Class 9 English Question Answers - How I taught My Grandmother to Read

Very Short Answer Questions

Q1. Who bent down to touch narrator’s feet?

Ans: Her grandmother bent down to touch the narrator's feet.

Q2. Which quality of ‘her’ was revealed to the narrator at this moment?

Ans: This reveals her helplessness because, in the narrator's absence, she was unable to read the next episode of Kashi Yatre.

Q3. What was the reason which made ‘her’ cry?

Ans: She cried because she was uneducated and could not read the next episode of 'Kashi Yatre' while her granddaughter was away.

Q4. What had the speaker done?

Ans: The speaker taught her grandmother to read the Kannada alphabet. This enabled her to read the novel Kashi Yatre.

Q5. Which occasion is being talked about here?

Ans: A wedding ceremony in the neighbouring village is being discussed here. During that time, weddings were significant events, and children enjoyed themselves immensely.

Q6. What led to ‘savouring freedom’?

Ans: The narrator and her cousins experienced a sense of freedom during the wedding ceremony in their neighbouring village. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves, indulging in food and play while the elders were occupied. Although the narrator planned to stay for a couple of days, she ended up enjoying the festivities for a whole week.

Short Answer Questions

Q1. Why could the grandmother not be educated? Give reasons.

Ans: When the grandmother was young, education for girls was not seen as important, so she was never sent to school. Additionally, she got married at a very young age and led a busy life. Later, when she had grandchildren, she found joy in cooking and feeding them. As a result, her education was never considered by anyone.

Q2. For what did the grandmother set Dussehra festival as a deadline?

Ans: In the absence of her granddaughter, the grandmother felt dependent and helpless because she could not read the next episode of Kashi Yatre. To overcome this feeling, she decided to learn the Kannada alphabet and set Dussehra as her deadline. By that time, she aimed to be able to read Kashi Yatre on her own.

Q3. Explain the statement, “I knew then that my student had passed with flying colours” in the context of the lesson.

Ans: When the granddaughter presented the novel 'Kashi Yatre' by Triveni to her grandmother, the grandmother immediately recognised the title and the publisher's name. This moment signified that she had successfully learned the Kannada alphabet, indicating her achievement in reading. The phrase "passed with flying colours" reflects her triumph in mastering this skill.

Q4. The grandmother remained steadfast in her decision despite her granddaughter’s mockery? Why?

Ans: Despite her granddaughter's mockery, the grandmother remained firm in her decision to study because she believed that with strong determination for a good cause, one can overcome any challenge, regardless of age. She was committed to learning the alphabet, willing to put in the necessary hard work to achieve her goal.

Q5. Describe the grandmother’s desperation when she was not able to read 'Kashi Yatre'.

Ans: When the grandmother was unable to read 'Kashi Yatre', she experienced a profound sense of emptiness in her life. Despite being a strong woman who had never shed a tear in tough times, she found herself crying out of frustration at her inability to read. This feeling of helplessness motivated her to learn the alphabet, even at the age of sixty-two.

Q6. But I know it was not possible. If only I was educated enough..... Describe the circumstances that made the grandmother realize the importance of education.

Ans: When the grandmother was young, education for girls was not deemed essential, so she never attended school. Her perspective changed when her granddaughter shared the story of Kashi Yatre, published in a magazine. The grandmother identified with the main character, and her granddaughter would read the story to her. However, when her granddaughter was away, she struggled to read Kashi Yatre on her own and felt a deep sense of emptiness. This experience made her realise the importance of education in her life.

Q7. What major Hindu belief did Triveni revolve her story around?

Ans: The story centres around a significant belief held by many Hindus that visiting Kashi and worshipping Lord Vishweshwara is the ultimate path to Nirvana. It narrates the struggles of an elderly woman who yearns to travel to Kashi but is unable to do so. Instead of using her savings for the journey, she selflessly spends the money to help a poor girl get married. This act highlights her belief that the happiness of others is more important than her own spiritual aspirations.