Bholi Class 10 Worksheet English Chapter 5

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

Ans: (b) Crying

Explanation: Laughing expresses joy and pleasure, while crying normally expresses sorrow or pain. They are commonly treated as emotional opposites because one shows happiness and the other shows sadness.

• Crying is often seen as the emotional opposite of laughing.
• While laughing represents joy, crying signifies sadness.

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

Ans: (a) Wanting

Explanation: Primarily, daring means being bold or willing to take risks. None of the given options is a perfect synonym, but among them wanting (option (a)) can be taken to suggest a strong desire or readiness to attempt something difficult. In simple terms, daring involves boldness and willingness to face danger or difficulty, which is why option (a) is the closest choice here.

The word 'daring' therefore relates to:

• Desire to challenge oneself
• Willingness to face danger or difficulty
• Boldness in actions or decisions

Q.3. Why is Sulekha called 'Bholi'?

Ans: She is called Bholi because after falling off a cot at about ten months she suffered brain damage which made her slower in learning and speech than other children. Her family and others treat her as simple and inexperienced, so the name Bholi (meaning simpleton) stuck.

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

Ans: When the teacher asked her name, Bholi stammered and could not say it clearly. She felt embarrassed and upset, and this made her break into tears.

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

Ans: Bholi's first day at school filled her with hope. Her teacher was kind and encouraging. The teacher gave her attention, praise and a book, which made Bholi feel valued and confident. That care and encouragement opened up the possibility of a better life for her.

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

Ans: Ramlal was hesitant with the proposal because Bishamber was not an ideal match for his family. Bishamber was of the same age as Ramlal, he had a limp, and he already had grown-up children. For these reasons Ramlal considered the match unsatisfactory.

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

Ans: Bholi's sisters were envious because Bishamber Nath was prosperous and the marriage arrangements were showy - there was a brass band and the groom rode a decorated horse. The wealth and pomp of the marriage made the sisters feel jealous of Bholi's good fortune.

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

Ans: Bholi is different in several visible ways: she is slow for her age, she stammers, and smallpox has left her with pock-marks. Because of these differences, her family neglects her and treats her as a burden rather than as a child to be cared for. Other children tease her and imitate her speech, which makes her withdraw and remain silent. Her parents do not give her the same attention as her brothers and sisters, so she grows up with low self-esteem. This shows how society and family often ridicule and neglect those who are different instead of supporting and encouraging them.

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

Ans: Dowry treats a girl as a commodity to be exchanged rather than as an individual with rights and dignity. In Bholi's case, her parents are willing to give money so that an older, lame widower will marry her - they view marriage as a transaction and try to secure a match by payment. This attitude undermines Bholi's self-respect. Bholi, however, refuses to accept such degradation. She speaks up against the dowry demand and refuses to marry the man, thereby asserting her dignity and individuality. Her refusal and later life as a teacher show that a girl's honour is harmed by dowry but can be restored by education and self-respect.

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

Ans: The chapter shows discrimination against the girl child in many ways. Ramlal sends his sons to school and college but does not educate his daughters because he worries about finding a husband for them. Bholi's mother and relatives make decisions about her marriage without asking her consent. Girls are expected to be married off, and dowry is treated as part of that transaction. Even when Bholi grows and proves herself capable, she faces criticism for asserting her rights. Despite this, Bholi's education and courage help her transform from a neglected, timid girl into an independent woman who can make her own choices. These events reveal deep-rooted social bias against girls and emphasise the importance of education and self-respect in overcoming discrimination.