Bholi Class 10 Worksheet English Chapter 5

Q.1. What is the opposite of ‘laughing’?
(a) Smiling
(b) Crying
(c) Complaining
(d) Teasing

Correct Answer is Option (b)

Q.2. What does the word ‘daring’ mean?
(a) Wanting
(b) Showing
(c) Teasing
(d) Seeking

Correct Answer is Option (a)

Q.3. Why is Sulekha called ‘Bholi’?

Sulekha is called ‘Bholi’ because she is a simpleton due to her suffering some brain damage after falling off a cot when she was ten months old. As a result, she is not as smart as children of her age.

Q.4. How did Bholi react when the teacher asked her name?

Bholi stammered when she spoke and could not tell her name completely when the teacher asked her to do so. So, she broke into tears.

Q.5. What filled Bholi’, a dumb cow, with new hope in her?

Bholi’s first day of school brought hope for a new life. She had found a loving and kind teacher. The teacher had inspired her and given her a book and had made Bholi feel confident about herself.

Q.6. What objections does Ramlal have to Bishamber’s proposal?

Ramlal was not very happy with the proposal. He did not like the fact that Bishamber was of his age. He had a limp and the children were quite grown up. It was not a very satisfactory proposition.

Q.7. Why were Bholi’s sisters envious of her luck?

Bishamber Nath was quite prosperous. The procession for Bholi’s marriage had a brass band and the groom rode a decorated horse. Such pomp and show impressed everyone. All this made her sisters envious of her.

Q.8. Bholi is a child different from others. This difference makes her an object of neglect and laughter. Elaborate.

Society does not tolerate differences very easily. Bholi is not like others. She is slow for her age. She stammers when she speaks. Smallpox leaves her all covered with pock-marks. As a result, she has to suffer a lot. Her parents do not even bathe her. She is ignored and neglected. They take her only as a burden. People laugh at her. Children imitate her when she speaks. So, she remains silent most of the time. She has no confidence or self-esteem. Society must realize that it must accept those who are ” different. They must be treated with the same love and respect as others.

Q.9. ‘Dowry is the negation of the girl’s dignity. Discuss with reference to the story ‘Bholi’.

A girl is an individual in her own right. Equal opportunities in life can help her become independent and strong. She is not a burdensome object to be given away with money as compensation. Thus dowry negates the girl’s dignity and self-respect. The story ‘Bholi’ shows this in a dramatic manner. Bholi is thought to be ugly and dumb by her parents. So, they are willing to pay dowry to an old man with a limp. So that he marries her. Bholi, on the other hand, refuses to marry that man. She is educated; assertive and capable of taking care of herself. She dedicates her life to the service of her parents and teaching at school.

Q.10. The chapter ‘Bholi’ highlights the discrimination against the girl child. Analyze this statement.

‘Nature does not discriminate, but society does. From time immemorial the world has discriminated against the girl child. The chapter, ‘Bholi’ throws, up many instances. Ramlal’s sons go to school and college. His daughters are not educated because it would be difficult to marry them off. Her mother does not think it necessary to take Bholi’s consent for her marriage. The groom is an old and lame widower. Still, he demands dowry. Her father is ready to pay him. It is the girl herself who realizes that she is being demeaned and hence opposes the marriage. She raises her voice against the man’s undue demand and refuses to marry him. She is criticized and humiliated for standing up for her dignity. But she is firm and decides the course of her life. From the dumb cow and stammering fool, she transforms herself into a bold girl who is ready to speak her mind.