Class 9 · English · Kaveri
Chapter 1 Important Questions: How I Taught My Grandmother to Read
1 Mark5 questions
Q1.MCQ
What does the word 'Avva' mean in the Kannada spoken in north Karnataka?
▶ Show Answer▼ Hide Answer
The word 'Avva' means 'mother' in the Kannada spoken in north Karnataka.
Q2.MCQ
Which of the following best describes Triveni's writing style? A. Complex and difficult to understand B. Easy to read and very convincing C. Focused only on historical events D. Written exclusively for children
▶ Show Answer▼ Hide Answer
B. Easy to read and very convincing. The story states that Triveni's style was easy to read and very convincing, and her stories dealt with complex psychological problems in the lives of ordinary people.
Q3.short
Why did the grandmother feel embarrassed to ask someone in the village to read Kashi Yatre to her while the narrator was away?
▶ Show Answer▼ Hide Answer
The grandmother felt embarrassed because she did not want to appear dependent and helpless in front of others in the village. She was a well-off lady and felt that asking others for such help would reflect her inability to be independent.
Q4.MCQ
What was the deadline the grandmother set for herself to learn to read? A. Diwali B. Saraswati Puja day during Dassara C. New Year's Day D. Her birthday
▶ Show Answer▼ Hide Answer
B. Saraswati Puja day during Dassara. The grandmother decided to keep Saraswati Puja day during Dassara as the deadline by which she should be able to read a novel on her own.
Q5.MCQ
Which of the following statements is TRUE about the narrator's role in the story? A. The narrator was unaware that her grandmother could not read. B. The narrator initially refused to teach her grandmother. C. The narrator became her grandmother's teacher and it was her first experience of teaching. D. The narrator taught her grandmother Hindi, not Kannada.
▶ Show Answer▼ Hide Answer
C. The narrator became her grandmother's teacher and it was her first experience of teaching. The story mentions that the narrator was Krishtakka's only teacher and she was the narrator's first student. The narrator later reflects that she did not know then that she would one day become a teacher in Computer Science.
3 Marks6 questions
Q1.short
Why was the grandmother deeply interested in the serial novel Kashi Yatre? How did she connect with its protagonist?
▶ Show Answer▼ Hide Answer
The grandmother, Krishtakka, was deeply interested in the serial novel Kashi Yatre because she identified herself with the novel's protagonist — an old lady who had an ardent desire to go to Kashi (Varanasi). Just like the old lady in the novel, the grandmother too had never gone to Kashi. This personal connection made her emotionally invested in the story. She would listen to every episode with the greatest concentration and could later repeat the entire text by heart. She was the most eager to know what happened next in the story and would insist that the narrator read the serial to her. She also used to discuss the latest episode with her friends at the temple courtyard.
Q2.short
Why did the narrator find her grandmother in tears when she returned from the wedding? What does this incident reveal about the grandmother's character?
▶ Show Answer▼ Hide Answer
When the narrator returned after spending a week at a wedding in the neighbouring village, she found her grandmother in tears. The grandmother was crying because, during the narrator's absence, the weekly magazine Karmaveera had arrived with the next episode of Kashi Yatre. The grandmother opened the magazine but could not read it since she was illiterate. She rubbed her hands over the pages wishing she could understand the words but could not. She waited eagerly for the narrator but the narrator did not return soon. She felt helpless, dependent, and embarrassed to ask others for help. This incident reveals that the grandmother was a self-respecting, sensitive, and emotionally strong woman who deeply valued independence. Her tears show how strongly she felt about her inability to read and her desire to be self-sufficient.
Q3.short
What was the significance of the grandmother touching the narrator's feet on Saraswati Puja day? What tradition does this act reflect?
▶ Show Answer▼ Hide Answer
On Saraswati Puja day, the grandmother called the narrator to the puja place, gave her a gift of frock material, and then bent down to touch the narrator's feet. This act was highly significant because in Indian tradition, it is the younger people who touch the feet of elders, God, and teachers as a mark of respect. The reverse — an elder touching the feet of a youngster — was unusual and unexpected. However, the grandmother explained that she was touching the feet of a teacher, not her granddaughter. She was acknowledging the narrator's role as a teacher who had taught her so well and with so much affection that she could now read any novel confidently. This act reflects the Indian tradition of respecting a teacher (guru), irrespective of the teacher's age or gender, as mentioned in the scriptures. It also symbolises the grandmother's humility and gratitude.
Q4.short
How did the grandmother prove to be an ideal student during her learning journey?
▶ Show Answer▼ Hide Answer
The grandmother proved to be an ideal and dedicated student in the following ways: First, she showed tremendous determination and commitment. Despite being sixty-two years old with grey hair, wrinkled hands, and spectacles, she did not let age become a barrier. She began learning the Kannada alphabet the very next day after expressing her desire. Second, she was extremely hardworking. The narrator mentions that the amount of homework she did was amazing — she would read, repeat, write, and recite tirelessly. Third, she set a clear goal and deadline for herself — to be able to read a novel independently by Saraswati Puja day during Dassara. Fourth, she remained positive and ignored the narrator's childish mockery. When the narrator laughed at her, she simply smiled and said, 'For learning there is no age bar.' Her disciplined approach and positive attitude made her the narrator's most memorable first student.
Q5.short
Read the extract and answer the questions that follow: 'For a good cause if you are determined, you can overcome any obstacle. I will work harder than anybody but I will do it. For learning there is no age bar.' (i) Who says these words and to whom? (ii) What does this statement reveal about the speaker's character? (iii) Which word in the extract means 'a difficulty or challenge'?
▶ Show Answer▼ Hide Answer
(i) These words are spoken by the grandmother, Krishtakka, to her granddaughter, the narrator, who is a twelve-year-old girl. The grandmother says this in response to the narrator's childish mockery of her decision to learn the alphabet at the age of sixty-two.
(ii) This statement reveals that the grandmother is determined, positive, and courageous. She believes that age is not a barrier to learning. She is self-motivated and not deterred by the narrator's laughter. Her willingness to work harder than anybody shows her dedication and strong willpower. She is also wise, understanding that determination is the key to overcoming any challenge in life.
(iii) The word 'obstacle' in the extract means 'a difficulty or challenge'.
Q6.short
How does the story 'How I Taught My Grandmother to Read' highlight the importance of literacy for women? Support your answer with examples from the text.
▶ Show Answer▼ Hide Answer
The story 'How I Taught My Grandmother to Read' highlights the importance of literacy for women through the experiences of the grandmother, Krishtakka. In the story, the grandmother explains that she never went to school because in those days, people never considered education essential for girls. She got married young and was always busy with domestic responsibilities. Though she managed well, her lack of literacy left her feeling helpless and dependent when she could not read the serial novel Kashi Yatre in the magazine while the narrator was away. This single incident exposed the limitations she faced due to illiteracy. She tells the narrator, 'We are well-off, but what use is money when I cannot be independent?' This powerful statement underlines the fact that literacy, especially for women, is not just about reading and writing — it is about freedom, dignity, and self-sufficiency. The grandmother's determination to learn at sixty-two years of age, and her success in reading a full novel by Saraswati Puja day, shows that it is never too late for women to gain literacy. The story thus sends a strong message that education empowers women to live with confidence and independence, and that denying education to girls has lasting negative consequences on their lives.
5 Marks4 questions
Q1.long
The story 'How I Taught My Grandmother to Read' conveys the message that education leads to independence and self-respect. Discuss this theme with reference to the story.
▶ Show Answer▼ Hide Answer
The story 'How I Taught My Grandmother to Read' by Sudha Murty powerfully conveys the theme that education leads to independence, self-respect, and dignity. This is demonstrated through the character of the grandmother, Krishtakka. The grandmother never went to school because in those days, education for girls was not considered essential. She got married young, raised children and grandchildren, and found happiness in domestic life. However, she always regretted not having an education. The turning point in the story comes when the narrator goes away for a week and the grandmother is unable to read the latest episode of her favourite serial, Kashi Yatre, in the magazine Karmaveera. She feels helpless, dependent, and embarrassed — unable to ask others for help because she valued her self-respect. She tells the narrator, 'We are well-off, but what use is money when I cannot be independent?' This statement highlights that true independence is not about wealth but about the ability to function on one's own. Motivated by this desire for independence, the sixty-two-year-old grandmother decides to learn the Kannada alphabet. Despite her age and physical limitations, she works hard every day — reading, writing, repeating, and reciting. By Saraswati Puja day, she achieves her goal and is able to read the novel Kashi Yatre independently. Her act of touching the narrator's feet as a mark of respect for her teacher further illustrates the dignity she attaches to learning. The story thus clearly shows that literacy is not merely about reading and writing — it is about freedom, dignity, and the ability to live independently. The grandmother's journey from helplessness to confidence is an inspiring example of how education transforms lives at any age.
Q2.long
Describe the character of the grandmother, Krishtakka, as portrayed in the story 'How I Taught My Grandmother to Read'. What qualities make her an admirable person?
▶ Show Answer▼ Hide Answer
In the story 'How I Taught My Grandmother to Read' by Sudha Murty, the grandmother Krishtakka is portrayed as a deeply admirable, strong-willed, and emotionally rich character. The following qualities make her stand out: First, she is emotionally strong. The narrator mentions that she had never seen her grandmother cry even in the most difficult situations. This shows that Krishtakka was a resilient woman who faced life's hardships without breaking down. Second, she is self-respecting and values independence. When she could not read the magazine during the narrator's absence, she chose not to ask anyone in the village for help because she did not want to appear dependent and helpless. She says, 'What use is money when I cannot be independent?' This reveals her strong sense of self-worth. Third, she is determined and courageous. At the age of sixty-two, when most people would be content to remain as they are, she decides to learn to read. When the narrator laughs at her, she smiles and says, 'For learning there is no age bar.' Her determination to overcome obstacles is truly inspiring. Fourth, she is hardworking and disciplined. During her learning period, she would read, repeat, write, and recite tirelessly. Her dedication as a student was remarkable. Fifth, she is humble and grateful. Despite being an elder, she touches the narrator's feet to express gratitude for being taught. She recognises the narrator as her teacher and honours her accordingly. Overall, Krishtakka is a character who embodies the values of courage, humility, self-respect, and the lifelong love of learning. She is not just a grandmother but also a role model for readers of all ages.
Q3.long
What is the plot of the novel Kashi Yatre written by Triveni? How does it parallel the life of the grandmother in the story?
▶ Show Answer▼ Hide Answer
Kashi Yatre, written by Triveni, is a Kannada novel that was being serialised in the weekly magazine Karmaveera. The story revolves around an old lady who has an ardent and lifelong desire to go to Kashi (Varanasi) and worship Lord Vishweshwara, which is believed by most Hindus to be the ultimate punya or religious merit. The novel also features a young orphan girl who falls in love but has no money for her wedding. In the end, the old lady gives away all her savings for the orphan girl's wedding instead of going to Kashi, declaring, 'The happiness of this orphan girl is more important than worshipping Lord Vishweshwara at Kashi.' This act reflects the old lady's selflessness and compassion over personal religious desire. The parallel with the grandmother's life is striking. Just like the old lady in Kashi Yatre, the grandmother in the story also never went to Kashi. She identified herself deeply with the protagonist, which is why she was more interested than anyone else in knowing what happened next in the story. Both women share a common longing — the old lady for Kashi and the grandmother for education and independence — and both make sacrifices or compromises in their lives. The novel also ends on a note of selfless generosity, which mirrors the grandmother's own generosity of spirit as she dedicated herself to learning so that she could be independent and not burden others. The story within the story thus enriches the thematic depth of the narrative.
Q4.long
The narrator says, 'Little did I know then that one day I would become a teacher in Computer Science and teach hundreds of students.' What does this line suggest about the influence of the grandmother's determination on the narrator's life? Discuss the relationship between the grandmother and the narrator as portrayed in the story.
▶ Show Answer▼ Hide Answer
The line 'Little did I know then that one day I would become a teacher in Computer Science and teach hundreds of students' is a reflective and significant statement in the story. It suggests that the experience of teaching her grandmother was a formative moment in the narrator's life. Without fully realising it at the time, this first experience of being a teacher — patient, caring, and responsible — sowed the seeds for her future career as an educator. The grandmother's hunger for learning and her diligence as a student left a deep impression on the narrator. The relationship between the grandmother and the narrator in the story is beautifully layered with love, mutual respect, and warmth. On the surface, it is the relationship between a young girl and her elderly grandmother, but it evolves into something deeper — the relationship between a student and a teacher. The narrator, though only twelve years old, takes on the responsibility of teaching with affection and commitment. She buys the novel Kashi Yatre as a gift for her grandmother after the festival, showing thoughtfulness and love. The grandmother, on her part, treats the narrator not just as a granddaughter but honours her as a teacher by touching her feet — an act of great humility and respect in Indian culture. She explains, 'I am touching the feet of a teacher, not my granddaughter.' This line shows the grandmother's deep respect for the institution of teaching and for knowledge itself. Overall, the relationship is one of love, respect, equality, and mutual inspiration. The grandmother inspired the narrator to value education and teaching, and the narrator empowered the grandmother to achieve independence. Their bond transcends the conventional roles of age and relationship, making the story a heartwarming tribute to the power of learning and human connection.