CBSE Class 10 English Bholi VBQs

Multiple Choice Questions

Question. What do you mean by the word ‘simpleton’ as used in the chapter to describe Bholi?
(a) Simple
(b) Foolish
(c) Basic
(d) None of these
Answer. (b) 

Question. Why did Bholi talk very little?
(a) She stammered
(b) Other kids mimicked her and made fun of her
(c) She was an introvert
(d) None of the above
Answer. (b) 

Question. How was Bholi treated in the family?
(a) She was not given new clothes
(b) None cared to wash her clothes
(c) None cared to comb her hair
(d) All of the above
Answer. (d) 

Question. What was the name of the cow that Bholi had?
(a) Lakshmi
(b) Gayatri
(c) Ganga
(d) Gayya
Answer. (a)

Question. “What’s the matter with you, you fool? I am only taking you to school.” Who said this to whom?
(a) Tehsildar to Ramlal
(b) Teacher to Bholi
(c) Ramlal to Bholi
(d) Head-mistress to Bholi
Answer. (c) 

Question. Whose paintings did she see on the classroom wall?
(a) Cow
(b) Goat
(c) Parrot
(d) All of these
Answer. (d) 

Question. What do you think how Bholi used to feel about herself before she started to going to school?
(i) Nobody loves me.
(ii) I’m a burden on my family.
(iii) I am of no good to anyone.
(iv) I wish I could speak and look like other children of my age.
(a) (i) and (ii)
(b) (ii) and (iv)
(c) (iii) and (iv)
(d) All of the above
Answer. (d) 

Question. Why did the garland remain poised in Bishamber’s hands?
(a) On seeing pock-marks on Bholi’s face
(b) He was shocked to see Bholi
(c) On hearing Bholi’s stammering
(d) On seeing veil over bride’s face
Answer. (a)

Question. Ramlal went and placed his turban at Bishamber’s feet. Here ‘his turban’ means ………… .
(a) a piece of cloth
(b) his honour
(c) his money
(d) None of the above
Answer. (b) 

Question. How did Bholi react when Bishamber was about to place garland round her neck?
(a) She happily accepted the garland.
(b) She flung the garland into sacred fire.
(c) She stood up and threw away her veil.
(d) Both (b) and (c)
Answer. (d)

Question. Choose the option that gives the most appropriate response to the statement made by the speaker.
Ramlal was more concerned about his izzat than Bholi’s life.
(a) I think Ramlal and his wife were right at their point.
(b) I think Bholi took the right decision by calling off the marriage.
(c) I think Bholi should not have called off the wedding.
(d) I think Bholi should not have said a word.
Answer. (b) 

Question. Choose the correct option for (i) and (ii).
(i) Everyone was shocked on hearing Bholi at the time of her wedding.
(ii) Bholi spoke without any stammering.
(a) (i) is true (ii) is false
(b) (ii) is true (i) is false
(c) (i) is the result of (ii)
(d) Both (i) and (ii) are false
Answer. (c)

Extract Based MCQs

1. Read the extract to attempt the questions that follow.

“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 teachers and the other school girls 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. Why did Ramlal call Bholi a fool? This was because
(a) Bholi had become hysterical and was screaming.
(b) Bholi shouted in fear and pulled her hand away.
(c) Bholi was behaving foolishly and was running away.
(d) Bholi had been behaving very strangely with her father.
Answer. (b) 

Question. Pick the option that best describes how Bholi felt at the end of her first day in school.
(a) lost and scared
(b) calm and peaceful
(c) elated and peaceful
(d) hopeful and elated
Answer. (d)

Question. Why was Bholi’s hair matted?
(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. The phrase ‘passed on’ is similar to ……… .
(a) hand-me-down
(b) nearly new
(c) rubbish
(d) scrap
Answer. (a) 

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) 

2. Read the extract to attempt the questions that follow.

“Ramlal stood rooted to the ground, his head bowed low with the weight of grief and shame. The flames of the sacred fire slowly died down. Everyone was gone. Ramlal turned to Bholi and said, “But what about you, no one will ever marry you now.What shall we do with you?”
And Sulekha said in a voice that was calm and steady. “Don’t you worry, Pitaji! In your old age I will serve you and Mother and I will teach in the same school where I learnt so much. Isn’t that right, Ma’am?” The teacher had all along stood in a corner, watching the drama. “Yes, Bholi, of course,” she replied. And in her smiling eyes was the light of a deep satisfaction that an artist feels when contemplating the completion of her masterpiece.”

Question. Ramlal stood rooted to the ground because he
(a) was moved by what he heard.
(b) was influenced by Bholi’s words.
(c) was in a state of shock.
(d) was in an immovable position.
Answer. (c) 

Question. Bholi had refused to get married as
(a) her father couldn’t afford the dowry thatwas demanded.
(b) the bridegroom had been greedy and was disrespectful.
(c) the bridegroom had insulted her father.
(d) her fatherwas getting hermarried to aman older to her.
Answer. (b) 

Question. Pick the sentence that brings out the meaning of ‘contemplating’ as used in the extract.
(a) Contemplating sharing my belongings with someone is definitely tough.
(b) She took some time to respond as she was contemplating what to say.
(c) I was contemplating my reflection in the mirror and was speechless.
(d) She was contemplating though the pages of the document that was with her.
Answer. (b) 

Question. Why did the teacher stand in one corner watching the drama?
(a) She was elated to see what was happening.
(b) She wanted to see what Bholi would be doing.
(c) She didn’t want to interfere in a family matter.
(d) She had faith in Bholi standing up for herself.
Answer. (d)

Question. Pick the option that includes the correct matches of Column A with Column B.
Column A              Column B
A. Bholi               1. independent and confident
B. Ramlal            2. burden less and free
C. Teacher           3. sense of contentment and accomplishment
                          4. embarrassed and anxious
(a) A-2; B-4; C-3
(b) A-1; B-4; C-3
(c) A-3; B-2; C-1
(d) A-3; B-2; C-4
Answer. (b) 

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. Why is Sulekha called ‘Bholi’?
Answer. Sulekha is called ‘Bholi’ because she is a simpleton who had suffered some brain damage after falling off a cot when she was ten months old. As a result, she is slow in learning things and also stammered while speaking.

Question. Ramlal was worried about Bholi as she didn’t have good looks. Counter the belief that it’s important for a girl to be good looking and give a reason for the same. 
Answer. The belief that it’s important for girl to be good looking, is wrong. It is not good looks that bring a person comfortable and prosperous life. It is a person’s good behaviour, intelligence, pure heart and courage that ensures that he/she lives a happy life. Good looks doesn’t stay forever, whether in a boy or a girl, it’s a persons virtues that stay forever and thus, are more important.

Question. How did you feel when you read about Bholi being ignored and ill-treated by her parents as a child?
Answer. I fell terribly sorrowful when I read about Bholi being ignored and ill-treated by her parents for no fault of her. All the problems faced by Bholi were not caused by her, they were accidents and mishaps. In this case, her parents behaviour was not justified.

Question. For what unusual reason is Bholi sent to school?
Answer. Bholi was sent to school because when the primary school opened in their village the Tehsildar advised her father to send his daughter to the school as an example for the villagers. After talking with his wife, it was decided that if the ugly Bholi went to school, it would not harm their other daughter’s marriage prospects.

Question. Does Bholi enjoy her first day at school? NCERT
Answer. Initially, Bholi was scared to go to school. She cried and sat in the corner of her classroom. However, she was fascinated by the colourful pictures on the walls which were very realistic.
Therefore, Bholi was not completely afraid in the school but did enjoy some part of it because of the kind teacher and the new life that it would bring.

Question. Does she find her teacher to be different from the people at home? 
Answer. Yes, Bholi found her teacher to be different from the people at home. At home, she was neglected and no one paid attention to her. She never bathed nor were her clothes washed. She was criticised and everyone made fun of her. Her teacher was entirely different. She was kind, soft and affectionate. She encouraged her and filled her with a hope of new life.

Question. What filled Bholi’, a dump cow, with a new hope in her? 
or Bholi’s heart was overflowing with a ‘new hope and a new life’.What does the phrase ‘a new hope and a new life’ mean to Bholi ?
Answer. Bholi’s heart was overflowing with ‘a new hope and a new life’. This means that the new hope which came into Bholi’s life was the hope of education when Bholi went to school, her teacher showed her the path of a new life through education. She assured Bholi that she would be able to speak without stammer, and that she would be the most learned person in the village and no one would laugh at her instead they would respect her.

Question. What objections does Ramlal have to Bishamber’s proposal?
Answer. Ramlal was not very happy with Bishamber’s proposal.
He did not like the fact that Bishamber was of his age.He had a limp (lameness, difficulty in walking) and his children from his first wife were quite grown up.
It was not a very satisfactory proposition. But he could not do anything for her as Bholi was not beautiful like his other daughters.

Question. Why do Bholi’s parents accept Bishamber's marriage proposal?
Answer. Bholi’s parents accepted Bishamber’s marriage proposal Bishamber was a well-to-do person. He had a big shop, owned a house and he was not asking for dowry as well. He did not know about Bholi’s pock marks also. Moreover, Bholi was considered to lack sense and she used to stammer also.

Question. Why did Bholi dislike Bishamber? 
or Why did Bholi not marry Bishamber?
Answer. Bholi did not marry Bishamber because, on seeing her pock-marked face, he asked for a dowry of five thousand rupees in order to marry her and insulted her father. This made Bholi refuse to marry him.

Question. What kind of mother was Ramlal‘s wife? CBSE 2014
Answer. Ramlal’s wife (Bholi’s mother) was a traditional housewife who believed that daughters should not be educated as it would be difficult to find grooms for them. She neglected Bholi as she was ugly and dumb and wanted to get rid of her by marrying her off to anyone.

Question. How did Bholi’s teacher play an important role in changing the course of her life? 
Answer. Bholi used to stammer and was afraid to speak when she attended school in the beginning. Her teacher treated her kindly and encouraged her to have confidence. She taught Bholi to read and write and made her an independent girl who was aware of her rights. It was because of her teacher’s guidance that Bholi developed her personality. Thus, with her kindness, love and affection she changed Bholi’s life.

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’ means a simpleton. Throughout the story she had been a simpleton who hardly expressed her opinion on any matter. The word Sulekha means ‘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. After her education, Bholi has really changed to Sulekha and her 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. How would you have reacted if you were one of the guests witnessing Bholi’s wedding when she refused to marry Bishamber Nath?
Answer. I would have been very proud that she took a stand for herself. It is important for us to understand that no one can humiliate a person like this just because they are not good looking. I would definitely praise Bholi for being so brave.

Question. Do you think Bholi’s father would have agreed to the match if her mother hadn’t insisted upon it? Why/why not? 
Answer. I think Bholi’s father would have agreed to the match even if her mother didn't insist upon it. It is clear that he was thinking about it as he had been worried about her looks when her sister was getting married. He had already thought that because of her looks and less intelligence the chances of Bholi’s marriage will be very less.

Long Answer Type 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’. 
or How did education change Bholi’s personality?
Answer. Education brought about a huge change in Bholi’s personality. Bholi was a backward child. As a kid, she was a meek girl who had pockmarks all over her body and used to stammer. She could not speak until she was 5 years old. Because of these reasons, she was a neglected child of her family. No one cared for her and she lost all the confidence in herself. When her father was forced to send one of his daughters to school for education, Bholi was the first option. In the school, Bholi bloomed. The teacher treated her with love and care which she had never seen before. She encouraged the little girl and guided her into becoming a strong- minded girl. Bholi learned to read and write and speak without stammering. As a result, she became confident and independent while being aware of her rights.
She learnt to fight against what she thought was wrong. It was because of her education that she could speak up against the groom and refused to marry a greedy man.
The now independent Bholi told her parents that she would teach at the school and take care of her parents in their old age. This Bholi stands in sharp contrast to the old weak Bholi, all because of her education.

Question. Bholi is a child different from others. This difference makes her an object of neglect and laughter.
Elaborate. 
Answer. Bholi was a child different from others. She suffered from a weakmind due to her accident (falling fromthe cot) when she was ten months old. She also started to a stammer while speaking.
Then, she became ugly due to the 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 the 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.
As we know that every child is special, proper guidance and support should be given to boost up their morals and encourge them to do good in their lives. There are a lot of children like Bholi in our society who need utmost care and affection. We must help them to improve their lives to excel in their future.

Question. What do you know about Bishamber Nath? Why did Bholi refuse to marry him? 
Answer. Bishamber Nath was a well-to-do prosperous grocer who was of the same age as Bholi’s father. He was a widower who had a shop and a house of his own along with a big bank balance. With grown up children from his first wife, Bishamber decided to get married again and agreed to the proposal of marrying Bholi.
On the day of the marriage, Bishamber came to the venue with his friends and family. He entered the venue with much pomp and show.
At the time of the ceremony, Bholi entered the venue and her veil was slipped. Initially, Bishamber had not asked for any dowry but after looking at Bholi’s pock-marked face, he asked Bholi’s father to give ` 5000 as dowry. Ramlal, Bholi’s father started crying and bought out ` 5000. Satisfied with the dowry, Bishamber proceeded with the ceremony, but Bholi refused to marry him. She told her father that she would not marry a greedy man such as Bishamber. She would rather take care of her parents in their old age.

Question. How did Bholi’s teacher help her to overcome her fear of school and become a confident girl?
Answer. Bholi was a meek girl. She had pockmarks all her body. She was a slow learner and used to stammer while speaking. When Bholi was sent to school for the first time, she did not know anything about the school. On reaching school she sat down in the corner of her class. When teacher asked her name, she stammered and could not tell her name.
All the girls laughed at her and Bholi felt hesitant and ashamed. After school got over, the teacher came to Bholi and again asked her name. Bholi, with so much stammering, finally spoke and told her name to the teacher. The teacher boosted her confidence by appreciating her effort. She assured Bholi that with time, she would be able to speak confidently. The teacher started by giving her a picture book and then help her reading and writing and learning other big books. Her kind attitude towards Bholi, her affection and encouragement motivated Bholi to overcome the fear of school and become a confident girl.

Question. After reading Bholi’s story you decide to write a blog on the importance of educating the girl child and how it empowers her. Write that blog expressing your views. 
Answer. Importance of Educating the Girl Child Right to Education is one of the Fundamental Rights as recognised by our Constitution. And yet, in many parts of our country girls are not send to school by their parents. For the longest time, education has been treated as ‘privilege’ which only the boy child deserved because people thought girls should only focus on household chores and taking care of their family. And, because of this lack of education, they have been ill-treated even more, for they never learnt what is right and what is wrong.
This understanding comes from education and thus, it’s imperative that we educate the girls. It will help them understand what is good for them and will also empower them to stand and fight for their rights. It will stop the mistreatment as it has done for many.
Only then can they be truly safe and happy. Education can also help them become independent, thus, helping them become more confident and self-dependent rather than depending on their family which only leads to more ill treatment and resentment.

Extract Based Questions

1. Read the extract to attempt the questions that follow.

When she was two years old, she had an attack of small-pox. Only the eyes were saved, but the entire body was permanently disfigured by deep black pockmarks. Little Sulekha could not speak till she was five, and when at last she learnt to speak, she stammered. The other children often made fun of her and mimicked her. As a result, she talked very little.

Question. What did Sulekha later on come to be known as?
Answer. Sulekha later on came to be known as Bholi.

Question. Why did children make fun of her?
Answer. Children made fun of her because she stammered while speaking.

Question. What does the word ‘mimicked’ mean?
Answer. The word ‘mimicked’ means to copy the speech of others.

Question. Why was Bholi a backward child?
Answer. Bholi was a backward child because when she was ten months old, she fell of a cot on her head which damaged some part of her brain.

Question. How was Bholi at the time of birth?
Answer. Bholi was a fair and pretty looking child at the time of birth.

2. Read the extract to attempt the questions that follow.

The next day Ramlal caught Bholi by the hand and said, “Come with me. I will take you to school.” Bholi was frightened. She did not know what a school was like. She remembered how a few days ago their old cow, Lakshmi, had been turned out of the house and sold. “N-n-n-n No, no-no-no,” she shouted in terror and pulled her hand away from her father’s grip. “What’s the matter with you, you fool?” shouted Ramlal. “I am only taking you to school.”

Question. Why was Bholi being taken to school?
Answer. Tehsildar had asked Ramlal to send his daughters to school to set an example in front of the village as Ramlal was the numberdar of the village. So, Bholi was sent to school.

Question. Why did Bholi shout in terror?
Answer. Bholi shouted in terror as she thought that her father would throw her out of the house and sell her.

Question. How was Bholi treated by her family on the first day of her school?
Answer. Bholi was given new clothes, her hair were washed and oil was rubbed in her dry and matted hair.

Question. What did Bholi know about school?
Answer. Bholi did not know anything about school, how it looked and what is being done there.

Question. Find the word in the extract which means scared.
Answer. Frightened is the word which means scared.

3. Read the extract to attempt the questions that follow.

The lady teacher who was in class was saying something to the girls but Bholi could understand nothing. She looked at the pictures on the wall. The colours fascinated her — the horse was brown just like the horse on which the Tehsildar had come to visit their village; the goat was black like the goat of their neighbour; the parrot was green like the parrots she had seen in the mango orchard; and the cow was just like their Lakshmi. And suddenly Bholi noticed that the teacher was standing by her side, smiling at her.

Question. Where was Bholi?
Answer. Bholi was in the classroom in the primary school of her village.

Question. Why could Bholi not understand anything?
Answer. She could not understand anything as it was her first day at school.

Question. Why was Bholi sent to school?
Answer. Bholi’s parents thought that since she was not good looking and lacked intelligence, no one would marry her and hence, sending her to school was the best option.

Question. How did Bholi feel when she reached the school?
Answer. Bholi was scared as she did not know what happened at the school.

Question. Whom did Ramlal hand Bholi over to?
Answer. Ramlal handed Bholi over to the headmistress of the school, who then took her to her classroom.

4. Read the extract to attempt the questions that follow.

In the other corner of the courtyard, Bholi lay awake on her cot, listening to her parents’ whispered conversation. Bishamber Nath was a well-to-do grocer. He came with a big party of friends and relations with him for the wedding. A brass-band playing a popular tune from an Indian film headed the procession, with the bridegroom riding a decorated horse. Ramlal was overjoyed to see such pomp and splendour. He had never dreamt that his fourth daughter would have such a grand wedding. Bholi’s elder sisters who had come for the occasion were envious of her luck.

Question. Which conversation was Bholi listening to?
Answer. Bholi was listening to her parents’ conversations about her marriage with Bishamber Nath.

Question. Who was Bishamber Nath?
Answer. Bishamber Nath was a well-to-do grocer, a 45-50 years old lame widower from another village.

Question. How did Bishmaber come to the wedding procession?
Answer. Bishamber came to the wedding procession with a big party and a great pomp and show.

Question. Why were Bholi’s sisters envious of her luck?
Answer. Bholi’s sisters were envious of her luck because her bridegroom came with lot of splendor and was riding a decorated horse and he was a well-to-do grocer.

Question. Find the word from the extract which is opposite in meaning to modesty?
Answer. Splendour is the word opposite in meaning to modesty.