a commanding nature. She was very curious about things. Her favourite pastime was standing in the front doorway of her house. She was mature, clever and practical beyond her years. Saving sixty paise was not an easy job for a girl of her age. She was determined to resist any temptation that came in her way. Valli didn’t like being called ‘madam’ or ‘ child’. She was a great planner and planned things after knowing all the necessary details about them.

Extract-Based Questions

Q. 1. "Day after day she watched the bus, and gradually a tiny wish crept into her head and grew there: she wanted to ride on that bus, even if it was just once. This wish became stronger, until it was an overwhelming desire.
Valli would stare wistfully at the people who got on and off the bus when it stood at the street corner. Their faces would kindle in her longings, dreams, and hopes. If one of her friends happened to ride the bus and tried to describe the sights of the town to her. Valli would be jealous to listen and would shout, in English: "Proud! Proud!"

Question. Valli would stare wistfully at the people as she
(a) had been watching the bus for a long time.
(b) was inspired by the people travelling on the bus.
(c) had a strong desire to take a ride on the bus.
(d) envied the people who could travel on the bus.
Answer : C

Question. Pick the option that shows the list of words that collocate with 'overwhelming' (e.g. overwhelming desire)
1. response 2. lies
3. support 4. majority
5. pets 6. places
(a) 1, 5 & 6
(b) 1, 3 & 4
(c) 2 & 5
(d) 3, 5 & 6
Answer : B

Question. 'Valli would be jealous to listen...' This indicates Valli's
(a) longing to ride the bus.
(b) nature as an envious person.
(c) denial to accept her situation.
(d) inclination to trouble travellers.
Answer : A

Question.A part of the extract has been paraphrased. Choose the option that includes the most appropriate solution to the blanks.
The desire became so (i) _______ that it transformed into an (ii) _______ one. Valli would look (iii) ________ at people who boarded the bus and got off.
(a) (i) active (ii) overt (iii) longingly
(b) (i) vigorous (ii) overpowering (iii) cheerfully
(c) (i) staunch (ii) overt (iii) joyfully
(d) (i) vigorous (ii) overpowering (iii) longingly
Answer : D

Question.What does the line 'gradually a tiny wish crept into her head and grew there', mean?
(a) The wish developed in her head over a period of time.
(b) The wish was a feeling of wanting to prove her strength.
(c) The wish was planted in her head by someone's suggestion.
(d) The wish was small and was overpowered by a sense of doubt.
Answer : C

Q. 2. "Yes, I'm travelling alone," she answered curtly. And I've got a ticket too.' 'Yes she's on her way to town,' said the conductor. 'With a thirty paise ticket.'
'Oh, why don't you mind your own business; said Valli. But she laughed all the same, and the conductor laughed too.
But the old woman went on with her drivel. 'Is it proper for such a young person to travel alone? Do you know exactly where you're going in town? What's the street? What's the house number?
'You needn't bother about me. I can take care of myself,' Valli said, turning her face towards the window and staring out."

Question.Pick the option that matches the expressions with 'mind' correctly.

(a) 1-F, 2-C, 3-A, 4-D
(b) 1-C, 2-D, 3-A, 4-E
(c) 1-B, 2-F, 3-E, 4-A
(d) 1-F, 2-D, 3-C, 4-B
Answer : B

Question.The old woman went on with her drivel. Why is the word 'drivel' used here? It is used to show that the old woman
(a) was talking incessantly.
(b) kept muttering a lot of nonsense.
(c) was volunteering advice on request.
(d) spoke non-stop about herself.
Answer : B

Question.Valli told the conductor to mind his own business and laughed as well. This shows that Valli ...
(a) was not really bothered about what the conductor said.
(b) didn't like the conductor speaking about her.
(c) disliked what the conductor said but was amused.
(d) was impressed with what the conductor said.
Answer : C

Question.How do you think Valli felt when the old woman asked her questions? Pick the option that best describes her feelings.
(a) (i) irritated        (ii) agitated
(b) (i) concerned     (ii) upset
(c) (i) upset            (ii) agitated
(d) (i) upset            (ii) irritated
Answer : D

Question.The old woman asked her questions
(a) due to anxiety about Valli travelling alone.
(b) out of curiosity and concern for Valli.
(c) interest in Valli's life and need for travel.
(d) due to the habit of interfering in Valli's life.
Answer : B

Short Answer Questions :

Question. What dampened Valli’s enthusiasm during the return journey?
Answer. During her return journey, Valli saw a young cow lying dead by the side of the road. She was the same lovable and beautiful cow that she saw only a little while ago. Now, it looked so horrible and frightening as it lay there. There was a fixed stare in her lifeless eyes and she was smeared with blood. The sight dampened her enthusiasm and she stopped looking outside.

Question. Imagine you come across a little girl travelling alone in a bus. Write down any two questions you would ask her and your reasons for asking them.
Answer. The two question I would ask the little girl are : Are you travelling along, child? What was such as urgency that your parents allowed you to travel alone ? The reason for asking such questions will be honest concern for the child and to help her.

Question. During her journey, Valli absorbed the natural beauty and clapped her hands in happiness on seeing a young cow running very fast. What does this reveal about Valli?
Answer. Valli thoroughly enjoyed her ride to the town, and laughed and clapped when the young cow ran on the middle of the road. Valli ,on the whole, can be described as a curious , joyful, smart, bold and at the same time a mature girl.

Question. Do you think Valli's mother would have taken her for the bus ride if she had requested her to do so? Why/ Why not?
Answer. Definitely, Valli’s mother would have taken her for the bus ride if she had requested her to do so. It was so because no parent especially the mother would break the heart of her child. The parents try to fulfill each and every desire of their children.

Question. Valli didn't like the way adults treated her during her bus journey. Describe how you would feel and react if you were to find yourself in a similar situation.
Answer. Valli showed that she was a self-respecting girl. She politely refused to accept a free drink from the conductor.
Even I would have reacted in the same way. I would have not relished the unpleasant smell that comes from the betel nut the women was chewing.

Question. Imagine Valli had to plan a day-long budget trip to a domestic destination for her family all by herself. What things do you think she would keep in mind while planning?
Answer. If Valli had to plan a day-long budget trip I would suggest her to keep a few medicines for personal medication, her sunglasses, Id Proofs, some woollen clothes if she is going to a cooler place. Sunscreen lotion and moisturizing lotion are also advisable.

Question. Why did Valli find the elderly woman absolutely repulsive?
Answer.The elderly woman who was sitting beside Valli in the bus looked absolutely repulsive to Valli.She had big holes in her ears and had ugly earrings in them. She didn’t relish the smell of the betel nut that she was chewing. The betel juice was about to spill over her lips at any moment. She couldn’t be social with such a woman.

Question.What was the favourite pastime of Valli?
Answer. Valliammai or Valli was eight years old. Her favourite pastime was standing in the front doorway of her house. From there, she watched what was happening in the street outside. For her, standing at the front door was as enjoyable as any of the games other children played.

Question. How did Valli feel about seeing the dead cow on the road?
Answer. When Valli saw the dead cow on the roadside, she became extremely sad and pensive. The dreadful event dampened her enthusiasm so much so that she had no more desire to Look out of the window and kept glued to her seat till she reached the village.

Question. Why does Valli stand up on the seat ? What does she see naw?
Answer. The canvas blind of the window has cut-off half of Vatli's outside view from the window. So, she stands up on her sect to take a view from the upper half of the window. Naw, she can see green fields and canals.

Question. During her journey, Valli observed the natural beauty and clapped her hands in happiness on seeing a young cow running wry fast. What does this reveal about Valli ?
Answer. When Valli saw the natural beauty and the running cow during her bus journey, she was bemused. This tells us that even though Valli had planned the journey all alone, she was still a child who got happy Lacking at the outside world.

Question. Imagine Valli had to plan a day-long budget trip to a domestic destination for her family all by herself. What things do you think she would keep in mind while planning?
Answer. If Valli had to plan a day-long budget trip to a domestic destination for her family all by herself she would keep many things in her mind Like the details of the journey, bus fare.
Location of the destination, timings of the bus, eta

Question. What was the most fascinating thing that Valid sa w on the street?
Answer. The most fascinating thing that Valli saw an the street was the bus that travelled between the village and the nearest town The sight of the bus loaded with passengers was a source of unending joy for Valli.

Question. Why does Valli refuse to Look out of the window on her way back?
Answer. Va lli sees that the young cow that was running on her onward journey was lying dead by the roadside The sight of the dead cow haunts her, dampening her enthusiasm So, she refuses to look out of the window on her way back. 

Question. Why does the conductor refer to Valli as ’madam'?
Answer. The conductor is amused to see an eight-year old girt behaving like an adult and in jest, he calls her madam'.

Question. Give examples from the text to show that Valli was a meticulous planner.
Answer. Valli was a meticulous planner. She listened carefully to the conversations between her neighbours and people who regularly used the bus and also asked discreet questions. She picked up various small details about the bus journey and then planned.

Long Answer Questions: 

Question.Justify the statement with instances that Valla was a mature girl and ahead of her age?
Answer. Valli was an eight-year-old village girl. She had no playmates. Her favourite pastime was to stand at the doorstep and watch things and people. She not only satisfied her curiosity but also gained new experiences. Her strongest desire was to make a bus-ride. She meticulously planned for it — gathered information about the distance, time and ticket money. Showing self-restraint, she resisted the temptation to buy peppermint, toys or a ride on the merry-go-round in order to save 60 paise for the bus journey. She boarded the bus without anyone’s help, refused a free treat by the conductor and didn’t talk to strangers. This shows her commanding, confident and self-dependent nature. This also shows her determination and maturity at such a little age.

Question. Travelling teaches us many life lessons and enriches us with experiences. You and your classmate have a discussion on this statement and your love for travel. Write the dialogue. You may begin like this... Friend: I think travelling is one of the best ways to explore not just the world; around you but also helps you introspect about life itself. You: Friend: Travelling enriches us with so many varied experiences. You:
Answer. Friend : I think travelling is one of the best ways to explore not just the world around you but also helps you introspect about life style
You : Yes, you are right. It also improves social and communication skills. Friend : Travelling enriches us with so many varied experiences You : Absolutely one gets original and creative thoughts. One gets out of his comfort zone. You learn the most in uncomfortable and unfamiliar situations, you know how to act and respond to people and your surroundings. You : Travelling also broadens your horizons and enhances your tolerance for uncertainty. Friend : It was really a great experience talking to you. You : These advantages of travelling are incredible.
Thank you.

Question. After reading the story about Valli; you realise that she had such a small desire and demanded nothing from her mother. After reflecting on this, you decide to write a diary entry on how you felt you have been unreasonable about the demands you have posed to your parents. You also realise that life is not all about materialistic possessions. You may begin like this:
15 August 2020, Saturday 9:00 pm
I feel I have learnt a big lesson in life after reading about Valli. I feel ashamed for the way I have been............
Answer. 15 August 2020, Saturday 9:00 PM
I feel I have learnt a big lesson in life after reading about Valli. I feel ashamed for the way I have been……………..
Unreasonable about the demands I have posted on my parents. I have thoughts of the hurt I was unknowingly causing them due to my rigid and irrational behaviour. Many a times I have seen my mother buy me those unnecessary things which made me happy. I wanted to possess them just to show off my friends. But now I have well understood that these is always going to be a better version of everything you own. So let go of your need to have the latest and greatest thing and be happy with what you have. I have understood that no matter how much you have, it never feels like enough. This is because we are trying to fill an emotional void with a tangible thing. The more you have the more you crave. Being able to live an extravagant life seems to make it
more difficult to enjoy the small things. Slow down, live in the present and savor in every positive experience for a longer-lasting smile. So now, I believe in less stuff, less clutter and less stress. More isn’t always better.

Question. Valli was sensitive, but at the same time she was fearless and quite determined. Think of another character from your textbook, First Flight, who displayed similar character traits. Compare and contrast the lives of Valli and the other character.
Answer. A character who has similar characteristics, of fearlessness and determination like that of valli, would be Anne frank. In the lesson, she was brave enough to speak and prove her to her teacher so candidly. Even though she was extremely talkative, it never affected her academics. She was a committed student, daughter, sister and more importantly a true being. As a young girl of 13 years, she had to go through several difficulties during the World War Era. Her family had to live in secrecy, their lives were under great threat when the Nazis caught hold of them and they were sent into separate concentration camps.
Anne’s life was secluded like that of Valli’s both of them had limitless ideologies of being adventurous. It is also astonishing to notice such great heights of maturity and responsibility in children of such tender ages. Lastly, both Anne and Valli had clear goal set which inspires the readers to dream and strive for them to come true.

Question.Describe Valli’s return journey.
Answer.The bus resumed its return journey. There were the same wonderful sights. Valli enjoyed the scene again. But suddenly she saw a young cow lying dead, by the roadside. It had been struck by a fast moving vehicle. She asked the conductor if it was the same cow they saw earlier. The conductor nodded. Valli became sad. It had been a lovable, beautiful creature just a little ago. But now the cow was without its charm and its life. The bus moved on. The memory of the dead cow haunted Valli. She no longer wanted to see out of the window. She kept sitting on her seat until her village came. She got down and wished the conductor to see him again. The conductor smiled. He told Valli that whenever she felt like riding the bus she could come and join them.

Question.” Never mind,” she said, “I can get on by myself.” “You don’t have to help me,” said Valli to the conductor. She shows extraordinary courage in making the bus journey all alone. Taking inspiration from Valli’s character, write how the ability and courage to take risk are essential to fulfilling one’s dream. Or Valli nurtures a strong desire to travel by bus and visit the city. She works hard for it and finally, she is successful. Based on this incident, analyse what values of life do you need to nurture to attain your goals in life?
Answer.Valli is an eight-year-old village girl. She is fascinated by the bus that comes to the village every hour. She develops a desire and then a longing turning into a firm determination to ride the bus. She meticulously plans for it and saves money for the bus journey. Then she boards the bus without anyone’s help. She travels all alone, confidently and independently and finally returns home successfully. Her self-dependence and self-respecting nature help her to nurture her goal. She enjoys her journey. Similarly, to achieve goals in life, we need to have such values in us. One should be confident and self-dependent. Proper planning and strong determination lead to success. Enthusiasm and excitement to achieve the goal are also needed to nurture our goals in life.

Question. Why does Valli refuse to look out of the window on her way back?
Answer. On her way to the town, Valli laughed heartily to see a young cow running at high speed in the middle of the road just in front of their bus. But on her way back, she saw a young cow lying dead near the road. She asked the bus conductor if it was the same cow that was running in front of the bus. The bus conductor nodded. She was shocked and sad. So she refuses to look out of the window on her way back because what was so beautiful a little while ago now looked so horrible. The memory of the dead cow haunts her. It dampens her enthusiasm.  

Question. In such a fast moving world when we hear so many incidents happening with people, do you think Valli did right by not telling her mother about the bus journey?
Answer. No, I don’t think that Valli did the right thing in travelling alone to the town without informing her mother. By doing this, she put herself in a vulnerable position as she could have easily been a victim of child abuse had she come in contact with wrong people. In fact, she was lucky to return home safely. Children should always travel along with their parents or elders as they are easy targets for criminals. We hear a lot of instances of crime committed against children these days like kidnapping,child abuse, molestation, rape etc. Valli could have expressed her desire of travelling in the bus to her mother. I am sure that her mother would have fulfilled her wish by talking her on a bus ride.

Question. An eight-y ear old girt travelling alone on a bus. Is it fight on the girt’s part to take this journey? What would have happened if she had informed her mother before leaving?
Answer. An eight-y ear old girl travelling alone is quite an unusual scenario. It was not right on Va Ill's part to take this journey alone. Anything could
have gone wrong with her during her journey.
The bus might not hove returned in time or would have returned the next day. She had not informed her mother about it so, if the bus hod been delayed due to unknown reasons, her family wouLdn't have known anything about their child. It was really fortunate that she got caring co-passengers and a helpful conductor. If Valli had informed her mother before Leaving, either her mother would have refused to let her go aLone or she would have accompanied her on the ride.

Question. If you were one of the passengers on the bus in which Valli was travelling, would you appreciate her taking the journey alone or would you discourage her decision? Imagine yourself as the author of ‘Madam Rides the Bus* and write an imaginary conversation between you and ValLi to answer the question.
Answer. Valli: (to the bus conductor) Here’s your money for the ticket sir!
Me: Hey you little kid. Where are your parents?
Whom ore you travelling with?
Valli: Myself. I am a big girt now I can travel all alone. Also, I have paid for the ticket fare myself.
Me: (shocking) What! Is there no one accompanying you, dear? Well this is insane. I know that you are a big girL now, but I believe not as big as to be able to travel alone. You should have taken someone along with you.
Do your parents know about this journey?
Valli: No. My mother was asleep. But I will return to the town by the same bus itself.
Do not worry about me. str. I have calculated everything.
Mei What if the tyre of the bus gets punctured and you couldn't get back home in time? What will you do then Valli?
Valli: [tensed) Oh yesl You are right I haven't thought about it at alL I will never traveL alone from next tim e.
Me: Good girtl

Section A (Reading)

1. Read the passage carefully:-

He is a lover of languages, fluent in German, French and English and of course, his mother tongue Tamil. Teaching German at the Goethe Institute up to seven days a week, and heading the long distance learning programme in co operation with IGNOU, keep him very busy. As if his life wasn't hectic enough, P. Saralathan has translated Franz Kafka's "Letter to the Father' from the original German text to Tamil. The Tamil translation is entitled

'Thandaiku' Saralathan says he was inspired to translate 'Letter to the Father' for the potential of Kafka's words make us look at the power wielded by Indian parents over their children. In a rare departure for contemporary Indian or Tamil Literature, this book explores the son's pent up remorse towards his father. It is not to say that a son in India can not feel for his father, but according to Saralathan, it's something that is not really discussed openly in our patriarchal society.

Answer the following questions by selecting the most appropriate option from the ones given below

(a) What makes Saralathan extremely busy?

(b) Why was he inspired to translate 'Letter to the Father' into Tamil?

(c) What has this book tried to explore?

(d) The word 'pent up' in the passage means__________.

(e) A patriarchal society is headed by________.

Section B (Writing)

2. Considering the acute shortage of water in some parts of your city, your school has decided to launch a rain water harvesting program in the school. As the President of the Environment Club of your school, write an article for your school magazine, in not more than 150 words ,informing the students about the program, its benefits, the simple techniques that can be used to store rain water and utilize it for various purposes. Refer to the Unit ‘Environment’ in MCB.

3. A travel agency has arranged an informal dinner party for a select group of potential customers. Most of them are people who have availed of the services of the agency on at least one occasion. The purpose of the evening is to promote new schemes that the agency has brought out for holiday makers. Before dinner is served, the manager of the travel company gives a talk about these schemes. Write out the speech in about 150 words .

* thanks for choosing the agency

* new destinations

* affordable packages

* concessions on offer

* bonus points

* tie-ups with exclusive resorts/hotels/airlines

Section C (Grammar)

4. The following passage has not been edited. There is an error in each line against which a blank has been given. Write the incorrect word and the correction in your answer sheet