How I Taught My Grandmother to Read Question Answer Class 9 English Kaveri Chapter 1 - #NCSOLVE 📚

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How I Taught My Grandmother to Read Class 9 Question Answer

Class 9 English Kaveri Chapter 1 Question Answer

Kaveri Book Class 9 Chapter 1 How I Taught My Grandmother to Read Question Answer

Reflect and Respond (Pages 1-2).

I. Complete the given word web.

Question 1.

Answer:

II. Read the questions given below and share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

Question 1.
Which languages(s) do your grandparents or elderly relatives speak?
Answer:
My grandparents and elderly relatives speak mostly Hindi language at home.

Question 2.
How do they spend their time? How do you spend time with them?
Answer:
My grandparents and elderly relatives spend their time praying, reading newspapers, watching television, gardening, and talking with neighbours. I spend time with them by listening to their life experiences, helping them with small tasks, and sitting with them in the evening.

Question 3.
What is your favourite experience with them?
Answer:
My favourite experience with my grandparents and elderly relatives is listening to their childhood stories and learning about old traditions and family history.

Question 4.
What is something that the elderly in your family cannot do easily but enjoy watching you do?
Answer:
The elderly in my family cannot use mobile phones or modern gadgets easily, but they enjoy watching me use them and often ask me to show them how things work.

III. Read the following passage. Match the highlighted words with their meanings given in the box below.

The casting for the (i) protagonist of our school’s annual play was done after a lot of (ii) debate as many good actors had auditioned for the role. We had decided to present an (iii) episode from an inspirational story. It was a life story of a group of children who worked with the (iv) community to spread literacy. Every day, we reached school early to practise with (v) concentration. We waited (vi) eagerly for the final presentation. All of us played our roles in a very (vii) convincing manner as our theatre teacher had (viii) guided us well.
Answer:

Words	Meanings
(i) protagonist	7. main character
(ii) debate	4. discussion
(iii) episode	5. a part of a story
(iv) community	3. people living in one particular area
(v) concentration	6. focus
(vi) eagerly	1. excitedly
(vii) convincing	2. believable
(viii) guided	8. directed

Check Your Understanding (Pages 6-7)

I. Complete the cause and effect table given below based on Part I of the story. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

Answer:

Cause	Effect
1. The transport system was not very good.	(i) The morning papers arrived late in the day and weekly magazines would come one day late.
2. The grandmother, Krishtakka, never went to school.	(ii) She could not read and had to depend on the narrator to read the story to her.
3. The grandmother listened carefully to the story every week.	(iii) She was deeply interested in the story and discussed it with her friends.
4. The narrator went to a wedding for a week.	(iv) The grandmother felt helpless and upset because she could not read the new episode by herself.
5. In those days, people never considered education essential for girls.	(v) The grandmother never went to school.
6. The grandmother regretted not going to school.	(vi) She ensured that her children and grandchildren studied well.

II. Do you think the narrator expected to see her grandmother in tears when she returned to the village? If yes, why? If no, why not?

Answer:
No, the narrator did not expect to see her grandmother in tears because she had never seen her cry, even in the most difficult situations.

III. How might the narrator help her grandmother to fulfil her desire to learn to read and write?

Answer:
The narrator helped her grandmother by teaching her how to read and write, starting with the Kannada alphabet and practising with her daily.

Check Your Understanding(Pages 9-10)

I. I State whether the following sentences are true or false.

Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

Answer:
1. → True
2. → False (Reason: She did not ask anyone in the village to read Kashi Yatre to her because she felt too embarrassed)
3. → True
4. → True
5. → True
6. → False (Reason: The narrator was not disappointed. In fact, she was proud and happy because her grandmother passed “with flying colours”)

Critical Reflection (Pages 10-13)

I. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.

1. When I came back to my village, I saw my grandmother in tears. I was surprised, for I had never seen her cry even in the most difficult situations. What had happened? I was worried. ‘Avva, is everything all right? Are you okay?’ I used to call her Avva, which means mother in the Kannada spoken in north Karnataka.
She nodded but did not reply. I did not understand and forgot about it. In the night, after dinner, we were sleeping in the open terrace of our house. It was a summer night and there was a full moon. Avva came and sat next to me. Her affectionate hands touched my forehead.

(i) Complete the following sentence with the appropriate option.
The phrase ‘never seen her cry in the most difficult situations’ tells us that the grandmother was _________ .
A. strong-willed
B. understanding
C. considerate
D. bold
Answer:
A. strong-willed

(ii) Complete the following with the correct option from those given in the brackets.
Grandmother did not reply when the narrator asked if she was alright because she might have been too _________ (emotional/tired) to respond.
Answer:
emotional

(iii) Identify the clue from the extract that indicates a rural setting with traditional customs.
Answer:
The extract shows a rural setting through the description of the open terrace where the family slept on a summer night under the full moon, reflecting a simple village lifestyle and traditional customs.

(iv) Which lines of the extract establish a tender atmosphere?
Answer:
The lines that create a tender atmosphere are when Avva sits next to the narrator and her affectionate hands touch the narrator’s forehead, showing the love and warmth between them.

(v) Which of the following aspect is NOT emphasised in the given extract?
A. the emotional turmoil of the grandmother
B. the affectionate bond between the narrator and her grandmother
C. the grandmother’s regret over her lack of education
D. the narrator’s concern for her grandmother
Answer:
C. the grandmother’s regret over her lack of education.

2. ‘I have decided I want to learn the Kannada alphabet from tomorrow onwards. I will work very hard. I will keep Saraswati Puja day during Dassara as the deadline. That day I should be able to read a novel on my own. I want to be independent.’
I saw the determination on her face. Yet I laughed at her.
‘Avva, at this age of sixty-two you want to learn the alphabet? All your hair is grey, your hands are wrinkled, you wear spectacles and you work so much in the kitchen…’
Childishly I made fun of the old lady. But she just smiled.

‘For a good cause if you are determined, you can overcome any obstacle. I will work harder than anybody but I will do it. For learning there is no age bar.’

(i) What does the grandmother’s statement, “I want to be independent,” reveal about her character?
A. She wanted to be literate.
B. She desires self-sufficiency.
C. She wants to prove her intelligence to others.
D. She feels pressured by society to learn.
Answer:
B. She desires self-sufficiency

(ii) Fill in the blank with the appropriate option from those given in brackets.
The grandmother’s determination shows that learning has no _________ . (age limit/gender bias/cultural barriers).
Answer:
age limit

(iii) Complete the following with a suitable reason.
The narrator laughs at her grandmother’s decision to learn the alphabet at the age of sixty-two because _________ .
Answer:
she thought it was unusual for an elderly person with grey hair and wrinkled hands to start learning something new with so much responsibilities, specially at this age.

(iv) List any two qualities displayed by the grandmother.
Answer:
Two qualities displayed by the grandmother are determination and perseverance.

(v) How can we say that the narrator is making assumptions about her grandmother?
Answer:
We can say that the narrator is making assumptions about her grandmother because she laughed and doubted that someone of sixty-two could learn the alphabet, thinking that her age and daily chores would prevent her from succeeding.

II. Answer the following questions.

Question 1.
Why do you think the grandmother felt embarrassed to ask someone else to read to her while the narrator was away?
Answer:
The grandmother felt embarrassed to ask someone else to read to her while the narrator was away because she was shy and did not want to appear dependent on others, even though she could not read by herself. She trusted the narrator and felt comfortable only with her as she was her granddaughter.

Question 2.
Why does the narrator initially laugh at her grandmother’s determination to learn at the age of sixty-two?
Answer:
The narrator initially laughed at her grandmother’s determination to learn at the age of sixty-two because she could not imagine that someone of her age, with grey hair, wrinkled hands, and household responsibilities, could start learning the alphabet. It seemed unusual and surprising to her.

Question 3.
What significance does the story of Kashi Yatre have in both the grandmother’s life and the story?
Answer:
The story of Kashi Yatre is significant because it inspired the grandmother and reflected her own feelings. Like the old lady in the novel, she had desires she could not fulfil and understood the value of selflessness. It also motivated her to become independent and learn to read for herself.

Question 4.
What does the grandmother’s desire to learn the Kannada alphabet reflect about her?
Answer:
The grandmother’s desire to learn the Kannada alphabet reflects her determination, love for knowledge, and wish to be independent. Despite her age and past lack of education, she wanted to empower herself and gain self-sufficiency.

Question 5.
What lessons can we infer from the grandmother’s action of touching the narrator’s feet?
Answer:
From the grandmother’s action of touching the narrator’s feet, we learn that respect for teachers is timeless, and learning and effort are worthy of honour. It shows humility, gratitude, and that age or gender does not limit the respect one can give to someone who teaches with love and dedication.

Question 6.
What does the following line tell us about the broader theme of the story?
‘For a good cause if you are determined, you can overcome any obstacle.’
Answer:
The line, ‘For a good cause if you are determined, you can overcome any obstacle,’ highlights the broader theme of the story, which is that determination, perseverance, and the desire to achieve something meaningful can help a person overcome challenges, regardless of age or circumstances. It shows that obstacles like age, lack of education, or social expectations can be overcome with willpower and commitment.

Question 7.
How effectively does the story highlight the value of education in supporting personal independence?
Answer:
The story effectively highlights the value of education in supporting personal independence through the grandmother’s journey. Because she could not read, she felt dependent and helpless, despite having wealth. Learning to read and write gave her confidence, self-sufficiency, and the ability to enjoy knowledge on her own, showing how education empowers individuals and transforms their lives.

Vocabulary and Structures in Context (Pages 13-16)

I.  The expression ‘hide and seek’ is used in the text. This is called a binomial.
Binomials are expressions consisting of two words, usually linked by a conjunction like ‘and’ or ‘or’, that are commonly used together in a fixed order.
For example: odds and ends, right or wrong.
Match the binomials in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2. You may refer to a dictionary.

Now, use any five of the above binomials in sentences of your own.
Answer:

Column 1	Column 2
1. sink or swim	(vii) succeed or fail without help
2. on and off	(v) sometimes, occasionally
3. mix and match	(i) put different things together to get a range of possibilities
4. all or nothing	(viii) something to be done completely or not at all
5. part and parcel	(ii) complete part of or belonging to
6. pick and choose	(iii) choose only the best (things, people, etc.)
7. sooner or later	(iv) at some time in the future
8. leaps and bounds	(vi) increase or develop very quickly

Binomials Used in Sentences are as follows:

1. When she started living alone, it was a sink or swim situation for her.
2. He attends his music classes on and off due to his busy schedule.
3. You can mix and match these clothes to create different outfits.
4. Learning from mistakes is part and parcel of growing up.
5. The child’s reading skills improved by leaps and bounds after regular practice.

II. Read the following words from the text given in the box below.

These words are made by adding suitable prefixes (‘un’, ‘ir’, and ‘in’) to give an opposite or negative meaning to the words.
Now, make words by adding the suitable prefixes given in the box to the words from the text in Column 1. Write the prefixed words in Column 2. One example has been done for you.


Answer:

Column 1	Column 2
1. popular	(i) unpopular
2. belief	(ii) disbelief
3. important	(iii) unimportant
4. respect	(iv) disrespect
5. correct	(v) incorrect
6. continue	(vi) discontinue
7. understand	(vii) misunderstand
8. ordinary	(viii) extraordinary
9. interesting	(ix) uninteresting
10. possible	(x) impossible

III. Identify any five words with prefixes from the story and make sentences using each.

Answer:

1. Unhappy-She felt unhappy when she realised she could not complete the task on her own.
2. Unusual-It is unusual to see such kindness in a competitive world.
3. Unfortunately-Unfortunately, the plan had to be cancelled due to bad weather.
4. Independent-Becoming independent helped her make confident decisions.
5. Irrespective-Everyone deserves equal respect irrespective of their status in society.

IV. In the sentence, “I knew, then, that my student had passed with flying colours”, the phrase “passed with flying colours” is an idiom. It means outstanding performance.
Now, match the idioms related to ‘learning’ given in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2. You may refer to a dictionary.

Now, use these idioms in sentences of your own.
Answer:

Column 1	Column 2
1. to hit the books	(iii) to study seriously
2. to draw a blank	(v) to be unable to remember
3. to learn the ropes	(vi) to understand how to do an activity
4. to rack one’s brain	(ii) to think very hard
5. to learn by heart	(i) to memorise something
6. burn the midnight oil	(iv) to study or work late into the night

Idioms used in Sentences are as follows:

1. I need to hit the books before my exams begin.
2. I drew a blank when the teacher asked me the answer.
3. It took me a week to learn the ropes at my new job.
4. I racked my brain to solve the difficult maths problem.
5. She learnt the poem by heart for the competition.
6. He burnt the midnight oil to complete his project.

V. Read the following sentences from the text and underline the verbs.

1. Secretly, I bought Kashi Yatre which had been published as a novel by that time.
2. I knew, then, that my student had passed with flying colours.
In sentence 1, verb ‘bought’ is in simple past tense.
In sentence 2, verb ‘had passed’ is in past perfect tense.

We use past perfect tense to indicate two completed actions-one occurring earlier (later past) and the other more recently (recent past). The more recent action is expressed in the simple past, while the earlier action takes the past perfect tense.

Examples

• By the time I reached the party, everyone had finished eating.
• When she returned home, her brother had finished the project.

(i) Fill in the blanks with simple past and past perfect tense form of the verbs given in brackets.
A. When the delegates _________ (arrive) at the conference, the keynote speaker _________ (already begin) the session.
B. After the students _________ (learn) how to identify fake news online, they _________ (start) verifying information before sharing it.
C. Before Kiran _________ (start) using digital payment platforms, she _________ (ensure) her understanding of online fraud prevention.
D. By the time Varun _________ (recognise) the importance of budgeting, he _________ (exhaust) most of his savings.
E. When Raghu _________ (log in) to the cybersecurity webinar, the instructor _________ (already discuss) the importance of strong passwords.
Answer:
A. arrived, had already begun
B. had learnt, started
C. started, had ensured
D. recognised, had exhausted
E. logged in, had already discussed

(ii) Fill in the blanks with the correct form of verbs given in brackets.
Last year my parents and I A. _________ (take) a financial planning course. When we B. _________ (review) our expenses, we realised we C. _________ (spend) too much on unnecessary purchases. After my parents D. _________ (discuss) ways to save, I E. _________ (open) a savings account. By the time we F. _________ (set) our budget, the course G. _________ (already introduce) investment strategies. We H. _________ (hurry) to take notes, but many participants I. _________ (complete) their financial plAnswer: Despite that, we J. _________ (enjoy) learning how to manage money wisely.
Answer:
A. took
B. reviewed
C. had spent
D. had discussed
E. opened
F. set
G. had already introduced
H. hurried
I. had completed
J. enjoyed

Listen and Respond (Page 17)

I. You will listen to a speaker talk about digital literacy.
As you listen, complete the following sentences with one to three exact words that you hear. (Transcript for teacher on page 259)

1. Literacy these days includes the ability to use _________ .
Answer:
digital tools

2. Digital literacy is also about protecting _________ .
Answer:
personal data

3. Digital literacy enables the elderly to _________ .
Answer:
stay connected

4. Digital literacy encourages using the internet safely by helping us recognise _________ and _________ .
Answer:
misinformation, scams and cyber threats.

5. The National Digital Literacy Mission helps people across the country by imparting _________ .
Answer:
IT training

Speaking Activity (Pages 17-18)

Turncoat is a type of solo debate where the speaker argues for and against a topic, switching sides after a certain period of time.

I. Choose your topic and speak ‘for’ and ‘against’ for not more than one minute each.

Topic 1: It is important to learn a new language apart from your mother tongue.
Topic 2: Learning can happen only when you are young.
Use the guidelines given below.

• Begin with speaking ‘for’ the topic for one minute.
• Your teacher will signal that it is time to switch sides.
• Then speak ‘against’ the topic for one minute.

You may use the following sentence prompts.

Answer:
Topic 1: It is important to learn a new language apart from your mother tongue.
For the topic: To begin with, I would like to speak for the topic. My first argument in favour of this is that learning a new language allows us to communicate with people from different cultures, making travel and international friendships easier. Most importantly, I want to mention that it enhances career opportunities, as many companies value employees who can speak multiple languages. In addition to that, learning another language strengthens memory, focus, and problem-solving skills. Moreover, it broadens our perspective and helps us understand different cultures deeply. I strongly feel that knowing more than one language increases confidence in social and professional situations. There’s no doubt that learning a new language enriches life in many ways.

Against the topic: On the other hand, there are two sides to this topic. Learning a new language can be time-consuming and difficult, especially when one is busy with studies or work. I am pretty sure that focusing on your mother tongue and excelling in it may be more practical in many situations. Well, I am not sure whether you can gain fluency in another language without years of practice. So, to put it in a few words, while learning a new language can be beneficial, it is not always necessary, and it depends on a person’s priorities and time.

Topic 2: Learning can happen only when you are young.
For the topic: To begin with, I would like to speak for this topic. My first argument in favour of this is that children and young people have more flexible brains, making it easier for them to learn new skills, languages, and concepts. Most importantly, I want to mention that young learners have more time to make mistakes and improve, which helps them gain mastery faster. In addition to that, habits formed during youth last a lifetime, which makes learning at an early age more effective. I strongly feel that being young gives a natural advantage in education, creativity, and skill development. There’s no doubt that early learning creates a strong foundation for the future.

Against the topic: On the contrary, learning is not limited to youth. Many adults continue to learn new skills, languages, and professions successfully. I am pretty sure that determination, practice, and focus can help anyone learn at any age. Well, I am not sure whether youth is the only period for effective learning, as adults often have more discipline and motivation. So, to put it in a few words, learning can happen at any stage of life, and age should never be considered a barrier to acquiring knowledge.

Writing Task (Pages 19-20)

I. As a socially responsible citizen, you strongly believe that students can contribute significantly in promoting adult literacy. Write a letter to the Editor of a local newspaper emphasising the importance of student participation in adult literacy camps conducted by various organisations. Discuss the benefits of such initiatives for both students and society. Suggest effective ways to spread awareness and encourage more students to volunteer for this noble cause.
A letter to the editor is a formal letter in which the writer gives suggestions and creates awareness on an issue of public interest or an issue already raised in an article/write-up/published letter.
Points to Remember:
Format:

• Name, designation, address
• Date
• Subject: 4-5 words in title case
• Salutation: Sir/Madam
• Body of the letter: In at least three paragraphs
• Paragraph 1: Statement of problem: Raise the issue by citing some latest news items, survey report or personal experience, etc.
  • This is with reference to the article about _______ dated _________ in your newspaper.
  • As a concerned citizen I would like to draw your attention towards…
  • Paragraph 2: Analyse the issue in terms of its causes and consequences.
  • The issue at hand affects a large section of society and…
  • It is imperative that…
  • It would be beneficial if…
  • Such initiatives nurture a sense of…
  • By engaging in these programmes students…
• Paragraph 3: Offer suggestions/solutions. Request the relevant authorities to take the action and request the editor to publish your views.
  • A possible solution to this issue could be…
  • One effective way to address this might be…
  • Authorities could consider implementing…
  • I trust this matter will be considered seriously for the benefit of all.
  • I am hopeful that necessary steps will be taken to…
  • I hope this letter gets published in the columns of your esteemed daily.
• Complimentary close: Yours truly,
• Language
  • Formal, clear, and specific
  • Short and to the point sentences
  • Purpose stated clearly and concisely
  • Relevant details to be given

Answer:
123, Lajpat Nagar,
New Delhi – 110024
31 January, 2027
To
The Editor
The Times of India
New Delhi
Subject: Students’ Role in Adult Literacy
Respected Sir/Madam,
This is with reference to the article about adult literacy campaigns dated 25 January, 2027. Many adults in our country cannot read or write, which affects their daily life and opportunities. Students can help by volunteering in literacy camps, teaching basic reading and writing skills.
This benefits both students and society. Students develop patience and responsibility, while adults gain confidence and independence. Awareness campaigns and recognition can encourage more students to participate. I hope your newspaper will publish this letter to inspire others.

Yours truly,

Riya Sharma

Learning Beyond the Text (Pages 20-22)

I. India has 22 major languages according to the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Each language has its own unique identity. Talk to your classmates and teacher and complete the given table with words from any five Indian languages.

Answer:

II. Do you know?

Answer:
Students to read and understand the text from pages 21 and 22 of the textbook themselves.

III. Talk to your grandparents and find out which book or magazine they enjoy reading. Buy a copy of it and present it to them as a gift.

Answer:
Students to do it themselves.

The post How I Taught My Grandmother to Read Question Answer Class 9 English Kaveri Chapter 1 appeared first on Learn CBSE.

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