Chapter 1: How I Taught My Grandmother to Read (0903CH01)
Kaveri · 54 questions · 14 sections
Chapter code: 0903ch01 · Book: Kaveri · Class 9 English
Find complete NCERT solutions for Class 9 English, Kaveri Chapter 1. This page covers How I Taught My Grandmother to Read with clear answers for chapter code 0903CH01.
Reflect and Respond(5 questions)
Why is it important to learn how to read and write?
Reading and writing are important because they help in communication, give access to knowledge, provide independence, build confidence, and open opportunities.
Which language(s) do your grandparents or elderly relatives speak?
They speak Kannada (replace with your family's language if different).
How do they spend their time? How do you spend time with them?
They spend time in prayer, storytelling, and household work. I spend time listening to their stories and playing games with them.
What is your favourite experience with them?
My favourite experience is listening to their childhood stories.
What is something that the elderly in your family cannot do easily but enjoy watching you do?
They cannot use a smartphone easily but enjoy watching me use it.
Vocabulary Exercise(1 questions)
Match the highlighted words with their meanings.
1. excitedly → eagerly 2. believable → convincing 3. people living in one particular area → community 4. discussion → debate 5. a part of a story → episode 6. focus → concentration 7. main character → protagonist 8. directed → guided
Reading for Meaning(3 questions)
Complete the cause and effect table.
1. Cause: The transport system was not very good in those days → Effect: The morning papers arrived late in the day and weekly magazines came one day late. 2. Cause: The grandmother, Krishtakka, never went to school → Effect: She could not read. 3. Cause: She identified herself with the story's protagonist and listened with great concentration → Effect: She was deeply interested in the story and discussed it with her friends. 4. Cause: The narrator went to a wedding for a week → Effect: The grandmother could not get the latest episode read to her, so she was in tears when the narrator returned. 5. Cause: People did not consider education essential for girls in those days → Effect: The grandmother never went to school. 6. Cause: The grandmother regretted not going to school → Effect: She made sure that her children and grandchildren studied well.
Did the narrator expect to see her grandmother in tears? Why/Why not?
No, because she had never seen her cry even in difficult situations.
How might the narrator help her grandmother to fulfil her desire to learn?
By teaching her the Kannada alphabet patiently and reading stories with her.
Check Your Understanding(6 questions)
The grandmother wanted to learn the Kannada alphabet to gain independence. (True/False)
True
The grandmother asked someone in the village to read Kashi Yatre to her while the narrator was away. (True/False)
False
The narrator was the grandmother's first teacher and taught her how to read Kannada. (True/False)
True
The grandmother believed that there was no age limit for learning. (True/False)
True
The grandmother touched the narrator's feet as a mark of respect for her as a teacher. (True/False)
True
The narrator was disappointed with the progress her grandmother made in learning to read. (True/False)
False
Critical Reflection: Extract 1(5 questions)
The phrase 'never seen her cry in the most difficult situations' tells us that the grandmother was ...
Strong-willed
Grandmother did not reply because she might have been too ...
Emotional
Identify the clue that indicates a rural setting.
"Sleeping in the open terrace ... summer night ... full moon."
Which lines establish a tender atmosphere?
"Her affectionate hands touched my forehead."
Which aspect is NOT emphasised?
Grandmother's regret over her lack of education.
Critical Reflection: Extract 2(5 questions)
What does the grandmother's statement 'I want to be independent' reveal?
She desires self-sufficiency.
The grandmother's determination shows that learning has no ...
Age limit.
Why does the narrator laugh at her grandmother's decision?
Because she assumed sixty-two was too old to learn.
List any two qualities displayed by the grandmother. (30–40 words)
The grandmother displayed determination and patience. Despite her age, she worked tirelessly to learn the Kannada alphabet. Her perseverance and calm acceptance of challenges showed her strong will and eagerness to achieve independence through education.
How can we say that the narrator is making assumptions about her grandmother? (30–40 words)
The narrator assumed that age, grey hair, and physical limitations would prevent her grandmother from learning. These assumptions overlooked her inner strength and resolve, proving that the narrator judged her abilities based only on outward appearance.
Answer the Following (Paragraphs 30–40 words)(7 questions)
Why do you think the grandmother felt embarrassed to ask someone else to read to her while the narrator was away?
The grandmother felt embarrassed because she did not want others to know her weakness. Depending on others for reading made her feel helpless, so she waited eagerly for her granddaughter to return and read the story aloud.
Why does the narrator initially laugh at her grandmother's determination to learn at the age of sixty-two?
The narrator laughed because she thought learning at sixty-two was unrealistic. She assumed her grandmother's age, grey hair, and household responsibilities made education impossible, not realising that determination can overcome such barriers.
What significance does the story of Kashi Yatre have in both the grandmother's life and the story?
Kashi Yatre symbolised sacrifice and devotion. The grandmother identified with the protagonist's struggles and selflessness, which inspired her desire to read independently. The story became a turning point, motivating her to pursue literacy despite her age.
What does the grandmother's desire to learn the Kannada alphabet reflect about her?
Her desire reflects her longing for independence and dignity. She wanted to overcome her dependence on others and prove that learning has no age limit. It shows her courage, self-respect, and belief in the power of education.
What lessons can we infer from the grandmother's action of touching the narrator's feet?
By touching her granddaughter's feet, the grandmother showed respect for the role of a teacher, regardless of age. This teaches us humility, reverence for knowledge, and the importance of valuing education above social conventions.
What does the line 'For a good cause if you are determined, you can overcome any obstacle' tell us about the broader theme of the story?
The line highlights that determination and perseverance can break barriers of age, tradition, or circumstance. It reflects the broader theme that education and self-belief empower individuals to achieve independence and dignity in life.
How effectively does the story highlight the value of education in supporting personal independence?
The story shows education as a tool for freedom and self-reliance. The grandmother's journey proves that literacy empowers individuals to live with confidence, dignity, and independence, making education essential for personal growth at any age.
Vocabulary and Structures(3 questions)
Binomials — match with their meanings and use in sentences.
sink or swim → succeed or fail without help — Life is full of challenges; you must sink or swim. on and off → sometimes, occasionally — It rained on and off all day. mix and match → put different things together — She likes to mix and match her clothes. all or nothing → something done completely or not at all — Success is all or nothing in competitive exams. part and parcel → complete part of or belong to — Hard work is part and parcel of success. pick and choose → choose only the best sooner or later → at sometime in the future leaps and bounds → increase or develop quickly
Prefixes — form the opposite word.
popular → unpopular belief → disbelief important → unimportant respect → disrespect correct → incorrect continue → discontinue understand → misunderstand ordinary → extraordinary interesting → uninteresting possible → impossible
Idioms — match with their meanings.
hit the books → study seriously draw a blank → unable to remember learn the ropes → understand how to do something rack one's brain → think very hard learn by heart → memorise burn the midnight oil → study late at night
Learning Beyond the Text(1 questions)
India has 22 major languages according to the Eighth Schedule. Complete the family-words table with words from any five Indian languages.
Example (Kannada): Grandmother – Avva, Grandfather – Ajja, Mother – Amma, Father – Appa, Sister – Akka, Brother – Anna. Substitute real words from any five languages and discuss similarities.
Listen and Respond (Digital Literacy)(5 questions)
Literacy these days includes the ability to use _______.
digital tools (effectively and responsibly)
Digital literacy is also about protecting _______.
personal data
Digital literacy enables the elderly to _______.
stay connected
Digital literacy encourages using the internet safely by helping us recognise _______ and _______.
misinformation; scams (and cyber threats)
The National Digital Literacy Mission helps people across the country by imparting _______.
IT training
Speaking Activity — Turncoat Debate(2 questions)
Topic 1: It is important to learn a new language apart from your mother tongue. Speak 'for' and 'against'.
For: learning another language broadens opportunity, connects cultures, improves career prospects. Against: your mother tongue preserves identity and family bonds; not everyone needs a second language.
Topic 2: Learning can happen only when you are young. Speak for and against.
For: young minds grasp languages and skills quickly with flexible memory. Against: adults learn through experience and motivation; age is never a barrier to education.
Vocabulary and Structures in Context (V-i): Tenses(5 questions)
When the delegates _______ (arrive) at the conference, the keynote speaker _______ (already begin) the session.
arrived; had already begun
After the students _______ (learn) how to identify fake news online, they _______ (start) verifying information before sharing it.
had learnt / had learned; started
Before Kiran _______ (start) using digital payment platforms, she _______ (ensure) her understanding of online fraud prevention.
started; had ensured
By the time Varun _______ (recognise) the importance of budgeting, he _______ (exhaust) most of his savings.
recognised; had exhausted
When Raghu _______ (log in) to the cybersecurity webinar, the instructor _______ (already discuss) the importance of strong passwords.
logged in; had already discussed
Vocabulary and Structures in Context (V-ii): Tenses(5 questions)
Last year, my parents and I _______ (take) a financial planning course. When we _______ (review) our expenses, we realised we _______ (spend) too much.
A. took; B. reviewed; C. had spent
After my parents _______ (discuss) ways to save, I _______ (open) a savings account.
D. discussed; E. opened
By the time we _______ (set) our budget, the course _______ (already introduce) investment strategies.
F. set; G. had already introduced
We _______ (hurry) to take notes, but many participants _______ (complete) their financial plans.
H. hurried; I. had completed
Despite that, we _______ (enjoy) learning how to manage money wisely.
J. enjoyed
Writing Task — Letter to the Editor(1 questions)
Write a letter to the Editor of a local newspaper emphasising the importance of student participation in adult literacy camps. Discuss benefits and suggest ways to spread awareness.
Dear Editor, Students can powerfully promote adult literacy. Camps empower adults, build students' leadership and empathy, and create an educated community. Schools should partner with NGOs, run awareness drives, offer volunteer credits, and organise flexible sessions to encourage more students to join this noble cause. Yours truly, A Concerned Student.