Test: My Childhood - Class 9 MCQ

The narrator and his family lived in their ancestral house located on Mosque Street in Rameswaram. This house, built in the middle of the nineteenth century, was described as a fairly large pucca house made of limestone and brick. The setting of the ancestral house on Mosque Street provides insight into the family's living environment during the narrator's childhood.

The term "innate," as used in the passage, refers to qualities or feelings that are inborn, inherent, or existing in one's nature from birth. This implies that these qualities are not acquired through external influences but are a natural part of an individual's character or disposition.

The narrator's father used the metaphor of a seagull flying across the sun without a nest to convey the message that growth often requires leaving familiar surroundings. Just as the seagull flies alone without a nest, individuals may need to venture out of their comfort zones to evolve and reach their full potential.

The author inherited honesty and self-discipline from their father, and faith in goodness and deep kindness from their mother, as detailed in the passage. These values played a significant role in shaping the author's character and outlook on life.

The end of the Second World War signaled the imminent freedom of India, bringing about a sense of optimism and hope throughout the country. This event marked a significant turning point in India's history, paving the way for its independence movement and the building of a new nation.

The narrator contributed to the wartime efforts in his area by assisting in newspaper distribution. Due to the changes brought about by the war, he helped catch bundles of newspapers thrown from moving trains between Rameswaram and Dhanuskodi, thus supporting the distribution process.

The narrator experienced the outbreak of the Second World War at the age of eight years old. This event occurred in 1939 when the demand for tamarind seeds suddenly increased in the market, leading to significant changes in the narrator's life.

• During the Second World War, there was a sudden demand for tamarind seeds.
• The narrator collected these seeds and sold them to a provision shop on Mosque Street.
• He earned one anna for a day's collection of seeds.

The turning point for the author's seating arrangement in school was when a new teacher, who couldn't accept a Hindu priest's son sitting with a Muslim boy, instructed the author to move to the back bench. This incident had a profound impact on the author and their friend, Ramanadha Sastry.

When a Muslim boy was invited to dine at their home, Sivasubramania Iyer's wife refused to serve him in her kitchen due to her reservations. However, Sivasubramania Iyer himself took charge, served the boy with his own hands, and sat down to eat alongside him, emphasizing his commitment to breaking social barriers and fostering inclusivity.

Sivasubramania Iyer encouraged the narrator to develop himself to be on par with highly educated individuals in big cities, emphasizing the importance of striving for excellence and education regardless of background or societal expectations.

The narrator's mother, Ashiamma, is someone who was extremely generous and hospitable. It mentions that she fed far more outsiders than all the members of their own family combined. This emphasizes her selfless and compassionate nature, as she extended her hospitality beyond just her immediate family members.

Aravindan chose the career path of arranging transport for visiting pilgrims, as highlighted in the passage. This decision led him into a business related to facilitating transportation for pilgrims visiting religious sites.

The narrator's father, Jainulabdeen, was a man who had neither much formal education nor much wealth. Despite these apparent disadvantages, he was portrayed as possessing great innate wisdom and a true generosity of spirit. This combination of wisdom and generosity indicates his character traits that went beyond material wealth or formal education.

Lakshmana Sastry demanded that the teacher either apologize or quit the school and the island after confronting him about spreading the poison of social inequality and communal intolerance. This demand showcases Lakshmana Sastry's strong conviction and determination to uphold principles of equality and tolerance.

Earning his first wages held great significance for the narrator as it symbolized his financial independence and marked a milestone in his life. This experience instilled a sense of pride and accomplishment in him, as he was able to earn money on his own for the first time, highlighting his growing maturity and self-sufficiency.

During the annual Shri Sita Rama Kalyanam ceremony, the author's family arranged boats with a special platform for carrying idols of the Lord from the temple to the marriage site, located in the middle of a pond near their house. This ceremony was a significant event for the family.

India's entry into the Allied Forces during the wartime period resulted in the imposition of a state of emergency in the narrator's locality. This had various consequences, such as the suspension of the train halt at Rameswaram station and changes in newspaper distribution methods.

The author's close friends in childhood were Ramanadha Sastry, Aravindan, and Sivaprakasan, all from orthodox Hindu Brahmin families. Despite religious differences, they maintained a strong bond and friendship.